Color "Pops" with Azaleas

If your yard needs some color in spring try adding azaleas or rhododendrons bushes for a "pop!" The photos on today's blog were taken at my mom's and as you can see, the colors are brilliant from her every window.

Azaleas are a member of the "Rhododendron" family, as well as, the  evergreen"Tsutsuji" and deciduous "Pentanthera." families. They are native to Asia, Europe and North America, but amazingly, can be traced back 70 million years ago to the "Ericaceae" family which includes, rhododendrons, blueberries and pieris. Asian monks in Buddhist Monasteries first began to cultivate, grow and develop the hundreds of colors, sizes and species we can buy today at our local garden outlets.

Both azaleas and rhododendrons do best in moist acidic soil, just like the wood's dirt surrounding my mom's house. They like dappled sunlight, you find in or around the edge of woods.

Coral azaleas are planted at the back of mom's deck. Chinese culture calls it, "thinking of home bush," good name for Merl's yard.

Azaleas are slow-growing and once established take little fertilizer or care, maybe pruning, depending on the location. When planting, always break up the root ball first and insure the hole is several sizes bigger than the initial pot. Plus add peat moss, rich soil and especially some loving care.

This red azalea bush is one of mother's smallest.

Although, azaleas and rhododendrons are in the same family, azaleas blooms and leaves are smaller and usually have only one blossom per stem, however, colors and sizes vary depending on the species. 

The white azalea bushes are the last to bloom. Always wait to prune any blooming bush until after it stops blooming, plus, cuttings are the best method to propagate and add to your azalea collection. 

In the northern hemisphere azaleas bloom in spring while in the southern hemisphere they bloom in winter and especially in the southeastern United States, we celebrate the "Pop"  of their color with lots of festivals.

Valdosta, Ga., Mobile, Ala., Norfolk, Va., Wilmington, N.C. and Palatka, Fla. are the most well known for southeastern "Azalea Festivals" in the late March and April.

Let's don't forget the infamous "Master's" golf tournament (happening this week) in Augusta, Georgia. And of course last but not least, Callaway Gardens.

In 1930, Cason and Virginia Calloway discovered a color "pop" of bright orange-red native azaleas on a picnic that led to a family tourist attraction known as "Calloway Gardens," comprised of 13,000 acres today, anyone can enjoy. A little "pop" of color can go a long way!


Until Next Time.........

Happy Gardening 2013!


Posted by Wilma Smith

Cool Weather/Rain Delays Planting

Since this March has been a little cooler than normal (who knows what's normal), we had to delay our usual Spring garden time table for planting warmer crops until this week. Added to the delay was the wonderful rain we've experienced, too. I will never complain about rain! If possible, we try to have most summer plants in the ground before or on Good Friday.

But as you can see above, we did break ground this Tuesday, even though our garden spot for my preference needed more sun.

However our leeks from last fall are beginning to grow. Deberah planted these from seed last spring, so we knew it would take a season before any would be ready for the stove (hopefully late summer).

We also ate lettuce all winter. There were volunteers from last spring we transplanted to our fall lettuce bed, plus, we planted more seeds this Spring among the mature plants.

How do you know when the soil is too damp to plant seeds? It's an easy test, take a handful of dirt, make a fist, if it clumps into a ball then let it dry a bit. This simple test can also tell you about your gardens' drainage, condition of your soil like too much clay requiring additives like compost, sand or leaves to correct the problem.

We turned ours to let the sun dry it out, as we really don't have a drainage problem, just eager Spring beavers.

We did plant some cool weather crops in February, as seen above, turnip greens. Sugar peas, beets, red and yellow onions, bok choy, kale, carrots, radish, shallots, red and white potatoes, plus a bag of elephant garlic (bought at the Southeastern Flower Show) are beginning to break the ground and see the sky.

Jerry worked Monday morning tilling rows needed for our warmer crops, but when the soil looked so damp, we let the sun do it's job to dry them out. The next day we got busy, after lunch planting cucumbers, green beans, spinach (cooler weather plant), and six kinds of squash.

I really prefer the soil to be a lot drier before planting seeds. But who am I to question "Mother Nature?" I always think about years past when gardeners used a mule and plow to turn their gardens and especially see TV movies where the dirt looks damp and clumpy in thses plots the harvests always look good. Hey, obviously, we all made it here without the "Troy-Built" and perfect soil!

Don't worry, if the cool weather or rain has delayed your garden or yard plans. There's still plenty of time to plant a vegetable garden, shrubs, trees and flowers in your yard. This week-end looks like a great opportunity with sun and temps in the 70s.

Gardening is an ever changing experiment. What we think is usual is only for that year's season and may change your plans the next season.



Until next time...........

Happy Gardening 2013!


Posted by Wilma Smith

Dress Up with an Easter Bonnet

I loved this exhibit at the Southeastern Flower Show and since Easter is this Sunday, it reminds me of some of the Easter bonnets I'd seen in the past. I also thought about how much fun I'd have making my own to dress up a spot on my breezeway.

The applicants were all given a sleek plaster mannequin stand (I don't know the other criteria required) then asked to make a hat made of floral materials atop. Each display was judged with blue, red, white, yellow or no ribbons. I thought they all did a good job and deserved a blue ribbon.

A little fruit never hurts especially when your necklace is green pearls, as seen above.

Moss was the main material for this hat, maybe a little twenties era.

This Madonna had tulips, roses, ferns and that southern moss draped as hair.

Sometimes less is best, seen above, as the face is obscured with too much foliage.

Maybe a lily or orchid, what do you think?

This applicant went English gentleman with a mustache and eyeglasses, a few calla lilies and hydrangeas on the top of the hat made of leaves.

Think about dressing up a favorite spot somewhere in your garden, deck or patio with materials from your yard or garden made into an Easter bonnet or anytime hat.

So, after the great meal and the egg hunt, let the kids, family and friends (and of course us gardeners) have more fun making Easter bonnets out of materials in the yard and garden. All it takes is some imagination!


Until Next Time.......

Happy Gardening 2013!


Posted by Wilma Smith

A Cut Above

Last Friday, Deberah, four other Crossroad Garden Club members and I attended the Southeastern Flower Show held at the Cobb Galleria. There was so much to see and enjoy, it's hard for me to say I had a favorite. However, I was drawn to the center of the exhibit hall by a display made by a company called Cut Flower Wholesale.

The display was simple but beautiful, comprised of different sizes and heights of black pedestals with mainly cut flowers arranged in mostly glass vases, as seen above.

This large potted arrangement was one of three scattered among the display.

The flowers were grouped by colors and hues. There were dozens of varieties featured that bloom during spring and summer, plus one section of orange colors containing some fall favorites.

Tulips, roses and gladiolus were displayed in every color. See how many other kinds you can recognize in today's blog.

I  kept imagining a garden growing in my back yard filled with the entire display!

 

 

Cut Flower Wholesale, Inc. is located at 2122 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, Ga. 30324 (the Broadview area). Their business card boasts, "Atlanta's source for flowers!" and from their breath taking display, I'd say they are a cut above. It also shows an email address of sales@cutflower.com and a website at www.cutflower.com.

 

I haven't had a chance to check out their site, but I think for weddings or other special occasions, it would be worth the time.



 

 

Until Next Time........

 

Happy Gardening 2013!

 

 

Posted by Wilma Smith

Arnall Grocery Co.-- Not Your Average Seed Store

If you've followed Two Sisters Gardening blog for any time, you know I love garden centers, hardware stores, and most any place that sells plants, seeds, tools, fertilizers, etc....etc....etc.

So before every garden season starts and often throughout the summer, I visit the oldest seed store in Newnan, Arnall Grocery Company. H. C. Arnall, grandfather of the former governor of Georgia, Ellis Arnall, established the company in 1869. He built the store next to railroad tracks and several blocks from where the Newnan Train Station was located (probably to have easy access for shipping and receiving goods).

In 1960, the Beavers family bought the business and when I viewed their website I was surprised to see their goal to be a "Honest Family Business." With that in mind, I understand why even with all the larger stores' competition they continue to thrive.

Early spring you can find mostly vegetable plants for sale, herbs and as you see above pansies. Although, their selection of plants is limited, you'll find plenty of seeds inside to fancy any gardeners
desires.

Above you see, Charles Hunter, who is ready to load your vehicle with the largest or smallest load, if you need help. Henry Vaughn (not pictured) is also ready to help. Charles has been working here as long, as I can remember. Growing up, it was a treat to ride to town with my dad to visit Arnall Grocery to by supplies for our garden and animals.

Now, I call this a "wall of seeds." They sell seeds in bulk packaging which is cheaper per package for the quantity. Plus, I've always found their seeds dependable to sprout. Also, they sell onion sets and seed potatoes

If you can't find what you need in front, just ask, as they stock bulk items in the back; food for most any pet; lime and fertilizer; paper products; lake maintenance supplies (not found at other garden suppliers); paper products; and on....and on.....

You'll find local made honey and syrups which you can't buy just anywhere.

Arnall Grocery Company is located at 32 E. Washington Street, Newnan, GA  30265. Support your local economy while having lots of fun, visit Arnall Grocery before you start your seed quest this season.

Well, got to go now and plant some of these seeds before it rains!


Until Next Time........

Happy Gardening 2013!

Posted by Wilma Smith

Spring Flowers are Here!

Although for the past several weeks I've been working to rid my yard of many, unwanted invasive plants, my fellow gardener, friend, neighbor and I found time to visit several local garden outlets for seeds to start for the spring and summer gardening seasons. We ended our seed quest at Lowe's and I wanted to share photos of what Dianne and I found at the entrance.

As seen above, Lowe's entrance always makes me feel like over spending my gardening budget before I get inside. The display in front is always made with whatever flowers are best blooming during the season (what a smart marketing technique).

Bulbs like tulips, crocus, snowdrops, narcissus, and hyacinths need to be planted in fall for the show in early to late spring. But if you want some color on your door step in early spring to greet guests, neighbors and friends, buy pots now for most enjoyment, $9.00 to $12.00 per pot will brighten the stoop, patio or deck through most of April depending on how much color you prefer. Tulips were brought from Turkey to European countries 300 years ago, then to Holland. Dutch bulb growers bred, crossbred and altered many of the original varieties we use today.

Pansies are a great choice for spring borders and containers. Imagine a container filled with tulips or other taller bulbs in the middle and pansies around the edge.

Commercial landscapers use the pansy because of the variety of colors (solids and variegated) and it's hardiness. Their blooms can last through June with proper care until the temperature reaches high eighties for extended periods.

The pansy is a member of the viola family which bears smaller flowers and often fragrant but doesn't tolerate heat, as well as the pansy.

 

Now is the time to add to your rose garden with a new species and different color. These are tea, bush and running roses not the recent knockout favorite.

So since we already sprang forward an hour, put a spring in your step and visit a local garden center. I bet you'll be encouraged to get some dirt under your nails 'cause spring flowers are here!



Until Next Time.......

Happy Gardening 2013!

Posted by Wilma Smith

Ahh!! -- Spring is in the Air

I'm certainly no groundhog, so I look to see what plants are doing in my yard to predict the arrival of spring every year. And as seen from the photos on today's blog, looks like spring is "springing" right on time, as my calender shows "Spring Begins" on March 20th. Above the Forsythia or Yellow Bells have been smiling for a couple of weeks. It's best not to trim this bush until the leaves replace in blooms.

The False Pear in my yard is blooming which is a good sign, spring is in the air (my tree needs some serious trimming).

Blueberries are starting to bloom, so it's a good time to fertilize and mulch.

Buds on trees and leaves unfolding confirm the season. Cut back any unwanted brush and limbs now for easier disposal.

Of course daffodils and jonquils are an early sign of spring. They can withstand cold snaps, even snow without damage and maintain their blooms until cool weather turns warmer.

 

 

When your grass starts to green (mine begins to green in patches, bermuda), I know it won't be long until the ground starts to warm and everything greens.

 

I also listen and watch the birds in my yard, I usually have a pair of mating Canadian Geese who honk loudly about their love for each other and the season. Some how the songs of other birds just seem happier.....like their saying, "Ahh!!-- Spring is here!"

 

 



Until next time........

 

Happy Gardening 2013!

 

 

Posted by Wilma Smith