Planting shrubs in spring

Early spring is a great time for planting all shrubs, especially after your last freeze. The plants can establish quickly while the temperatures are still cool. Trees and Shrubs should be selected for a site based on the ability of the plant to tolerate the soil, light, climate, and residential conditions present at that location.

If you plant in the late spring and summer, expect the shrub to have a higher water demand until it has a chance to root out into your soil. Initially, the original ball of dirt is the only area from which your shrub can get water.

Information on various shrubs here

Information on the spring planting of shrubs here

Pussy Willows

Nothing says spring like the furry little "flower buds of a pussy willow tree. What many gardeners don’t know is that you can produce better branches for catkins by pruning pussy willows. If you know how to prune a pussy willow tree, you can encourage long, straight stems which will look the best in flower arrangements. Even if your goal is just to keep your pussy willow plant tidy looking, taking time to trim a pussy willow bush will make it look lovelier in the long run.

To bring this early sign of spring into your home and produce your own Pussy Willows, cut healthy branches about mid-January and place them in a vase of water. Roots will appear in three to four weeks and you can plant them in the ground once the weather warms up to about 65° F.

Explore Pussy Willows

Planting Flowers in Spring

Most annuals do not tolerate frost but many hardy perennials however can be planted quite early in the spring. When to Plant Depends a lot on the weather each year.

If you're like me, you can't wait to get started in your home garden. But, it's still to early to plant those seedlings outdoors. While you're holding out for higher temperatures, there's plenty you can do today to jump start the spring gardening season.



The wait can be rough, but here are some tips on how to know when to plant, where to plant and how to take care of your flowers once they are planted.

Planting Flowers in Spring

Kalanchoe, the perfect indoor plant

Kalanchoes are easy to grow, needing minimum care which make them the perfect indoor plant. If you have ever been to a nursery, grocery store or gardening center more then likely you have often seen the plants with blooms on them. Once the bloom has faded, most individuals will throw the plant away. With minimal care, more blooms are possible so don’t throw this pretty plant away!


Kalanchoe, care and feeding here

Indoor gardening with Cyclamen

The cyclamen is a semi-alpine plant. Often seen for sale throughout the fall and winter as a houseplant, the native environment for cyclamen is found in Italy, Sicily and also in the clay soil of England. The genus name Cyclamen is derived from the Greek word kyklamenos which means "circle form."



The tubers produce a silvery marbled colored leaf and flowers that range from lavender, rose, maroon, red and white. Since Cyclamens love a moist atmosphere, they are perfect for the indoor garden. With elements such as cooler temperatures, plenty of air and lots of moisture you can grow Cyclamen with little problem for many years indoors.


Growing, Care and notes on Clyclamen

Coralberry

Coralberry is a rather small sprawling shrub with attractive foliage and berries. It is an easy shrub to identify in natural areas, particularly during the fall, because of the purplish red berries. It is a low-growing perennial shrub with rhizomes and distinctive red berries that persist well into the winter.


Unfortunately this bush is often called a weed because it is so prolific in some areas. Properly planted this lovely plant is a welcome addition to the garden.

More on the CoralBerry can be found here

Brussels Sprouts

The Brussels sprout, is a Cultivar group of wild cabbage cultivated for its small leafy green buds, which resemble miniature cabbages. In the United States The harvest season lasts from June through January.



In the proper season of the year, Brussels sprouts can be grown easily in most home gardens across the country. In mild areas, or where there is deep snow cover, the sprouts may overwinter. Brussels sprouts require a long growing period, though newer hybrids have greatly reduced this requirement. Plants set out in late spring to early summer grow satisfactorily and mature high-quality sprouts when the fall weather begins to cool.

Growing Brussels Sprouts

Bromeliads - The perfect inddor plants

Inexpensive, easy to grow, requiring very little care, bromeliads adapt to just about all types of conditions found in most homes making it the perfect indoor house plant. In addition the root systems do not need much room; therefore growing in pots of tree fern bark will keep these plants happy.



The plant varieties ( over 3000 described species in approximately 56 genera )have many colored foliage and brilliant flowers. The native habitat for bromeliads is in branches and tree trunks or on rocks. This also makes the plant a perfect specimen to be raised in the house.

Growing Bromeliads indoors

Bluebeard Shrubs for Your Landscape

The pretty shrub, Bluebeard, is also known as a Blue Mist Shrub and Blue Spirea. It is a perennial, requires full sun and a moderate climate. This lovely shrub produces bright blue flowers and blooms in late summer all the way to the first frost. The name Bluebeard comes from the bluish green foliage it sports all summer long.


Bluebeard shrub guide

Gypsophilia, Better known as Baby’s Breath

Light and airy, tiny and white are words that describe this pretty plant. Florists use this delicate flower in flower arrangements on a regular basis. Baby's Breath (Gypsophilia) is a beautiful addition to the garden and does well in hanging pots mixed with other varieties of flowers. Gypsophilia takes minimal care and is easy to grow.



The following instructions will have you growing your own in no time at all.

An Agent for Good Health, Saw Palmetto

The beauty of this palm is renowned and the juices of these lovely purple berries provide a variety of health benefits. The Saw Palmetto is native to coastal regions in the southern half of the United States, especially in southern California.


This herb is beneficial to both men and women and is used by holistic practitioners. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration are in the act of evaluating this herbal product. The herb would have the honor of being the first herbal supplement to be licensed by this agency as a medical treatment for a specific condition.

More on the Saw Palmetto Herb Here

Zebra Plant

With white veins contrasting against waxy, deep green leaves, it’s easy to see why the Aphelandra is nicknamed the Zebra Plant. While many are quite happy with the Zebra Plant for its striking foliage, if you play your cards right and offer the proper balance of care, the Zebra Plant can also produce showy, bright yellow flowers for show-stopping results.

Native to Brazil, the Zebra Plant made its debut as a houseplant during the exotic, tropical plant craze of the Victorian era. While many tropicals have adapted through the years to household conditions, the Zebra Plant still craves its native environment. Offering it conditions as close to the tropics as you can get is your best bet for this beauty, as it dislikes night temperatures below 65 degrees and they can resent the cool, dry winters many homes offer.

Full article

Indoor Growing Guides - Most Popular Indoor Plants