A Note from Scott and Marsha
January 23, 2020
Who's with me on traveling to the Caribbean this week? For those of you who have been wishing for cold weather and snow, shame on you. I hope you are happy with yourself. Totally uncalled for. Am I bitter? Yeah. Bitterly cold. SMH. 

Soooo .... one incredibly freezing morning this week, we arrived to a gathering by the lake. First of all, every day is new and you simply never know what you might see. This particular morning was a gathering, but not of humankind. One of our sweet lawn maintenance crew members, Hunberto, brought bread from home and was feeding the ducks. There must have been 20 or more gobbling up his offerings. Every winter, we have some new ducks show up in our lake. I have yet to actually study them close enough and determine what kind they are. But they were quacking up and fighting over breakfast. Later that afternoon, another amazing crew member, Carl, was standing there having a conversation and actually holding a duck like it was the most normal thing anyone would do.  

Often, the goats run to the fence when they hear a golf cart assuming it's lunch time. They run to the fence when they see little people with crinkling brown paper bags anticipating small fingers treating them to animal crackers. Sometimes I drive out and there is a chicken in the driveway that I have to wait on. Or on a walk from the offices to the garden center might involve helping a turtle work around the fence to get back into the lake. Oh, look! There goes the beaver! Wait, was that a fox? Yep.  It's a regular occurrence to see wildlife around here.

Our HR/Office Therapist, Chip (he's a dog - no seriously, it's true) is the official greeter in the office when he isn't deep in a nap and unaware someone has arrived due to his hearing loss. He loves people and always up for a group hug. When you might have a bad or emotional day from being on Whole 30, Keto or some other form of suffering, he is always there for encouragement and love. 

These are just a few of the perks of our business and also free to you! Beyond the amazing group we are blessed with in humans, we have an amazing and entertaining non-human group. And let's not even talk about the gnomes and garden fairies. It's just too much for you. What we can't provide to you in green (which is a very short list btw), we can provide in nature. You just need to stay a little bit longer than normal and you never know what you might see! Looking forward to a great spring with you as we are planning some more amazing things just for you. Happy January, friends!
JUDY'S HOUSEPLANT PICK
Dracaena Marginata varieties are adding so much to our in house displays. Judy absolutely loves the bursts of color and the spiky leaves. Some of our favorite varieties in stock include the 'Ray of Sunshine' (pictured) and the 'Colorama'. Dracaenas prefer medium light and well drained soil. They are generally considered to be a low-maintenance houseplant, and who doesn't love that? We have Dracaena Marginata in a variety of sizes.
HELLEBORE ('LENTEN ROSE')
Hellebores (arriving this Friday) are evergreen bashful beauties that add color and interest to your shade or partial shade landscape areas. Their new growth and blooms occur during the cold days of winter, and many will bloom through early spring. As a perennial, they should return for many years to come. Blooms come in a variety of creams and pinks. Plant in well-drained soil for best results. They are drought-tolerant and deer resistant, which we know is often needed!
MORE NEW POTTERY
We are delighted to say that our pottery is flying off the shelves! So we are doing our best to replace what we sell so you have as much variety as possible. We just unpacked and displayed lots of new pottery this week. We also now have macrame (who saw that making a comeback?!), and we couldn't be more excited. The new houseplants arriving Friday will also give you the chance to find the perfect plant and pot combination.
TREE SALE!!
ALL of our trees (except Japanese Maples) are 40% OFF THIS Thursday, Friday and Saturday !! And before you ask, YES, you CAN plant now.
Just make sure to dig the hole big enough and water well once you have planted. Water thoroughly at least once a week if we are not getting soaking rains.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Wednesday, February 12, 2020, 6PM-8PM
With Valentine's Day right around the corner let us help you create a one-of-a-kind succulent arrangement that you can give to that special person in your life or take home for yourself to enjoy. Cost includes container, succulents, supplies, light snack and one glass of wine or cider (non-alcoholic beverages also available). The bar will be open for additional purchases. Cost is $40 Register now!
Hosted by Debbi Barrett, FGS Plant Coach

Wednesday, February 26, 2020, 11AM-1PM
Enjoy a tasty lunch as we present terrarium soil building, design principles, and maintenance. After lunch, you will get creative and make your own terrarium garden! You’ll practically be a terrarium guru by the time you leave! Space is limited to 10 participants so please register early. All materials included. Lunch will include your choice of the following: Salad, fruit, chips and drink or sandwich/wrap, chips, cookie and drink. Once you are registered for the class, we will send you an email to confirm your lunch selections. Bring a friend or make a new one! Plant lovers unite! Cost is $45 per participant.  Register here ! Payment is required to hold your spot.
Presenter: Debbi Barnett, FGS Plant Coach

CANDLE MAKING CLASS , Thursday, March 12, 2020, 6PM-8PM
Click here for more information.

BONSAI FOR BEGINNERS , Saturday, March 28, 2020, 10AM-1PM
Click here for more information.
NEED SPACE TO MEET?
Our Robin's Nest room is available to rent for your small gathering! Get off the beaten path and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings of FGS. Our space can be used by the hour (3 hour minimum), half day or full day. For more information and rates, visit our website .
READ OUR BLOG
If you are taking us up on a great deal and purchasing a tree this week, you may want to review this post on tree planting . We share some great tips planting your tree in the best way. We know some of you are houseplant experts, but for you newbies, make sure you don't miss our Confessions of a Newbie Houseplant-aholic . You will likely relate to and learn a couple of things you didn't know.
FOLLOW US!
We post daily to Instagram @fgsdurham (Garden Center) and @fgslandscapes (Landscape and Lawn Maintenance) and Facebook to keep you up to speed with the latest information about what we are up to, what's in stock, or all the fun we're having!

For Garden's Sake | 919.484.9759| www.fgsdurham.com