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Collier's Garden Scoop
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May 2016
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There can be no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at their work, you would find them smiling.
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We offer a warm welcome to the month of May, well-known for bringing some of the best weather of the year; relatively mild temps and low humidity make it an ideal month to spend in the garden. This is the month that the landscape comes alive with green growth, blooms and fragrance, and the first sightings of some of nature's finest and fanciest- hummingbirds, dragonflies and butterflies. The nursery is overflowing with tempting plants for your garden- we hope to see you during May!
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May Hours
Monday - Saturday 9 to 5:30
Sundays 1 to 5
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 Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 8th
There are several fun finds for her at the nursery right now, like these adorable magnetic bird and owl planter pockets
that are the perfect size for an air plant, succulent or small bouquet of flowers. Another new item in-store now are these cute cedar art prints (pictured below) which are weather-resistant and can be enjoyed indoors or out. They are sure to be loved by the gardeners on your list.
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 Is it possible to get tired of the amazing colors, textures and forms of succulents? We don't think so, and that's also why they are great gifts- nearly everyone enjoys them! They are perpetually enchanting and easy to care for to boot. These locally grown combinations are planted in very cool, hand-made 'litestone' pots. They will grow best in at least a couple of hours of direct sun each day, or more, but could also be grown indoors in a bright, sunny room. Water thoroughly and then allow the surface of the soil to dry completely before watering again- that's all there is to it! |
 We also have a great selection of pots and baskets
if you'd like to create a container garden as a treat for someone special, or for yourself, this weekend. We love the geometric patterns that are trending this spring in home and garden design and think they look especially striking planted simply, with a single plant that flaunts a compelling bloom or texture. We will also have a selection of ready-made container gardens this weekend, perfect for a quick, easy and beautiful gift.
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If your Mom is likely to be found in her garden, smile on her face as she digs in the dirt, waters, trims and weeds, then she's also likely to enjoy a Collier's gift card. They are available in any amount, do not expire, and can be used over multiple visits.
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8 Tips For Container Garden Success
Container gardening is one of the favorite activities in the garden among our customers, and with good reason. Planting in containers is often much easier than planting in the ground, many have limited garden space and use container gardens to turn their porches or patios into a garden space, and container gardens are a great way to insert colorful plantings into areas that would otherwise be blank. Read on to learn the basics of gardening in containers successfully...
1. Good drainage is a must. In order to be successful when planting in soil, water must be able to drain out of the container so that roots do not become water-logged and rot. If using a container with no drainage, it's best to leave the plant in a plastic pot and set it inside of the decorative container. In this case you would remove the plant to water it, allow the water to drain through the holes in the plastic pot, and then return the plant to the decorative container.
2. Opt for the largest container you can accommodate in your space. The larger the container, the more root space your plants will have to grow. Smaller containers dry out more quickly because roots crowd the soil and there is less space for extra water to be absorbed (and so it runs right through and out). Considering how hot and dry an Alabama summer can be, whenever possible it's best to use a container that is at least 10 or 12 inches tall and wide. Also, the more direct sun a container receives the more often it is likely to need water (sunlight increases evaporation of moisture in the soil) Containers in more shade than sun may not need water as often. 3. The potting mix: Our preferred combination is 2/3 potting soil and 1/3 soil conditioner. We also always mix in a granular, time-released fertilizer like Osmocote. 4. Don't overcrowd. When plants are forced to compete for root space the results are drastically reduced growth and vigor, eventual decline of the plants, and more frequent wilting because of soil drying out faster in root-bound situations (which means you find yourself watering a lot more often than you'd like). Here's a general rule of thumb to follow in order to avoid overcrowding your container gardens: For a 10-inch diameter pot you need 2 or 3 plants. For a 15-inch diameter pot you need 4 or 5 plants. For a 20-inch diameter pot you need 6 or 7 plants, and so on. 5. Choose plants that are appropriate for the environment your container will be in. This is something we are glad to help you figure out, as it can be overwhelming based on the variety of plants available. For example, if it's a particularly hot & sunny spot, you need to plant sun and drought tolerant plants. Also, while there are many options for blooms in a sunny spot, there are only a few plants that will flower profusely in mostly shade. If you're unsure about what you need to plant in your containers, we're here to help! 6. Creating combinations using the popular 'thriller, filler, spiller' recipe is an easy and sure-fire method that produces pleasing and consistent results. All of the combinations pictured below were created using this idea, along with the idea of trios of interesting flowers and foliage. However, don't feel like this is the only way to go about creating a container garden. Sometimes the grandest results are born of the simplest forms, and in some cases a container overflowing with only one type of plant is what's needed. Feel free to experiment in your own way when combining plants to enjoy in your own garden. The best way to learn about a certain plant is to grow it and observe its progress and habit yourself. Experiment and find what grows best for you, and don't worry too much about the few that don't thrive.
7. Water consistently for best and fastest growth on behalf of your plants. Wilting between waterings stresses plants out, which makes them susceptible to attack by insects and disease. On the flip side, over-watering creates a water-logged environment for plant roots which will lead to rot, and death, if left unchecked. Thoroughly saturate soil when you water, and then wait until the top 3 0r 4 inches of soil are dry to the touch before watering again. If you observe the soil appearing dry and pulling away from the sides of the container, water immediately.
8. Fertilize occasionally with a water-soluble fertilizer. Container-grown plants are at the mercy of the soil you plant them in even more so than those planted in the ground, since they have a finite space for their roots to spread out in and aren't able to seek out nutrients in the surrounding soil like they could in the ground. Give your plants an extra boost of nutrients every two weeks, or at least once a month. You'll be pleased with the results! We love to use fertilome Blooming & Rooting, which has a high dose of phosphorus- one of the key nutrients used in flower production.
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for full or partial sun
Mealycup Sage
Dusty Miller
Creeping Zinnia (Sanvitalia)
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for full or partial sun
Persian Shield
Ruellia 'Ragin' Cajun'
Asparagus Fern
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for full or partial sun
Upright Angelonia
Gomphrena 'Buddy Purple'
Trailing Vinca
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for full or partial sun
Caladium 'Candyland'
Heliotrope
Sweet Potato Vine
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for filtered sun or partial shade
Caladium 'White Christmas'
Double Impatien
Trailing Torenia
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for filtered sun or partial shade
Dragonwing Begonia
New Guinea Impatien
Sweet Potato Vine
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Star or Confederate Jasmine
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During May many trees and shrubs
can be seen blooming in landscapes and gardens throughout central Alabama, and there often seems to be a lovely fragrance in the air from one of the many sweet-scented May bloomers: Confederate jasmine, magnolia, mockorange, gardenias later in the month, and of course the honeysuckle along the roadsides. Spring is an acceptable time to plant trees, shrubs, vines and ground covers, provided you are able to water them well at least once or twice a week during this first summer. Newly planted trees & shrubs need water regularly while roots are getting established. Once established, rain water is usually sufficient. During April and May we have our best selection of perennials, so stop to browse the widest and most varied inventory of potential additions to your perennial collection.
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Ninebark
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Autumn Fern
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Knockout Rose
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Apply to Zoysia and Bermuda lawns mid-May.
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Apply to Centipede lawns mid-May.
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Collier's Nursery
205-822-3133
2904 Old Rocky Ridge Road
Birmingham, AL 35243
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