Petals from the Past Newsletter

                          May- August 2010

Agastache comes in several shades of blue and a long list of hues or orange, everything from pale apricot to dark scarlet.  They are all attractive to butterflies and bees and some are popular with hummingbirds.  Of course, gardeners find them nearly irresistible for their fragrant foliage, airy growth habit, drought tolerance and continuous summer flowering.  Generally 2 to 3 ft in height, some are smaller and some taller.  There is a sunny spot in every yard that needs just a hint of licorice fragrance Mulch comes in many forms and does many jobs.  The most obvious thing mulch does is make a continuous tidy covering over soil in beds.  It also helps keep down the weeds, maintains more even soil moisture and depresses soil temperature changes.  It's like a comforter for your flower bed. Although it is important to water during the hot dry summer, don't over water.  Keeping plants too moist while it is very hot is an open invitation to fungi of all sorts

Have you got your tomatoes planted for the Tomato Contest, Saturday, August 7th?  There is some stiff competition out there, not the least of which is a ten year old boy and a librarian.  Don't let them fool you,  They are tough.

Our Annual Plant Sale will be June 26 from 7:00am to 2:00pm

It's time to get started planting summer annuals from seed. Zinnias, cosmos, and sunflowers are all quick to germinate and grow, easy to maintain and fun to cut.  Plus the butterflies like them.  All you need is some water. We have a new phlox this year, introduced by our friend Greg Grant, called Phlox 'John Fannick'.  It is a garden phlox that is white with a pink eye.  It will also be tough.  That comes from growing up in Texas.
Summer flowering bulbs are some of the most reliable plants you can put in your garden.  Tiger Lilies have tall orange flowers with speckles on their petals.  Formosa lilies are tall with long white trumpets.  There are endless sizes and colors of daylilies. The same is true for Canna Lilies and they'll grow in  standing water.  Finally, there are the Crinum lilies.  The queen of all summer bulbs.  How many other bulbs could spend three years laid in the back of the shed and still start growing beautifully as soon as they are planted?
Although it is important to water during the hot dry summer, don't over water.  Keeping plants too moist while it is very hot is an open invitation to fungi of all sorts
Specials:

May - 20% off  Landscape trees in 3 Gal. or larger pots ( not already on sale)
June - 20% off shrubs in 3 gal. or larger containers
July - Buy two 4in or 1 gal herbs or perennials, get one of equal or lesser value free.
Aug.- 20% off pottery containers
Sept. -10% off books

  

The newsletter is on the web at www.petalsfromthepast.com.  If you would like to receive the newsletter as email, please go the site and subscribe.  Choose  Subscribe to email newsletter and then open an account by filling  in your name, address, email address and password, for any other fields just fill in zeros.  While you are at the website please visit our online catalog and garden gossip. We have a new color catalog. If you would like to receive one, please email us at info@petalsfromthepast.com or call us 205-646-0069 and we will be happy to send you one.
There is a Hydrangea for every spot in the garden.  Most are traditionally planted in the shade but they will take a surprising amount of sun and some prefer full sun.  The paniculata hydrangeas such as 'Limelight', 'Tardiva' and 'Little Lamb are all happy in full sun and  make huge white comes of flowers in the late summer.  French Hydrangeas, such as 'Penny Mac' and 'Endless Summer' do better with at least afternoon shade and bloom in quite a lot of shade.  'Annabelle' Hydrangeas don't  have a preference about sun as long as the soil is moist and rich.  Oakleaf Hydrangeas like at least part shade, regular water and sharp drainage.  The varieties seem endless Tentative Harvest Schedule:

June 5th to July 5 - Blackberries*
June 12th to Aug 1 - Blueberries
July 15th to Sept. 15 - Figs
Aug. 15 to Oct 1 - Muscadines
Aug 5th to Oct 15 - Apples and pears
Oct 1 to Dec. 1 - Oriental Persimmons
This year the fruit will ripen about 7 to 10 days later than normal due to the extra cold weather this winter
*We will not have pick-your-own for the blackberries and blueberries the week before the festival.
June 14- 18
We will be going to Pepper Place Market beginning May 15th.  We'll start bringing blackberries in June. The 'Black and Blue Berry Festival will be held a little later this year, on Saturday, June 19th.  Make plans to join us for a great time.

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 May 15, Saturday at 10:30.  Success with Herbs in the South -Debbie Turner, owner of 'Blooming Idiot' Nursery in Pine Mountain, Georgia will be here to give advice on growing and using herb plants in your garden space.  She'll also talk about dill, the 2010 herb of the year and how to use it.

June 12, Saturday at 10:30. Tropicals are Hot ! Hot! Hot! Hayes Jackson the Urban Regional Extension Agent in Anniston will talk about the many different and tropical plants you can grow in your garden. "If you can't afford your own tropical island then create one'.  Perfect for poolsides, courtyards or patio area.

June 19, 9 to 5. Black and Blue Berry Festival. We will have berries for pick your own and already picked, a petting zoo and pony rides for the children, a tasting of blackberry and blueberry desserts, live music and two food vendors selling delicious treats.  Come join us for the fun.

June 26, Saturday 7am to 2pm. Annual Greenhouse Plant Sale.  All plants in the growing area are half price and most everything up at the shop is 35% off.  Don't miss this chance to find a bargain or two.

July 10, Saturday at 10:30. Cooking Demonstration with Chef Chris Hastings. Chef Chris Hasting of Hot and Hot Fish Club will demonstrate some of his techniques using fresh produce from the garden.  There is a fee of $20. for the class and reservations must be made on advance.

July 24, Saturday at 10:30, Walking Tour of the Figs. Dr. Arlie Powell will walk you through the varieties and growing requirements of figs.  Come taste test some figs.

August 7, Saturday at 9:00. Tomato Festival - Our annual Tomato Contest.  Categories include slicing, antique, ugly, cherry, largest and prettiest.  Come by and pick up an entry form or go online for contest rules. 10:00 Growing Great Tomatoes. Arnold Caylor, Director of North Alabama Horticulture Research Center, will tell you how to grow great tomatoes in your garden.  An Auburn Graduate he is also an experienced gardener who can give you practical advice.

August 21, Saturday at 10:30. Apple, Muscadine, Pear and Grape Walking Tour - Dr. Arlie Powell will talk about care and variety differences in these fruit plants.  Come taste test some of these great fruit.

August 28, Saturday at 10:30. Cooking Demonstration with Chef Chris Hastings - Chef Chris Hastings of Hot and Hot Fish Club will demonstrate some of his techniques using fresh produce from the garden.  There is a fee of $20. for the class and reservations must be made in advance.

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