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Greetings!
As promised, here's a little picture of our babies -- we've confirmed at least 2 chicks. The parents bring so much food, though, that we're keeping an eye out for a third. Red-shouldered hawks often have more than two chicks so we're hoping for another baby! When we figure out if we're dealing with two or three chicks, I think we'll have a naming contest for them. Last year, we called them Huey and Louie. As they matured, we could tell that Huey was actually a female so this year, maybe we should choose names that could go either way! Get your thinking caps on -- we'll announce the contest soon!
(Read more about Red-Shouldered Hawks here.)
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Have you been wondering what the cardoon looks like when it finally flowers? The one by the front of the barn is in full flower and it is magnificent. The flower is a lavender-blue shade and very soft, unlike the prickly leaves. Remember to plant yours in the fall. By the time it looks like this, it's way too late to plant it.
 | | Cardoon! |
This weekend is Mother's Day! Take a moment to tell your mom you love her, wherever she is. Remember that we have gift cards, if you're looking for a last-minute gift.
Lots of great classes coming up in May, but remember -
Please note a change in our policy! Because Diana has to drive to Papershell from Spring Branch, we'll have to cancel her classes if we don't get a minimum enrollment of 8 students by Friday afternoon.
Thanks for signing up for our email newsletter! Come see us soon! |
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Cherokee Roses
Out in the semi-rural areas, a white rose is blooming right now, tangling itself in trees and fencelines all over western Fort Bend County. This is Rosa laevigata, commonly known as Cherokee Rose. It's beautiful from the road, with its sparkling white flowers contrasting with dark green foliage, making itself quite at home. But this wild rose is an escaped invasive plant, brought to these shores in about 1780 from China. The Cherokee rose is also native to Laos, Taiwan and Vietnam.
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A rampant grower, this rose regularly reaches heights of 20 feet and can completely overrun a small garden or old homestead. Legend has it that the white flowers arose from the tears shed by Cherokee mothers on their long march to resettlement in the Trail of Tears. The flower's golden center represents the gold taken from Cherokee lands. The seven leaves on the stem represent the seven Cherokee clans of the age.
Look for the Cherokee rose on your travels about the county -- a little bit of wild and untamed beauty blooming now.
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Shady Sale!
We like to tease about gardening in the shady spots, but summer's when you really appreciate a little cool shady corner to hide from the heat!
 | | Reg. $14.99, now $10.50 |
To encourage your shady garden, all fern baskets, 4" impatiens, begonias, torenias, coleus and shady groundcovers like ajuga are 30% off. In addition, all caladium bulbs are buy 1, get 1 free while supplies last. Save a few caladium bulbs to plant in mid-summer and extend the season until frost!
Here's to the shady garden and a big glass of iced tea!
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What To Fertilize Now
If you fertilized your lawn in early spring, you might be wondering if it's time to do it again. Well, it depends. Generally, St. Augustinegrass doesn't require a summer application of fertilizer but new lawns or lawns regrowing from last summer's drought damage may. Hybrid Bermuda lawns will benefit from additional fertilizer. Fertilize your lawns at the end of May or the beginning of June if you're going to apply a summer treatment.
 | | Pre-Emergent Herbicide |
May's also a good time to use a pre-emergent weed killer like Barricade. Once you get on a program of applying pre-emergent herbicides at the right time, you'll find you'll keep weeds in check. Barricade applied right now controls the early winter weeds, which begin to germinate in early fall or late summer.
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Be sure to provide for your flowers too. Warm weather, rapid growth and frequent flowering take a lot out of plants and it's up to you to replace it. You can use organic fertilizers or compost, or conventional fertilizers like ColorStar. We like to use organic turf food, a 4% nitrogen product, on everything from grass to shrubs to flowers, herbs & veggies.
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Please stop by and visit! Have a glass of world-famous lemonade (or a beer!) -- we'd love to meet you!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Barrow
Papershell: A Garden Gallery
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Watercolor Painting: Handmade Cards Saturday, May 12 9:00am-12:00pm Artist Michael Vollmer leads this class in creating one-of-a-kind watercolor greeting cards. Landscape or abstract themes are appropriate. The class includes the watercolor papter needed to make a set of 8 cards. This class is $45 and space is limited. Please reserve your spot in advance: call (281) 232-4485 or email us to sign up.
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Mother's Day
Sunday, May 13
Every waking minute...
This is a public service announcement. Do not forget Mother's Day! Need a plant or an artsy gift? Stop in and consult with one of us!
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Make-and-Take: Gardener's Hand Scrub Saturday, May 19 2:00-3:30pm Make a sugar scrub that moisturizes as it cleans! Take home a half-pint jar scented with essential oils, plus the recipe for you to keep. This class is $16 and reservations are required. Call (281) 232-4485 or email us to sign up.
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Edible Gingers Sunday, May 20 2:00-3:30pm Love to eat Asian-style foods? Then you absolutely must have edible gingers in your garden. Learn about growing, harvesting and eating gingers, turmerics & galangals in this seminar. This class is taught by horticulturist Diana Liga. The class is $10 and participants receive a coupon good for 15% off that day's purchases. Class size is limited and reservations are suggested. ** Please note: we must have a minimum of 8 participants for this class to make. If you're interested, please get in touch. **Call (281) 232-4485 or email us to sign up.
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Home Canning: Pickles & Fermented Food Saturday, May 26 3:00-4:30pm Preserve the bounty of the spring and summer garden! This is the third in a four-part series on food preservation, led by Master Gardener and Cook Extraordinaire Anne Ondrusek. In this class, we'll go over preparing pickles and fermented foods in the home kitchen. Topics may include dill pickles, sweet pickles, sauerkrauts, & relishes The class is $10 and participants receive a coupon good for 15% off that day's purchases. Class size is limited and reservations are suggested. Call (281) 232-4485 or email us to sign up.
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Memorial Day
Monday, May 28
We are closed on Mondays generally. Today we are honoring the sacrifices of our veterans and their families.
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