Gardeners learn about plants that are new in 2016

PORT CLINTON - As the snow continues to fall outside, passionate local gardeners are gearing up and getting ready for when it is time to plant.

Some got a start at the Ida Rupp Public Library on Tuesday, attending the monthly “Garden Series,” presented by master gardener Mary Strayer.

Strayer, of Milan, has been gardening for over 50 years. As a master gardener for the last 17 years, Strayer gives presentations and lectures all over Ohio. She used to offer guided tours of her two-acre garden. Though she has since moved, Strayer still grows around her new home.

“Now I just enjoy talking about it,” she said. “It’s fun to learn together.”

Ida Rupp in Port Clinton has been a host of Strayer’s “Garden Series” for six years. Early each year, Strayer dedicates one of her presentations to selections of new plants that will be hitting stores for the first time.

On Tuesday, Strayer talked about 40 of her picks that are new to 2016. One her favorites was a notable standout, the “Petunia Space Oddity.”

“Now that’s unusual,” Strayer said. “I think that’s a marvelous thing. Mixed in with the white petunias, even the dark ones, or all kinds of different shades of purple would be just lovely.”

And because it’s not a hybrid, you can save your seeds and save some money if you decide to grow them again.

She also encouraged those attending to pick favorites of their own from the plants that are new this year.

“That’s the fun part,” she said. “You have something your neighbors don’t have.”

Next month Strayer will be back at Ida Rupp to talk about “Grasses and New Ideas for Fall Color,” at 2 p.m., March 8.