Plant Suggestions

Herb Gardening For Beginners

February 16, 2010 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Boy, has this month seemed long! It seems like it has snowed at least once a week. We got 12 inches one of those weeks! Unfortunately, the snow made it impossible for me to really get much of my list accomplished. I did get the supplies for my backyard composter, but the frozen conditions made building impossible, not to mention the frozen ground. (Read more about the list in my last garden blog post.)

However, I did do a mock-up of exactly how I want my backyard compost to look and what materials I think I will need:

What do you think? Pretty basic, but has style! It seems like a very easy build too. Your four large posts should be whatever height you are wanting your composter to be. (Not too tall or you won’t be able look or reach into it.) The short boards should be the length of your pallet. Nail them together an that’s your basic frame. Wrap that in chicken wire. Optional: use sheet metal, corrugated roofing tin or other covering to give it a fun, personal look. Imagine this painted in bright, beautiful colors! It has so much potential!

Again, this month is still a slow one for gardeners. I do have a lot of things in store for next month, however! (Don’t forget to subscribe.)

Without further adieu, here are the herbs I have picked to grow this summer.

I am choosing herbs because they are not only beautiful, but useful in so many ways! I suggest, when planning your garden, to find plants or herbs that interest you. This will make it easier to commit to growing healthy, amazing plants you will be proud of.

Anise – medicinal, culinary and aromatic uses. What catnip is to cats, anise is to dogs — will be fun to find out if this is true!

Basil – medicinal, culinary, aromatic and ornamental uses. Great on pizza! I plan to grow several types, just not sure which ones quite yet.

Bergamot or Beebalm – medicinal, aromatic, culinary, ornamental and cosmetic uses. Great color and beautiful flower, attracts hummingbirds.

Borage – medicinal, culinary and ornamental uses. Has a reputation for invoking courage, believe it or not. Bees love borage!

Caraway – medicinal and culinary uses. Every part of the plant is edible.

Chamomile – medicinal, culinary, aromatic, ornamental and cosmetic uses. Great for teas and bath soaks! I will probably grow a few types. Said to contribute to the overall health of your garden.

Chives – medicinal, culinary and ornamental uses. I know I want garlic chives and common, maybe more.

Cilantro or Coriander – medicinal, culinary and aromatic (more fragrant with age) uses. That’s right, the leaves are cilantro and the seeds are coriander. Very good at attracting useful insects.

Dandelion – medicinal, culinary and cosmetic uses. You can even make yellow and magenta dyes. Who knew this common weed was more nutritious than spinach?

Dill – medicinal, culinary and crafty uses. Kitchen staple.

Fennel – medicinal, culinary, aromatic and cosmetic uses. Fennel makes dye too! (yellow and brown) I’ve got an easy recipe for a great fennel face cleanser. (Watch for this in future blogs; subscribe!)

Feverfew – medicinal, ornamental and crafty uses. Great natural insect repellent.

Lavender – medicinal, culinary, aromatic, cosmetic and crafty uses. Great fragrance! I will be growing a few different kinds of lavender. I can’t wait to make my first lavender wand!

Lemon Balm – medicinal, culinary, aromatic, ornamental and cosmetic uses. Bees LOVE this plant. Lemon balm smells fantastic and is said to cleanse skin. Works great in an herbal bath mixture.

Lemon Grass – medicinal, culinary and aromatic uses. Once used to break fevers in Africa.

Lemon Verbena – medicinal, culinary, aromatic, and ornamental uses. Mentioned in Gone With The Wind as Scarlet’s mother’s favorite fragrance.

Marigold – medicinal, culinary, aromatic and ornamental uses.

Oregano – medicinal, culinary, cosmetic and crafty uses. Essential to Italian cooking.

Mustard – medicinal and culinary uses. Make your own mustard! (Watch for recipe)

Parsley – medicinal, culinary, ornamental and cosmetic uses. It’s even a natural breath sweetener. Be careful, this herb will attract unwanted rabbits.

Peppermint and Spearmint – medicinal, culinary, aromatic, ornamental and cosmetic uses. Amazing home remedies from bad breath to chapped hands and bee stings.

Purslane – medicinal and ornamental uses. Very, very high in vitamins and nutrients. Purslane contains more omega-3 fatty acids than any other plant.

Rosemary – medicinal, aromatic, ornamental and cosmetic uses. Great in bath soaks.

Rue – medicinal, ornamental and crafty uses. Rue is very dangerous in large doses; to plant this in your garden is your call entirely.

Sage – medicinal, culinary, aromatic, ornamental, cosmetic and crafty uses. I will be planting several kinds of sage plants.

Tansy – medicinal, culinary, cosmetic and ornamental uses. Makes outstanding tea! Great color. Can discourage ants and flies.

Tarragon – culinary uses. Tarragon is a staple in French cuisine.

Thyme – medicinal, culinary, aromatic and cosmetic uses. Very beneficial medicinal uses.

That’s my basic list. I’m sure there are tons of other great herbs out there. If you think I should add one to the list let me know in the comments below!

What to expect next month?

– If weather permits, I will be finishing up my backyard compost contraption.

– This weekend, I am attending the horticultural walk at our local zoo to learn about their winter plants, as well as how they take care of their tropical plants during the winter. All that in next month’s edition of Beginning Gardening.

Filed Under: Plant Suggestions Tagged With: Gardening Blogs, Herbs, Home Gardening

What Plants Add March Interest In South Carolina

February 4, 2010 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Ask The Expert: Im trying to figure out what would be the best plants to plant outside in March to beautify my community. Kimberly Columbia, SC

Plant Expert Reply:

Are you looking for shrubs or flowers? South Carolina is a zone 7-8. So, you would need plants that are zone 7 hardy. The issue is March may not be the best time to plants shrubs in your area. Another issue to consider is the location you are wanting to beautify.

If you simply want to beautify an entrance to your home or an office building, I suggest using decorative pots filled with annual flowers. This option gives you color, as well as an opportunity to change your colors seasonally. For March, I suggest the following flowers: pansies, snapdragons, wave petunia, lisanthus, dianthus, delphinium, diascia, stock, alyssum, bacopa, bellis, primula, violas. My personal preference is a pot with snapdragons and wave petunias. To find your best option drop into your local nursery or garden center and discuss the flowers available in your area.

The same goes for shrubs. To find the right shrubs for your area, you have to consider many factors: space requirements, soil needs, maintenance, whether a commercial or residential application and the need for year-round interest. I personally like a mixture of evergreen, blooming and deciduous plants.

Nandinas are one of my favorite shrubs in early spring. Although, I prefer the dwarf nandinas — either a harbour belle or a gulf stream variety. Nandinas have a reddish foliage in the cold months and a green foliage in the warm months. So, this plant could add a lot of interest to your area in March. I also favor boxwoods and cleyera japonica as foundation plants. If you have room for a tree and you want early spring blooming try a saucer magnolia or a star magnolia.

The best suggestion I can give you on want to plant is to take a photo and measurements of the area and take it to your local garden center and nursery. This way they can help you design your area and show your the plant options available in your area.

Good luck and let me know how it turns out.

Filed Under: Plant Suggestions Tagged With: Flower Suggestions, Seasonal Flowers, Shrubs

Flower of the Month: Tulips

February 3, 2010 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Information About Tulips

TULIP

Scientific name: Tulipa

Use: Flower

Type: Bulbous Perennials

Height: 4-27″‘

Astrological Flower: Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 9)

GROWING

Planting Zones: 4-6, adaptable to 7-8, and 9-10 grown as anuals

Soil Requirements: Sandy soil is best for tulips to increase and flower in later years. Good drainage is essential. For best results plant bulbs in October or November.

DESIGNING

Stem: 8-32″

Blossom Size: 2-5″

Texture: Satin

Silhouette: Solid/ Cup

Vase Life: 3-7 Days, keep growing in vase

Colors: Single, Mixed, or Variegated. Reds, Oranges, Yellows, Yellows/Greens, Red/Purples, Purples, Whites/Ivories, Pinks

Bloom Season: Spring

Flowers Available: Year Round

No flower can claim as interesting of a history as the tulip. Did you know it was the worlds most coveted flower … twice? That’s right! Before Holland’s Tulipmainia they were the crown jewel of the Ottoman Empire. They even hold the record for the most expensive single flower in history.

The characteristics of the tulip are unmatched; beautiful, and completely unique – it’s no wonder so many places around the world dedicate festivals and events to them, even now.

HISTORY OF TULIPS

Although we think of Holland when we hear tulips, the craze really started with the late Ottoman Empire. To them it was a sign of indulgence and was very popular among court society. This time in Ottoman History is known as the Tulip Period. Everything they did was influenced by the tulip: lavish art, architecture, even the standards of dress incorporated the tulip somehow. Markets in Istanbul overflowed with tulips – not just the plant, but silks, sculptures, textiles – everything was tulips!

The tulip craze spread quickly to Europe where the Dutch really took it to a new level.

The Ambassador to Turkey gave a collection of bulbs to Flemish Botanist Charles Clusius who was the first European to cultivate the plant. The craze began almost instantly. A flower that could actually withstand the harsh winters and dry summers, it seemed perfect. Clusius’ personal garden was robbed and over 100 bulbs were stolen.

Prices of tulip bulbs skyrocketed! From seeds tulips can take 7-12 years to bloom, you needed a bulb. The demand for these bulbs was unheard of. In 1635, just 40 bulbs sold for 100,000 florins. A skilled laborer of that time only made 150 florins a year! And if you still need more proof these prices were outrageous, 1 florin today would be over $16 in U.S. dollars.

It’s no wonder everyone was trying to get in on this get-rich-quick phase. Everyone was trying to breed their own unique version that would be the next big hit.

The most expensive tulip ever to exist was the Semper Augustus. It’s rare variegated pattern was too good to be true. The unique stripes on the petals were actually caused by a serious disease known as “Tulip Breaking Virus.” Tulips with this virus were actually more expensive than ever!

In 1637, the high demand abruptly came to a stop and the short-lived ‘mania’ quickly ended as the market fell into shambles.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Plant Suggestions Tagged With: Tulip, Tulip Festival, Tulipmania

January Gardening For Beginners

January 19, 2010 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

garden

I have been fascinated by flowers and gardening since I was little. My great grandmother used to have enormous flowerbeds and vegetable gardens; some of my fondest memories are of helping her with them. Now that I’m all grown up (24!) I want to reconnect with this lost love of mine. I am a designer and normally stay indoors and within 25ft of a computer at all times. I plan to break that bad habit and really give gardening my all this summer. Each month I will be writing a new installment of happenings in my garden. Hopefully it will inspire you as well, because if I can do it.. you can too!

THIS MONTHS PLAN

1. Test soil and get results.

2. Began construction on backyard compost. (video how-to)

3. Finish broad garden calendar

While researching the various plants, flowers, and vegetables to see what I wanted to plant, I saw the interesting and creative uses for herbs. I fell in love with the idea of making my own potpourri, face masks and skin care creams, and herbal teas. Not to mention the vast culinary uses!

My plan is to grow mostly herbs in my garden and use them to make many fun crafts and foods. I will be posting all of the recipes that I find/use. (as well as the not-so-successful stories that I’m sure will happen) I will also be posting video and pictures along the way! I would LOVE it if our subscribers joined in the fun with their own garden images and stories. Leave us a comment (below) and let us know what you think! This is a little bit different than our normal posts here at the Bloomin’ Blog but we think it will be a lot of fun! Subscribe to our RSS or bookmark us for later by hitting CTRL+D. I can’t wait to see the garden in all it’s glory!

The winter weather in Northeast Arkansas, where I live, is still too cold to start any major changes to my garden just yet. Here is what’s going on so far:

Quick and Easy Cardboard Mulch

Cardboard Gardening I have read a lot about cardboard mulching and began the process in late October. It is a great way to begin gardening with very little effort. Laying a layer of cardboard and mulch down before winter helps in many ways. (1) Kills all grass and weeds (2)Keeps the ground from freezing worms tend to migrate to the area (3) Enriches the soil

1. Lay down large sheets of cardboard over the area you plan to garden. Make sure the layers overlap to block out the sun and keep weeds from germinating.

2. Water the cardboard thoroughly.

3. Lay down a layer of mulch.

That’s it! At least I hope. It’s a bit of an experiment. I began this in October of last year and I am planning to test the soil regularly to see how this process works for me. I’ve read several positive articles on this process so I think it will have good results. I have also put old flowers on top of my mulch for extra nutrients.

Testing The Soil

Picture of Soil Planning early can be a (plant) life saver! Most plants can grow in a variety of pH levels, however it’s a good idea to test your soil to know exactly what you’re working with. Test your soil now to see if it is ready to grow plants. The soil in our area contains a lot of clay which tends to be towards the acidic side. Clay is the most nutritious of the soil types (Sand, Silt, and Clay) but binds the roots of the plant with its density and keeps them from expanding their roots. By finding out your soil composition now you have time to correct this before its time to plant.

To test the soil, contact your local gardening center to find out where to get a soil testing kit in your area. Most of the time you can get one from them. Follow the instructions and send it in to your Cooperative Extension Service which will test your soil and send you a reading. The reading can be tricky so take it to your local garden center and let them help you. Because they are local gardeners too, they will know exactly what you need to correct your soil and have it ready for planting!

Garden Calendar

Now is a great time to fill out a garden calendar. It doesn’t have to be incredibly detailed but have all of your major events planned out. Our state extension service’s department of agriculture website has a wonderful monthly gardening calendar that lets you generally know what to do each month. Google can help find the something similar in your area. Use broad planning for now. Mark your calendar to buy your plants in March and plant early April or the appropriate dates for your zone. Just use a highlighter to remind yourself.

If you know what plants you are going to grow, look for instructions on when to plant and jot those down on your calendar. I plan on having my (mostly) detailed calendar done by next update. Stay tuned!

—

What to expect next month

Soil test results and explanation

Video how-to on backyard compost creation

Detailed garden calendar example

Filed Under: Plant Suggestions Tagged With: Gardening

Red Margined Dracaena – The Plant As Cool As Its Name

December 8, 2009 by Flower Shop Network Leave a Comment

Dracaena plants are incredible. They range from red edged and trendy to your normal looking houseplants. What the quirky ones like me enjoy are dracaena plants with fun names. Since Generation Y looks for unique characteristics in everything, having houseplants like the Red Margined Dracaena around is a great way to help my generation fall in love with houseplants.

Let’s talk about Red Margined Dracaena (Dracaena marginata) alternate names for a moment. Shall we? Think about these when you’re looking for a new decoration for the house.

Red striped dracaena (sounds like a fast, sporty race car)
Red edged dracaena (why do I want a Red Bull now?)
Madagascar Dragon Tree (do I really have to elaborate?)

Red Striped Dracaena (Dracaena Marginata)

Red Edged Dracaena Houseplant

Now I grant you that nothing beats “Madagascar Dragon Tree” but give it up to Dracaena marginata for having several awesome names. It’s also one of the most popular dracaena plants for another reason. It bends.

I don’t mean that it bends like rubber. I mean that this tree can be shaped for a more unique appearance. It will grow in different directions or toward the light if handled properly. A plant with it’s own mind undergoing a growth spurt? What person wouldn’t find entertainment in that?

Just to top it all off, Dracaena marginata plant care is simple. I mean that. It’s easier than walking the dog or doing a load of dishes. Caring for your Dracaena marginata almost disqualifies itself as a chore based on the level of “easy” plant care. Basic plant care requirements for Red Edged Dracaena (Dracaena marginata) are thus:

Consistent temperature
Moderate watering
Bright filtered to low light

Basically, houseplant care can’t get much simpler than this. Water it a few times a week. Keep it away from drafts. It even tolerates low light of office buildings well! Really, can there be a better houseplant?

To send a Red Margined Dracaena to a friend or scour one for yourself, use Flower Shop Network to contact your local florist.

Filed Under: Plant Suggestions Tagged With: Gift Ideas, Houseplants, Red Margined Dracaena (Dracaena marginata)

Benjamin Fig – Not Tasty But Beautiful

November 15, 2009 by Flower Shop Network Leave a Comment

If you’d asked me just over a year ago what I thought a Benjamin fig was, you’d have received a blank stare and then some sort of foodie response. Unfortunately, Benjamin fig (also known as Weeping Fig) is not the newest way to spice up your figgy pudding but it is an awesome houseplant to have in view.

Benjamin Fig (Ficus benjamina)

Benjamin fig (Ficus benjamina) is an incredible thing of beauty. It’s your typical ficus, i.e. shrub-looking houseplant. In fact, Benjamin fig IS the leading ficus found in most homes. It’s popularity has been noted for years and continues to scale onward and upward. Being of a curious nature, I wondered why. I browsed the Flower Shop Network plant care information for Benjamin fig and found out very quickly why everyone loves this ficus.

It’s not hard. It’s not easy. Benjamin Fig plant care is just right. Benjamin fig requires a lot of attention but the payoff is great. Also a popular bonsai tree, Benjamin fig is perfect for practicing discipline and attention to detail. It is great for home-bound people who enjoy a hobby in which they can literally watch themselves reap the benefit of their effort. Benjamin fig houseplants are also the perfect gift for plant care experts who need a challenge but don’t want a time-consuming project.

Here’s a heads up about Benjamin fig plant care. Treat Benjamin fig houseplants much like you would treat yourself or a person living in your home. That’s not to say you should talk to your plant or invite it out to dinner but keeping the “house guest” notion in mind will help remember how to properly care for your plant. For example:

Benjamin fig houseplants require very moist but well drained environments. (i.e. They can’t be thirsty or waterlogged.)
Benjamin fig plants need an area of indirect sunlight without direct heat or drafty cold. (i.e. They want to live in a comfortable environment. Not too hot or cold. Keep the thermostat on “comfy”.)
Benjamin fig requires a varying fertilizer regimen over its lifetime. (i.e. Tastes change from birth to adulthood. Vary meals accordingly.)

See? This is one house guest that you won’t mind having around. They don’t talk back. They don’t steal all of your food. They don’t invite friends over without notice. They simply sit in the corner and look beautiful for you so long as you pay them a little attention every few days. Why wouldn’t someone want a houseplant like that? Now if they only made Benjamin fig in human form…

Filed Under: Plant Suggestions Tagged With: Benjamin Fig (Ficus benjamina), Gift Ideas, Houseplants

Want A Cool Houseplant? Try Chinese Evergreen

October 13, 2009 by Flower Shop Network Leave a Comment

If you’re not really the green thumb but want a houseplant anyway, try Chinese Evergreen. It grows best in a tropical environment (i.e. humid) so a little extra water isn’t going to cause you a world of headaches.

Chinese Evergreen Houseplant

Chinese Evergreen plants love areas with high humidity, partial light, and moist soil. That makes Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema vittata) perfect for people who live in humid tropical climates. Even if they live in a dryer area, Chinese Evergreen is the perfect plant for a large bathroom, decorations in a spa, rainy climates like the Pacific Northwest, or someone who just tends to overwater things. These plants cannot tolerate dry air so be careful to avoid areas with a draft.

Chinese Evergreen plant care isn’t especially difficult. However, it does require some attention. This plant can be grown as a houseplant or in a shady outdoor garden. Wherever grown, the soil around the Chinese Evergreen must be kept evenly moist with a small drying time between watering to avoid fungal problems.

Chinese Evergreen thrives in areas with no frost and partial sunlight. They do not perform well in direct sunlight as moisture is more quickly removed from the environment under these conditions. Areas of the home like the kitchen or bath are perfect for Chinese Evergreen as the evenly moist climate will stimulate growth.

Need an eco-friendly gift for someone? The greenest gift of all is a houseplant like Chinese Evergreen. When you buy a Chinese Evergreen houseplant, you know that your eco-friendly friend will love the gift. It’s beautiful, easy and a constant reminder of the need for a green lifestyle.

More than just the eco-friendly niche, Chinese Evergreen houseplants are great gifts for a wide range of people. Anyone who remains in their home at length will enjoy the touch of nature that Chinese Evergreen provides. As it requires only a fair amount of attention, this will provide homebodies with something fresh to nurture and love. As a garden plant, Chinese Evergreen exists as part of a beautiful landscape for outdoor parties and garden visits. Know someone who keeps their home on the warm side and tends to overwater plants? This is the houseplant for them.

Filed Under: Plant Suggestions Tagged With: Chinese Evergreen, Houseplants, Plant Profile

Top 5 Reasons To Send A Dish Garden For Grandparents Day

September 9, 2009 by Flower Shop Network Leave a Comment

There are many reasons why Grandma and Grandpa will love dish gardens instead of more traditional Grandparents Day gifts. If your grandparents are anything like mine, reading this will likely result in a lot of nodding and the occasional phrase “that sounds just like my grandma/grandpa.”

1. Dish Gardens Are Low Maintenance Gift

“I’m pretty sure they can handle a plant.” Grandma and Grandpa were there for you through childhood, tween years, teen years and beyond. They’re still supportive. Thankfully, a dish garden requires no more maintenance than any other houseplant. It’ll be a nice break after all those years.

2. Dish Garden Containers Have Their Own Unique Qualities

If they’re the type that have collected every childhood trinket pertaining to their grandkids, dish gardens will be a nice gift for both of you. They’ll probably keep the container because it’s what they do. At least it’s not a useless knick-knack that needs dusting. You’ll feel better for not contributing to the shrine o’ junk that was once your old bedroom. It’s a win-win.

3. Plants In A Dish Garden Last Quite A While

On a light-hearted note, plants in a dish garden last quite a while. There is only as much care required as a normal houseplant. Simply water when the soil is dry to the touch. Once your plants are too big for their container, you can separate them out into even more houseplants to love.

4. Dish Gardens Are Unique Gifts

That’s right. You’re better than peer pressure. You’re above it. That’s why you will choose to send dish gardens. While everyone else is sending something cheesy and porcelain, you’re relaxing in the new found fresh air created by the dish garden that you had a local florist deliver. Mmm. Even the food will taste better when you head over to your grandparents house for a holiday celebration.

5. Did I Say 5 Reasons? Let’s Go With Eco-Friendly Gifts

I can probably name several other reasons why dish gardens are awesome gifts, but I’ll stop with the eco-friendliness of sending a dish garden. First of all, the containers can be reused. Recycling is fun for everyone. Go recycling! Second, some dish garden plants can be transplanted. That’s great for the environment because plants replenish soil nutrients and create fresh air for us all.

Hurry! Grandparents Day is September 11, 2011.

Have another reason to send dish gardens? Even if you just want to comment on my comments, feel free to commence commenting below.

Filed Under: Gift Ideas, Holiday Info, Plant Suggestions Tagged With: Dish Gardens, Gift Ideas, Grandparents Day, Grandparents Day Gifts, Holiday Gift Ideas, Plant Suggestions

Be Smart. Choose Dumb Cane.

August 11, 2009 by Flower Shop Network Leave a Comment

This particular “dumb” decision is the smartest decision you’ll ever make. Not surprisingly, I have a dumb cane story (“dumb” story for short).

Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia picta)

My grandma is all about houseplants. She’s 82 now and has been keeping houseplants growing in her home as long as I can remember. She’s pretty good at it but age is starting to creep up on her. That’s the nice way of saying that she’s bound to her motorized scooter and can’t really care for plants herself anymore. Since she’s only an hour away at any given time, my mother, sister and I usually rotate turns going over there to visit and to water her houseplants.

I was around 18 when she had hip replacement surgery and I stayed with her for a week to help out. She was so funny! All I remember was receiving instructions on how to do everything. If I decided to water the plants, I had to be shown how it was done 70 years ago. If I was dusting the furniture, I needed to know how it was done 50 years ago and why the 50 year old furniture still looks good. She’s a hoot and a headache all at the same time.

I’d never seen houseplant leaves polished the way Gram did it. A military spit shine would’ve left something to be desire compared to this woman’s plant care skills. She has Dieffenbachia all over her house so the first thing I remembered when I saw Dumb Cane plants in the photo gallery was the image of her bending over from her then hand-powered wheelchair to show me how experts care for Dumb Cane.

She gently rubbed the leaves of her dumb cane with the ease of a bomb deactivator but none of the steadiness. She mixed up some concoction of soap and water that I’m sure was repeated to me but it just seemed like soap and water. She washed the leaves and turned to me with a phrase I’m trying to forget but can’t. It was too funny. Her brow was furrowed and a bit sweaty. Her hair was mussed from the day’s chores. She looked at me with as deadpan an expression as she could’ve had and said “that’s why I’ve had this plant since 1991.” Knowing my grandmother, she was probably right. I still couldn’t stop laughing, probably to keep from crying.

I’ve loved Dumb Cane since that day. One look and I’ll always remember my Grammie.

What do you think of when you look at dumb cane houseplants? Did you receive one as a gift? Ever given one as a gift? Let us hear your Dumb Cane comments below!

Filed Under: Plant Suggestions Tagged With: Dieffenbachia, Dumb Cane, Gift Ideas, Houseplants, Plant Suggestions

Poinsettias As A School Fundraisers In Houston

July 17, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 2 Comments

Ask the Expert: Wholesale Poinsettias in Houston Area
Our high school drill team would like to sell good quality (large) poinsettias as a fundraiser. Do you have any referrals in the Houston, TX area? Melissa

Plant Expert Reply:
Poinsettias make wonderful gifts and are an awesome way to raise money. In fact, I know a grower in Van Buren Arkansas called Parks Brothers Farms who has a fantastic fundraising program. They provide poinsettias for non-profit fundraising in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, North Texas, Eastern Kansas, Western Tennessee and Missouri. I called Jason at Parks Brothers Farms and he assured me that they could, also, provide the poinsettias for your school fundraiser in Houston.

I assume you will want red poinsettias which are a traditional and popular choice. However, you might want to consider some of the other poinsettia color options like pink, white, burgundy and marble. Parks Brothers Farms will help you decide what the best poinsettia options are for the Houston area. So check out their non-profit fundraising page or call Jason at toll-free: (800) 334-5770.

Let me know how your fundraising goes.

Filed Under: Plant Suggestions Tagged With: Fundraising, Wholesale Poinsettias