|
Collier's Garden Scoop
| |
August 2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year...
The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot.
|
|
|
We are swimming in the high heat of summer but fresh plants that can stand the temps still arrive weekly (if your garden needs a little reviving) & we have lots of fun finds for plant-hunters & gift-givers, so stop by and see us this August. Stay cool & hydrated, friends!
August Hours
|
|
What's In-Store for August...
|
|
|
| |
Houseplants (tropical plants that need to be indoors & protected during our cold winters) are available in a range of sizes. Add a few of these foliage plants to a shady porch during summer to create a garden room. Try bromeliads or kalanchoes for bright flowers in complete shade.
|
To add color to your garden quickly & easily, use flowering hanging baskets (most prefer full or partial sun). Of course they can hang from hooks, but you can also remove the hook & set the pot on a table, or transplant to a larger container for an instant color-fix!
|
|
|
|
| |
During August, containers & flowerbeds can begin to look tired, but we're still a month or two away from mum & pansy season. No worries though- we receive shipments of fresh annuals & perennials weekly, most in bloom, even during these hottest days of summer. So stop by if you need to fill-in or freshen up your garden!
|
Succulents sport an interesting variety of leaf forms & colors, are fun to create with & can be used in an endless variety of containers! Just be sure to provide well-drained soil & very bright light or direct sun. Water thoroughly every 5-7 days. If you are interested in rooting plants, sedums & echeverias are among the easiest to propagate.
|
|
 Stop by & browse newly-arrived, healthy perennials for sun and shade.
 We have a great selection of groundcovers right now, including creeping jenny, Persian chocolate lysimachia & teardrop ivy- just to name a few.
|
 A rare item for us- but thanks to our friends at Maple Valley Nursery in Shelby County, we have several Sarracenia varieties this summer. Did you know that of the 8 southeastern pitcher plant species, 7 are native to Alabama? These carnivorous, or 'meat-eating' plants grow naturally in wet, sandy and often highly acidic soils with very low nutrient content. So, they have a very clever trick to get the nutrients they need from other sources- their leaves are designed to attract, trap & digest the unfortunate insects, and occasional frogs, that are their prey. Interested in growing one of these monstrous native plants? The trick is re-creating their natural habitat- a wet, sandy, acidic bog. To do this, it's best to grow pitcher plants in a container. Use a mix of sand & a sphagnum peat-based potting soil (like our Baccto Lite Premium Potting Soil). Place the container in full or partial sun, and make sure the soil stays moist. It's not a bad idea to transplant your pitcher plant into a larger container every couple of years- the more room they are given, the larger they will grow! Pitcher plants are hardy to 20 degrees, but need to be protected from colder temps & high winds during winter. Sarracenia varieties are triggered into dormancy by temperatures below 50 degrees. They require a 3 to 4 month chill-period. The leaves will turn brown on the edges, but this is normal- growth will resume in the spring. Do not allow the soil to dry out during winter & never fertilize your pitcher plant- they get all of the nutrients they need from those bugs they eat! |
|
Two Hardy Picks for
the Summer Garden
|
|
|
|
Cigar Plant (Cuphea ignea)
Sometimes called firecracker plant, the latin word for this species- ignea- means "flaming" and refers to the very vivid orange-red blooms that remind many of the flame of a cigar, complete with a white tip for the ash. Grown as annuals or very tender perennials here, cigar plants make up for their often short lives by producing an abundance of flowers non-stop from mid-summer through fall. Grow best in full or partial sun. Tall-growing to 2-3 feet tall & wide if given plenty of root space. Water regularly for most vigorous growth & abundant flowering. Cigar plants attract both butterflies & hummingbirds like a magnet!
|
Daylily (Hemerocallis species)
This genus of plants contains literally tens of thousands of species and varieties that are the result of intensive hybridizing, making these the perfect choice for those who like to 'collect' plants because of the massive number of color variations. But wait, there's more good news about daylilies: Steven Bender, The Grumpy Gardener, says that "when asked to suggest just one perennial for a beginning gardener to start with, my answer is always the same - daylily." We have several varieties of Hemerocallis in stock today, so you can get your collection started immediately, or add a few to the landscape for low-maintenance, perennial blooms.
|
|
 OYAS
The Latin word olla (pronounced "oya") refers to a type of clay vessel that was used for cooking and storage by the ancient Romans. But oyas also have a history of use as a localized irrigation method- an unglazed oya is buried up to its 'neck' in soil and filled with water. The water slowly seeps through the walls of the vessel and into the surrounding soil, providing water directly to plant roots. Interestingly, water seeping through the clay causes the inside of the vessel to 'sweat'- this process actually keeps the water cool! The photos below show how you can use an oya in a large container garden. We're starting from scratch, but you can simply dig a hole & bury an oya in existing containers and flowerbeds. A small oya waters about 2 square feet and a medium oya waters about 3. Add fresh water every 5 to 10 days- and that's all there is to it! (Winter care: dig up, empty, clean off & store dry) This is a simple & convenient solution for large containers with sun-loving plants that are very thirsty, for vacation homes that are only visited weekly, and for keeping plants watered while you're away on a trip. Oyas are also a great gift for the gardeners among your family and friends!
*Check out the coupon at the end of this email- save $ on oyas during August!
|
|
|
|
|
This pot is about 22 inches in diameter.
Fill partially with soil, leaving 8-10 inches of space below the lip of the pot.
|
We're using a small oya. Set the oya on top of the soil. The top of the oya should be about even with the lip of the pot.
|
Now finish filling the pot with soil. Leave an inch or two of room below the lip so that the soil doesn't overflow when you water.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sprinkle a time-released fertilizer (we're using Osmocote) evenly across the top of the soil, and then mix in to the top few inches. This fertilizer will release gradually into the soil over the next 3 to 4 months.
|
Now start planting! Take the plant out of the plastic pot & loosen the roots (it's alright if some soil falls off). Dig a hole that is about as wide & deep as the root-ball & place the plant in it. Fill in with soil & press down gently to settle air pockets.
|
We're using 4 plants, but each has a tendency to grow vigorously & get quite large if given the space. When not over-crowded plants are more likely to be long-lived & healthy. We're using plants that will tolerate hot, sunny conditions if watered regularly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
From rear, going clockwise: angelonia
(purple spikes), lantana (pink clusters), fanflower (low, purple-blue blooms), cuban oregano (green & white, fragrant foliage)
|
For an extra layer of protection from the dehydrating rays of the sun, add a layer of moss or mulch to the top of the soil.
|
We've covered the top of the soil with sphagnum moss, or sheet moss as we call it. Mulch works just as well- the idea is to insulate the soil and retain moisture by reducing evaporation.
|
|
 And now, the final step- fill the oya with water! You will need to add fresh water every 5 to 10 days. Other than that, this container should take care of itself from now on! There's even one more surprising benefit of using an oya- as water seeps slowly through the porous walls of the clay vessel some impurities are filtered out- which means water that is a bit healthier for your plants than water straight from the tap or hose. Don't be tempted to mix liquid fertilizer into the water that you add to the oya. It's better to put pure water in the oya & fertilize with a time-released granule like we did. |
|
Lawn Care Applications for August
|
 For centipede lawns, we recommend
be applied in early August
|
view our lawn care schedules here
|
|
|
|
|
Collier's Nursery
205-822-3133
2904 Old Rocky Ridge Road Birmingham, AL 35243
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
Offer expires August 31, 2015.
Small Growoya regularly priced $24 (save $6).
Medium Growoya regularly priced $34 (save $8.50).
While supplies last.
No need to print this out- simply mention this coupon at checkout to receive the discount.
|
|
|
|
|
|
