Do-It-Yourself Success In Wilmington Park

Dave and Susan Sherman, of Wilmington Park, came to H & Z a few weeks back with ink jet photos of their yard in hand. They were like a lot of homeowners. They had a landscape that was completely outdated, and they needed some help reworking it.

The Shermans picked the perfect time of year to update their front bed, because the cool weather of Fall allows plants to get established with ease. There is also a wide variety of shrubs available now, so it's not hard to put together really attractive combinations.

First things first, however. The Sherman's front bed needed some changes before one plant was purchased. A glance at the photo above reveals a narrow bed that would situate plants right beneath the roof's drip line. Suicide for any shrub. Dave was not to be discouraged though, and he sure wasn't going to be lazy about his project.

David and Susan returned with ink jet proof that they had followed my advice and expanded their bed to a suitable depth. They earned another star from me by amending their soil with organic matter like Mushroom Compost and Cow Manure! Oh...and check out the nice edging! Notice how the color brings out the brick in their house! A++

With the bed prepared, it was then time to choose plants. The Shermans wanted a low maintenance bed that had interest. They wanted to get away from the Loaf of Shrubs Chic behind which so many houses of that neighborhood still hide. The bed also receives a good deal of sun, so we chose plants that were ready for it!

Drought-tolerant selections like Dwarf New Zealand Flax, Autumn Joy Stonecrop, and Yucca
were used with the rich-colored Lorapetalum "pom-pom" topiary, Firepower Nandina, Purple Fountain Grass, and Ice Blue Yews (seen below).



There is still plenty of room for things to grow. By showing a little restraint now, the Shermans will eliminate the need for constant pruning later. The significant air circulation will also help prevent fungus from attacking their new plants. Finally, the attractive cypress mulch that they've added will help conserve water. Well done, guys!

It's Good To Be Back!

Well, I've made it back from my internship at Riddle's Elephant Sanctuary, and it seems that I've come back to wonderful gardening weather! Tomorrow it is supposed to be 80 degrees! God Bless the South. Remember that Mother Nature can be fickle though. We are not out of danger for frost until around St. Patrick's Day. That being said, there are plenty of plants in stock that are just aching to make your yards look great.

Butterfly gardeners can get an early start with our gallon pots of Scabiosa. The lavender blooms, also called Pincushion Flowers, stand on wire-like stems and give a sense of whimsy to a landscape. Of course, that reliable work horse, Lantana, is also available to feed your butterfly cronies. Gardeners not familiar with the newer dwarf varieties should come check them out, because they can be accomodated by small gardens and containers easier than their massive counterparts.

Caladium and Elephant Ear bulbs have just arrived, and there are varieties for almost every lighting situation. These trobical looking beauties make excellent backdrops for flowers like Begonias and Impatiens that will arrive later in Spring.
A garden spot that stays moist, has soil rich in organic matter, and protected from strong winds is ideal for both Caladiums and Elephant Ears, and don't forget that they can make striking additions to containers. Monthly fertilizing is a good plan to keep their foliage healthy.

If your New Year's Resolution is to eat healthier, than we can help. Let us show you how to plant an attractive container of salad greens, or better yet, have one custom made! You'll also want to keep an eye out for fruit trees that will be arriving in the nursery soon. Of course, our recent shipment of Citrus can hold you over until then. Don't forget to ask about the proper fertilizer as well.

Lastly, Valentine's Day is approaching. This would be a good time to ask your gardening sweetie what they might enjoy for their plot. Don't forget good gifts like bird houses,bird feeders, and bird baths!