Annuals or Perennials? You decide!

Caladiums
Are you looking for a splash of color in a shady or filtered light area of your garden? Caladiums are tropical plants derived from bulbs and quite easy to grow. They are native to the Amazon river area of Brazil so it's no surprise that these plants love a warm, shady, humid environment. The leaves come in a variety of combinations of green, with white, pink or red. It grows to it's full height of 12" to 30" in one season. Caladiums are perfectly comfortable in a pot or container, resulting in a very popular houseplant or deck plant. In fact, word has it that they are a favorite indoor plant at the White House!

Did you know? While it is native to Brazil, Lake Placid, Florida claims to be the Caladium capital of the world. Nurseries in this area grow a wide range of Caladiums on thousands of acres. Caladium grows well with little care or attention. Fertilize outdoors once a month with a general purpose fertilizer. Indoors, use a liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks. During the growing period, remove any dead or damaged leaves.

Best of all, caladiums are a perennial and on sale this week!

GREEN LIGHT SPECIAL!
Buy 1 perennial 1 gallon, get a second 1 gallon perennial at half price!

So what's the difference in an Annual and a Perennial?
Annuals by definition are plants whose life cycle lasts only one year, from seed to blooms to seeds but in Florida they often only last three to four months with our extreme summer heat and/or dry/rainy seasons. Examples of annuals are marigolds, bachelor buttons, zinnias, pansies, alyssum which are most often available in 4 inch and 1 gallon size containers. They are an excellent way to create a great splash of color in the garden and often have the brightest and most cheery of blooms.

Perennials, like old friends, return year after year, growing in size and stature until they reach their full maturity. Although they live on longer, many perennials lose their vigor after 3-4 years, and should be replaced. Most perennial plants may be divided to produce new plants, or they may be grown from seeds or cuttings. Perennials are available as 4 inch starters, 1 gallon size or even larger.

Planting annuals and perennials are basically the same, but with a few variances. When you plant a perennial, you must consider that your plant will be in the same spot for several years. As such, the preparation of the ground must be more complete. Annuals on the other hand will do just fine in any reasonably rich soil, with a minimum of feeding. *Always refer to plant care labels for specific requirements and cultural practices for your plants such as sun, water, pruning, division, etc.

Are you planning to plant a fall vegetable garden?
Now is the time to prepare your beds as first seeds can start being sown around the middle of July. Watch for upcoming articles on how to have a bountiful garden this autumn!

Growing and playing together!
The Palmer's Garden Team
www.palmersgarden.com
www.palmersgarden.blogspot.com
2610 Corrine Drive~ Orlando, FL 32803
jeff@palmersgarden.com or news@palmersgarden.com

407 896-5951

Vines for every purpose

Buy 1 Vine, Get the
2nd for Half Price!

"Many flowering vines thrive in Florida's mild climate. By carefully choosing among this diverse and wonderful group of plants, you can have a vine blooming in your landscape almost every month of the year. Vines can function in the landscape in many ways. When grown on arbors, they provide lovely "doorways" to our homes or provide transition points from one area of the landscape to another. Undesirable trees, posts, and poles can be transformed using vines to alter their form, texture and color.


Vines can be used to soften and add interest to fences, walls and other hard spaces... and, finally, vines attract wildlife" like butterflies. Many vines have flowers that feed the butterflies and the caterpillars called nectar and larval plants.


We currently stock the larval Pipevine for the Spicebush Swallowtail, and Blue, Purple or Red Passion Flower Vines for the Gulf Fritillary & Zebra Longwings, our state butterfly. Other vines in stock may include Allamanda, Bougainvillea, Coral Vine, Bleeding Heart, Honeysuckle, Mandevilla, Wisteria, Sky Vine, Confederate Jasmine, and even Muscadine grapes that arrived this week.

For extensive information from the University of Florida including How Vines Climb, Proper Planting and care, read more here: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG097


Hanging Moss Baskets
Check out these new preformed, high quality black chained baskets that are priced economically by the piece or as a set. Made from Angel Moss-a blend of New Zealand Sphagnum moss that holds a considerable amount of water, these preformed liners are quick and easy to work with it and do not leave a mess everywhere. Side planting is a dream as holes are easily poked with a finger in the moss liners. Just plant the baskets dry, soak them down, and you're done! What a time saver!

Angel Moss soil conditioning marbles are a natural & biodegradable soil additive for moisture retention and an ORGANIC alternative to moisture crystals. 1.1lbs

FATHER'S DAY!
Did some one say Father's Day? Ahhh, I guess I'll be shipping some Bougain (my dad's favorite bougainvilla fertilizer) and a naturally decomposing SEED Card to North Carolina this year. If you are blessed enough to have your dad in these parts, we reckon you might drop by and get him something that will keep on giving or better yet, a Palmer's Gift Certificate for those gardeners who seem to have everything!

Growing together!
The Palmer's Garden Team

ps. This week's newsletter is dedicated to my dad, who along with his dad, inspired a life long love for gardening. May you be blessed with such fathers!

www.palmersgarden.com
www.palmersgarden.blogspot.com
2610 Corrine Drive~ Orlando, FL 32803
jeff@palmersgarden.com or news@palmersgarden.com

407 896-5951

Ignite with Blue & White!

Save 15% on anything Blue or White!

Go Magic!!! Stop by this week and save 15% on anything you can find that is white or blue in the garden center including pots, gift items and plants. Perhaps you've had an eye on a Cobalt Blue glazed pot, a blue and white gazing ball or some of our Endless Summer blooming hydrangeas? If it's white or blue, we'll give the discount at the register in honor of the Orlando Magic Playoffs this week! Offer ends Tuesday 6/16/09.


Is the mulch in your garden safe?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now showing concern over the safety of recycled, ground tires being used as padding in playgrounds and on sports fields. This comes after many years of professing the safely of recycled tires being used for a variety of uses. ~more:
http://www.examiner.com/x-11530-Orlando-Gardening-Scene-Examiner~y2009m6d9-Is-the-mulch-in-your-garden-safe
Palmer's carries shredded Eucalyptus, natural, black & red shredded Cypress, plus Pine Bark in nuggets, mini-nuggets or shredded.

Father's Day Gardening Gift Certificates
The perfect gift for that dad who loves to garden. Let him choose a new tool, a desired plant or one of our many pots & containers. Combine it with a promissory, "We'll help you dad!" certificate and you'll make his day!

Growing and playing together!
The Palmer's Garden Team
www.palmersgarden.com
www.palmersgarden.blogspot.com
2610 Corrine Drive~ Orlando, FL 32803
jeff@palmersgarden.com or news@palmersgarden.com

407 896-5951

Does your garden have room?

Whether it's peaceful waters you long to hear or the mesmerizing view of water trickling, a fountain can enhance your outdoor living areas immensely and it doesn't have to be huge. This lovely fountain featuring a pair of Shachikhoko creatures is easily tucked into a corner. A Japanese equivalent to the gargoyle, the tiger headed carp was often believed to cause the rain to fall and would protect a castle from fire.


Another ancient symbol, the Green Man has recently arrived in the garden center along with many other beautiful garden art pieces.


Whether your tastes run Asian, Classical or Contemporary, our self-contained fountains can add a focal point or soothing addition to your relaxing oasis. Stop by and browse our lovely circle of fountains and statuary pieces. Easily maintained, a pump is included with every fountain. Delivery and installation is available by Palmer's expert install team.

Or shop online at Campania or Al's garden art web catalogs. Just send us the item # for priority ordering! Both companies offer a variety of stains & finishes to choose from and new products regularly.

This week's Green Light Special!

Buy 2 Pentas, Get 1 Free!

Whether it's two of our pink, purple, red, white or lavender 4" pentas, we'll give you a free one with every two that you purchase this week! Pentas are one of the best butterfly perennials here in Florida and bloom almost continuously through out the year! Offer good through Tuesday June 9, 2009

Growing together,

The Palmer's Team

Under Ground NOTES

Do you have a question you'd like answered? Let us know and we may include it in a future newsletter!