In 2011 the Nursery will be open for Retail Sales on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 8:00 am 'til 5:00 pm from May 5^th 'til September 30^th. In additional to the plant varieties available on-line, we have a larger number of cultivars in a greater selection of container sizes at the nursery. Also, for the intrepid collector, there's always the chance of finding that special hard-to-find plant. The hydrangea genus remains a much admired woody ornamental with lots of hybridizing in Western Europe and the US. We are constantly evaluating many of these new introductions to determine their landscape worthiness. Our retail list includes the following species:

Macrophyllas account for over 75% of our retail volume. Nantucket is very mopheadcentric with rich blues of all shades and whites being the most popular. Lace cap varieties are out of favor at the moment but we still offer some excellent selections. Macrophylla hybridizing has been center stage and we do offer a number of the newer varieties that have demonstrated good landscape performance.

Serratas are close cousins of the 'macs'; plant size is typically smaller and more delicate in appearance - but the species is more cold hardy. Given that the dominant bloom form is lace cap, local appeal is low. Nevertheless, we do like a couple of stand-out varieties.

Arborescens is one of the two species native to the US. It is exceptionally cold hardy - to zone 4 - and flowers on new wood. These plants will bloom reliably every year - they are truly bullet-proof. We offer several superior varieties - the widely popular Annabelle, the smaller Bounty and Ryan Gainey, and the very lovely new pink hybrids Invincibelle Spirit and Bella Anna.

Paniculatas are also super cold hardy and very strong growers. They too bloom on new wood so consistent flowering is assured. Our list includes most of the newest introductions - Limelight, Little Lime, Quick Fire, Pinky Winky, Phantom - along with some of the better older varieties. Several are available in both 'bush' and 'tree or standard' plant forms.

Quercifolias are the other native American species (we know you knew that - -). The 'oak leaf' family is also cold hardy but does need summer heat to flower well. Our major offering is Snowflake, with its truly superb panicle bloom form composed entirely of multi-tiered sterile florets. It is a spectacular plant!

Anomalas - the climbers - are a generally less well known species, except here on Nantucket where several outstanding specimens exist mainly in in-town gardens. This is a cold hardy species grown for its excellent climbing habit, fine leaf texture, and interesting multicolored bark.

Involucratas, Hydrangeanoides, and a few other 'specials' are available in limited numbers - often hiding singly and forgotten in the less traveled portions of our nursery. They are particularly good selections for the hydrangea collector.