Planting Workshops@ Gemmell's Garden Centre

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PERENNIAL OF THE YEAR 2013

Plant Addicts Beware:

reading this may cause cravings

Variegated Soloman's Seal

Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum'

A gracefully arching woodland perennial that forms lovely tall clumps of lush green foliage streaked with white in the shade. White bell like flowers hang daintily from late spring to early summer. Turns a beautiful golden yellow in the fall.

Grows 2ft high by 2ft wide.

NEW

WEIGELA

'Sonic Bloom Pearl'

New for 2013

White flowers change to pink. Reblooms until frost. Attracts hummingbirds. LOVE!

Grows 4' x 4'

February 13th 2013

Thinking about gardening yet?

Despite the sub zero temperatures, the epic snow dumps, and the freezing rain, all of us here at the garden centre have been busy thinking about everything gardening. The seeds and cuttings are being planted up as you read this. The 2013 orders for trees, shrubs, roses and garden giftware have been finalized.

If you're wondering what's new for 2013, the short answer is lots. Keep reading because I'll be featuring all the latest and greatest over future newsletters. There are so many new and interesting plants this season for the gardening addicts in us all!

Finally, this season's Victorian Workshops schedule is up. I have added the info at the end of this newsletter or you can check it out on our website www.gemmellsgardencentre.com

Think Spring!

SNOW DAMAGE

All the snow that slid off the greenhouse roof in the thaw was too heavy for poor Greenhouse 8 and

the side collapsed right when we were getting ready to start filling it with seedlings and cuttings.

Our hard working guys set about digging out and rebuilding the side wall immediately. It was up and ready for the plants by Monday.

Thanks to Matt, Boyd and David for saving the day!

Here it is with all the babies started 2 weeks later!

Getting ready for spring.

POINSETTIA CARE

So did your poinsettia survive the Holidays?

Every year we get several customers who ask us how to keep their poinsettia going throughout the summer and reflower the next year. If you are up to the challenge here is what you can do:

1. Keep your plant in a bright spot away from any drafts or heaters (wood stoves are bad). Poinsettias do not like to be soaking wet nor bone dry so try and keep them evenly moist. Fertilize with a balanced 20-20-20 fertilizer once a month. Remove any faded leaves or bracts (the coloured leaves/flowers) as they fall.

2. In late March or early April prune back the stems to about 6" and cut back on watering, almost to the point of drying out but don't let the leaves curl. This is a sort of resting period for the plant. It is an ugly period but essential.

3. In late May repot your poinsettia into a larger container with fresh potting soil. By mid-June you can bring it outside but not in direct sun. Place it in dappled shade, under deciduous trees is perfect. Keep feeding it once every two weeks with 20-20-20. In July, pinch back each stem by 1 inch. This will encourage shorter bushier plants. If plants begin to shoot up and become leggy pinch back once again in the month of August.

4. In early September spray the branches well with insecticidal soap before bringing back indoors to a bright sunny spot again. Poinsettias are short-day plants, meaning their bud set is affected by the length of daylight. To re-bloom, poinsettias need about 10 weeks with 12 hours or less of sunlight per day. You will have to artificially create these conditions and it's crucial that you be diligent.

5. Beginning October 1st, keep your plant in complete darkness from 5 pm to 8 am. Any exposure to light will delay blooming. Use a cardboard box over top of it in a closet to block out all light. Many people place their plants just in a closet, but if any light gets in through the cracks, it will affect the bud set. Move the plant back to the sunny window during the daytime and continue watering and fertilizing.

6. Around the last week of November, you can stop the darkness treatment and allow the plant to remain in the window. You should see flower buds at this point. Stop fertilizing about December 15th. Keep watering and treat your plant the way you did when you first brought it home in bloom. If all has gone well, it should be back in bloom and ready to begin the process all over again.

Good Luck and keep me posted on how you did!

Kelly

VICTORIAN PLANTING WORKSHOPS 2013

SPRING FEVER?

Get inside and out of the cold this March with our annual Victorian Workshop series. A fun way to be creative while getting your hands dirty!

Spend the afternoon in our warm greenhouse learning the fundamentals of designing and planting your own gorgeous Victorian Hanging Basket or Container with our resident design guru Liz Gemmell.

We'll take care of your creation here at the greenhouse until May.

Great fun afternoon out with friends! Book early for groups!

2013 VICTORIAN WORKSHOP SERIES

Monday March 4th 1:00pm -3:00pm

Tuesday March 5th 1:00pm -3:00pm

Thursday March 7th 1:00pm -3:00pm

Friday March 8th 1:00pm -3:00pm

Saturday March 9th 1:00pm -3:00pm

Monday March 18th 1:00pm-3:00pm

Tuesday March 19th 1:00pm-3:00pm

Thursday March 21st 1:00pm-3:00pm

Friday March 22nd 1:00pm-3:00pm

Workshop includes instruction, soil, handout and 9 plants

Also, included is caring for your basket (including watering & fertilizing)

$35/session per container (plus tax)

Hanging Baskets can be purchased for as little as $5.99

Several different styles of hanging baskets are available or feel free to bring your own!

Register by phone (613)283-6371

Or email kelly@gemmellsgardencentre.com

Please note: This is one of our most popular workshops, therefore a deposit of $20 is required to reserve space.

I hope you are enjoying our newsletter. As always we appreciate your input into how we can continue to improve in all aspects. If and when you have some input, I would love to hear it, good and not so good.

Suggestion Box

Sincerely,

Rob Gemmell

Gemmell's Garden Centre

613-283-6371

HOURS

Gemmell's Garden Centre HWY 15 N Smiths Falls Phone:613-283-6371

Monday-Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm

Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm Sunday 11am -3pm

Gemmell's Garden Centre Brockville 1000 Island Mall Phone: 613-803-9000

Closed for the Season.

Thanks for your support and we will see you in Spring 2013