|
|
|
grEen News from
November 2011 |
|
|
|
Dear Friends,
Now that November is here many people start turning their attentions to the upcoming holiday season, but don't lose sight of the fact that November is a fine month to work in the garden. The annoying insects, heat and humidity are gone. Sure, it may be cool or even cold out, but a few minutes of vigorous leaf raking will change that. It is also a great month to put in new trees or shrubs, and if you haven't already added a few pansies for winter color, you still have time for that as well. Not only is November time to plant, but it is also a good time to buy as all of our trees and shrubs are anywhere from 20-50% off.
We would like to also remind you that this coming Saturday and Sunday, November 5th and 6th, we will be participating in the north Suffolk Holiday Open House. Along Route 17 you can stop and visit A. Dodson's, The Market, O'Doodle Doos Donuts, Bon Vivant Market and Smithfield Gardens, as we celebrate the start of the holiday season. Here at the garden center we will be serving refreshments, holding door prize drawings, many things will be on sale and all of our elves will be busy helping you create festive holiday wreaths, swags and bows. There will be two free classes that day, and you can learn more about these and register for them below. On Saturday from 10:00 to 4:00 you will be able to sample some of the delicious local treats we now sell from Rowena's. If you are out and about that weekend we do hope you will drop by.
Our shop is already dressed for the holidays, but later in the month we will be getting our shipment of Fraser fir Christmas trees. They should arrive shortly before Thanksgiving, as will our first group of poinsettias. Fresh wreaths and roping should be available for sale by Thanksgiving weekend.
Wow, the holidays will be here before you know it!
Your Friends at Smithfield Gardens |
|
Upcoming Events and Classes at Smithfield Gardens
Holiday Open House
November 5th & 6th (Sat. and Sun.)
We will be offering free classes, refreshments, door prizes, sales specials and more. See our opening letter above for more details.
Bow Tying
November 5th (Sat.) 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
If you are all thumbs when it comes to tying an attractive holiday bow, come let Margie Cooper turn your clumsy digits into nimble fingers, and soon you will be decorating your own wreaths and swags.
Basic Home Landscape Design
November 5th (Sat.) 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
This class is one of our most popular. In it Jeff Williamson will help you plan new garden areas, additions to what you already have or even help you with complete makeovers. He will also discuss the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
"Hands On" Artificial Wreaths and Swags
November 12th (Sat.) 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
This workshop will teach you how to decorate basic wreath and swag forms. Margie Cooper will show you how easy it is to go from simple, to simply beautiful.
Would you like to save 10% on your purchases at Smithfield Gardens? Monday is Military Discount Day and active duty military, Coast Guard, police, fire and rescue personnel all are entitled to this discount. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are Senior Days. Also, anyone who attends one of our free classes is entitled to a discount on the day of the class. All of our discounts apply to any item not already on sale and can not be used towards landscaping services or bulk materials.
Other Events
Early Bird Walk
November 5th (Sat.) 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
This will be held at the Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation in Portsmouth. For more information call 757.686.8684, or visit their website.
6 Easy Seasonal Floral Arrangements
November 13th (Sun.) 2:00 p.m.
This class is part of the Fred Huette Center's Urban Gardener Lecture Series and will be taught by professional designer Frances Thrash. For more information click here.
Nature Walk
November 19th (Sat.) 9:00 a.m.
Come see a little piece of paradise in the middle of the city by visiting the Weyanoke Nature Preserve in the Ghent section of Norfolk at 1501 Armistead Bridge Rd.
The Norfolk Botanical Garden has classes and events throughout the month. Please click here for more details.
|
|
To Some Gardeners Size Does Matter
Got shade? If you do, you know that hostas are a staple in any garden area that does not receive full sun. I'm not going to sugercoat it---the roots of hostas are relished by voles. Once they gnaw on the roots I'm told the top part of the plant will usually keel over and perish in a matter of days. (I've never experienced this problem in my garden.) However, if you don't deal with that pesky mouse-like rodent you can enjoy some wonderful plant combinations in lightly shaded spots with this reliable perennial.
 | |
Hosta 'Empress Wu' |
 | |
Empress Wu |
About two years ago a couple of us at Smithfield Gardens got wind of an even more impressive hosta than the beefy 'Sum and Substance', which was introduced in 1980. Its exotic name was 'Empress Wu'. In our trade magazines we saw photos of a man (turns out he was the hybridizer) standing next to this spectacular blooming hosta, which came up to his shoulders. We were hooked! We now have a limited supply of 'Empress Wu' which was named after the only female emperor in Chinese history. For those of you interested in history, she apparently was the "guiding force" behind the throne
 | |
Hosta 'Orange Marmalade' |
throughout the reigns of her husband and sons from 665-690. Once they were out of the way she founded her own dynasty in 690. Getting back to the plant, 'Empress Wu' has dark green leaves about 18" wide, and these leaves have great substance. Near-white flowers with a pale lavender mid-petal stripe appear in the middle of the summer on 5' tall scapes. In the right location, and with a consistent supply of water, 'Empress Wu' should achieve her 4' tall (taller when in bloom), 5-6' wide specs in a few years. As you might imagine this hosta is a much coveted cultivar by hosta collectors!
 | |
Hosta 'Frances Williams' |
As long as we are on the subject of hostas, fall is an excellent time to plant them. I grow several cultivars in my yard and about half of them are in containers. Because hostas are a zone 3 plant they make it through our winters just fine. When the foliage dies back you can move the pots to a less conspicuous spot for the winter, or you can dress them up for the colder months the way I do. Just cut evergreen branches of hollies, camellias, aucubas and nandinas and stick them into the pot like a flower arrangement. Because temperatures are cool these cut stems will last for a long time in the damp soil, and when one doesn't look good simply cut another branch.
 | |
Hosta 'Halcyon' |
Now confess, aren't you the least bit curious about the Empress? Check her out online, then visit us soon to get yourself some plants to add to your garden this fall. While you're here be sure to check out some of our other favorite hostas--- brilliant 'Orange Marmalade', puckered 'Frances Williams' and bluish 'Halcyon'.
Ann Weber
|
|
Winter Daphne: Worth Any Effort
 | |
Winter daphne is a breath of spring in the winter.. |
One of the most spectacularly fragrant plants that I know of is winter daphne (Daphne odora). The super sweet fragrance may remind you of orange or lemon blossoms, but it is a little different and a lot stronger. One daphne plant in full bloom will perfume your entire yard (as well as that of your neighbor's). If you want to cut some to bring in the house, use no more than one small cluster; otherwise the aroma may cloud your thinking. One thing that makes them smell so strong is the time of year they bloom, which is late winter, just when you need and want a breath of spring.
 | |
Variegated winter daphne brightens shady corners. |
Winter daphne is a slow-growing evergreen native to China and Japan. It will usually reach no more than 3' tall by 3-4' wide. The foliage is a glossy dark green, but the most common variety, 'Aureomarginata', has an attractive yellow margin along the leaf edge. The flower buds on daphne are typically a dark dusty pink, while the petals open a pale pink to white. The variety 'Alba' has all white flowers which really stand out against the dark green foliage. Winter daphne is hardy in zones 7 to 9 which makes it perfect for Hampton Roads. It prefers partial shade in soil that stays evenly moist, but drains well. In fact, poor drainage will rot the roots seemingly overnight, and from my experience once a winter daphne starts to fail, nothing will bring it back. Winter daphne also resents being moved, so find the ideal place to put one and then leave it be. Even if you give this plant everything it wants, sometimes they just die, which we call Sudden Daphne Death Syndrome (SDDS). Although they deserve their reputation for being fussy and temperamental, one whiff of that fragrance on a cold winter day will make you realize they are worth any effort.
Les Parks
|
|
Amaryllis for the Holidays
STEP 1- Pick your bulb
 | |
Pick the right bulb. |
Choosing the correct bulb can be the difference between success and failure in this venture. The bulb you choose should be firm. It can have the outer bulb skin or not. If it doesn't make sure there are no blemishes, nicks or gouges in the bulb flesh. Many colors and varieties are available so choose one that goes well with your interior décor.
STEP 2- To plant or not to plant
 | |
Good drainage is critical. |
Now we need to decide if the bulb you have chosen will be planted in dirt or forced in water. Either is fine so this is an individual preference issue. Water vases are usually not as stable so keep this in mind if you share your home with children or pets. If you choose planting, make sure your pot has good drainage.
STEP 3- Let's get your bulb covered (if planting)
Place about an inch or so of pebbles in the base of your pot. Drainage is key so your bulbs won't rot. Fill half the pot with good potting soil and place your bulb in the middle. Put remaining soil in to the shoulder of the bulb and pack down. The shoulder of a bulb is the area directly below the neck where the bulb starts to swell (I'm pointing to it in the picture). Water the plant and make sure it drains and the saucer under it is emptied of any standing water.
 | |
Use good potting soil. |
 | |
Fill only to the bulb's shoulder. |
If forcing in water
 | |
Forcing jars are ready-made for amaryllis. |
Make sure your forcing glass is clean and there is no soap or cleaner residue. Place your bulb in the container and eyeball where the bottom of the bulb comes on the container. Take bulb out and fill water to the eyeballed line. You want to make sure the basal plate of the bulb is touching the water but that the bulb is not resting in the water as this can cause your bulb to rot. Place your bulb back in the container and adjust your water level accordingly.
STEP 4- Let nature do its thing
Now sit back, relax and enjoy the show. It should take approximately 6 to 8 weeks for your bulb to bloom. This always depends on the amount of warmth and sun your bulb will receive in your home. If you want to make sure it blooms for the holidays buy several bulbs and stagger the planting time by 5 to 7 days. That way you will have blooms to last a long time. After the blooming is over, cut off the spent bloom stalk, but not the leaves. Allow your plant to sit in a bright area until all chance of frost has passed. At that time you can then take your bulbs outside and plant them in a sunny, well-drained location. They will come back for years and bloom in late spring.
ADDITIONAL TIPS
1) Keep amarylis in a well lit room or in a bright window.
2) Turn a half turn each day so they will not lean.
3) You may need to stake the potted ones after they have blooms because the blooms may be heavy enough to pull the plant over.
4) Change the water in the forcing container every week, and keep the potted ones watered so they remain moist, but not wet.
That's all for now but if you need help I'm always available. Call me.
Margie Cooper
|
|
|
|
|
Contact Information and Store Hours
Smithfield Gardens is located at:
1869 Bridge Rd. (Rte. 17)
Suffolk, Virginia 23433
Click here for a map and directions
Our phone number is 757.238.2511,
and our fax number is 757.238.3836
Our email is smithfieldgardens@yahoo.com
Our Store Hours for November are:
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily
except for Thursday 11/24 when we will be closed for Thanksgiving |
|
|
|
|
|
|
