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Collier's Garden Scoop
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February 2014
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If we had no winter, the spring would not be
so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.
~ Anne Bradstreet
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 Valentine's Day is right around the corner! If the love you share with your sweetheart is alive, shouldn't the flowers you give be as well? This year, forego the cut-flowers and give living plants as a symbol of your love. Look for a special e-mail from us within the week, spotlighting our gorgeous, blooming options for your Valentine. |
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 Prep for Spring: Soil Testing
Good soil is the foundation of a beautiful, healthy garden. It's still a bit early for spring-planting, but it's not too early to find out the current condition of your soil, and what you can do to improve it. Soil testing kits are available at the nursery, or at your local county extension office. In Alabama, samples are mailed to the Auburn University soil testing lab. There is a charge of $7 per sample. Results can be mailed, e-mailed or faxed to you within 3 to 7 days. Soil samples are analyzed for pH level and content of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium. Lime and fertilizer recommendations are also included. February is a great time to investigate and prepare your soil so that this year's garden will have the best chance to survive- and thrive!
Find more info on soil testing & the county extension office here:
Auburn University Soil Testing Lab
Jefferson County Extension Office
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 Winter Discoloration of Evergreen FoliageYou may have noticed dramatic changes in the foliage color of evergreen plants in your landscape this winter. No need to be alarmed, though! This is a common, and natural, phenomenon that effects plants such as azaleas (pictured here), boxwood, conifers, cotoneaster, Indian hawthorn, English ivy, Asiatic jasmine, wintercreeper euonymous and Confederate jasmine, among others. This discoloration is a result of increased production of anthocyanins in the leaves, and will be more dramatic in foliage that is exposed to higher levels of sunlight. Anthocyanins are pigments that can appear red, purple or blue. When anthocyanin production is increased, foliage may 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.
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Photo courtesy of the Arbor Day
Foundation website.
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What to Prune Now
This is a great time of the year to prune
non-blooming evergreens, or evergreens with insignificant blooms, such as boxwood, holly and pittosporum.
Flowering shrubs that bloom after Memorial Day can also be pruned now. This includes 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 and
cast-iron plant can also be cut back now. February is a good time to shape, limb-up and thin-out deciduous trees, removing suckers, damaged or crossing branches and thick growth that reduces air and light circulation.
Find more information on pruning here:
Collier's Pruning Basics
Pruning Ornamental Plants
Intro to Tree Pruning
Pruning Crepe Myrtles
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Apply Hi-Yield with Dimension to Centipede and
St. Augustine lawns during February. Dimension is a pre-emergent that helps prevent weeds from germinating. Treat existing cold-season weeds in Centipede and St. Augustine with Hi-Yield Atrazine. For existing weeds in Zoysia and Bermuda, use fertilome Weed-Free Zone.
You can view our lawn care schedules here.
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Collier's Nursery
205-822-3133
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Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.
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Stock-Up & Save on Gift Cards...
$5 off a $50 gift card
$10 off a $100 gift card
(up to $20 in savings!)
Offer expires February 28, 2014.
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