| |
We've made it through the darkest days of winter, and the forecast shows a welcome break from Arctic temps. Lots of new plants arrived this week and the greenhouse is full of fresh stock! Take a look below for what's new at the nursery, and come by if you'd like to find something to add to your winter garden.
Valentine's Day is next Saturday and we've got so many pretty things for your sweetheart!
Pictured here: 4" heart with succulents ($11.99)
| | |
| | |
Cupid's Bloom Bar
Drop-In Event
February 7th and 14th
9 AM to 5 PM
Love is in the air, and the greenhouse is in bloom!
Stop by anytime Saturday, February 7th or 14th to make a romantic floral arrangement with our in-house experts. We'll guide you through choosing the perfect flowers and houseplants to declare your love!
Drop in solo or as a couple. Each arrangement is $50 and includes all plants, container and instruction.
| | | | |
Cyclamen
Enjoy these gorgeous flowers indoors in bright light during February and March. The trick to prolific blooms with minimal effort is to provide good drainage and allow the soil to dry between thorough waterings.
| | |
Dianthus
If you struggle with deer feasting on your garden, then dianthus is the alternative to pansies that you've been looking for! Plant them in full or partial sun, in containers or flower beds, and they'll bloom through spring.
| | |
Snapdragons
This is another option for deer-ravaged gardens that usually escapes being munched, which makes them perfect to pair with dianthus. In full or partial sun, snapdragons will bloom from now until hot weather arrives.
| |
| | |
Winter Garden Gem
English Primrose
The name primrose comes from medieval Latin "prima rosa," literally meaning "first rose." Each year they become available in January and so are the first blooms of the new year, as well as one of the first signs that winter won't linger forever.
English primrose (Primula vulgaris) are native to western and southern Europe. They thrive in cooler temperatures, which is why you'll find them in winter and early spring gardens in the South. They are cold-hardy like pansies and violas, and grow best in full or partial sun outdoors. Provide them with consistently moist but well-drained soil.
Bright flowers on sturdy stems sit above dark green rosettes of foliage and persist into spring. Primrose blooms come in white, yellow, pink, red and blue and are often fragrant. Stop by the nursery this month to browse our selection of these winter gems.
| | | | |
Pansies & Violas
A new shipment of this cheerful winter staple has arrived if you need to refresh your pots and flower beds. These colorful blooms will last well into spring. Best grown in full or partial sun.
| | |
Winter-Hardy Herbs
Did you know that there are several herbs that tolerate freezing temps? Rosemary, lavender, parsley, thyme, oregano, sage and chives are cold-hardy and in stock now.
| | |
Cool-Season Edibles
A fresh batch of winter veggies arrived yesterday. Chard, spinach, collards, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower & Brussels sprouts are in stock, as well as strawberry plants!
| |
| | |
Perennial Spotlight
Hellebores
This long-lived, evergreen perennial is also known as winter rose or Lenten rose since they flower in late winter and early spring, during the 40 days leading up to Easter known as Lent. However, they are actually not roses, but are members of the buttercup (Ranunculaceae) family. Hellebores are native to Europe and temperate areas of Asia. They are hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9.
Hellebores are slow-growing, reaching 12 to 18 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide at maturity. They should be planted in shade, filtered or morning sun in organically rich, well-drained soil. Cup-like flowers appear in late January or February, and persist into spring. Once established they prefer not to be disturbed, but can be divided in fall if necessary. Prune as needed in spring before new growth emerges.
Hellebores are tough and generally pest free, as well as being deer and rabbit resistant. However, all parts of the plant are toxic to humans and pets.
We have seven varieties in stock from the Frostkiss and Ice N Roses series, with blooms of creamy white, shades of pink and dark purple. Frostkiss hellebores are known for their marbled foliage and tend to bloom a bit later than other types. Ice N Roses hellebores have exceptional heat tolerance and get a little taller than most (up to 24 inches).
Come in to shop the best Lenten rose selection of the year and add one of these beauties to your shade garden this month!
| | | | |
February Garden Task:
What to Prune Now
This is the ideal time of the year to prune non-blooming evergreens (or evergreens with insignificant blooms) such as boxwood, holly and pittosporum.
Flowering shrubs and trees that bloom after Memorial Day can also be pruned now. This includes butterfly bush, crepe myrtles, camellias (after they finish blooming), roses and summer-blooming spirea.
Evergreen ferns such as autumn, holly and tassle ferns benefit from a late-winter haircut every other year (can be cut to ground). Liriope, ornamental grasses and cast-iron plant can also be cut back now.
February is a good time to shape, limb-up and thin-out deciduous trees and shrubs, removing suckers, damaged or crossing branches and thick growth that reduces air and light circulation.
| |  | |
Winter Discoloration
of Evergreen Foliage
If you've noticed dramatic changes in the foliage color of evergreen plants in your landscape this winter, there's no need to be alarmed. This is a natural phenomenon that affects plants such as azaleas, boxwood, conifers, Indian hawthorn, English ivy, Asiatic jasmine and Confederate jasmine, among others. The discoloration is a result of increased anthocyanin production and is more prominent in foliage that's exposed to higher levels of sunlight. Anthocyanins are pigments that, when elevated, can cause foliage to appear red, purple, brown or orange depending on the relative concentration of other pigments. Cold temperatures and other sources of stress can trigger increased anthocyanin production as plants attempt to cope. Exactly why this occurs in some evergreens, and not others, remains a mystery! In spring, new growth should emerge a "normal" green.
| | |
| | |
February Lawn Care
Apply Hi-Yield Turf & Ornamental Weed & Grass Stopper to Centipede and Saint Augustine lawns. It's not too late to apply this to your Bermuda or Zoysia lawn if you haven't already. This pre-emergent will help prevent cool-season weed seeds from germinating.
| | | | |
COLLIER'S NURSERY
2904 Old Rocky Ridge Road 35243
Call or Text: 205-822-3133
info@colliersnursery.com
colliersnursery.com
WINTER HOURS:
Monday - Saturday 9 to 5
Closed Sunday
| | | | |
