June 20, 2009
Half off!
It's that time of year again--time to clear out our greenhouses! As long as supplies last, almost all of our annuals are half off. Buy one plant, buy a full flat, or buy it all--you'll save 50% off regular prices! Hurry in while we still have a good selection to pick the annuals you need to finish off your flowerbeds or planters, and you'll have color to enjoy all summer long.
June 16, 2009
Still need something?
Still looking for a few more flowers to fill in an empty space in your flowerbeds? Maybe you need to give a gift and would like a hanging basket or planter to give. Whatever you need, Vander Giessen Nursery probably has a solution to your plant problem! Stop in to see what we still have in our greenhouses, and of course, take a walk through our garden-like shrub and tree yard to pick out the plants you need for your yard!
June 11, 2009
Too much work? Think again!
Assisting customers at our nursery, I often hear comments like, “Oh, I love roses, but I hear they’re a lot of work,” or “Wow, that’s a pretty rose, but aren’t they hard to care for?” This time of year roses are just coming into bloom, prompting many people to stop and take note of the beautiful colors and delicious fragrances. Maybe you’re one of those people, fascinated by the striking beauty of roses, yet reluctant to try growing them—you’ve heard they’re just too much work.
While growing gorgeous roses does require some discipline, recent advances in science and breeding have greatly reduced the amount of work needed to maintain the plants. If you’re thinking about starting a rose garden—or, for that matter, you’re curious how to cut down on the time you dedicate to caring for your existing roses—consider the following pointers to help give you success.
When starting a rose garden, choose healthy, well-branched plants with strong canes (i.e. stems). Ask a nursery professional for advice if you don’t know what to look for. Be sure to select high-grade roses—generally, the roses you’ll find at the box stores are lower grades than you’ll find at independent garden centers. The motto rings true—you get what you pay for—so choose premium grade roses from reputable growers for the best results.
As you decide where to plant your garden, find a sunny location for the plants to grow. Roses must have a minimum of 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. If you can give them sun all day long, they will perform even better.
Though roses love sun and heat, they’re not particularly drought-friendly plants. Roses like plenty of water, but they will also need to be well-drained. If you’re planning a rose garden in heavy soil, plan to amend it or replace some of the soil to offer better drainage. Once the roses are planted, keep the soil moist while the plants get established. If possible, avoid getting the leaves wet when watering; wet leaves can harbor black spot and powdery mildew. When roses are established, it’s much better to water deeply with less frequency rather than in small amounts each day to promote better root systems and healthier plants. Consider building a small berm 12-18 inches in diameter around the base of each plant—creating a shallow basin a couple inches deep will help direct water down to the roots instead of away from the plant.
Once your roses are planted, apply mulch to the flower bed around the plants. Bark mulch will help to keep weeds down and retain moisture; a compost-based mulch will have the added benefit of providing nutrients. Ask your local nursery for the best mulches for rose gardens.
Now that you have your rose garden planted, it all comes down to maintenance. This is where the fun—and I genuinely mean that—starts. Up until recently, maintaining roses required regular fertilizing, spraying for insects and treating for diseases. Sound like work? It was. But today, you can use one product that takes care of everything—fertilizer, insect and disease control—all in one application, and you don’t even have to spray! Simply mix in water, pour at the base of the plant and reapply every six weeks during the growing season.
Ultimately, growing beautiful roses depends on how you begin. If you choose the right location, select healthy, strong plants and give them the nutrients and water they need, you’ll be sure to have a beautiful rose garden for years to come. Have fun!
While growing gorgeous roses does require some discipline, recent advances in science and breeding have greatly reduced the amount of work needed to maintain the plants. If you’re thinking about starting a rose garden—or, for that matter, you’re curious how to cut down on the time you dedicate to caring for your existing roses—consider the following pointers to help give you success.
When starting a rose garden, choose healthy, well-branched plants with strong canes (i.e. stems). Ask a nursery professional for advice if you don’t know what to look for. Be sure to select high-grade roses—generally, the roses you’ll find at the box stores are lower grades than you’ll find at independent garden centers. The motto rings true—you get what you pay for—so choose premium grade roses from reputable growers for the best results.
As you decide where to plant your garden, find a sunny location for the plants to grow. Roses must have a minimum of 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. If you can give them sun all day long, they will perform even better.
Though roses love sun and heat, they’re not particularly drought-friendly plants. Roses like plenty of water, but they will also need to be well-drained. If you’re planning a rose garden in heavy soil, plan to amend it or replace some of the soil to offer better drainage. Once the roses are planted, keep the soil moist while the plants get established. If possible, avoid getting the leaves wet when watering; wet leaves can harbor black spot and powdery mildew. When roses are established, it’s much better to water deeply with less frequency rather than in small amounts each day to promote better root systems and healthier plants. Consider building a small berm 12-18 inches in diameter around the base of each plant—creating a shallow basin a couple inches deep will help direct water down to the roots instead of away from the plant.
Once your roses are planted, apply mulch to the flower bed around the plants. Bark mulch will help to keep weeds down and retain moisture; a compost-based mulch will have the added benefit of providing nutrients. Ask your local nursery for the best mulches for rose gardens.
Now that you have your rose garden planted, it all comes down to maintenance. This is where the fun—and I genuinely mean that—starts. Up until recently, maintaining roses required regular fertilizing, spraying for insects and treating for diseases. Sound like work? It was. But today, you can use one product that takes care of everything—fertilizer, insect and disease control—all in one application, and you don’t even have to spray! Simply mix in water, pour at the base of the plant and reapply every six weeks during the growing season.
Ultimately, growing beautiful roses depends on how you begin. If you choose the right location, select healthy, strong plants and give them the nutrients and water they need, you’ll be sure to have a beautiful rose garden for years to come. Have fun!
New Guinea Impatiens!
If you haven't tried New Guinea Impatiens yet, you really should! Now, I'm obviously partial, but I think that right now we have some of the most beautiful New Guineas you'll find--and you won't find them everywhere.
Are you an orange person? I guess I should rephrase that...do you like orange flowers? Many people stay in the "safe" realm of reds and pinks, but this year, take a risk and try something new. Orange New Guinea Impatiens are about as bright a flower as you'll find, and with their versatility in sun or shade, they're great for just about anywhere. Better yet, they're on sale! So stop in to see what catches your eye today.
Are you an orange person? I guess I should rephrase that...do you like orange flowers? Many people stay in the "safe" realm of reds and pinks, but this year, take a risk and try something new. Orange New Guinea Impatiens are about as bright a flower as you'll find, and with their versatility in sun or shade, they're great for just about anywhere. Better yet, they're on sale! So stop in to see what catches your eye today.
May 27, 2009
Have you signed up?
We know you're busy. These days, who isn't? With end-of-year school and sports activities for the kids and long days of work on your part, you simply don't have time to think about something like flowers. At least not until school's out and summer vacations have begun.
If you're a busy person, then maybe you should consider signing up to be on our mailing list! Think about it--we'll let you know when we're starting a sale or promotion before we advertise it elsewhere so you can be ahead of the curve instead of always trying to catch up. We won't clutter your inbox or sell your e-mail to anyone, so your privacy is safe. And best of all, if you know what's on sale, you can better plan your shopping trip to save the most money!
Visit our website today to sign up for our mailing list and receive a free coupon for doing so!
If you're a busy person, then maybe you should consider signing up to be on our mailing list! Think about it--we'll let you know when we're starting a sale or promotion before we advertise it elsewhere so you can be ahead of the curve instead of always trying to catch up. We won't clutter your inbox or sell your e-mail to anyone, so your privacy is safe. And best of all, if you know what's on sale, you can better plan your shopping trip to save the most money!
Visit our website today to sign up for our mailing list and receive a free coupon for doing so!
May 18, 2009
The Envy of Your Neighborhood
Every neighborhood has one—that one neighbor who consistently outshines the rest. This time of year is particularly vexing for some, as people begin to fill their flower beds with beautiful bedding plants and hang colorful baskets by the front porch. Maybe you’ve wondered how someone can make their flowers grow so well, and perhaps you’ve thought it would be too hard and time-consuming to attempt it yourself.
Think again.
Growing a beautiful flower garden—big or small—is actually not that hard; with the proper selection of plants and a few care instructions you can have your patio, deck or yard bursting with color in no time. When starting a flower garden, you’ll need to begin by choosing plants that will thrive in your lighting conditions. At our latitude, you can often get by with placing shade-loving plants in partial sun locations—even in the heat of summer, the sun’s rays aren’t direct enough to burn many shade-lovers. Consult your local nursery if you’re unsure what to plant where.
That said, let’s review some plants that will give you maximum color with minimal maintenance. For sunny areas, you have a wealth of choices to make your flower beds burst with color. Geraniums are a great option for gardeners wanting a solid block or row of color. Though you will need to deadhead the flowers to keep them blooming, no pruning or further maintenance is required. In fact, since geraniums are able to withstand a light frost, you may be able to enjoy them well into autumn.
For more shaded areas, one plant in particular has grabbed the attention of gardeners nationwide. New Guinea Impatiens, though introduced domestically in the 1970s, have only recently gained popularity. With oversized blooms set on glossy, serrated leaves, they steal the spotlight from the more common varieties of impatiens frequently seen in shade gardens.
As homeowners trend toward smaller yards, gardeners need to make the most impact with small spaces; therefore, many people are choosing to plant or buy hanging baskets to decorate their front porch or deck. Often referred to as “Lynden baskets,” these mixed baskets contain various trailing annuals that need little or no maintenance (other than water and fertilizer, of course!). One frequently-used plant is calibrachoa, commonly called “million bells.” Available in many different colors, calibrachoa is a prolific bloomer that needs no deadheading and is well-suited for sun or shade; moreover, it can take both heat and light frost with no problem. With these characteristics, many gardeners enjoy it in their hanging baskets, either in mixtures of various colors of the plant or complemented with other trailing plants.
In the past, having a beautiful flower garden meant spending countless hours fertilizing, deadheading, and pruning; today, gardeners have many more options for vibrant color with minimal care. In order to make your garden beautiful, you will, however, need to do two things: water and fertilize. Hanging baskets and planters—anything in a container—will require close monitoring and daily watering through summer to keep foliage and flowers looking fresh and to avoid burning. Flowers planted directly in the ground will also require regular watering, though they won’t dry out as quickly. A water-soluble fertilizer such as Peters or Miracle-Gro will promote plant growth and blooming and is necessary for high-quality results.
Consult your local independent nursery for more suggestions on what would do best in your garden and what other care tips they can provide. With a little help, quality plants, and a desire for success, you too can have a garden that’s the envy of the neighborhood.
Think again.
Growing a beautiful flower garden—big or small—is actually not that hard; with the proper selection of plants and a few care instructions you can have your patio, deck or yard bursting with color in no time. When starting a flower garden, you’ll need to begin by choosing plants that will thrive in your lighting conditions. At our latitude, you can often get by with placing shade-loving plants in partial sun locations—even in the heat of summer, the sun’s rays aren’t direct enough to burn many shade-lovers. Consult your local nursery if you’re unsure what to plant where.
That said, let’s review some plants that will give you maximum color with minimal maintenance. For sunny areas, you have a wealth of choices to make your flower beds burst with color. Geraniums are a great option for gardeners wanting a solid block or row of color. Though you will need to deadhead the flowers to keep them blooming, no pruning or further maintenance is required. In fact, since geraniums are able to withstand a light frost, you may be able to enjoy them well into autumn.
For more shaded areas, one plant in particular has grabbed the attention of gardeners nationwide. New Guinea Impatiens, though introduced domestically in the 1970s, have only recently gained popularity. With oversized blooms set on glossy, serrated leaves, they steal the spotlight from the more common varieties of impatiens frequently seen in shade gardens.
As homeowners trend toward smaller yards, gardeners need to make the most impact with small spaces; therefore, many people are choosing to plant or buy hanging baskets to decorate their front porch or deck. Often referred to as “Lynden baskets,” these mixed baskets contain various trailing annuals that need little or no maintenance (other than water and fertilizer, of course!). One frequently-used plant is calibrachoa, commonly called “million bells.” Available in many different colors, calibrachoa is a prolific bloomer that needs no deadheading and is well-suited for sun or shade; moreover, it can take both heat and light frost with no problem. With these characteristics, many gardeners enjoy it in their hanging baskets, either in mixtures of various colors of the plant or complemented with other trailing plants.
In the past, having a beautiful flower garden meant spending countless hours fertilizing, deadheading, and pruning; today, gardeners have many more options for vibrant color with minimal care. In order to make your garden beautiful, you will, however, need to do two things: water and fertilize. Hanging baskets and planters—anything in a container—will require close monitoring and daily watering through summer to keep foliage and flowers looking fresh and to avoid burning. Flowers planted directly in the ground will also require regular watering, though they won’t dry out as quickly. A water-soluble fertilizer such as Peters or Miracle-Gro will promote plant growth and blooming and is necessary for high-quality results.
Consult your local independent nursery for more suggestions on what would do best in your garden and what other care tips they can provide. With a little help, quality plants, and a desire for success, you too can have a garden that’s the envy of the neighborhood.
May 13, 2009
Time to get planting
In case you haven't been following the calendar, it's time to get planting! Mother's Day weekend is traditionally the point at which it's safe to start putting your annuals out and planting your garden.
Vander Giessen Nursery continues to carry a full stock of annuals, bedding plants and basket stuffers in our greenhouses, as well as the vegetable starts and seeds you need to plant a lush, nutritious vegetable garden! So stop by to pick up the highest quality plants you can find with the knowledgeable and friendly service you deserve.
Vander Giessen Nursery continues to carry a full stock of annuals, bedding plants and basket stuffers in our greenhouses, as well as the vegetable starts and seeds you need to plant a lush, nutritious vegetable garden! So stop by to pick up the highest quality plants you can find with the knowledgeable and friendly service you deserve.
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