Knecht’s

We have had a variety of different shrubs on sale during August, and now have started our Tree Sale through the 14th of September. We have approximately 30-40 different varieties on sale marked with sale signs. Stop in and browse our tree sections. We have sizes to fit every budget and also for those wanting to plant themselves - you’ll find just the right size!

Our planting crews are also available for those wanting a new tree but not wanting to plant it themselves. Our sales staff will explain the planting fees!

We will continue planting until close to Thanksgiving so with almost three months left to the planting season - stop in soon while selection is good and pick that perfect tree (or trees!)

The Viburnums are a must have shrub for those wanting the versatility of spring, summer, fall and winter interest! Most viburnums are larger shrubs - growing anywhere from 6 feet to twelve feet in height - and approximately six to ten feet wide. There are a few varities that will stay under six feet. Most varieties host an incredible fall color display - ranging from orange-red, to red, to burgundy - depending on the variety. They have creamy white flowers in the spring, the fruit changes color in late summer and then the leaves will start to turn color starting in mid-September.

The picture on the top shows the J. N. Select American Highbush Cranberry with its fire engine red berries. The shrub on the bottom is the Northern Burgundy Viburnum with its incredible blue-black berries. The fruit will hang on through the winter which provides the winter color interest and is also great for attracting birds to the feeders in the winter. With their larger size, the viburnums also make great habitat for the birds when planted close to where you place your bird feeders. The birds will find refuge from predators in the branches of the shrubs as well as feasting on the berries.

A sign of fall! Our Autumn Joy Sedum that we have in one of our display beds is now beginning to show the beginning of its fall color! Sedums are such a wonderful perennial in that it is exceptionally tough - drought tolerant once established, almost carefree, and provides winter interest!

One of the most popular groups of perennials is the Ornamental Grass. A clump will provide a backdrop and height in a smaller perennial garden, and in larger gardens - several clumps makes an awesome display. Our display garden by our main greenhouse features a clump of Miscanthus Flame Grass. Just today, I noticed the fall plumes starting to emerge. In another week or two, these with fluff up and become even more beautiful than they are now!

Both of these plants will be featured again in another week or two as the change into fall takes place. Stay tuned!

We have a new mum in our stock right now by the name of “Sesquicentenial Sun”. This plant boasts a golden button flower. It is an introduction from the University of Minnesota celebrating their 150 years. What a great plant for Northfielders to plant this year since we are also celebrating our 150th Birthday! We still have several in stock, but I see that this one will sell out quickly!

My attempt to feature a hosta every week this summer was not very good - we are so busy here at the nursery that I have found that there are not as many hours in the day as I thought I had!

This morning, as I walked through our hosta garden at home, I stopped to take the picture of Squash Casserole. All summer this plant has looked great, such a nice gold hosta - a vigorous grower and for not having treated my garden for slugs this year - has stayed quite resistant to them. It is a large hosta with light purple flowers in early summer. It is one of the better hostas for sun tolerance.

Rudbeckia Goldsturm is my favorite perennial if you do not count in Hosta! This wonderful plant starts to blossom in mid to late July and stays going well into September. We live in the middle of the woods and these plants receive as little as an hour or two of sunlight to 4 or 5. The plant located in the boulder wall receives the least amount of sun as it is on the northwest side of our house. They will spread but we haven’t found them invasive. The flower heads left into the winter create wintertime interest as well! This plant makes great cut flowers and are deer resistant. It was named the Plant of the Year in 1999 by the Perennial Plant Association of America.

Ligularia Othello — a late summer perennial is shown here just starting to open up. The vibrant yellow/orange color brightens up the space now when so many other flowers are starting to fade. We have this in one of our gardens with many Hosta, Astilbe, Brunnera, Baptisia and Cimicifuga. In shade gardening in addition to trying to get some flowering perennials, foliage adds the texture and interest to the space. All of these plants have foliage which looks great, and when they are blossoming whether its spring, summer or fall - compliment the area nicely.

One of the projects that we have worked on this year is helping the Northfield Garden Club with their pergola project in Riverside Park. This pergola is the Garden Club’s Sesquicentennial gift to the City of Northfield. The photo shows Derek Chicos and Dan Douglass working on the project. There are many different varieties of vines planted along the pergola.

The pergola is located adjacent to the bike/walking path through Riverside Park and directly across the bike path is a new planting bed also thanks to the Garden Club. Ray Cox of Northfield Construction Company moved this boulder in from out north of Northfield. The dedication of the pergola to the City of Northfield will take place on Thursday evening, August 18th.

We would like to thank the Northfield Garden Club for allowing us to work on this project and for all the countless hours of work they give back to the City of Northfield making this indeed a city of beauty!

We spent 6 days in the Boundary Waters last week and had a wonderful time! The weather was perfect except for the first day when it got to 91 degrees! The forest fire was north of us, however, we did see and smell smoke.

Here at the nursery we always get asked, “Is that hardy here in Minnesota”.

Here are images of Yarrow and Joe Pye Weed and Blueberries. The weather conditions in the Boundary Waters during the winter are harsh to say the least, and no one is there to mulch or protect the plants. These plants thrive in the north and provide pleasure to those paddling along!

The trip was a great time - however we really worked at it. Over the six days with day trips and traveling, we saw 23 lakes and did 26 portages - the longest being 1 1/4 miles. The picture below is sunrise on Tuscarora Lake and it’s these experiences that we reflect on during the winter that keep us going back the next summer!