Common Mistake #1

In Country Living's April issue there's a Garden tip section that I thought was right "on". Most of the time I don't agree 100 percent with their suggestions but this time it was written by a nursery owner in San Francisco named Flora Grubb~ well I guess with a name like that she had to get in the business...not sure about the Grubb name though. She must get teased alot about that.

From this picture she looks more like an Ivory Snow model than a nursery owner, I guess we don't all have to run around with a hat, work boots, apron and dirt hands....right??? but it does help to look the part.

Anyways moving on

TIP no. 1 oh by the way this is actually called the 10 most common mistakes and how to avoid them.

Mistake: Shopping for just flowers, not foliage

SOLUTION:" I often tell my customers that every flowering plant is beautiful at it's prime-full of lush, abundant blooms," says Flora. "But then I'll ask, how does it look for the rest of the year? "Before you buy, consider the plant's leaves and structure. Include specimens with spectacular foliage...

Like the annual coleus , the shrub cotinus ( smoke bush), or decorative grasses to help keep beds interesting when flowers are not at peak."

Of course she's speaking more about perennials and how you'd better like the foliage because once it's done flowering it's all you'll have. It's also true with annuals because the flowers may need deadheading or it just may not flower all that much at a certain point. A planter is always more interesting when you add a few foliage plants in the mix.... and the nice thing is that there's so much more out there now than just vinca vine and dusty miller.

This is obviously only 1 of 10 common mistakes....will be back with more if I don't bore you first.

By the way today was Opening Day....it went pretty well for an overcast chilly day...and nice to see some familiar faces too.

Take care and stay down to earth....

Carole