Spring Arrivals

Although it doesn't really feel like it yet, spring has arrived here in the Carolinas. And when you are ready to begin your seasonal planting, we are ready for you. If you're craving a bit of color right about now, there are lots of beautiful blooming plants to choose from. Here's a peek at just a few of our recent arrivals and top favorite picks for early spring. Trees

As you drive around town this week, you may notice that many of the trees, such as the cherries and pears, are in bloom right now. Some of our other favorite trees blooming now are:

Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry

As a weeping tree, Snow Fountains Cherry features cascading branches that dip all the way to the ground, giving it the appearance of a white fountain when covered with pure white flowers in early spring.

Star Magnolia (white) and Red Bud (pink)

Reaching a height of 15 to 20 feet at maturity, the Star Magnolia boasts star-burst white blossoms in March and April, making it one of the true harbingers of spring.

The Red Bud's rosy pink flowers appear in  early spring, March-April. Reddish-purple leaves change to dark green, then to yellow. Forms a spreading, graceful crown.

Shrubs

Forsythia

These early bloomers sport the vibrant yellow flowers that have become a fixture of our spring dreams. Their flowers precede their leaves. Border forsythias are fast-growing shrubs with an upright and arching form.

Standard Camelia- Kramer's Supreme

The deep red buds of Kramer's Supreme open to magnificent peony-like, rosy-red blooms with a delightful fragrance. Flowers make a dazzling contrast with the glossy, dark green foliage.

Annuals and Perennials

Pansies

Although a favorite for winter plantings, the pansy will add luscious color to the landscape throughout spring and into the early heat of summer and work well in container plantings, hanging baskets, and garden beds, alike.

Stock

Stock offers a wonderfully spicy, distinctive scent. Plant it in spring several weeks before your region's last frost date -- this annual thrives in cool temperatures and stops blooming once hot weather arrives. It's especially wonderful in window boxes and planters at nose level, where its sometimes subtle effect can best be appreciated.

Candytuft

Perennial Candytuft sends up showy blooms very early in the spring. Flowers are startlingly bright white on shrubby little plants with needle-like leaves, and when in full bloom, they cover the entire plant.

Geranium

Geraniums have been a gardener's favorite for well over a century. The old-fashioned standard for beds, borders, and containers, geranium is still one of the most popular plants today.

Chocolate Chip Ajuga pictured here with 'Anne Greenaway' Spotted Nettle

The Chocolate Chip Ajuga's evergreen foliage is attractive year-round, showing off a satin sheen finish embossed with rich hues of chocolate brown, bronze and maroon. Don't let all this beauty fool you though; it is as tough as it is gorgeous and can even withstand light foot traffic.

For more great blooming plants and all your gardening essentials, stop by the garden center. We've got loads of fresh arrivals coming in weekly and all the gardening help and advice you're looking for. Hope to see you soon at Garden Supply Co.!

Revive Those Tired Containers

Hello everyone and happy Thursday to you! With the increase in temperatures and humidity these days, I know a lot of you are not thinking about working in the garden. After all, who wants to be out in this heat? But even though major projects might be on the back burner for now, it is still possible to keep some color and brightness in the summer landscape. If you stop by Garden Supply for a visit, you may be surprised to see so many beautiful plants in full bloom, even now in mid-July. We are continuing to receive weekly shipments of many blooming plants, including a wide range of tropicals, annuals and perennials. A few fresh plants will perk up those tired looking patio and container gardens in a snap.

Vinca

Available in a rainbow of colors, vinca offers a profusion of blooms with a carefree growth habit. Vinca is a prolific heat and drought tolerant annual, perfect for hot, dry areas like ours. It's easy to grow, and requires little or no attention. Plus it has the added benefit of often reseeding itself and returning year after year. Vinca is commonly used for borders, edging, and ground-cover or bedding plants. Also a lovely choice for the container garden. Plants grow 1-2 feet tall.

Vinca

Varieties of vinca currently available at the garden center include Titan Polka Dot, Titan Burgundy, Titan Lilac, Titan Mix, and Titan Dark Red. Look for loads of color from each.

My favorite bloomer at Garden Supply this week is the stunning Limelight hydrangea.  A perfect choice for brightening up those shadowy patio corners.

Limelight Hydrangea

Limelight is an exciting new hardy hydrangea from Holland. It has unique bright green blooms in mid-summer that holds its color right into autumn when the blooms change to a rich deep pink. The autumn display of green and pink blooms on the same plant is breathtaking!  The color makes a great addition to the garden and it blends wonderfully with all other colors.

Limelight Hydrangea

Limelight flower heads range in size from 6 to 12 inches and are held upright on the shrub. The blooms are well distributed making a very nice plant and display.  This is an easy to grow plant with reliable flowering and flower color regardless of soil pH. Use Limelight, either fresh or dried, in bouquets to make a unique floral design. And perhaps its best feature of all? Limelight is drought tolerant. And although this plant may seem like an unlikely choice for the patio garden, Limelight makes for an ideal "thriller" feature in your container design. Use it in the back or middle of the pot to add height and drama to the container.  Just remember that all container plants need thorough watering in this heat to thrive.

If you're looking for a way to beat the heat, perhaps a fountain or water feature with the sound of running water will keep things cool.  We have a grand selection of fountains from smaller desk-top versions to large monuments for the landscape, and ALL are currently on sale 20% off down at Garden Supply now through the end of July.

We offer delivery and installation as well as pond design and installation, too.

Thanks so much for stopping by everyone!  I'll be back soon for more snippets from the garden.

Greenhouse Goodies

Hello everyone!  All of us at Garden Supply hope you had a wonderful Easter holiday with your families this past weekend.  We are so excited down at the garden center as we gear up for our busiest time of year.  Truck loads of new plants are arriving daily and the nursery is full to bursting with beautiful blossoms.  Stop by for a visit and see for yourself! Annual bedding plants are now in stock.  We have tons of plants to choose from.  And although it's turned hot these last few days, keep in mind that the last scheduled frost of the year is April 15th, still a week away.  Look for these friendly reminder posts while selecting your plants.  Our experts are on hand with advice and suggestions to get you through these last few cool nights.

For a larger flowering form in a shrub/tree variety, why not check out the elegant Tulip Magnolia.  Blooming now, this little charmer is sure to make it's mark in your garden landscape.

This stunning hybrid has deep burgundy tulip-shaped flowers that appear in early spring before its 4- to 6-inch-long leaves unfurl. It makes an excellent small specimen tree, growing to 20 feet tall. It can be topped to form a hedge, and works well in large containers.

And for news from the Greenhouse, here's another peek at our collection of Penny McAllister spring folk art figurines.

Penny McAllister’s whimsical and sweet collections bring new charm to folk art.  The sewing bug bit Penny at the tender age of 5.  Nearly 50 years later, the former elementary school librarian has woven her passion for folk art into a dream occupation, making paper mache creations full of wit and whimsy.

“The chip on my nose, the worn paint on my clothes…they’re all supposed to be there! I was designed this way, lovingly aged” by Penny McAllister

Here are a few other goodies that caught my eye this week in the Greenhouse.

What wonderful home decor items and gifts are to be found here.  And don't forget, We offer free gift wrapping and we have gift certificates available in any dollar amount.

Thanks for spending a little time with us today.  Hope to see you back here soon for more snippets from the garden.