In the Garden: July

In the Garden: July

July is here! Half the year already gone…

Another busy Spring has flown by, and the temperatures only seem to be rising across the country. Here in Rougemont, North Carolina we are opening early and closing before midday to ensure everyone stays as cool, and safe, as possible working out of doors. With the sun blazing, and plants craving water and pruning, there is plenty to do to keep the average gardener, or landscaper, busy.

While sitting back and enjoying the splendor of a Spring season well planted, there are some concerns that require your attention during the hottest months of the year. Remember the following points to ensure quality plant life and health:

  • Mulch! This will conserve moisture in the ground (and pot) for those of us not around during the day to water.
  • Try your best to water early in the AM. Water deeply at this time to prevent drought stress in your blooms and foliage.
  • Dead-head plants regularly to encourage new growth and continued blooms throughout the Summer.
  • You can lightly fertilize at this time of the year to get more growth.
  • Make sure to pay special attention to potted plants, as they will dry out much more quickly than in-ground plants.
  • Don’t give up on Annuals just yet! As long as you keep them watered and moist, plant until your heart is content.
  • Think ahead: Plant that Pumpkin for Autumn!
  • Speaking of planning ahead: now is the perfect time to think about Pansies and other Autumn plantings.

Happy Planting! 

Stay Cool!

July Plants of the Month: Great Grasses

Plantworks Nursery features a special plant(s) each month for discounted pricing. These are NOT plants that are past shelf life, or overstock. They are high quality items that are ready for retail sales, or planting. We strive to get material to the public that is in perfect, planting condition.

July Plants of the Month are as follows:

July POM Carex

Carex “Flacca Blue Zinger”: Gallon size discounted. ($4.50)

Carex (also known as Sedge) comes in many forms. There is a Carex for virtually any situation or planting as they can handle a wide variety of planting conditions. Blue Zinger is slightly larger and more upright than other varieties, and is very drought tolerant once established. The blueish-green color is astounding in mass plantings, or as a focal point for displays. This blue color will hold throughout the Winter months to look beautiful all year long. Also a great plant for erosion control in the landscape.

July POM Schi. 

Schizachyrium “The Blues”: Gallon size discounted. ($4.50)

Little Bluestem is a native grass that has a distinct blue color in summer, that turns a rich red-purple in Autumn. This particular grass prefers full sun, and is drought and heat tolerant once established. An upright version that is very easy to maintain with a good watering schedule. The color change throughout the year ensures this grass gives a show no matter the temperatures. It can also grow well in poor soil, which makes it perfect for rock gardens or difficult areas in the landscape.

 

Please contact us for any information on these plants, or how to purchase them for your planting job. Pricing specials run from July 1st-31st. (plantworkssales@gmail.com)

Happy Planting!

Did you know?

Squirrel.jpgDo you have little critters digging up all of your hard work in the landscape? Are you against using sprays and pesticides? There is a simple way to deter them, and nothing harmful will come from it. Clean out your hairbrush after regular usage, and spread the hair around the bottom of planting holes or channels. This will keep the animals away because of the smell of humans. Repeat as often as needed to keep the animals at bay.

Plantworks Transition

 

Pic 3.pngTo all our valued customers and vendors:

As many of you are aware, Plantworks Nursery has been planning a transition of ownership for the past five years. In 2009 Dana Massey joined the staff at Plantworks Nursery after graduating from NCSU at the top of her horticulture class. Dana’s dream has been to be an integral part of the green industry as owner of her own wholesale nursery. In 2012, I began to mentor Dana to become the owner of the company. Now, five years later, the time has arrived for Dana to realize her dream and assume ownership. On July 1, 2017, she will become the owner of Plantworks Nursery Inc. My role at Plantworks will be limited to supporting Dana in any way that I can to insure her success. By now most of you have met Dana at trade shows or other industry events. For those of you who have not, please reach out to her to help make this as smooth a transition as possible.

As the end of my ownership approaches, I want to convey to all our valued customers that I have complete confidence in Dana’s ability to provide you with the quality plant material and the excellent customer service we have provided for the past 38 years.

I also want to assure our valued vendors that Dana will conduct business in the same professional way we have done over the same time. We hope Plantworks Nursery will continue to be an important part of your success in the future. Thanks to all of you who have played an important role in making Plantworks the success it is today.

Sincerely,

Doug Chapman

 

This is an exciting time for me and my family as we embark on this new journey.  I am forever grateful to each and every one of you that have made this process as seamless as possible and for all of the support.  There will be no change in staff and the quality of plants we provide will remain the same, sustaining the reputation that we have built over the last 38 years.  Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns that we can help answer.  Thank you for being an active part of our business.  The possibilities for the future are endless and we are excited to share those with you.Pic 2

 

We look forward to our continued partnership!

 

 

Sincerely,
Dana Massey

 

 

Plant Highlights: Asclepias

Butterfly Asclepias.pngCommon Name: Milkweed, Swamp Milkweed

Botanical Name: Asclepias (incarnata, tuberosa)

Sizes Available: 12 count Quart flats and Gallons

Season of Interest: Spring and Summer

 

 

 

It is finally Pollinator Week 2017! Yippy! The time is now to think about pollination planting and all the critters that make life for us possible. Did you know about 75% of plant species need the help of animals and insects to move pollen for fertilization? An estimated 1/3 of foods and beverages are made possible by pollinators.

While Honeybees are the superstars of Pollination, there are so many other beneficial animals that will, hopefully, continue to pollinate our environments. If you see these creatures, make sure to be friendly:

  • Ants
  • Beetles
  • Butterflies
  • Moths
  • Bats
  • Various species of Bees
  • Flies
  • Various birds, including Hummingbirds
  • Some small mammals

How can you entice these little friends into your space? By planting pollinator, and native species in your landscapes. There is one guaranteed way to attract various species to your garden, and that is to plant some Asclepias! Multiple variations on this herbaceous perennial are perfect for attracting winged friends, and for bringing bright colors into your space. Plantworks Nursery carries the following varieties:

  • Asclepias Tuberosa (milkweed)- Orange (Traditional) and “Hello Yellow”
  • Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed)- Milkmaid, Cinderella, and Ice Ballet

While we have grown Asclepias incarnata for a number of years, 2017 will be the first time we have Tuberosa available. This has been great news to our friends who have been begging us for this brightly colored, pollinator attractor. (Also, being named the Perennial Plant of the Year 2017 doesn’t hurt any plants cause!) These native plants are right at home in North Carolina, and will fit perfectly into almost any planting project. Non invasive and easy to manage, they are practically a perfect perennial.

Here are some brief points to know about both:

Tuberosa- Milkweed- Butterfly Weed

Grows to around 1-3 feet tall. Clustered orange or yellow flowers from early Summer into the Fall season. Lanceolate leaves. Prefers dry, sandy, or gravel soil. They need full sun to thrive. Butterflies love this plant because of the colors and the mass amount of nectar it provides. The major pollinator point to remember is that this plant is the larval host for the Monarch butterfly. Common names include “Butterfly weed,” “Indian Paintbrush,” and “Orange Milkweed.” Best propagated through seed, and most commonly found in fields.

Incarnata- Swamp Milkweed

Herbaceous, perennial native to North America. Prefers damp to wet soils, with good drainage. Like most Milkweeds, it produces a toxic sap that repels herbivorous animals and infectious insects, leaving room to attract pollinators of all types. Upright, growing to around 59 inches in height with fleshly white roots. The blooms emerge in late Spring. Pink/mauve, or white, colored blooms in summer. Full sun is needed for best performance. Found naturally growing by stems, lakes, and low-lying areas. This type of Asclepias is also a Monarch butterfly host.

So, make sure to consider the bees and butterflies all year around, but especially this week in particular while we celebrate their contributions to our lives. Tune into the little things around you that make life amazing, and realize we are all a part of an interlocking machine that works together to move forward. Yay Pollination!

*All plant highlights reflect plants grown by Plantworks Nursery. If you are interested in availability, please contact us for information. (plantworkssales@gmail.com or 919-732-6594)