Collier's Garden Scoop

March 2015

No winter lasts forever;

no spring skips its turn.

-Hal Borland

The first signs of spring have begun to appear in the landscape,

with daffodils emerging and the blooms of the redbud trees popping open. Alabama gardeners are familiar with the patterns of March weather that teeter between winter & spring, and while it won't be safe to plant many annuals until

mid-April, during March our inventory expands dramatically, with perennials,

groundcovers, herbs & frost-tolerant annuals arriving first.

So there will be plenty to see & choose from this month, and there are many things that can be planted early to relieve spring fever!

Early March Hours

Monday - Saturday 9 to 5

Mid to Late March Hours

Monday - Saturday 9 to 5:30

Sunday 1 to 5

March Garden Checklist

Our average last frost is March 23rd.
The latest frost on record occurred around mid-April.
Begin planting selections that will tolerate light frosts, and container gardens that can be moved indoors or protected as needed.
Fertilize trees, shrubs and groundcovers with Hi-Yield Grower's Special when new growth begins to emerge in late March.
Fertilize perennials with Osmocote as new growth emerges.
Dig up, divide and transplant perennials as needed.
Clean out beds: remove plant debris, old mulch, dead plants and weeds.
Add a fresh layer of mulch (2-3") to flower and shrub beds to help prevent pesky weeds from popping up.
In early March, finish winter pruning by snipping on plants that don't bloom (evergreens) and those that bloom in summer such as crape myrtles, all hydrangeas except the oakleaves, butterfly bushes, summer-blooming spirea and roses.
Prune shrubs that have bloomed recently (if finished), such as forsythia, spirea and quince.
Cut back (to the ground) liriope, mondo grass and other perennial grasses if needed.
Give your roses a boost with Bayer All-In-One Rose and Flower Care, a formulation of systemic insecticide, fungicide and fertilizer, that will help protect against aphids, Japanese beetles and black spot.
Un-earth containers from winter storage. Empty old potting soil and decide if new moss or coco liners are needed.
Lawncare: In late March or early April apply fertilome All Seasons with Barricade to zoysia and bermuda lawns.
Control weeds in your lawn by spot-spraying with fertilome Weed-Free Zone for zoysia and bermuda, or Hi-Yield Atrazine for weeds in centipede and St. Augustine
Apply lime (to turn pink) or aluminum sulphate (to turn blue) to French hydrangeas (follow label directions).

What to Plant Now (during March)

It's still an excellent time to plant any tree, shrub or groundcover. During March, our perennial and herb selection expands quickly and most of these are fine to plant now. You can also plant frost-tolerant annuals such as dianthus, nemesia, dusty miller, marigolds, petunias, poppies, snapdragons, geraniums and sweet alyssum. Summer veggies will start arriving mid-March and can be planted as soon as you like, but be prepared to protect them from frost and freeze.


Icelandic Poppies are budded & blooming! Plant now to enjoy these spectacular blooms this spring. Available in white, pink, yellow & orange.	Nemesia is one of our favorites for early spring, especially in containers, since these low-growing plants drape over the edge. Available in white, yellow and rose-red.

What Not to Plant Now (wait until mid-April)

There are a few annuals that will droop immediately if exposed to cold, so it is best (for the plant and your wallet) to wait until the threat of frost is past to plant these, or be prepared to protect them as needed: angelonia, caladiums, impatiens, lantana, sweet potato vine, vinca, basil & tomatoes.

An Early Spring

Container Garden

This combination will thrive in the cool temperatures we are likely to experience during March. A dracaena 'spike' adds wispy height, encircled by English primrose, dusty miller, zonal geranium, trailing snapdragon & trailing petunia. Not only will this container garden look great throughout spring, it will tolerate cold nights for now, giving you the chance to get your hands dirty (since most of us are just dying to!) and have something new & pretty to freshen up an outdoor area or look at through a favorite window.

Watercolor by

Parker Earle, 1890.

Strawberries:

Grow the Berry Best

The garden strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) was developed in 1750's France, and is a cross between two wild Fragaria species native to North and South America. All Fragaria species are members of the Rosaceae (Rose) family. New hybrids like 'Berries Galore' and 'Toscana' (both in stock now!) were developed to produce very ornamental flowers, as well as delicious fruit. Both are ever-bearing types, meaning they produce one large crop in early summer, and more fruit sporadically throughout the summer and early fall.

European explorers and settlers discovered the strawberry for the first time upon arriving in the new world. Native Americans strawberries with corn meal to make strawberry bread. After trying and enjoying this new combination, the Europeans developed their own version: strawberry shortcake! The name "strawberry" possibly originates from straw having been used as a mulch to keep the fruit off the ground. Or, it was originally "strewn berry," as the fruit is scattered among and under the foliage. Strawberry lore abounds in history and culture. In Victorian flower language, strawberries represent sweetness in life and character.

Strawberries can be planted 6 weeks before the last frost (early March in our area), and are hardy to temps in the low 20s. They grow best in full sun and need at least half a day of direct sunlight to produce fruit. Plants grow 6-8" tall, trail out of containers or spread by runners to around a foot across. Strawberries do not ripen after harvest so pick them when they are plump and fully colored. Wash them immediately before consumption (washing and storing can encourage mold).

Follow these steps for an easy and bountiful berry yield:

1) If grown in containers or raised beds, make sure strawberries have at least 12-14" of soil depth for root space.

2) Strawberries need very well-drained soil.

3) Plant in as much sun as possible.

4) Allow each plant plenty of space so air can circulate freely and ward of fungal infections.

5) Water in the morning so the foliage has time to dry before dark.

6) Quickly remove dead leaves, debris or infected fruit.

7) Fertilize once in early spring as new growth appears, and again after first harvest.

Spring Sneak Peek

We are happy to say that we have a larger selection of containers this year than we have ever had before! Much of our inventory has already arrived,

so March is a great time to come in & browse the new styles for this year.

Here's a sneak peek at just a few newbies around the nursery...

Don't miss our Odds 'n Ends container sale section,

which will only be around for another couple of weeks!

In order to make room for new inventory, we have marked down some of our pots & baskets to half-price.

There are some fun finds- stop by soon and check it out!

Blooming Shrubs Brighten Up

the Late Winter Landscape

Trees, shrubs, vines & groundcovers can be planted in March.

If you feel that your landscape looks a little dreary right now, you might consider adding some of these late-winter bloomers for a colorful show in years to come. A few plants that are budded or blooming at the nursery right now include: blueberries, camellias, Carolina jessamine vine, leatherleaf mahonia, native azaleas, quince, spireas and winter honeysuckle.


'Ogon' Spirea thunbergii	'Turandot' Camellia japonica

A new shipment of dwarf English boxwoods (1 & 2 gallon) and pyramidal American boxwood has arrived. These evergreens grow slowly and perform well in containers. Dwarf English boxwood can also be used to form a charming low hedge. March is a great time to plant these!

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Collier's Nursery

205-822-3133

info@colliersnursery.com
2904 Old Rocky Ridge Road
Birmingham, AL 35243