Flower & Plant Care

Garden roses come in several different categories such as miniature, climbing, and hybrid. There are many types of roses in each category. However, many questions asked about garden roses revolve around “pruning,” so I’m going to answer some questions around pruning as well as where to plant your roses, when to plant them, and how to care for them.

When and How to Prune Roses

In the Northeast, the best time to prune is in the spring when forsythias are in bloom, and again in the fall 4 to 6 weeks before the first hard frost. The pruning is done in early spring to remove any damage that occurred during the winter months, as well as removing any old flowers. Always prune dead wood back to healthy tissue by removing dead, damaged or diseased branches. Healthy branches will be white or light green in the center. If you see any discoloration, spots or mildew on branches, it should be cut out. Removing spent or withered flowers encourages more future blooms; this is called “deadheading”. Since the time for pruning is over, now is a good time for planting. If you’re new to planting garden roses, let’s get started. Continue Reading…

A cucumber missing, tomatoes with bite marks, nibbles in your basil…after all of the time you spend growing and caring for your garden, the last thing you want is to come out and find it taken over by animals! For the critters that just can’t seem to stay away – we’re talking squirrels, birds, stray cats, raccoons, rabbits, chipmunks, deer, etc – you need to have a few tricks up your sleeve to ensure that all of your hard work doesn’t go to waste. Here are a few strategies that you may find helpful to keep these furry friends from messing with your garden, while still being animal friendly of course!

Design Your Garden Carefully

When your garden has small spaces that animals can hide or rest in, it becomes much more attractive to wildlife like squirrels, rabbits and chipmunks. As you plant, make sure you’re strategic with the designs you choose and avoid leaving any holes that smaller creatures can sneak into. Continue Reading…

Spring has officially sprung, and that means it’s time to start thinking about this year’s garden. But before you get too wrapped up in the plants and flowers that you’re going to grow outdoors, don’t forget that you can also freshen up your home by growing some of your favorites indoors too. As part of this year’s Spring cleaning routine, we encourage you to make room for one, two, or maybe even a few, houseplants. Then, use this guide to determine which species is best for you depending on the amount of light your home receives:

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Tulip Facts

Nothing says “spring” better than an arrangement of bright, colorful tulips! The tulip is the third most popular flower, after roses and chrysanthemums.

Tulip Origins

Tulips originally were a wild flowers growing in Asia, and were first cultivated by the Turks as early as 1000 A.D.

These flowers were introduced in Western Europe and the Netherlands in the 17th century. They soon gained trading popularity, especially in Holland. The interest in them was huge and tulip bulbs were sold for unbelievably high prices. Fortunes were made (and lost) by trading tulip bulbs as a commodity, much like gold.

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The Easter lily, a beautiful white blossom that is said to symbolize the purity, hope and new life of Spring, is a classic flower found in both homes and churches during this time of year. With such a rich history that dates back to 1777, the Easter lily has become one of the most popular flowers associated with the Spring season, and is certainly one that you’ll want to have in your home for Easter Sunday.

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Previously known as the “Christmas Star” and “Mexican Flameleaf,” this striking bloom caught the attention of Joel Robert Poinsett, an American physician and diplomat on a trip as America’s first ambassador to Mexico. In Mexico, the plant is called “le flor de Nochebuona.” Poinsett introduced the plant to the United States, hence its common English name, “Poinsettia.”

In caring for a poinsettia plant, the most important things to remember are temperature, light, and watering. Poinsettias are light-loving plants. They prefer southeasterly, easterly, or western window exposure. Being tropical, they thrive in temperature of 65-70 degrees. At night, they can be moved to a cooler location, but never below 60 degrees. In northern climates, keep plants away from drafts and cold windows.

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