Homestead Gardens Inspirations

Inspıratıons Early Spring

2015

Colorful Plants

Four Season Solutions for Home and Garden

For Shady Garden Spots Contained Excitement Today’s mixed planters are a riot of color and texture

Plants That Clean the Air Dog Nutrition for Long and Healthy Lives

2015

There’s just no resisting the tantalizing colors, continuous blossoms and easy-care petite size of our Lo & BeholdŽ Butterfly Bush. Visit us at provenwinners-shrubs.com.

Early Spring 2015

About Homestead Gardens Founded in 1973 by Don Riddle, Jr., our landmark nursery is nestled amidst the beautiful rolling countryside of Davidsonville, Maryland and is the largest enclosed garden center in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas. From our humble beginnings as a roadside stand first selling azaleas, bedding plants, mums and poinsettias, Homestead Gardens has since expanded to become one of the country’s leading garden centers.

Homestead Gardens, Severna Park was opened in 2010 and continues to thrive. Our stores boast the area’s largest selection of annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, landscaping design and build service, outdoor lighting, garden accessories, casual furniture and more.

Our Locations Homestead Gardens 743 W Central Ave Davidsonville, MD 21035 410-798-5000

And our second location: 522 Ritchie Highway Severna Park, MD 21146 410-384-7966 homesteadgardens.com

Best Garden Center

How to Reach Us ADVERTISING Gil Kidd Inspirations Magazine 248-798-4243 gkidd@ecgc.com Inspirations is published for ECGC LLC by ECGC Distributors, Inc. © 2015 ECGC LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph, or illustration without express written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

Correspondence: On matters concerning the magazine, write to Gary Jones, 2200 E. Route 66, Suite 200, Glendora, CA 91740; gjones@armstronggarden.com; 626-914-1091; fax: 626-335-0257. Opinions expressed within are not to be considered official expressions of ECGC LLC, Inspirations. ECGC LLC assumes no responsibility for errors and omissions appearing within. ECGC LLC reserves the right to accept or reject all editorial and advertising matter. ECGC LLC does not assumes any liability for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or artwork.

March 14th - 22nd, 2015

Homestead Gardens, Davidsonville Every year the Homestead Gardens team puts much thought and countless hours into planning our annual Spring Flower Show. It all begins with developing a theme. As this event has been a tradition at Homestead for over twenty years, we strive to enhance and expand on years prior. We challenge ourselves to think outside of the box to provide our customers a fresh and exciting visual experience.

What theme for a flower display could be better than “Celebrate Maryland”? Maryland offers endless opportunity for our talented team of garden experts and artisans to transform our Davidsonville store into a true vision of inspiration.

Our beautiful state has a tremendous history of horticulture that weaves itself into every town and community across the landscape of “The Old Line State”. Our Flower Show will feature vignettes highlighting the features that make Maryland a beautiful place to call home. Our show will include thousands of flowers creating a natural shoreline with sandy beaches and native plants. Other displays will include our State Capital with urban gardening concepts, rural and mountain landscapes of Western Maryland and farmland displays celebrating Eastern Shore heritage.

We planted annual seedlings and jump started trees in our greenhouses beginning in January and our crews are diligently constructing the displays.

We are excited to unveil this year’s show and are confident the spectacle of vibrant flowers, blossoming trees, and lush shrubs are sure to inspire you for the spring season.

Let’s celebrate the arrival of spring together. I am certain that our show will inspire, inform and help you create an outdoor space to match your unique outdoor living style... I look forward to seeing you there!

Brian Riddle

President and CEO, Homestead Gardens

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INSP I RATI O NS E A R LY S P R I N G 2 0 1 5

4 Synthetic vs. Organic Learn how to make your lawn environmentally friendly and safe for kids and pets.

8 Contained Excitement Today’s mixed planters are a riot of color and texture.

There are no rules about what goes in.

12 Beginning a Garden The basics from the ground up—creating great soil; how to plant; watering and feeding the right way; and problem-solving.

16 Palms Inside Out Palms evoke a gracious, relaxed lifestyle.

17 Plants that Clean the Air In the 1980s NASA sent the common spider plant into space. What they found was fascinating.

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20 Colorful Plants for Shady Garden Spots There’s a little-used palette of colorful plants that will enliven even the drabbest corners of our gardens.

26 Dog Nutrition Homestead Gardens offers only the best dog foods.

Here are the top choices for long and healthy lives.

28 Outdoor Living Essentials The evolution of outdoor products and furnishings that enhance an outdoor lifestyle of comfort and luxury has opened the doors to creating a haven for outdoor spaces of any size.

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for the home gardener

Premier Designer of garden accents

Concrete Statuary, Fountains, Birdbaths & more!

Synthetic vs. Organic:

What Does Your Lawn Say About You? Is the quest for greener grass on your side of the fence doing more harm than good? Learn how to make your chemically addicted lawn environmentally friendly and safe for kids & pets.

Is Your Lawn Scaring the Neighborhood Kids?: We all admire a beautiful lawn, but your curb appeal may be sending the wrong message.

Every year, Americans apply 90 million pounds of pesticides to their lawn and gardens, creating a potential hazard for adults, children and pets. In addition, most synthetic fertilizers provide more nitrogen than your lawn can use. Excess nitrogen can burn your lawn and leach away into nearby waterways. A better approach is organic lawn care which maintains the lawn without potentially harmful materials. Organic fertilizers release at a slower rate, feeding the lawn only as it needs it.

3 Potentially

harmful to kids & pets

3 Can

leach into nearby groundwater

3 Can

kill earthworms & microbes

3 Short 3 High

lived nutrition

burn potential

How to Get the Friendliest Lawn on the Block: Organic lawn care is a great way to have a safe and healthy lawn, which provides a natural defense against weeds, insects and diseases. To have a healthy lawn, you need healthy soil. Healthy soils are crumbly, brown, and alive with earthworms and beneficial microbes. Healthy soils let grass roots grow deep, making them more resistant to drought and stress.

Lawn Care Program Start with an Organic son Organic Lawn Care like Espoma’s All-Sea

Chemic al your la Free means wn Pet W & Kid F orry Free.. .Ke riendly Natur ep ally!

3 Easy Steps to a Chemical Free Lawn: 1 Start with Healthy Soil. Feed your lawn

an organic diet; free of pesticides and synthetic ingredients. Feeding your lawn with a natural fertilizer will make your lawn beautifully green, and ensure that it is kid & pet friendly all year long.

Check Your Soil pH. Keep your lawn calm & balanced. It's easy, just use a simple test kit. Most lawns prefer a pH between 6.5 and 7.0; outside that range the grass will not be able to use the fertilizers you apply. If your pH is too low (acidic), this is easily corrected with Espoma Organic® Lightning Lime™.

Do this in the early spring for best results. If your pH is high (alkaline) acidify with Espoma Soil Acidifier.

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3 Slow Down! We recommend using only slow release long lasting natural and organic lawn fertilizers. Quick greening is often mistaken for healthy grass. Synthetic fertilizers have high percentages of water soluble nitrogen which provides a quick jolt to your lawn much like espresso or an energy drink would provide to people. Eventually, both have to come down off the “high”. This constant up and down can actually stress your lawn and lead to more weeds and disease.

Helpful Hints: Organic Lawn Care No Buzz Cuts: Discourage weeds by mowing high – at least 3" for cool season grass.

Stay Sharp: Keep mower blades sharp. Never remove more than /3 of the grass blade in a single cutting. Return clippings to lawn.

1

Keep Hydrated: Water early & regularly. 1" of water per week.

Deeply in spring and fall; lightly and more often in the summer.

A natural in the garden since 1929.

To learn more about the Espoma Organic Lawn Care Program visit: www.espoma.com

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Third Finger, Left Hand The next engagement ring we design for a couple in love may not be the biggest diamond they’ll ever have. But there will never be a more important one. Look at what it says.

And will say forever. This is one of the delights that comes with doing what we do.

And with six designers on staff, there’s nothing you can imagine that we can’t create.

100 Main Street Annapolis, Maryland 410.266.5555

522-A Ritchie Highway Severna Park, Maryland 410.544.4005

More than a jewelry store. A jeweler. zacharysjewelers.com

Inspired solutions for gardening success

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[Contained]

Excitement Planting in pots?

It’s all about your own artistic expression

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Today’s best mixed planters are a riot of color and texture. There are no rules when it comes to what goes in. Houseplants, tropicals, annuals, perennials, edibles—even shrubs are fair game.

Mixed container plantings become personal expression, even high art.

One thing hasn’t changed, however: good design.

And with container planting, the the Rule of Three still reigns supreme. What’s that? Use a “thriller”, “filler” and “spiller”. Following this simple design principle will guarantee artistic success no matter the style or choice of plants.

thriller.

This is the visual anchor Start with a of the design—a strong, vertical statement. It will be the tallest plant and is typically centered in the container. Usually only one is necessary. But right off the bat, you can break out of the mold and express your personality. It’s common that grasses or grass-like plants are used as thrillers, but why not a shrub? Using a flowering shrub or one with colorful or variegated foliage sets you off on a new path.

Fillers

are round and mounding plants.

They’ll take up the bulk of the space in your planter. Fillers usually are your flower power. For a simple design you can use two or three of the same plant. If you’re striving for a freer, more complex look, make your fillers all different—different colors, textures, or shapes. You’ll want to keep some commonality among them to create harmony and unity: a repeated color tone, a leaf or flower shape, a repeated pattern of growth habit.

Spillers

Next, consider plants that will spill. create a sense of abundance and fullness and soften edges, tying the container to the plants and making it an artistic whole. Here’s another opportunity for creative expression. Really, anything that trails is fair game for spiller status. Vines of all kinds (gallon size or 4-inch pots are great), groundcover plants, or any plant that hugs the ground (or flops!) will work.

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Give consideration to edible plants. Sure, you can create beautiful edible-only containers using the Rule of Three, but why not a mix of veggies and ornamentals? Herbs often make terrific fillers. Edibles that are vine-like (pole beans, cucumbers, melons) are wonderful spillers, and can even be trained on tall tripods to become thrillers. Edible kales (depending on the variety) work as thrillers or fillers. Mix it up. Make some fillers edible, some ornamental. Same with spillers and thrillers.

Another group of plants that are finding their way into mixed containers are houseplants and other tropicals. Fantastic foliage—large and colorful—is usually the attraction, but exotic flowers are always wonderful to show off and are great conversation starters when placed on patios and in other gathering areas. Many have a wonderful, unique fragrance.

Pots and containers always look best when very full and over-flowing. To get them that way, and to keep them colorful, use the one-two feeding trick that top designers use. At planting time use a timed-release food such as Osmocote following up with subsequent feedings as instructed.

Also, feed regularly with a water-soluble food every two to four weeks. Your containers will look vibrant, colorful and lush all season long.

5 Tips for Choosing Right Pot

the

1

Make sure the pot has open drainage holes. Lightweight pots sometimes will need to have the “holes” pushed out or unplugged. If there are no holes, no matter the type of pot, you must drill some.

2

Choose a pot or container style that complements the architecture of your home. It doesn’t need to match necessarily, but the style should be harmonious. For example, a clean-lined modern pot may not be the best choice for a Victorian home.

3

Consider pot color carefully. A glazed pot in a strong color can be a wonderful feature all by itself, but it may be difficult to find plants and flowers that can counterbalance it. Pots in earth tones— terracotta, brown, beige or green—will combine well with any flower or plant colors.

4

The weight of pots is important, too.

If you’ve not settled into a home yet, think about using lightweight pots of fiberglass, plastic or composite material.

They’ll be much easier to move.

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4

Essential Tools Container Gardening

for

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If you can’t find a matching saucer for your pot, use pot feet to lift it up and place a clear plastic saucer underneath. It won’t be seen, but will still protect the paved or wood surface.

Hand Trowel Invest in a top-quality trowel. For containers, it’s helpful to have one with a handle that curves backwards a bit and is not too long. You don’t need a long “shovel” part either.

Watering Can Sometimes you just don’t want to drag the hose over. And besides, you’ll need a container for feeding.

Hand Pruner Again, buy the best you can afford.

Once you have a great pair, you’ll never go back. You’ll need these for deadheading and for tidying up the plants.

Pot Screens Not a tool, but really helpful: pot screens. Keep some on hand at all times.

Place these little screens over the drainage holes to keep the soil in (and bugs out).

Petunia ‘Potunia’

Hibiscus

Sweet Potato Vine

Plants to

Mandevilla

Ponder

To get you started, Homestead Gardens’ designers suggest the following, dependable performers as plants to consider.

Lysimachia

Thrillers • Hibiscus • Mandevilla • Dipladenia ‘Sundenia’

Fillers Dipladenia ‘Sundenia’

• Calibrachoa • Petunia ‘Potunia’

Sedum ‘Angelina’

Spillers • Sweet potato vine • Lysimachia • Sedum ‘Angelina’ • Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’

Calibrachoa

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Beginning a Garden What you need for first-time

success

It may be your very first garden or maybe just a new garden area— either way, we’ll show you what you’ll need for first-time success.

We cover the basics from the ground up: creating great soil; how to plant; watering and feeding the right way, and problem solving.

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Consider the

Light

The availability of sunlight will determine what you’re able to grow. So, if it’s a kitchen garden you’re planning, placement in full sun is paramount. If it’s bouquets of cut flowers you’re dreaming of, then you’ll also want a very sunny area. But if you simply want to style and enliven a garden area, then the available sunlight will determine the plant palette you’ll choose from.

Prepare the

Soil

The foundation of all successful gardens is good soil. You may be naturally blessed with it, although that’s very rare—most gardens are not. Amending, or improving your soil is actually quite simple. What you’ll do is add organic matter and nutrients. And you can do both of these things at once.

It’s tempting to skip this important first step -- we’re so anxious to get planting!

But if you do, disappointment is likely to follow. Well-composted organic material improves the soil texture, allowing air to get to roots, and improves water and nutrient retention. Remember, amendments (often referred to as planting mixes) are not fertilizers, although they do have some nutritive value. Leafgro, an organic compost, is ideal for most plants. Lobster compost should be used for calcium lovers such as tomatoes.

At the same time you’re amending your soil, add fertilizer or plant food. An all-purpose plant food has the three primary nutrients all plants need to flourish—nitrogen, phosphorus and potash. These are the three numbers you find on all fertilizers. If you’re growing a specific plant group, such as edibles, instead of an all-purpose food, use one specifically designed for that. In preparing a rose bed, you would use a rose and flower food. Espoma makes all-natural foods for specific plant groups.

[Mychorrizae] The word looks difficult but it’s easy to say (my-core-rye’-za) and easier to use. In fact, the best fertilizers have mychorrizae as an ingredient. These naturallyoccurring beneficial fungi work as root extensions, helping plants take up more water and more nutrients, making them more vigorous and healthy. Dr. Earth and Espoma plant foods all have mychorrizae added.

Homestead’s experts recommend Espoma Biotone Starter Plus for everything you plant.

Planting There’s no mystery to planting something; it’s a simple process. Dig a hole (with a hand trowel for a 6-inch pot or smaller; with a shovel for 1-gallon pots or larger) about twice the width of the pot and about half again as deep. If you haven’t already amended the soil, add to the soil you’ve removed about the same amount of planting mix. At the same time you can also mix in starter fertilizer (we recommend Biotone Starter Plus). The box or bag will tell you the amount. Mix these (soil, planting mix, starter food) in a pile to the side.

Next, gently remove the plant from its container. Don’t pull on the plant; push from the bottom—nursery pots are flexible for this reason—tip the pot on its side and slide the plant out. Place enough soil mix in the bottom of the hole to bring the top of the soil of the plant up even with the surrounding soil surface. Never bury the stem. Once it’s positioned as you want it, fill in around the roots with the remaining soil, firming it as you go. You should have enough soil left over to form a basin around the plant to hold water.

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How to

Feed

Plants vary in their fertilizing needs.

However, The Espoma Company has made it easy for us. They’ve created blends of various nutrients and minerals particularly suited to plant “families” or groups. The instructions will also give you the frequency and amounts.

Generally, the more the plant produces in flowers, fruits, vegetables, or foliage, the more often they’ll need to be fed.

Watering Almost without exception, plants prefer to be watered deeply and infrequently. However, until plants are established—it takes about a year—you will need to water as often as the plants need it—this may be every other day in extreme heat, especially in sandy soil. Water deeply and thoroughly, and then let the soil surface dry to about an inch in depth before watering again. Soaker hoses are ideal for this. With the exception of bog and water plants, the soil should never remain soggy.

Organic plant foods have an advantage over chemical fertilizers in that you really can’t overfeed. By their nature, they feed slowly as the nutrients “break down” in the soil. Water-soluble foods are great for quick results, but those results aren’t very long-lasting. Base your choices on your lifestyle and the time you have available to garden—there are even “time-release” foods that feed over periods of months for busy people.

You’ll want to use Espoma all-natural fertilizers or Osmocote slow release fertilizers.

Problem

Solving Insect and disease problems are rare and many take care of themselves. A nibble on a leaf or two or a few brown edges are nothing to be concerned about. However, observe your plants often, especially newly-planted ones. It’s better to catch something early before it’s done serious damage.

If you’re not certain what something is or whether you should be concerned about it, bring a sample of the plant damage into Homestead Gardens.

Place it in a plastic bag for transporting.

It’s very helpful to see what’s going on, so that we can diagnose the problem and guide you to the correct solution.

Gardens are always changing. That’s both the reward and the challenge of gardening. But it should be fun and never worrisome—especially when you have Homestead nearby. We’re here to help, to make things easy, and ensure your success.

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Outdoor Living Made Easy

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Homestead Gardens

OVENS

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Call Garden Debut® at 877-663-5053 or visit www.gardendebut.com to find a grower in your area.

Palms Inside Out Whether inside or out, palms evoke a gracious, relaxed lifestyle.

Many are easy to maintain and thrive outdoors in full summer sun. And, during winter months these plants will happily reside inside your home.

Palms are excellent centerpieces for containers. Outdoor palms can be planted in large decorative pots to decorate your deck, pool or patio. Inside they evoke elegance and soften any decor.

Palms also purify the air you breathe.

Areca Palm

Palms require a lot of water but do not like to sit in water when planted in a container. Make sure they are planted in welldraining soil and your container has holes for drainage. Keep the soil moderately to consistently moist. Palms also thrive in humid conditions. When outside, shower them with your garden hose.

Although striking when used alone, palms may be combined with other tropicals or flowering plants to create a lush backdrop to your outdoor living space. Some of the best performing palms for full sun and summer heat are Areca palm, Chinese fan palm, date palm and Adonidia palm. In addition, the Chinese windmill palm thrives in full sun, tolerates salt and wind, and is hardy to temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. This means the Chinese windmill palm can be planted in the ground in Maryland’s climate without having to be brought inside over the winter months.

Chinese Date Palm

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Chinese Windmill Palms

If you decide to bring your palm inside during cooler months, follow these simple instructions: Once outdoor overnight temperatures begin falling below 50 degrees, start thinking about treating your plant for pests. The best defense against pests before bringing your palm inside is to apply a systemic insect control. Two weeks before moving them inside loosen the soil around the top of the container. Apply the systemic control as directed on the packaging.

Water your plant thoroughly. Now you are ready to bring the plant inside. Palms require lots of sun during winter months while residing indoors.

Once inside, place the palm in a brightly lit place.

In the 1980s NASA sent the common spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum, into space to research the effects

of plants on air purification and human behavior. What they found was fascinating. This plant had an amazing ability to absorb indoor air pollutants inside the space station. Further research showed plants contributed to our personal well-being.

Chinese Evergreen

Spider Plant

Now, in the 21st century and after years of ongoing research, plants continue to add health benefits to their owners and surroundings. As few as three small plants in a 12x10 foot room can purify the air we breathe and lower stress. Indoor plants lower the presence of molds and bacteria in contrast to rooms without plants. You can create your own ‘personal breathing zone’ by placing a plant next to a chair where you read or watch TV, on a bedside table, next to your computer, in your kitchen or dining area, or on your desk at work, even in your dorm room! Not only do plants remove unwanted toxins, but they also increase humidity levels indoors. This results in lower fatigue levels; and less headaches and coughing.

Plants That Clean the

Air

Peace Lily

Helpful hints: Plants such as peace lily, ferns and palms require a lot of watering. Frequent watering improves humidity levels and promotes the plant’s metabolism in breaking down harmful pollutants.

Choose plants with a large leaf surface area. Place plants where you spend a lot of time. Do not neglect your houseplants! A few minutes a day maintaining your plants will help reduce stress.

Keep your houseplants healthy and vigorous - they will be more effective at keeping your home or office naturally pollutant free.

The most effective “clean-air” plants have large or broad dark green foliage. These large leafed varieties absorb pollutants and transmit them to their roots, where toxins are transformed into a source of food for the plant. Other plants, such as palms, have the ability to absorb toxins directly through their root system.

Homestead Gardens recommends the following

TOP 10 Plants

for purifying the air you breathe and elevating your quality of life: Spider Plant - Chlorophytum comosum Corn Plant - Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’ Bamboo Palm - Chamaedorea seifriziii Dracaena - ‘Janet Craig’ - Dracaena deremensis Peace Lily - Spathiphyllum Gold Pothos - Epipremnum aureum Boston Fern - Nephrolepis exaltata Ficus Alii - Ficus macleilandii Rubber Plant - Ficus elastica Chinese Evergreen - Aglaonema

Pothos

Bamboo Palm Rubber Plant

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Enjoy Your Summer We’ll take care of the watering.

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Colorful Plants for Shady Garden Spots Our shadiest garden areas

Brunnera

These shade-loving plants will brighten dull areas year after year.

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don’t need to be dull and dark. There’s a little-used palette of permanent, colorful plants that will enliven even the drabbest corners of our gardens. These suggestions of small trees, shrubs and perennials will provide beautiful color. You’ll have a gorgeous garden even if you lack the time to plant seasonal annuals.

Shrubs with Colorful Foliage Japanese Maple

These small trees and shrubs contribute wonderful color and texture to shady areas.

They are particularly graceful plants, with arching, horizontal layers of foliage. Red-leaved varieties add richness and depth to shade gardens all season, but consider green-leaved Japanese Maples with fall foliage of yellow, orange and red.

There is a wide choice of plant sizes.

Give Japanese maples regular watering, well-amended soil and dappled sunlight or part sun/part shade, protecting them from hottest direct sunlight.

Euonymus Silver King

There are several colorful Japanese euonymus (E. japonicus) varieties, and all grow well in part shade. This euonymus provides a wide variety of coloring, all involving gold and white variegation. Silver King is one of the best for our area. It will grow up to 6-feet tall and has green leaves edged a beautiful silvery white. It tolerates heat and is not fussy about soil.

Japanese Aucuba

Variegated Japanese aucubas are a great choice for brightening up dark and shady garden spots. There are multiple varieties; most have prominent gold splashes or margins, others have white variegation.

All can be kept to the size desired by easy pruning.

Aucubas are an excellent plant for dark shade, and tolerate dry soil very well. They’re also good choices for containers.

Flowering Shrubs Kalmia

Kalmias are related to rhododendrons, and once you see their showy flower clusters you’ll see the relation. Beautifully shaped buds open to starburst blooms. There are lots of varieties with shades of purplered, cream, pink, rose, white and maroon. Kalmias also vary in size—there’s sure to be one to fit your shady situation. Give them moist, acidic, well-amended soil.

Hydrangea

In the last several years, many new and exciting hydrangeas have become available. Mopheads have become repeat bloomers and have new colors and color patterns. Oakleaf hydrangeas have become more compact and show off double flowers. New hardy hydrangeas feature unusual flower forms and coloring, as well as more compact plant habit. The next issue of Inspirations will feature Homestead Gardens’ selection of new and unusual hydrangeas.

Camellia

This evergreen shade shrub, with its glossy, dark green leaves is beautiful all year, but it really delivers when our gardens need color the most: winter and early spring. There are many exquisite flower forms, all in white, pink and red tones. Many have a prominent bright yellow boss of stamens. Camellias are surprisingly tolerant of soil types and are easy to grow.

Other flowering shrubs to consider for shade: Corylopsis, Daphne, Kerria japonica, Amelanchier, and Pieris.

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Perennials with Colorful Leaves Brunnera

With Silver Heart bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla), you get gorgeous clumps of silver, heart-shaped leaves that are beautifully veined and edged in green. Use the 18-inch mounds of bugloss as accents or in drifts. Either way, Silver Heart will light up shady garden areas. You’ll want to water them regularly.

Heucherella

Heucherellas have beautifullycut leaves that are often heavily veined with color.

Tapestry has bright green leaves with bluish centers; Alabama Sunrise has golden leaves veined red, which, as the seasons progress change to red, then orange in fall. Two trailing heucherellas are sensational draping over walls or in pots or hanging baskets: Yellowstone Falls has leaves of chartreuse (with red markings) and Redstone Falls’ leaves are a mixture of red, orange and gold. Give heucherellas rich, well-drained soil.

Lamium

Lamiums bring light, silvery tones to shady areas. Reaching only 8 inches tall, they will spread their stems up to 3 feet wide. There are many varieties with various colors in their names—these refer to the beautiful flower clusters that appear spring to mid-summer. Lamiums are a great groundcover choice for shade.

Also consider colorful ferns, variegated Heuchera and Tiarellas with colorful foliage.

Perennial Flowers Continued

Hellebore

Hellebores are at their loveliest when the rest of our gardens are not. In late winter and early spring you’ll have clusters of amazingly colorful flowers that nod and sparkle in cold winds. Ivory Prince has beautiful creamy white flowers; Pink Frost’s blossoms are gorgeous, silvery rose-pink with golden stamens; and Red Lady has blooms of deep red with cream stamens. Plant hellebores in drifts in shady areas for a spectacular effect.

Polemonium

Polemoniums form lush mounds of graceful, fern-like foliage, above which are carried beautiful star-shaped flowers. The overall effect is light and airy. Brise d’Anjou has lavender-blue flowers above strikingly variegated leaves.

Bressingham Purple has flowers of electric, lavender-blue above purplish foliage. Give Polemoniums partial or full shade, regular water and good drainage. Polemoniums are an excellent plant to grow under trees.

Other flowering perennials for shade are: Bleeding Hearts, Euphorbia, Columbine, Red Cardinal Flower, Astilbe, Lady’s Mantle, Liriope

Grasses Carex ‘Evergold’

This graceful grass can be used in a multitude of ways—lining walkways, in pots, as accent plants, in drifts—use your imagination—you won’t go wrong. Carex Evergold forms clumps to 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide of dark green leaves with a central stripe of creamy white that matures to creamy yellow. Give it regular water.

Acorus Ogon

With narrow, arching leaves of golden yellow, Acorus Ogon forms bright clumps of foliage for light shade. All types of Acorus need rich, well-watered soil. Plant them in damp, shaded areas or at the edge of ponds. They also are beautiful in mixed containers if not allowed to dry out.

Perennial Flowers Pulmonaria

This shade-loving perennial exudes country charm, with spotted foliage and clusters of tiny trumpet-shaped flowers brightening up dull areas. Raspberry Splash forms clumps a foot tall with a profusion of pink flowers. High Contrast’s leaf markings create a mound of silver. Blue flowers fade to pink, giving an overall magical effect. Give Pulmonarias well-amended, moist, well-draining soil.

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Hakonechloa

For bright spots of color in shady spots and containers you can’t beat the golden forms of Hakonechloa macra, or Japanese forest grass. They form mounds of blades that arch and spill gracefully and will change from gold and chartreuse to coppery orange in fall. Give this ornamental grass wellamended, moist, and well-draining soil.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, YOU CAN HAVE A BEAUTIFUL ROSE GARDEN.

When you’re looking for the very best in rose and flower care, there’s only one name you need: Bayer Advanced.™ So whether you’re looking for value, premium care or convenience, Bayer Advanced has been, and continues to be, the solution you need.

YOUR PASSION IS OUR PASSION.

TM

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. ©2015 Bayer CropScience LP. Bayer Advanced is a business group of Bayer CropScience LP. 2 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Bayer (reg’d), the Bayer Cross (reg’d), and Bayer Advanced™ are trademarks of Bayer. 2-In-1 Systemic Rose & Flower Care and Dual Action Rose & Flower Insect Killer are not for sale, sale into, distribution, and/or use in Nassau, Suffolk, Kings and Queens counties of NY. All-In-One Rose & Flower Care and 3-In-1 Insect, Disease & Mite Control are not for sale in NY.

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Tuscan inspired designs in a range of colors

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Be the King or Queen of the

Neighborhood Backyard Barbecue

Grilling season

is right around the corner and if you are in the market for a new grill, Homestead Gardens can guide you through the process of choosing the perfect one to match your lifestyle. It doesn’t matter if you prefer gas, charcoal or electric when it comes to perfecting your backyard grill masterpiece, Weber Grills have you covered.

They’re designed to deliver and maintain the right temperature so your food cooks perfectly. As you’re planning your barbecued or grilled meals this summer, use the following tips to determine which grill should end up on your deck or patio this season: l Charcoal, gas or electric If you live in an apartment or a community where open flames are not permitted, the electric grill allows you to enjoy your grilled food while following the rules.

Since the debate between charcoal and gas grills will continue through eternity, it’s a matter of your preference.

Charcoal and wood grills take longer to prep, but they also infuse the foods with additional flavors provided by the materials that are burning. Gas grills are much faster, easier to keep the temperature maintained and have less mess to clean when you’re done grilling. l Number of gas burners Two burners running the entire length of the grill box is the minimum recommendation to

ensure your foods are cooked evenly no matter where you place them on the grill.

Higher-quality grills will have burners controlled independently of each other. It’s best to avoid grills that only have “low,” “medium” and “high” settings because they don’t allow you to adequately cook different varieties of food. Some grills will come with a side burner, so you can cook different food options at various temperatures at the same time. And for the kings (or queens) of the neighborhood barbecue, there are grills that have four or six burners, allowing you to be a master chef in your own backyard.

l Accessories available From rib racks and rotisserie features, to shrimp and vegetables skewers or brushes and utensils, the right grilling accessories make the job easier.

Homestead Gardens has the largest showroom of Weber grills and accessories in the area. The Davidsonville store has a 1,000-sq. ft. showroom, and the Severna Park store is almost as large. You’ll be able to find the perfect Weber grill for your summer grilling needs, plus all the accessories that will help you perfect your culinary masterpieces.

Additionally, Homestead Gardens can order anything Weber makes, just in case you don’t see something on our showroom floors.

Let the grilling season begin!

Dog Nutrition All dog owners want their

pets to live a long and healthy life, and one of the best ways to ensure this is by feeding him or her the best natural dog food available. Too many dog foods are filled with unhealthy fats, preservatives and poultry by-products. Homestead Gardens ‘Farm & Pet’ strives to offer only the best dog foods. Here are the top choices available at either of our locations in Severna Park or Davidsonville.

Earthborn Holistic Natural Pet Food

The Earthborn brand is known for its wholesome approach to nutrition.

Earthborn’s Holistic dog food is packed with high-quality ingredients including the finest digestible proteins, fruits and veggies, plus a balanced blend of vitamins, minerals and omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids that are designed to support health and physical well-being.

Infinia

A holistic dog food company, Infinia offers balanced proteins, select carbs, fats, fruits, veggies and flavor-filled superfoods. Some of the fresh, never-frozen meats you find include savory turkey, chicken, salmon and bison. Infinia dog food supports immunity, vitality and longevity. Find the perfect formula for your dog by using Infinia’s product recommender.

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Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo has four lines of product formulas for all types of dogs. Each includes natural and high-quality ingredients to keep your dog healthy, no matter what type of food they need.

Formula lines include:

BLUE Life Protection: made with chicken, fish or lamb without corn, wheat or soy.

BLUE Freedom: made without grain, this dry food is designed for adult dogs and doesn’t contain glutens that regularly trigger allergic reactions.

BLUE Basics: this formula is

designed to minimize sensitivity and is based entirely on holistic principles.

BLUE Wilderness: inspired by

the natural diet of wolves, this formula delivers a protein-rich meal for larger adult dogs.

PureVita

Carefully prepared with the purest all-natural holistic ingredients, PureVita dog food offers a singlesource protein designed for health and longevity.

PureVita dog food also contains delicious fruits, delivering up to 10 times the power of other antioxidants, a higher amount of calcium and omega-3 for coat and skin care and several macro minerals for overall well-being.

Taste of the Wild

For an easily digestible, grain-free formula and excellent energy source, Taste of the Wild delivers. Browse through their 10 full-grown dog options and two puppy blends to find the perfect balance for your pet.

Merrick

Merrick sources ingredients for their handcrafted foods from local family farms across the US - including real chicken, beef and sweet potatoes! The concept of using local growers is one of the promises in Merrick’s “5 Star Promise”. The other promises include: real whole foods; “our own kitchen”; balanced nutrition; and health you can see.

Homestead Gardens is proud to offer all of these dog foods at our Severna Park and Davidsonville locations. It is our top priority to provide diets that fit all family and pet lifestyles while assuring the highest quality ingredients. Stop by and ask our helpful staff to help you develop a nutritional program fit for your pet!

Life’s Simple Pleasures...

Outdoor Lifestyle

ratanasocial

www.ratanacontract.com

Outdoor Living Essentials

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D

epending on one’s age and geographic location, the idea of “outdoor living” may invoke a variety of images and emotions. While memories of folding lawn chairs in the driveway, sipping lemonade on the front porch and visiting with friends and neighbors over a backyard grill may seem like a nostalgic look back at simpler times, the idea of expanding our living space from inside to the outdoors has evolved over the past several years into a thriving lifestyle trend.

Be it a seaside cottage on the Eastern Shore, a cabin in the mountains, a rooftop terrace or a suburban backyard patio or front porch, how we spend leisure time outdoors has become an important part of everyday living. The evolution of outdoor products and furnishings that enhance an outdoor lifestyle of comfort and luxury has opened the doors to creating a haven for any sized space outdoors.

Extending your living space to the outdoors begins with seating. From an intimate grouping of Adirondack chairs to a large seating area with deep cushioned furniture, today’s selection of outdoor furniture is vast and varied. Choose from hardwood, cast aluminum, wrought iron or all-weather wicker to enhance your home’s architecture and character. Cushions fabricated with non-fading and stain resistant fabrics are available in a wide range of colors and patterns. Having an inviting place to sit and relax is a key element to any outdoor living area. Even a small concrete bench on a garden path can be a welcome retreat in the shade.

Whether spending time with family or socializing with friends and neighbors, dining outdoors is a favorite pastime. An intimate bistro set will serve a balcony or terrace garden well, and dining sets to accommodate larger gatherings are available in many styles, shapes and finishes.

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Many homeowners choose to incorporate more hardscapes into their landscape. These hardscapes can significantly increase the living space from the simple deck or patio to something more grande and spacious. They can incorporate space for larger grills and cooking areas or built-in kitchens. Fire pits and patio heaters can create a warm and cozy environment and offer all the luxuries and comfort of home … outdoors.

Once the footprint of your outdoor living area is established and furnishings added to suit your lifestyle, consider enhancing the space by adding personality with accessories. As with any room inside your home, color, texture and movement are elements that make a space inviting, pleasant and comfortable. Throw pillows are an easy way to add color and texture. Weather resistant fabrics make them easy to care for and durable. Indoor/outdoor rugs instantly define a seating area or chat grouping.

Lanterns hung overhead or grouped in a tablescape create a magical glow and add a sense of intimacy to dinner parties and casual gatherings. Durable outdoor dishware and tableware make entertaining beautiful and carefree.

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The element of sound can add a pleasant and soothing effect. The subtle sounds of a fountain or water feature complement the sounds of nature around us. Even the soft music of a wind chime can be as calming and pleasant as the birds singing.

Bright and colorful pottery is an outdoor living essential accessory. Container gardens can accent any seating area, serve as centerpieces, define a space, and add instant color.

Pottery and lightweight containers can be very versatile in the décor. Large urns with a round glass top can serve as an end table. Orchid pots can make beautiful candleholders.

Small glazed pots serve double duty as tabletop serving pieces. The key to accessorizing is be creative and have fun!

Creating a space outdoors that is inviting, comfortable and beautiful is not only a way to increase your home’s living area, but also a way to create lifelong memories and promote a lifestyle that future generations will strive to carry on or recapture. The art of relaxation and time well spent with family and friends will never be a thing of the past … it is a continually evolving way of life that is essential to happiness and wellbeing.

>> Not a member of ‘Garden Rewards’ yet?

savings March

Sign up for this FREE rewards program in store or online to take advantage of these exclusive savings!

VALID FROM 3/12/15-3/31/15

March

VALID FROM 3/12/15-3/31/15

Calendar of Events SPRING/SUMMER 2015 March 13 // Flower Show Preview

Davidsonville | Join us as we unveil our colorful flower show Celebrate Maryland!

March 14-22 // Flower Show

Davidsonville | Celebrate Maryland with displays inspired by our state’s rich heritage.

ALL Lawn Fertilizers

your next $50 purchase

Redeem this coupon for 25% OFF your entire purchase of lawn fertilizers. See complete offer details below* or visit our website: homesteadgardens.com/offers.

Redeem this coupon for $10 OFF your next purchase of $50 or more. Other exclusions & restrictions may apply. See complete offer details below* or visit our website: homesteadgardens.com/offers. .

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April

VALID FROM 4/1/15-4/30/15

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April

VALID FROM 4/1/15-4/30/15

March 28-29 // Easter at Homestead Egg Hunt// Saturday, 10 - Severna Park Easter Bunny// Sunday 12-3 - Davidsonville

April 11 // Chicks on the Loose

Davidsonville | 11am-4pm Learn the ins & outs of raising backyard chickens.

April 11-12 // Herb & Veggie Weekend Davidsonville & Severna Park Seminars, Workshops & more! PLUS - start earning Myrtle Money with every purchase!

April 16 // Girls Night Out

Severna Park | Shop, Sip & Stroll

April 18 // Tassels & Tails Fashion Show Davidsonville | Benefiting SPCA of AA Co.

May 14 // Girls Night Out Backyard Chicken Starter Kit*

*5 lb. bag Purina 'Start & Grow'; 1 qt. feeder/waterer jug; 1 qt. feeder base; & 1 qt. waterer base. Purchase each item listed to receive 25% OFF. See complete offer details below* or visit: homesteadgardens.com/offers.

your next $50 purchase Redeem this coupon for $10 OFF your next purchase of $50 or more. Other exclusions & restrictions may apply. See complete offer details below* or visit our website: homesteadgardens.com/offers.

Davidsonville | Shop, Sip & Stroll

June 5-7 // Perennial Pandemonuim

Davidsonville | Workshops, Seminars, Sales!

June 17-20 // Crapemyrtle Festival

Davidsonville & Severna Park Redeem your hard-earned Myrtle Money!

KEEP UP TO DATE...

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May

VALID FROM 5/1/15-5/31/15

788916150003

May

VALID FROM 5/1/15-5/31/15

HomesteadGardens.com/EVENTS for workshops, seminars & more!

May

VALID FROM 5/1/15-5/31/15

Treasure Garden Patio Umbrellas

your next $50 purchase

your next $40 purchase of Perennials

Redeem this coupon for 25% OFF one (1) in stock Treasure Garden Patio Umbrella. Other exclusions & restrictions may apply. See complete offer details below* or visit: homesteadgardens.com/offers.

Redeem this coupon for $10 OFF your next purchase of $50 or more. Other exclusions & restrictions may apply. See complete offer details below* or visit our website: homesteadgardens.com/offers.

Redeem this coupon for $10 OFF your next purchase of $40 or more in our perennials department. Other exclusions & restrictions may apply. See complete offer details below* or visit: homesteadgardens.com/offers.

©

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*Limit one coupon per customer per transaction. Coupons must be surrendered to cashier at time of purchase. Coupons cannot be combined with any other offer. Not applicable towards previous purchases or special orders. Exclusions and restrictions may apply. Coupons may not be reproduced. No cash value. These coupons are exclusive to Homestead Gardens ‘Garden Rewards’ members. If you are not currently a member, you may sign up for free in store or online. Visit www.homesteadgardens.com/offers for more information.

Brighten your days with

the first flower of spring!

enetti is one cool plant! It takes temperatures as low as 35˚F! Enjoy Senetti’s delightful daisy flowers in shades of blue, magenta and violet. You can enjoy Senetti twice!

Just cut plants back for a fresh reblooming.

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Easy Gardening Tips

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