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Collier's Garden Scoop
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August 2014
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A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing,
and the lawn mower is broken.
~James Dent
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 | | The praying mantis is an expert hunter, armed with patience & excellent eyesight, feeding on many of the insects that wreak havoc in the garden, and so is considered beneficial. |
In stark contrast to the
stillness & silence of the
winter landscape, late summer is when the natural world around us looks, feels and is most alive. Plants & insects are abundant, living out their last days before the winter winds arrive with exuberance. While some of these insects can be quite destructive in the garden, many of them are not, and actually contribute to the health & vitality of your landscape. Not only that, but they touch our souls through the sights & sounds of summer- the beautiful butterflies floating by & the overwhelming sounds of the insect symphonies that remain in our memories for a lifetime. So, this August, enjoy your garden & its inhabitants-
soak up this summertime!
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August Hours
Monday - Saturday 9 to 5
Closed Sunday
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 You just never know what you might find in our 50% off section Tucked behind the greenhouse by the creek, ready for garden treasure-hunters to discover during August. New items are added nearly every day. Find inexpensive plants that only need a little tender loving care, and are ready to find new life in your garden. |
 | | Red Bamboo Ginger (back) planted with purslane and blue daze. |
Color To Carry You
Into Fall
As summer marches on towards fall, many gardeners find themselves with containers that need rejuvenating. When replacing tired plants, keep these dark beauties in mind. Deep shades of purple and red look fabulous through the fall season, providing warm foliage colors for late summer and autumn. We usually do not have a frost until late October at the earliest, so you can enjoy anything you plant during August for the next 2 to 3 months.
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Red Bamboo Ginger
Gorgeous habit & color. Tender perennial
(roots are hardy to 15 degrees), can be grown as houseplant in bright light as well.
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Persian Shield
Very vivid purple foliage will make an excellent accent for fiery autumn colors. Tall-growing.
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'Chocolate Ball'
Sedum
Beautiful dark, shimmery foliage that spills out of containers. Sedums are perennial when planted in the ground.
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 Classic Summer Blooms in Fun New Colors Over the last few years, several new coneflower hybrids have emerged in a range of colors far removed from the well-known purple. Shades of yellow, pink, orange and red are now available to gardeners who love these hardy plants & their showy flowers. Coneflowers endure sun, heat & drought like champs, attract butterflies and are long-lasting when cut and added to flower arrangements. Pictured here are 'Harvest Moon' (left) and 'Solar Flare' (right). Find these and other varieties at the nursery during August. |
Ease Lawn-Maintenance Woes
with Groundcovers
By late summer, maintaining your lawn in the midst of hot, dry temperatures can be a real chore. If there are areas of your lawn that don't grow well because of too much shade or are hard to mow because of steep slopes, the 'chore' is magnified. Either of these situations can be alleviated by using an evergreen groundcover instead of grass, a low-maintenance yet effective alternative. Groundcovers provide year-round, green-coverage of large areas, and erosion control, with no mowing, little water, and they rarely ever need to be treated for insect or fungus problems. Groundcovers are also quite effective at weed suppression. Here are our top three choices for lawn-replacing groundcovers. To discover these and others, stop by the nursery.
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Asiatic Jasmine
A top pick for quick coverage of large areas, this vining groundcover is fast-growing & durable. Available in variegated (pictured here) or green leaves. Great choice for erosion control on slopes. Trim back as needed to keep 'in bounds.'
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Mondo Grass
If you want the look of a lawn without the need to mow, mondo grass is your best bet. Thrives in shade, but will tolerate sunnier spots. Plant close together for faster coverage (fairly slow growing). Will take light foot traffic.
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Pachysandra
One of our favorites for its lush, full foliage that is available in variegated or green (both pictured here). Excellent choice for shade or partial sun. Moderate growth rate can be sped-up by keeping the soil around roots loosened.
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 Variegated Foliage Brightens Up Shady Areas Variegated fatsias, less common than the green-leaf type, sport large leaves with streaks of green and white. These can be grown in the ground or in containers, and thrive in shade or filtered sun in a somewhat protected location (they appreciate some protection from winter exposure, such as near the walls of your house). They can also be grown indoors in bright, indirect light. The showy leaves can be cut and added to flower arrangements. Great choice for a container on a shady patio or covered porch for year-round interest (fatsias are evergreen). Currently in stock, and grown locally by Maple Valley Nursery in Shelby County. |
August Lawncare
Apply fertilome 15-0-15 Lawn Fertilizer
to centipede lawns in early August.
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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25% off SOLAR LANTERNS
(regularly priced $24.99 - 34.99)
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