Natural Radius Grip Gardening Tools
NEW this year at Linder’s is a line of ergonomic gardening tools. There are several hand tools and mid-sized tools to make your gardening not only easier but more fun!
The Natural Radius Grip™ minimizes hand and wrist stress while maximizing power and comfort. The unique curvature and contour of the grip encourages a safer, natural, wrist-neutral approach to gardening. People with conditions like arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome often find this grip greatly increases their enjoyment of gardening.
Aluminum/Magnesium blades
This ultra-light alloy has an exceptional strength to weight ratio. The attractive satin finish reduces the amount of dirt that adheres to the blades while working when compared to blades that have a polished finish.
Santoprene™ Thermoplastic Handle
This high performance, non-latex material provides a secure, comfortable grip whether whet or dry. It resists weather and common garden chemicals and does not break down, even under prolonged exposure to the elements. Highly visible ‘Radius Green’ color will never get lost in the garden.
(Mid sized shovel and hand trowel pictured)
Information from www.radiusgarden.com
2008 Hosta of the Year
‘Blue Mouse Ears’ Hosta
(E. & J. Deckert 2000)
This popular mini hosta makes a very tight miniature mound of very thick, rounded, mouse-like, blue-green leaves (height of 6 inches and width of 12 inches). It has lavender flowers on very short spikes in July. Perfect for a trough or container, it is tough enough to impress in the garden. Cute as its name!
Info provided by the American Hosta Growers Association (www.hostagrowers.org).
2008 Perennial Plant of the Year
2008 Perennial Plant of the Year- Geranium ‘Rozanne’
The Perennial Plant Association has awarded the title of Perennial Plant of the Year® to Geranium ‘Rozanne’. Donald and Rozanne Waterer discovered this strong performing hardy geranium in their garden in Somerset, England in 1989. It has 2 ½ inch, iridescent violet-blue, saucer-shaped flowers with purple-violet veins and radiant white centers. Bloom time is from late spring to mid fall.
Hardiness – USDA Zones 5 to 8
Size – 20 to 24 inches tall and 24 to 28 inches wide
Light – Best in full sun to partial shade, afternoon shade is advisable in hot climates
Soil – Prefers moist, well-drained soil
Uses - Geranium ‘Rozanne’ may be used as a dynamic ground cover or as an attractive specimen plant. It is a good companion plant to Shasta daisy, perennial salvia, speedwell, hostas, and short ornamental grasses. Rozanne’senergetic habit makes it a worthy tenant of patio containers, window boxes,and hanging baskets.
Unique Qualities – The large violet-blue flowers with purple-violet veins and small white centers offer non-stop flowering through the growing season. It has one of the longest flowering periods of any of the hardy geraniums.
The Perennial Plant of the Year Program promotes the use of perennials. Four perennials are selected by the Perennial Plant of the Year Committee from an extensive list of nominations made earlier by PPA members. Each year members cast their vote for one of the four selected plants with the following attributes:
- suitable for a wide range of climate types
- low maintenance
- easily propagated - easily comes true from seed or vegetative propagation
- exhibits multiple seasonal interest
Past winners inlcude:
2008 Geranium ‘Rozanne’
2007 Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’
2006 Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Feuerhexe’
2005 Helleborus xhybridus
2004 Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’
2003 Leucanthemum ‘Becky’
2002 Phlox ‘David’
2001 Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’
2000 Scabiosa columbaria ‘Butterfly Blue’
1999 Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’
1998 Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’
1997 Salvia ‘Mainacht’ (May Night)
1996 Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’
1995 Perovskia atriplicifolia
1994 Astilbe ‘Sprite’
1993 Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’
1992 Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’
1991 Heuchera micrantha ‘Palace Purple’
1990 Phlox stolonifera
Information provided by Perennial Plant Association- www.perennialplant.org
