"Mini-scaping": A few odds and ends worth cultivating

"All you need is one." With time, care, and nurturing, small cuttings and tiny plants will grow and prosper. They will reach a point at which they can be divided, if perennials. The key to "mini-scaping" is really patience, good soil, and care. "Mini-scaping" is the incorporation of much smaller plants into the landscape with the anticipation that they will grow to a mature size to fit the space. For example, you might use a 3 or 5 gallon plant in a bed, but surround it with much smaller plants at a much lower cost. This method works for everything, even your home-made cuttings. Protect and label well what you use. Some small, mail-order firms offer low-prices and interesting items. The knack is to order only those plants that are unusual and hard to find. For more common plants, get stock from a garden center to get your money's worth. The following are some unusual items worth cultivating over time: Hosta 'Empress Wu' This mammoth hosta makes a spectacular specimen in woodland gardens along walkways. One is usually enough, but if you have to space, use three plants, disequally triangulated. Additional specimens dilute the effect. Go with one or three. Make sure to plant for mature size!

"Measures an impressive 4' high and 6' wide with huge leaves that can measure more than 1 1/2' wide and long! This hosta is named in honor of the only female emperor to rule China. A stunning specimen for a shade area! Pale reddish violet flowers in early to mid-summer." www.direct gardening.com Another item to consider is Dicentra spectibilis 'Alba' or white bleeding hearts. This wonderful shade plant is common in red and pink whereas the white and yellow varieties are harder to find. "Old-Fashioned Bleeding Hearts (White)

Traditional Favorite MARCH SPECIAL: FREE $20.00 Off Any Order Of $40 Or More! Offer Expires March 31, 2015. Nature's only heart-shaped blooms trail from arching stems in early to mid spring. Fern-like leaves add an elegant touch. Product Information: Light: Full to partial shade Height: Up to 3' Deer Resistant Bloom Time: Spring Size: Bareroot Zones: 2 to 9" from www.michiganbulb.com The Dorothy Rose columbine is available at other nurseries at higher prices. Small plants are availaable from InterState Nurseries at $2.89 each.

Dorothy Rose Columbine Aquilegia 'Dorothy Rose' Unique flowers! A columbine unlike any other! The Dorothy Rose Columbine has lovely, luminescent, light rose-pink flowers that make this an excellent specimen plant. Blooms are quite distinctive as each one has several blooms set inside one another. www.directgardening.com It is important to remember that the low-price mail order firms send small plants with great potential. They ought to be ready to plant immediately upon arrival. In other words, have the plant hole and prepped soil ready to go. These firms will also send you color catalogs upon request.