Perennials Musings…. 

Recently we were asked to add a perennial section to the Greenhouse student handout.  The following is an article that starts with ‘where we started, where we are, and where we are heading’.   

History: 

Until 2010 the MG Greenhouse efforts focused primarily on growing annuals, a limited number of perennials, and donated trees. All were sold or moved off-site each year in May, and the Greenhouse operation was closed for the year.  

In 2010 we expanded the Greenhouse operation to operate virtually all year round. This gave us the ability to maintain the remaining annuals during the summer, and to begin to grow an inventory of perennials, trees, and shrubs in a true nursery sense.  

Our goal is to expand our educational offerings for growing and propagating, as well as provide knowledge and experience in identifying and caring for various types of perennials, trees and shrubs. This is offered to both senior and student Master Gardeners through hands-on workshops and work parties. It also provides a wider variety of plants to the public at our Spring Garden Fair, and other sales during the year.  

With this in mind, we established a perennial program that maintains the plants year round, and sources plants from four main areas: 

Individually donated plants
Grower donated plants & trees
Committee purchased plants (plugs & starts)
Master Gardener propagated plants. 

We meet Tuesday’s from 9-11am, at the greenhouse behind the OSU Extension Auditorium. The group is made up of both Senior and Student master gardeners. Any Master Gardener who would like to participate is welcome.  During our active season, approximately Mar. to Nov., we offer various propagation classes’ monthly. We also pot and label donated and propagated plants, and generally provide care and nurture for the nursery. The cold frame greenhouse is used to house starts, and weather sensitive plants, until weather permits them to be placed outside.  

We have a committed core group that supports the program, and they have done an awesome job of getting us to where we are today!  We welcome and appreciate all volunteers! 

This year we will start regular Tuesday work parties March 6, 2012…..Why don’t you come on down and
 join us!  

Craig & Pattye Ingram
January 2012
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