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Collier's Garden Scoop
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February 2016
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The flowers of late winter and early spring
occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size.
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The stark contrast between the garden in February and the garden in April is hard to miss, and while some gardeners mourn the demureness of the winter garden, we like to look at it a little differently. Now much of the landscape lies dormant, which makes it so much easier to appreciate the signs of life that appear in spite of the temperatures. Take advantage of this "quiet" season in the garden to marvel at and relish the beautiful forms, textures and colors that are there. Once spring arrives, with a noisy deluge of life, the subtleties can become harder to perceive. |
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February Hours
Monday - Saturday 9 to 5
Closed Sunday
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February Garden Checklist
What to Prune Now
-Non-blooming evergreens, or evergreens with insignificant blooms, such as boxwood, cleyera, holly and pittosporum.
-Flowering shrubs that bloom after Memorial Day. This includes butterfly bush, crepe myrtles, camellias (after they finish blooming), gardenias, roses and summer-blooming spireas.
-Evergreen ferns, such as autumn, holly & tassle ferns
-Liriope, cast iron plant and perennial grasses
-Deciduous trees & shrubs can be shaped, limbed-up or thinned-out. Remove suckers, damaged or crossing branches and thick growth that reduces air and light circulation.
Lawn Care -Apply Hi-Yield Pre-Emerge with Dimension to Centipede &
St. Augustine lawns in early February.
Prep for Spring -Dig up, divide and move perennials that bloom in summer or fall (as needed- most perennials like to be divided every 2-4 years).
-Remove plant debris, which can harbor over-wintering pests and diseases, from shrub and flowerbeds.
-Add a fresh layer of mulch or pine straw wherever needed.
-Begin planning for warm-season flowerbeds & containers.
-Start an herb garden. There are several cold-hardy options to begin with, and warm-weather herbs can be added in April.
-If possible, plant trees & shrubs during February and March. Get basic landscaping projects done now so you'll have more time to plant annuals & perennials during April and May.
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Valentine's Day
is coming up this Sunday, February 14th! We have a greenhouse full of sweet blooms for your sweetheart that will last much longer than an expensive bouquet of roses (take a look below for a few of our favorites). Stop by the nursery this week and we'll help you select the perfect blooms for your love on-the-spot, or call ahead to place an order for a custom arrangement that will delight your sweetie and fit your budget. Also, if your Valentine loves to work in the garden, he or she might appreciate a Collier's gift card to enjoy using during the spring planting season! |
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Budded & blooming
azaleas
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Long-lasting cyclamen
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Hydrangeas that can be planted in the garden later
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Heart-shaped ivy topiaries
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Too cute to resist mini orchids
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 Flowers of February
If your garden needs some refreshing before it's time to plant warm-season annuals we have a couple of options for colorful blooms that will tolerate the cold temps that are likely to linger during February and March. Fresh shipments of pansies, violas and primrose arrive weekly, in a variety of fun colors. Pansies, violas and English primrose are the most cold-hardy choices. Fairy primrose will tolerate temps into the mid-20s. German primrose do best indoors in a bright, sunny spot.
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English Primrose
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Fairy Primrose
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German Primrose
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Late Winter Blooms in the Landscape
Get a head-start on landscaping projects during February & March by planting trees and shrubs while it's still too early to plant warm-season annuals. Here's a couple of options that stand out in the shrub yard right now:
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Several varieties of this southern favorite are in stock now, and also happen to be budded & blooming! Pictured here, 'Taylor's Perfection' Camellia sasanqua. Without a doubt, camellias offer the most exquisite blooms for the winter garden, and can be enjoyed in the garden or cut & brought indoors.
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It's hard not to smile at the sight of these abundant, cheerful buds ready to burst open, in spite of the cold, dreary weather! Carolina jessamine is a durable native vine (and state flower of South Carolina) that will sprawl over arbors and fences with ease, sporting fragrant yellow blooms in late winter to boot!
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 Got Spring Fever?
We sure do, and the only thing that helps alleviate this longing for warm weather and the spring planting season are the many fun, new items that will arrive during February and March! Take advantage of some of our mild, sunny winter days to stop by and get a sneak peek at what's new for spring 2016! Pictured here: We are in love with these delicate, frilly pots!
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Collier's Nursery
205-822-3133
2904 Old Rocky Ridge Road
Birmingham, AL 35243
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