Prepare for spring

Slowly but surely winter seems to be coming to an end. The first signs of spring are clearly visible and it’s great to be talking to you all again after the winter break.
Soon the first of the new stock of shrubs, trees, perennials, herbs and annuals will begin arriving at nurseries and garden centers.
At the time of writing at the end of February our pansies and violas have over wintered really well and are showing lots of color; in fact, these are probably the best violas we have produced since our arrival in the United States.
People here don’t get nearly as excited about early spring annuals as they did back in Northern Ireland. In spite of our cool, wet Ulster climate we began to see the first spring plants appear during February. Primroses, polyanthus, wallflower, pots of crocus, dwarf daffodils. Grape hyacinth or miniature iris bulbs all complemented the obligatory pansies and violas, offering our customers their first taste of spring color for beds, baskets and containers.
Here in Virginia many people imagine pansies and violas to be a fall plant. Wrong; both pansies and their smaller relative the viola perform much better in spring and will provide lots of color from the beginning of March right into June. So before you follow the ridiculous ‘big store trend’ of planting soft summer annuals in March, why not give spring annuals their proper place. Plant the hardy, long lasting pansies and violas now and replace them with heat tolerant summer annuals at the end of may or June.
Now that spring is just around the corner, gardening folk are impatient to get back into their garden. Some of the sensible gardeners have used the cold winter weather this year as an opportunity to plant trees and shrubs, but for most people spring begins in March.


Weather changes

Be careful; if we have learned anything during our short time living here in Williamsburg it is that the weather can change so quickly here. The fluctuations are often remarkable and it is not unusual to see a dip in temperatures of 25-30° in a couple of days. Winter may still have a sting in its foul and we still have vivid memories of last year’s spring, of wet snow bringing down our shade structure on the 6th of April!
Many of the new stock of spring plants will be taken straight out of preheated green houses and they have not been acclimated. If the annuals, herbs, perennials or even shrubs you intend to buy look fresh and green with lots of new growth then remember that plant has not been growing outside during the winter and will be vulnerable to a late frost damage.

Protect and preserve our environment

I would really like to push the environment theme in 2008 and each month will include a small piece of advice on how we in this beautiful part of Virginia can play our part in protecting and preserving our environment.
I am well aware that this is election year and I don’t intend to get involved in the political debate, but it is my firm belief that it is incumbent on every good American to play their part in looking after the country they love.
We may not realize it but we now live in a world with a population of 6.5 billion people set to increase to 7.6 billion by 2020! The population of our own country has increased from 140 million people prior to World War II to more than 300 million today. Our own town, Williamsburg is unrecognizable from the wee quiet town it was a few decades ago.
So we all have to make an effort to protect our rivers and seas, our forests and mountains and our wetlands and lakes. And yes, you as an individual can make a difference.
I will begin by asking readers to find space in their garden each month for a plant that is either native to United States or is bird or insect friendly.
I intend to continue with my ‘plant of the month’ section, but this year will feature a plant which helps the environment.
Could I also suggest a nice easy first step for readers also have accumulated plastic pots and trays which clutter your garage or even worse lie, hidden in the quiet corner of you garden. Instead of placing them in your garbage why not recycle them and not add even more plastic to landfill sites. We, in the Ulster American Homestead Garden Center began taking back pots and trays last year and will gladly accept all returns. All you have to do is gather up your old plastic trays and pots and drop them off at our nursery and we will clean and reuse them. It’s as easy as that.
Could I wish you all a good beginning to 2008 and a successful planting month in March and I look forward to correspond with you again April.

“Our Plant of
the Month”
MUSCARI
(GRAPE HYACINTH)

My first choice of plant of the month for 2008 may be a bit unusual. It is not normally considered as a plant useful to the environment, but I have several reasons for making this my choice.
Muscari is a native of the Mediterranean region and are closely related to the commonly used groundcover, Liriope.
Grape Hyacinths are usually grown from bulbs planted in fall and several varieties are excellent for naturalizing, producing off sets as well as self-sowing.
The plants are also deer resistant and if planted in a well drained site with reasonable light will multiply quite easily.
Muscan is an early spring bloomer and the blue flowers are a magnet for bees producing a useful source of early food for these important insects.
There are lots of new varieties of Grape Hyacinths available, mostly in shades of blue, but also white and an unusual variety with large yellow flowers.
Our garden center has grown 4 varieties in 4" pots and should be ready early March.

Ulster-American Homestead Garden Center is located at 4191 Rochambeau Drive, Williamsburg • 757-566-0404