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Collier's Garden Scoop
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April 2014
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In the spring, at the end of the day,
you should smell like dirt.
~Margaret Atwood
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 | | 'Kimberly Queen' Sun Fern |
This month, we are bound to see the long, cold winter lift completely from the shoulders of the landscape-
and not a moment too soon!
If you are one of the many gardeners who are excited about getting your hands dirty this spring, we invite you to let us help you get inspired, and get started, with a visit to Collier's this month.
By April 15th even the most hesitant gardeners are ready to plant, and during the next two weeks the nursery will fill-up 'to the brim' with gorgeous plants for you to choose from!
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The new garden 'room' behind the greenhouse will be home to houseplants
& shade-loving tropicals this spring.
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Spring Hours
Monday - Saturday
9 to 5:30
Sunday 1 to 5
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Weekly Specials Will Return Soon!
Announced Sunday evenings by email & on our facebook page-
a different BOGO each Monday through Thursday,
or until we run out (while supplies last)!
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April Garden Checklist
--Plant annuals, perennials, herbs, veggies, groundcovers and vines.
Keep in mind that there is a potential for frost or freeze until about April 15th. If you plant before then and a cold snap occurs, protect tender annuals such as angelonia, basil, caladiums, coleus, impatiens and sweet potato vine, as these are especially sensitive to cold.
--Finish up landscaping projects that involve planting trees & shrubs this month, in order to give them a few weeks to establish root systems before it gets really hot.
--After all threat of frost is past, fertilize trees, shrubs, vines and groundcovers with Hi-Yield Grower's Special, and perennials with Osmocote. At this point, you can also prune out any cold-damaged foliage from evergreens such as cleyera, gardenia, Indian hawthorn, magnolia and tea olive.
--Apply fertilome All Seasons to Zoysia and Bermuda lawns in early April, and Saint Augustine lawns in late April. This is a
dose of fertilizer and pre-emergent (prevents weed seeds from germinating).
--View our lawn care schedules here.
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New & Improved for Spring 2014
Look for improved varieties of old garden favorites
this spring and enjoy the benefits of plants bred & grown for
better blooming and overall performance.
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In addition to Dragon Wing, several other large-leaved, large growing begonias are now available, including BabyWing (pictured here) & Whopper. Excellent bloomers. Drought tolerant.
| With foliage large & showy enough to rival caladiums in the shade, Kong Coleus can be used for color in spots where impatiens won't bloom. Pinch back & remove blooms for bushier growth.
| The large, showy blooms of geraniums have drawn gardeners to them for generations. Now there are varieties that will tolerate more sun & heat, both with a semi-trailing habit: Caliente (pictured here) and Calliope.
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| Spreading Petunias, if kept consistently moist but not soggy, are vigorous growers that can spread 2 to 3 feet- great for covering large areas. Look for the Wave, Ramblin & Surfinia series.
| Annual salvias, including Mealycup Sage (pictured here) have been bred for hardiness and increased disease resistance. Great choice for a hot, sunny spot.
| Many perennial varieties of salvia are also available, and all of them take our summer heat like champs. Shear back after blooming for another flush of flowers.
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Sunpatiens have been around for several years, and skeptical gardeners (really, an impatien for sun?!) have discovered that they live up to their name. Water often,
but otherwise maintenance free.
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Million Bells were instantly popular for their colorful, draping blooms. Now, SuperCals are here boasting the same habit with larger blooms. Cut back by one-third
mid-summer & fertilize again for fresher looking plants into fall.
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Many of you may have experienced losing vinca during a
rainy summer-
Cora & Nirvana vinca were bred for increased resistance to fungal infections.
The Nirvana series sports extra-large blooms.
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We have young & healthy tomato plants, ready to
grow in your garden! Our selection will expand
in the next weeks, and includes many heirlooms.
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Tomato Basics
Growing tomatoes is easy, making it a great way for gardeners of all levels of experience to discover, and rediscover, the fun of eating food from your own garden. Plant in the ground or in a large pot, with organically rich, well-drained soil. Tomatoes need 4 or more hours of sun each day. Water thoroughly & consistently, being careful not to overwater. Use a fertilizer that is safe for edibles. If blossom end rot (a calcium deficiency that shows up as a sunken area near the stem) becomes a problem when fruit is maturing, treat with fertilome Yield Booster.
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Lemon grass, coleus & verbena planted in a biodegradable pot made from recycled fiber
(available in other sizes & styles).
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Lemon Grass
flavor, fragrance &
mosquito repellant!
Lemon grass
(Cymbopogon citratus)
is native to southeast Asia and is a common flavor in Thai cooking. The leaves contain citronella, known by many to repel mosquitoes (some of our customers have found this to be true in their own gardens). In a large container it will grow quickly to 2 or 3 feet tall. Use in a mixed planting for height and texture, with the added benefit of warding off mosquitoes! Does best in 4 or more hours of sun each day.
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Best Caladiums for Sunny Areas
Do you love the big, colorful leaves of caladiums, but have so much sun you think you can't grow them? Well, think again!
Here are 16 varieties that will grow & thrive in sun:
Aaron Candyland Carolyn Whorton Cherry Tart Florida Sweetheart Garden White Highlighter
Lance Whorton Miss Muffet Moonlight
Raspberry Moon Red Flash Royal Flush Tapestry White Delight White Queen
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| 'Miss Muffet'
| 'Carolyn Whorton'
| 'Candyland'
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 A trip to Collier's on a sunny spring day can be fun for you and your children! Did you know that we have a playground? It's safely tucked away from the road & visible from most anywhere around the nursery- so you can keep a close eye on your little one while you shop! Kids will enjoy the slide and ramp with a view of Dolly Creek and the surrounding trees.
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Collier's Nursery
205-822-3133
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Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.
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