Advice from a Wildflower: Show your true colors, Delight in simple pleasures, Celebrate your natural beauty, Open up!, Spread seeds of joy, It's OK to be a late bloomer, and Be wild and wonderful!  

       June is perennial month, and what better way to celebrate than to add some of these beauties to your landscape. While trees and shrubs may act as the bones of a garden, perennials provide the muscle. Because they keep coming back year after year, they are prefect for designing a permanent garden display, unlike annuals that provide only a season of color.  

        Perennial varieties are available to provide interest for any season of the year, including winter. Most importantly, for many of us, there is something special about watching for the first spring shoots to pop through the soil, knowing the ever-changing beauty that will follow through the coming seasons. Perennial plants provide pollen, nectar, seeds, and nesting material for birds and butterflies. Perennial groundcovers can reduce soil erosion and create interest along pathways, on slopes and even beautify roadside ditches. Need more reasons to plant perennials? Stop by Hillermann Nursery and see me. I can give you lots of reasons to plant these beauties.

Thursday, June 7 from 5:00 to 7:30 PM

        Calling all "Plant Geeks!" Join us for a fun evening in the garden to benefit the America In Bloom projects in Washington. $5.00 per person will give you a night of plant knowledge and fellowship with other Plant Geeks. Receive a FREE plant for your garden. A silent plant auction will be held from 5:00 to 6:30. Get 20% OFF plants during this event. Grilled burgers and hotdogs will be available.

Please RSVP at 636-239-6729.  

Payment due at start of the event.

        We have had an unusually dry spring. Lawns, trees, shrubs, perennials and especially all new plantings must be watered now. Most lawns and plantings need 1" to 2" of rain or supplied water per week. As long as the weather remains dry, a good thorough watering twice a week is recommended. As summer arrives with the ground already dry, extra attention will need to be given to the moisture needs of your lawn and gardens. Pray or dance for rain!

        Washington is participating in the America In Bloom Contest for the second year in 2012. This is a "National Beautification Program" offered by the American Horticultural Society.

Congratulations to Kat Shaw (at the corner of 6th and Jefferson Streets) Yard of the Month Winner for May!   

        The Yard of the Month Contest is available as an incentive for homeowners to beautify their yards in preparation for the contest. The contest will run from May - October. Only front yards will be judged. Criteria will include the best curb appeal including lawns, shrubs, flowers and trees. Judging will take place during the first week of each month from May - October. Forms are available from the Washington Parks Office, on the city of Washington's website or at Hillermann Nursery & Florist. Once a resident is entered in the contest, they will be eligible for the entire length of the contest. One winner will be named monthly and will receive a $25.00 Hillermann Gift Card. Winners will be recognized with a sign in their yard. Winners from each month between May and October will be eligible to be named the overall winner, which will be announced in November.

Hello Dear Readers!   

        Pookie here with all the latest news! My friends, the flock has just learned that our dear editor is having a short vacation, and we have been asked to submit our article Saturday! Oh! The pressure! How am I supposed to write about the weekend happenings when they have not happened yet? Guess I will just have to wing it! Ha!

        Once I received this news, I immediately sent the flock out to reconnoiter the greenhouse and Nursery for all the holiday activities. Mel and Julio have just reported that the Hot Dog Guy is preparing to fire up the big grill! Oh happy day! We love the Hot Dog Guy! Too early to tell whether or not there will be nachos, but we remain hopeful! We chickens just love those little sliced peppers smothered in melted cheese!

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