About The Mixed Border

This following article originally appeared in The Plantsman August/September 2006

The Mixed Border Nursery and Gardens is owned by Doug and Kathy Gagne, a husband and wife team with a wealth of experience in plants and business management. The tranquil nursery they’ve built from the ground up is a tremendous accomplishment. While they are just a few miles off Rt. 101 A and the Everett Turnpike in Hollis, visitors experience only peace and quiet as they stroll through their display gardens. The nursery is enveloped in a completely natural setting and this character is remarkable when weighed against the heavy commercial and residential development that is in close proximity.

Doug says, “We have worked hard to create a nursery that is comfortable and inviting. We encourage people to wander and shop at their own pace.”

Over the years, they’ve expanded every aspect of their operation including the number of full-time employees, the gardens, and the plant list. The business began on a much smaller scale. In 1984, Doug erected a barn and established a small nursery to supply his fledgling landscape design company. “The nursery was an add-on to my landscape business so I could raise some plants I couldn’t get elsewhere, and have them in the sizes I needed,” Doug says. He opened for business with a barn, and just two display gardens.



In the early years, The Mixed Border was a sole proprietorship with Doug at the helm, and Kathy working in the corporate world elsewhere. Kathy joined the business full-time in 1997. While there are many areas that overlap. Kathy’s focus is chiefly managing the nursery and retail sales. In addition to his plant production and selection responsibilities, Doug manages a landscape design/build crew, and presents design plans to customers.

To accommodate the ever-growing plan list offered at The Mixed Border, new areas have been developed for retail sales. Now their nursery includes a shade structure to feature perennials recommended for shady or woodland areas. Landscape cloth is stretched throughout the retail sales area to suppress weed growth. On a daily basis, the landscape cloth is swept to maintain a clean and orderly sales area. All plants offered for sale are sold in containers ranging from 1 quart to three gallon. Typically, the daylilies and hostas would be offered in the large 3-gallon size. The majority are sold in the 3 quart size to 1 gallon containers.

The inventory today features over 1,000 varieties of perennials, more than 200 varieties of woody plants, and some specialty annuals. Doug says, “There are at least four other businesses in the area that are heavy into annuals, so we’re not into this as much.”

To carve out their own marketing niche, Doug says, “We offer plants that you won’t always find at other places. When you have a fixed amount of retail space, you have to make smart choices about your plant list.”

Some of the eye-catching varieties offered at The Mixed Border include a perennial geranium variety named ‘Espresso’. This unique Cranesbill features chocolate brown foliage with a white flower. Customers will find up to 36 varieties of perennial geraniums, along with up to 12 varieties of Echinacea. Doug says, “I’ve always been a plant freak. I enjoy seeking out new varieties.” He admits being partial to variegated cultivars and dwarf conifers.

Kathy adds, “People seemed pleased to hear that of 12 Echinacea we offer, half of them are new introductions. This satisfies their desire for something unique.”

But experience has taught them to achieve a reasonable balance between the old and the new. “We keep the tried and true varieties like Echinacea ‘Magnus’ and Rudbeckias well stocked because they are solid performers and still in demand,” says Kathy.

Doug adds, “When you feature a lot of new material, the burden is on you to educate gardeners about their growth habits and flowering characteristics. Display gardens go a long way to help in this area.” The display gardens represent a “living catalog” where customers can view full-grown example of a wide array of plants.

Doug’s background in plants includes a solid blend of horticultural education and green industry experience. He graduated from UNH with a degree in Plant Science and immediately joined Weston Nurseries in Hopkinton, MA. He worked there for six years after leaving UNH, splitting his time between the garden center and wholesale division. Eventually, the challenge of owning his own business won him over and he left to begin his nursery and landscape design business.

Two areas of the business have been customized to fit their location exactly. The first is a plan to insure an adequate supply of water. Drilled wells in this area of Hollis are not high-yielding, so up to three wells are needed to nourish the plants. Moisture of course hasn’t been an issue this year, but in a drought, sufficient water can be a concern. The third well is used seasonally as needed.

At The Mixed Border all growing media is mixed on-site. Doug says, “We don’t have enough room to bring in a large trailer-truck of soil mix.” Five years ago he purchased a soil mixer and now mixes up about 150 cubic yards each year. Bark, peat, sand, and a perlite mix represent the core ingredients of their growing media.

In early March, a potting shed is a hub of activity to pot up young plants, make divisions, or take cuttings from mature plants. Two greenhouses provide space for the on-site plant production work.

In recent years, Doug and Kathy have seen their customer base expand. They draw customers from the Monadnock area to the west, from Massachusetts, and from surrounding NH communities. They purchase some advertising in local print media, but find gardeners who will tell their friends about the Gagne’s inventory spur a lot of interest and traffic through the nursery. They keep their business name out in front of potential customers by utilizing the internet. A graphic designer was hired to build their website and it is an active link on the web pages developed by NHPGA, NHLA, and the Association of Professional Landscape Designers. Doug earned a certification with the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, following the submission of extensive landscape plans, and a transcript showing his record of continuing education in the landscape design field. In addition to maintaining membership in these green industry organizations, Doug is a member of the Cary Award Committee. He serves on the Hollis Planning Board and enjoys the ability to guide growth in his local community. One other planning board member has a background in environmental horticulture and together they represent a good resource of information on how to build commercial or residential areas that are pleasing in appearance.

Guide to Successful Planting and Care

Before you plant...
Can't plant your purchases right away? Relax! Plants in containers will remain in good health for a long time. Just make sure that they are watered regularly so that they don't dry out before you are ready to plant them. A slightly shady spot will be beneficial. Balled-and-burlapped (B&B) plants may also be treated the same, except that a mulch around the roots will slow down water loss and keep the roots cool until planting. If you have any questions after reading this planting guide, please give us a call at 603-882-5538.

Soil preparation...
Adding at least a couple of inches of organic matter such as Coast of Maine^tm compost over the surface of the bed, along with perhaps a dusting of powdered limestone and a sprinkling of a good organic fertilizer, such as Pro Gro^tm. Then turn them all into the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches. Rake smooth, and the planting will be easy. Unless adding a plant to an existing bed, don't cheat by just amending the soil removed from the planting hole, for the roots need to be encouraged to be developed beyond it. This is especially true when planting trees and shrubs. Many studies have shown that amending the soil only within the planting hole actually inhibits root development beyond it. The roots need to grow into the surrounding soil, and the sooner that happens, the faster and better the plant will become established.

Note: plants that are said to require "good drainage" usually need some sand added to the soil, rather than organic matter.


Drawing by Tom Strangfeld. Used with permission.

Planting...
Dig a hole at least twice as wide as the rootball; wider is better, especially for trees and shrubs, but no deeper than the height of the root ball. (Exceptions would be roses, clematis, and peonies: these will generally do best in a hole dug about the same size as a 5 gallon bucket, with richly amended soil). If the soil has been prepared as earlier explained, no additives are needed.

After digging the hole, remove a potted plant from its pot and examine the roots: any that are encircling the soil should be gently pulled apart with fingers. More substantial roots that encircle the pot can be cut or teased away with an old knife, trowel, or spade. Set the plant in place, and after making sure that it is facing the right direction and is plumb, fill the hole with soil level with the top of the root ball but not covering it. Press the soil firmly with your hands, and add more if needed to be level with the top of the root ball. (See illustration.) Water well.

Balled and burlapped plants are installed the same way, except that any twine should be cut off after the plant is set in the hole, and the burlap loosened and gently cut away with a utility knife. Wire baskets should not be removed, as they help keep the root ball intact. (See illustration.)

Then, mulch the soil with a 2-inch layer of shredded bark or other material of your choice. Please do not mound the mulch up around the stems.

Mulches...
Organic mulches of many sorts are recommended: shredded bark; buckwheat or cocoa hulls; compost; shredded leaves; and even pine needles (the answer is no, they don't make the soil more acidic, but you can add a little extra lime if you aren't sure). All mulches add valuable organic matter to the soil as they decompose, so top-dress as needed. Avoid mulch volcanoes around trees! Pea stone makes good mulch for plants that prefer dry, gravelly soil, such as those found in rock gardens.


Drawing by UMass Extension. Used with permission.

Watering...
Lawn irrigation systems are not suitable for watering trees, shrubs and perennials. Consider installing a reliable, waterconserving drip irrigation system. Newly installed plants should not be allowed to completely dry out. Watering depends upon many factors: season, water needs of plant, exposure to sun or wind, weather, etc. Check the soil regularly for dryness. Dry soil falls apart when handling it; moist soil feels cool and retains its shape somewhat when squeezed. Water deeply rather than shallowly. Do not depend upon natural rainfall when establishing plants!

Aftercare...
Fertilizer, whether synthetic or organic, may be applied in the spring or fall. Organic forms are best, as they feed the soil rather than the plant, and release their nutrients slowly. We recommend Pro Gro^tm.You may choose a specialty fertilizer, or an all-purpose 5-10-5 or close equivalent. Adding a thin layer of compost each fall contributes valuable organic matter as well as a modicum of nutrients, which feed the soil. You'll see a difference the next year in your garden.

Winter Protection...
Perennials benefit from a light mulch applied in late fall, after the soil has frozen. Salt marsh hay is the best, because it contains no weed seeds, and lasts for a few years if dried and properly stored the next spring. Check The Mixed Border Nursery and Gardens for availability. Otherwise, use evergreen boughs, such as recycled Christmas trees or straw. Uncover gradually in late March or very early April, after the snow has melted.

Trees and shrubs usually need no winter protection, except for evergreens, which often benefit from screening out the winter sun and wind for a year or two after planting. A roll of burlap works well. Various wraps applied to the trunks of trees are usually not recommended.

Please remember that gardening involves nature, and weather cycles can affect the winter survivability of plants in the landscape, despite our best efforts.

Pruning...
Pruning is a subject unto itself. Suffice to say that most people do not prune plants properly; plants are often sheared into shapes ranging from golf balls and hockey pucks to chicken nuggets. A better method is to selectively thin out branches that have become too long, or too dense. Restraint, and a good book on pruning is helpful, or call us at The Mixed Border Nursery and Gardens to have us do the pruning the right way, at the right time.

Problems?...
Although we strive to sell only pest-resistant plants, occasionally insects or disease affect plants. Please be sure to identify the problem before treatment to avoid possible environmental harm. Call us, or contact your county Cooperative Extension Service office. In Hillsborough County, NH, the contact number is 1-877-398-4769 or UNH Cooperative Extension Service.

Our Guarantee...
We guarantee that our plants are true to name and in healthy condition when they leave the nursery, and will not knowingly sell any otherwise. If you have a problem with one of our plants, please let us know about it as soon as possible. Most experienced gardeners realize that losing plants occasionally is part of gardening. Sometimes plants perish due to unusual weather, improper planting or aftercare, or placement in the wrong location. Rarely will plants fail due to insects and disease. The Mixed Border Nursery and Gardens will not be liable for any such losses. If a plant fails to survive within 30 days of purchase, we will provide, at our discretion, full replacement or store credit based on the purchase price. Responsibility for losses beyond 30 days will be shared with the gardener, and we will offer a 50% store credit based on the purchase price of the plant. We cannot extend our policy beyond 90 days from the date of purchase or beyond the year of purchase, whichever is sooner. Plants purchased on sale are excluded from any warranty. All returns must be accompanied by the original sales receipt and plant in question. (Effective 6/1/06) Plants installed by The Mixed Border will be warranted for a period of one year following the date of planting. Certain conditions apply.