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Gardening Tips & Plant Care
We've put together some information that will ensure your plants and garden are a huge success through out the entire growing season. We've also provided tips and techniques for extending your harvest when the weather turns cold. Check back regularly for more gardening tips and care. You can also visit our facebook page to see what we've been working on.
Azalea Care
Azaleas are flowering shrubs comprising two of the eight subgenera of the genus Rhododendron, Pentanthera (deciduous) and Tsutsuji (evergreen). Azaleas bloom in spring, their flowers often lasting several weeks. Shade tolerant, they prefer living near or under trees. Azaleas differ from rhododendrons in being generally smaller and having one blossom per stem rather than blossom clusters.
Hydrangea Care
The genus Hydrangea has about 30 commonly recognized species. However, for the purpose of this overview, we will consider the three most popular types. Hydrangea paniculata, Hydrangea arborescens and the most popular being, Hydrangea macrophylla. H. arborescens and H. paniculata are the small tree and bush types which bloom August – September. The blooms are usually white with occasionally a slight shading of pink. They are easy to grow and very winter hardy. Then there is Hydrangea macrophylla which encompasses literally hundreds of varieties. H. macrophylla colors include whites, blues, bi-colors, pinks, and reds. They are available in both lace caps and ball or mophead types. H. macrophylla are the types which can rapidly change color depending on pH.
Poinsettia Care
The common name Poinsettia given to Euphorbia pulcherrima is a result of its introduction into the United States by Joel Robert Poinsett who, finding these plants growing on the hillsides near Taxco, Mexico sent plants to his home in Greenville, South Carolina shortly after assuming the office of first U.S. ambassador to Mexico in 1825. Poinsettias were grown commercially for Christmas sales in the latter part of the 19th century, and both propagation stock and young plants were offered for sale in the trade magazines of the early 20th century.