Over the next few weeks you will see white Spirea or Bridal Wreath blooming, yellow Forsythia, and several kinds of Vibernum or Snow Balls starting to bloom.

Flowering trees you will see include Flowering Cherry, Crabapples, and Purple Leaf Plums.

Some more unusual plants that bloom early that we carry include exochorda or Pearl Bush. This is a more compact version of Bridal Wreath like shrub with white blooms on a 4 ft. shrub that enjoys the sun. Pink Jasmine is a vine that is not too common with wonderful pink buds that open to pure white fragrant blooms. They can be seen in bloom here right now.

Remember as you visit us to balance your yards seasonal interest. If you tend to visit us in the spring I suspect your garden looks at its best in the spring. Ask us for ways to add interest in the other seasons.

If you haven't already started your fertilizing program now is the time to start. fertilize your lawn with either a fall and winter food or if you have weed issues with a pre-emergent or post emergent combination product. Flowers need fertilizing with rose and Flower Food. Citrus Trees should be feed with Citrus Food and as Camellias and Azaleas finish blooming use Camellia and Azalea Food.

Fertilizing is the easiest change you can make to fhave more growing success.
Donna and I survived another move and I am looking over the yard to make changes. There is a beautiful sycamore in the back yard that overpowers a yard that is about 12 by 50. A sycamore is just too large for this kind of yard and it may have to come out. The fence is a typical 5' dog eared fence that we want to change to something with more interest.

In the front there is a mound surrounding the front entrance covered with junipers that create a lot of privacy. We intend to develop a front courtyard and gradually change out the junipers. There are lots of opportunities to develop year round interest.

The snails are coming!

The snails are coming!

With the warmer weather the snails are out in force.

You ask" How do you know?"

Well, we planted a bunch of daffodils in the center parking lot tree wells. I noticed that they were looking like my grandmothers lace doilly.
SNAILS!

Now is the time to start getting them under control.

In addition to the traditional shade garden blooming plants like azaleas and camellias there are a number that add color with their foliage.

We are continually looking for ways to create interest and excitement in shade gardens. We recently added a new Acorus called Ogon. This is a small grassy accent with bright golden foliage. Another new perennial we have added is Variegated Dianella. This white and green perennial has foliage that resembles bearded iris foliage and adds color in the shade garden.

Added to these you can include Hosta, Crimson Curls Coral Bells, Liriope, Variegated Osmanthus Goshikki and the stand-by Gold Dust plant.

In our community, we have the opportunity to plant beautiful, unique perennials that will nurture our senses and provide nectar to butterflies and hummingbirds. At Scenic, we have a large assortment of perennials and shrubs to provide glorious landing pads for butterflies.

Achillea, commonly known as Yarrow, is a beautiful evergreen perennial that provides year round interest for a sunny spot in your yard. In the winter, Achillea endures frost and will resemble a lush fern. Summer will render clusters of bloom that provide landing pads for butterflies. Pink Cerise Queen is available in jumbo six pack and one gallon cans. Six pack color mixes are also available.

If you are looking for a fast growing deciduous shrub with a wild, fountain-like growing habit, Buddleia, or Butterfly Bush, is aptly named for its ability to attract butterflies to its red, purple or yellow flowered spikes.

For a shadier spot, consider planting a Heliotrope. Its vanilla scented purple blooms are evocative of Victorian nosegays that attract both the avid gardener and butterfly.

To attract hummingbirds and add some whimsy to your garden, think about planting some Campanulas. Hues of purple, blue and pink adorn these cup shaped flowers which produce heavy bloom on a tall stock. For sunnier locations, Penstemon and Salvias are attractive and resilient additions to your hummingbird garden. Noted for their purple, red or pink throats, these hardy perennials will also provide beautiful color.

For intense red tubular flowers and nectar for birds, select a Pineapple Sage from our herb display. A pinch of flavorful dried leaves from this fast grower will provide you with a soothing cup of tea as you relax in your garden.
Vines that attract Hummingbirds include Orange Trumpet Vine and Honeysuckle. Shrubs include Bottle Brush, Flowering Maple and fuchsias.

I recently moved into a new home. Our new garden is a little on the small side, especially the back yard. The front has a mound in front that makes possible a courtyard planting and design possible.

The first thing I have done is to lower the soil in the planting beds. Like so many yards I go into with the Garden Crew, there was way too much soil in them. In fact the soil came up to the top and above the sidewalk in many places.

I removed 2 - 3" of soil all around. This keeps water and mud off the walkways. It also keeps soil lower against the house.

Remember when you are developing new beds or redoing old beds you need some room for the water and any mulching you might want to do.

As I continue to work in our new yard I will talk about what I am doing and why it might be of interest to you in your gardening.

Well, kind of. We do have our first shipment but it is still early. We often get frosts untill and after March 15th. So, if you plant you have to be ready to protect them from the cold weather.

Often, many of the early tomatos we sell go into larger containers to grow on and allow people to get a head start and still protect them from the cold. Our selection now is limited to the basic varieties. Our collection of heirloom tomatos and the unusual peppers are due mid March. Well, the tomatos in mid March.

Fall and Winter Fertilizer is designed to be available in cold soil temps. Regular lawn fertilizer will be much slower getting a new growth response. We wil continue recommending Fall and Winter Fertilizer until soil temps start to move up.