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Collier's Garden Scoop
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April 2015
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Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment-Ellis Peters
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Each year at this time we see many of the old familiar garden blooms return for another warm season of growth, yet it never gets old to see them again. We seem to have passed safely by the threat of cold weather by now, and so in the last week we have expanded our inventory out of the greenhouse and into the surrounding pergola areas- so many beautiful things have already arrived, with many more to come this month. Read on to discover a few...Happy Spring!
April Hours
Monday - Saturday 9 to 5:30
Sunday 1 to 5
Closed Easter Sunday
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- The 10-day forecast shows nighttime lows mostly in the 50s & 60s, so it should be safe to start planting your container gardens, flower beds and herb & veggie gardens. We have had a freeze as late as mid-April in the past, but it looks like this year spring may have started a little early! It's also a great time to plant perennials, groundcovers, vines, shrubs & trees.
- Prune shrubs that bloomed in late winter (quince, spireas, forsythia, camellias) if needed.
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The plants in your landscape will soon be actively growing, if they're not already, so help them along with some fertilizer. We recommend Hi-Yield Grower's Special for trees, shrubs and groundcovers. Osmocote works well on annuals and perennials. Fertilize herbs and veggies with LadyBug fertilizer, which is safe for edibles. For plants that are highly susceptible to insect or fungal problems (lacebugs on azaleas and black spot on roses, for example) try Bayer 3-In-1 Drench which provides a dose of fertilizer, as well as systemic insecticide and fungicide. Fertilome Azalea Food with Systemic Insecticide is a granular that can be used on other shrubs as well.
- Visit Collier's this month & next for the broadest and best selection of the year- during April & May our growers are at their peak production and have the largest availability, which means the best selection and the largest variety of plants make their way to the nursery!
- Lawncare for zoysia and bermuda: In early April, apply fertilome All Seasons with Barricade (fertilizer with pre-emergent for broadleaf and grassy weeds).
- Lawncare for St. Augustine: In late April, apply fertilome All Seasons with Barricade.
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 blooming hydrangeas
as brightly colored as Easter eggs
are a lovely way to brighten your home
in celebration of spring or to give as a gift.
Also in the greenhouse are
trumpeting Easter lilies with buds just opening! |
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Fresh off the Truck for Spring...
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Trailing & mounding petunias can be grown at the edges of flowerbeds or as a 'spiller' in containers. Partial or full sun.
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Sweet potato vine can cascade several feet out of hanging baskets, window boxes & containers. Trim back as needed & water regularly.
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Torenia thrives in shadier areas of the landscape, although can tolerate more sun if watered regularly. Attracts hummingbirds!
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Impatiens add the vivid pastels of the cottage garden to areas of your landscape that receive shade, filtered, or morning sun.
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New Guinea impatiens are the bold alternative with eye-catching contrasts in color, blooming in shades of the tropical rainforest.
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Along with another shade-lover, caladiums, the Kong coleus pictured here offers extra large leaves in a variety of color combinations.
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Sun coleus look stunning planted in groups or mass, or intermixed with flowering plants. Their leaves serve both as a backdrop & an accent.
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Pinch coleus shoots back once or twice during spring to encourage them to get bushy instead of leggy. Coleus like to be watered regularly.
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Angelonia, the 'summer snapdragons,' are one of the most prolific & consistent bloomers we carry.
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Try cleome at the back of the flower garden, or in a large container. Grows anywhere from 2 to 4 feet tall in full or partial sun.
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Dragonwing begonias are one of the hardiest plants you'll find, thriving in sun & heat, but will also grow in some shade. Great in hanging baskets.
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For attracting butterflies to the garden lantana is among the must-haves. Will tolerate sun & heat and is fairly drought tolerant.
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Provided regular water, salvias will bloom profusely through the hottest summer days. There are perennial & annual varieties available.
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Vinca is a champion of Alabama summers, blooming non-stop throughout the hottest days. Looks excellent covering large beds, and also does very well in container gardens.
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Dreamland Zinnias seem to shout of warmer weather to come. These are especially lovely in flowerbeds, and will flower most vigorously when watered consistently & deadheaded occasionally.
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 For those who love to grow their own herbs & veggies, this is the time of year we've been waiting for impatiently! Warm weather means all kinds of delicious produce & seasonings can be produced in your own garden. Come in this month to find baby tomato, pepper, squash, zucchini, cucumber, eggplant & okra plants, as well as more herbs than we can even begin to name (plus some advice on how to grow them if you need it)! |
 New for Spring 2015: Tray discount on Plants That Work pots!
Save $5 for every 10 "Plants That Work" (light-green) pots you buy, regularly priced $4.99 each. (Discounted pot price is $4.49 each when purchased in increments of 10- a full tray; full tray regular price is $49.90, discounted tray price is $44.90).
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Collier's Nursery
205-822-3133
2904 Old Rocky Ridge Road Birmingham, AL 35243
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Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.
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