Posts made in November, 2007

Some books focus on specific plants and growing techniques associated with particular climate conditions. One great example is the line of Month-by-Month gardening books from Cool Springs Press. You can give your garden-loving friends all over the country a gardening book that targets what to do in the garden each month in their specific state. Cool Springs Press also has a companion line of state-by-state gardening guides that deliver locally relevant plant descriptions and horticulture tips.

So if you are searching for gifts for the gardeners in your life this holiday season, don't be afraid to think outside of the flower pot and get your knowledge-hungry gardener a handy gardening book with pretty pictures. Or you could just opt for the pictures, as in Stafford Cliff's striking 1000 Garden Ideas. Gardener's always love inspiring pictures of other people’s gardens.

It's and exciting time of the year for Wayside Gardens. We still have plenty of great fall deals, plenty of bulbs, roses, trees, and shrubs that are going fast. But, we are also very busy preparing for the spring season. The first copies of the spring catalog are being passed around, we are all very excited. This is one of the busiest times of the year for most of us.

It's a struggle sometimes, during a transition like this, to keep focused on the old when so many important new things are flying about. But, the fall items are selling as fast as ever–this is a great time to get the best prices on premium bulbs and plants from Wayside Gardens.

So, if you still have a few spring flower bulbs or shrubs that you want to get in the ground before spring, don't worry, you still have a few weeks to get those fall orders in. It is still warm enough in many places for fall planting. And you can order container plants or houseplants anytime.

If you are one of the many, like myself, who trek up into the hills every fall to see the changing leaves then you know that it is that time of the year again. I was up on the Blue Ridge Parkway last week and it was beautiful. I hiked a short trail to the top of a small hill over-looking a beautifully colorful section of the Appalachian Mountains, and met a lovely older couple from Houston who had just flown into Asheville the day before to see the leaves changing. It's awesome how some events can still bring us all together.

Fall foliage interest is also a hot topic in garden design right now–this season peaks our interest in maples, oaks, willows, and deciduous fruit trees. Some of the most interesting fall foliage comes from Japanese maples–Acer Palmatum and Acer Japonicum. If you are looking to have some bright colors in your garden next fall, plant now, fall is the best time for planting trees and shrubs. They will establish over the winter and grow stronger next spring. Have your own amazing show next fall.

If you are planning on sending someone a flower arrangements, why not send a live plant that can be enjoyed indefinitely. Cut flower arrangements are beautiful but very temporary–you can send a potted plant that will last a lifetime. You can send houseplants or plants to be transplanted to a garden. You can have the plant sent directly from the manufacturer, and your gift will come professionally packaged with a personalized gift message from you.

This is perfect for the Holidays because many companies are now shipping amaryllis bulbs that, if ordered now, will bloom inside just in time to make the perfect holiday center-piece. Along with Amaryllis, you can often find many other houseplants, garden plants for transplant, miniature Christmas trees, and garden accessories. College students and friends and family members who work in offices are always looking for something to make their drab surroundings a little more cozy.

Amaryllis in a decorative container are one of the most popular live holiday decorations. These plants are known for their bold colors, easy care, and tendency to thrive indoors. Actually, the plants that we purchase for the holidays are from the genus Hippeastrum, and are not actually Amaryllis. They are in the same family, but there is only one species of actual Amaryllis, Amaryllis Belladonna, a native of South Africa.

If you are planning on getting any Amaryllis for Holiday decorating, you should order them now. They take about 6 weeks to bloom. If you wait too much longer, it will be too late to have your Amaryllis holiday display bloom through the holiday season. After they bloom they should continue flowering for another seven to ten weeks.

Given the proper care and timing, you should have a beautiful display through the holiday season. Nothing creates that cozy feel in your home like live decorations–the huge star-shaped amaryllis flowers will illuminate your holiday decor.