Bloom 2015 Season Kickoff by Al's Garden Center

bloom b 2015 Season Kickoff

Inspiration for your Garden, Home & Lifestyle from Al’s Garden Center

How to

Start from Seed We ve got your STYLE 2015 Patio Furniture Collections:

Jack’s

Favorite Fruits

Spring Bloomers

The ﬁrst ﬂowers of the season

4 inch

Select 6 inch

PRIMROSES

HOUSEPLANTS

79Â˘

Regularly $1.89 each

25% off

Limit 50 While supplies last 4 inch & 1-gallon

HELLEBORES

escape to

25% off February 5 - 16

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POTTERY buy 1 Save 20% buy 2 Save 25% buy 3 Save 30% buy 4 Save 40% or more

Special Order Sale

PATIO FURNITURE 30% OFF 30% DOWN 30 DAY DELIVERY

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Member Days February 6-8

20% OFF

* The original price of

everything in the store!

*Offer not valid with other sale offers or coupons. Limited to stock on hand, no special orders. Excludes delivery fees. Must be a Garden Rewards member to receive discount.

Log onto als-gardencenter.com/rewards to become a member today!

2015 Season Kickoff 4 Letter From Jack

Growing Strong in 2015: 10th Anniversary of Al’s Sherwood

Do-It-Yourself 7 Starting from Seed Indoors

Purple People Picks 9 What a Lovely Thing a Rose is

Al’s Staff picks their favorite colorful bloomers

Garden Recipe 10 Sassy Spinach Salad

Gardening 101 11 Let’s Kick Start Spring!

Josh Clark shows you how easy it is!

Outdoor Living 12 We’ve Got Your Style

Patio Furniture styles for 2015

Homegrown 16 Jack’s Favorite Fruits

Good for your health, Great for your tummy!

From Al’s Experts 19 What’s in the Air: Tillandsia 20 Meet Tara Verotsky: Al’s Landscape Designer 21 Early Spring Bloomers

2015 Season Kickoﬀ |

Growing Strong: W 10 years of Al’s in Sherwood

aiting on spring is always the hardest part about being a gardener! If you are anything like me, you are craving the warmer weather and a chance to get outside and get this landscape party started! Over the years, I have had the opportunity to watch seasons come and go, but the sweet anticipation and excitement of spring never gets old. As we continue growing strong in the new year, we hope you will find ideas, inspiration and new garden treasures in our 2015 season kickoff issue of Bloom Magazine.

Growing Great Gardens

They say there are only two things that money can’t buy: true love and homegrown tomatoes! There is nothing better than fruits or veggies grown right in your own backyard. You get the benefit of knowing how it was grown and the pleasure of picking and eating it fresh. No matter how big or small your plot, we have several varieties of fruit trees and small berries to choose from. Early spring is the perfect time to start planning your backyard orchard while selection is prime. For more information on varieties of fruit trees and small berries that are right for your space and taste, turn to the article, “Homegrown” (page 15).

Growing Sturdy Starts

Early spring is an excellent time to jump start your growing season by starting seeds indoors. A big part of the joy in gardening is the journey and anticipation of getting to the finished product. Starting seeds allows you to experience the growing process in its entirety from start to finished plants. In the article, “Starting Seeds Indoors”, our head grower, Jill West, shares her tips and tricks on how to successfully start seeds and bring them to maturity (page 7).

Growing Outdoor Spaces

There is no better time than now to start planning your outdoor areas for summer fun and entertaining. Many garden enthusiasts and homeowners have an idea of the finished look that they desire in their landscape, but they aren’t sure how to achieve it. I am excited to introduce our new landscape designer on staff in Sherwood, Tara Verotsky. Whether

you want to focus on a small area in your landscape or redesign the whole yard, Tara is here to help (page 20). There is nothing I enjoy more than relaxing or entertaining in my own backyard, once I have finished my spring planting and chores, of course. Creating an outdoor paradise is easy and affordable with one of our patio furniture collections. With so many options to fit your individual style, it will be easy to make your outdoor living space patio perfect! (page 12).

Growing Strong Communities

We are proud to celebrate our 10 year anniversary in Sherwood this year. How time flies when you are having fun! What a blessing to be welcomed into this community and to have the opportunity to share our love of plants and gardening. Throughout our 67 years in business, we have met so many incredible people and they have taught us a great deal about our business and ourselves. As we continue to evolve and grow, we look forward to partnering with the communities we serve by offering classes, workshops and special events.

Growing Lasting Connections

We continue to grow strong in our commitment to you, our loyal customer, the communities we serve, and our quality and selection of plant material. Thank you for being a part of our journey as we strive to remain sustainable, environmentally aware and bring natural beauty to the Pacific Northwest! It has been a pleasure to serve your garden needs over the past several years and we look forward to being a part of your garden plans in 2015. Most of all, we wish you peace, good health and many new gardening adventures. Dig in, breathe deep and enjoy the world around you!

Al’s Son & 2nd Generation Owner

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You’re invited to a night of Fun • Food • Fashion • Friends

Spring Showcase

Thursday, March 19 5:00pm - 8:00pm Al’s of Sherwood Register online at als-gardencenter.com

www.espoma.com

40% OFF the regular price of Any One Plant - $29.99 or less Valid: February 1 - 15, 2015

bloom

Limited to stock on hand. Selection varies by store. Coupon not valid with any other oﬀer. Not redeemable for cash. Limit one coupon per customer. Excludes special orders. Not valid on previous purchases.

5 OFF the regular price of Any One Rose Plant Valid: March 2 - 15, 2015

bloom

25 OFF the regular price of Landscape Design Services $

bloom

Valid: February 16 - March 1, 2015 Limited to stock on hand. Selection varies by store. Coupon not valid with any other oﬀer. Not redeemable for cash. Limit one coupon per customer. Excludes special orders. Not valid on previous purchases.

5/yd OFF Bulk Products 3

Includes Bark, Manure Compost, Al’s Premium 3 Way Mix, Al’s Premium 3 Way Mix with Top Soil & Filbert (Hazelnut) Shells.

Valid: March 16 - 31, 2015

bloom

Discount applies to first 10 yards per customer. Available in Woodburn & Sherwood only. Limited to stock on hand. Selection varies by store. Coupon not valid with any other oﬀer. Not redeemable for cash. Limit one coupon per customer. Excludes special orders. Not valid on previous purchases.

Starting From

SEED Indoors

by Jill West Al’s Seed Grower

It’s time to start planning and

deciding what you want to start from seed for your garden this year. Follow these simple steps for the best results:

bloom Do-It-Yourself What You’ll Need: A Container: Plastic planting trays, peat pots, or peat pellets work the best. Containers need to drain well and be large enough so they don’t dry out between waterings. Egg cartons aren’t a bad choice either. Give Me The Dirt: You’ll want to use a potting soil that is designed to do the job. Regular soil from your garden may include fungi and bacteria that can attack your young seedlings. Black Gold® Seedling Mix is designed to promote great root development in young plants. Seeds, Seeds, Seeds: We recommend that you purchase fresh seeds every year. If old seeds are stored incorrectly, you’ll be disappointed with your yield. For most varieties, plan on growing them 6-8 weeks indoors, but it’s always best to check the packet directions first. Sometimes presoaking the seeds is recommended, so double check. How ‘bout a Warm Spot to Grow: Seeds need a warm place to germinate, so windowsills aren’t always the best place because they can be chilly or too hot. After they sprout they do need a brightly lit spot that isn’t too hot or too cold. A place with southern exposure is best. Everyone Needs a Cover: Some planting trays come with covers, but if yours didn’t, clear plastic wrap will do the trick. You’ll want to cover your finished tray to keep the soil moist. A Spray Bottle Will Do: You’ll need a spray bottle in order

to gently mist your soil and keep you seeds properly watered. Watering them with the kitchen tap or a hose will wash all your hard work away.

2015 Season Kickoﬀ |

Starting From SEED Indoors Now You’re Ready to Get Started:

Tricks of the Trade:

• Fill the planting tray or pots with seedling mix to within ¼” of the top of the container. Press down lightly to make the soil firm, there’s no need to pack it down.

• Don’t start too early. Read the seed packets for instructions on when to start them indoors. Most plants will need to be started 6-8 weeks before you want to plant them outdoors.

• Water the mix thoroughly with fresh water before you begin seeding. If you’re using peat pots or pellets; pre-soak them before adding the potting mix. • Place your seeds on the soil surface and lightly press down to create good contact with the moist soil.

• Plant larger seeds individually in each container. Smaller seeds can be sprinkled on the surface and thinned to one strong plant after they have germinated.

• Cover the container with clear plastic wrap or a plastic lid and place it in a warm, brightly lit spot.

• Even though you may think your window is bright, most seedlings need more light than we naturally get in the winter in the Pacific Northwest. Many forms of grow lights are available to provide additional light and fluorescent shop lights can be a great inexpensive way to get supplemental light for seedlings.

• Keep the containers evenly moist, being careful not to over water.

• Use a small circulating fan to get good air flow around your seedlings and help prevent disease.

• Once the seed has sprouted and broken the soil surface, remove the plastic cover.

• Covering the top of the soil with a 50/50 mix of sphagnum moss and chicken grit will help keep the base of the plant dry. Sphagnum moss also has some natural fungicidal properties that will help keep disease away.

• Lightly cover the top of the seed with soil and moisten the top, being careful not to wash your seeds away.

• Thin extra seedlings to prevent crowding and disease issues. • Once the first set of leaves emerge, water weekly with half strength liquid fertilizer like Al’s water soluble fertilizer (in the purple bag). • Two weeks before planting outdoors, begin to “harden off ” the seedlings by moving them outdoors for several hours a day, gradually increasing the length of time and exposure to sun over the next two weeks.

• Use a mist bottle to keep the soil surface moist without over watering. • Use slug bait around newly transplanted seedlings outdoors as young, tender plants are very attractive to slugs.

• When ready to transplant outdoors, choose a cloudy day if possible to minimize stress. Thoroughly water the area and mix in Al’s Transplanting Fertilizer and lime if needed, then dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, cover the top of the root ball with about ¼” of soil and water thoroughly again.

“My seedlings won’t sprout.”

Problem: The seed wasn’t fresh. Solution: Check the package for recommended “use by “ dates.

Problem: Insufficient light or heat. Solution: Many seeds need light to germinate - check the location of the plants and supplement with fluorescent lights or move to a brighter spot. Check that the soil isn’t too cold - 65 to 70F is optimum for germination.

“My seedlings sprout, but are thin and leggy.”

Problem: Insufficient light. Solution: Supplement natural daylight with fluorescent bulbs.

t Wrong? n e W t Wha “My seedlings sprout, but have yellow leaves.”

Problem: Seeds only contain enough stored nutrients to get them through the sprouting process, so they need better nutrition. Solution: Once the first set of leaves emerge, fertilize with an all-purpose water soluble fertilizer like Al’s 17-5-17 Water Soluble Fertilizer.

“My seedlings sprout, but fall over and die.”

Problem: A fungal disease called damping off attacks the stem at the base of the plant. Solution: Prevention is the best cure - use sterile seeding mix, thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding, avoid extreme temperature changes and don’t overwater.

“

What a Lovely Thing a

ROSE ” is!

-Sir Authur Conan Doyle

Al’s Purple People pick their favorite blooms.

bloom Purple People Peace “It’s gotta be the world’s most famous rose, it made its way from France to the US for safekeeping during WWII.” -Jonathan, Al’s of Sherwood

Pope John Paul II “One of the most fragrant white roses of all time. It has a fresh citrus fragrance.” -Cindy, Al’s of Woodburn

Tropicana “I love the intense fruity fragrance and its flashy blend of coral and orange.” -Lyla, Al’s of Gresham

Mister Lincoln

February 19 - 22

Buy MORE Save MORE

All 3-gallon *

Roses

regular price $19.99

Buy 1 get $1 off Buy 2 get $2 off each Buy 3 or more get $3 off each Over 75 varieties to choose from! *Excludes David Austin Roses. Selection varies by store.

“Long stems, dark leaves, great high-centered flowers - You can’t go wrong.” -Sean, Al’s of Woodburn

The Double Knock Out “It’s my favorite because of the full double flowers. Makes for a great colorful hedge.” -Andrew, Al’s of Sherwood

Double Delight “It’s a perfectly shaped and scented rose. I think it’s the standard for bi-colored roses.” -Will, Al’s of Gresham

2015 Season Kickoﬀ |

bloom

Sassy

Spinach Salad

1/4 cup + 2 Tbs Mango Pepper Jelly 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1/4 tsp Dijon Mustard 1/4 tsp Salt 4 cups Spinach 1/3 cup Walnuts or Pecans (candied or plain) 1/2 cup Fresh Raspberries or Blueberries 1/2 cup Goat Cheese or Gorgonzola

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the pepper jelly, olive oil, mustard and salt. Heat dressing in the microwave for 30 seconds. Let cool. 2. Place the spinach in a large bowl and toss with dressing. 3. Top with cheese, berries and nuts, toss and serve.

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bloom

Let’s Kick Start

Spring! by Josh Clarke Manager at Al’s of Sherwood

hen that strange yellow orb peaks its smiling face from behind the cold doldrums of winter for the first time, I immediately come alive with excitement for the growing season ahead! It’s time to shed the 50 shades of green I’ve become accustomed to over the past few months in favor of some color to kick-start spring! Every spring, our senses are bombarded with color. While it’s definitely fun to use every shade, I like to keep it simple. Two to three hues used within several different varieties of plants makes the most impact and really brings your container to life. While it’s fun to start from scratch when designing a container, there are usually a few plants that have to stay for whatever reason. Most of the time, these are the taller, “statement” plants or perennials. Take this opportunity to clean them up a bit after the harsh winter. In no time your plants will look like new, ready to complement fresh pansies or primroses.

I’ve recreated the “Vintage Glamour” container from the last issue to showcase how easy it is to transition an existing container from one season into the next with only a few changes. In addition to the ‘Moyers Red’ Nandina, I’ve decided on a few choice shrubs for the spring. Shrubs bring substance and often a little color to container plantings. Lorapetalum ‘Chang Nian Hong’ will always be a favorite of mine. In addition to the dark burgundy foliage, late spring blooms reward me with tones of deep fuchsia. Choisya ‘Aztec Pearl’ lends a light, airy appeal with beautiful, finely cut foliage. An added perk is the appearance of small, very fragrant clusters of white flowers in mid-spring. A fun complementary plant to Aztec is Chamaecyparis Pisifera ‘Fairy Puff ’, which is a slow growing conifer that has gorgeous white tipped new growth. Perennials are the true workhorses of any container. I’ve decided on incorporating the color of the year Marsala by using

Heuchera ‘Galaxy’. It ties in nicely with the colors of both the Nandina and Lorapetalum. This little guy has foliage that will be evergreen and when he’s really happy, will reward you with a foamy spray of soft white flowers on long elegant stems. Don’t be afraid to experiment! Candytuft has very nice glossy green foliage with rosettes of white blooms that will pop against other greens. Lithodora is a great trailing plant that will stay evergreen and has some of the bluest flowers in the garden! Annuals are where the color really pops! Primrose, pansies and spring blooming bulbs tie the whole thing together and remind me that spring has sprung! 2015 Season Kickoﬀ |

When it comes to patios or decks, it’s all about making the outside more like the inside. Gone are the days of rickety aluminum lawn chairs and picnic tables. Today your outdoor space can be as comfortable and welcoming as your family room. Large and small outdoor living spaces such as balconies, porches, patios and terraces can be a chic place to enjoy both sunny days and warm summer evenings with family and friends. Outdoor living is so much more than just a few chairs, and with Al’s patio furniture collections you can personalize your outdoor space to match your style.

We’ve Got Your

STYLE

by Teri Schafer Al’s Patio Furniture Buyer

Biscayne Collection

The NEW Biscayn Collection is a distinctive contemporary group available in both standard and sectional seating.

Contemporary

Elegant

The sophisticated style of the Stratford Collection will add flair to your outdoor living area.

This truly unique Eclipse Collection features scrolled arms and brings class to any backyard.

12 | als-gardencenter.com

RELAXING

Create a comfortable, attractive and tranquil landscape with secluded places to rest or meditate. If cooking is your form of relaxation, incorporate grills, islands and cabinets, or full kitchens. Customize your cooking space to match your own personal style.

Made to Last

Let s Cook

The Santa Barbara Collection is durable and comes in dozens of styles so you can customize your personal outdoor space.

Introducing Gensun Casual Living Outdoor Kitchens. They are designed to fit with ease into any outdoor room.

2015 Season KickoďŹ&#x20AC; |

NATURAL

The space you design outdoors reflects the healthy lifestyle you have chosen. Add natural reclaimed teak furniture and a cozy fireplace made out of stone tiles, and make your outdoor living space the most popular room in your house.

COLOR

Fashion-forward hues shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be regulated only to indoor spaces. Consider bringing them to your outdoor living space and communicate your personality throughout your entire home. You can choose Adirondack chairs with their functional design, and add an umbrella that comes in a selection of colors. Our Adirondack chairs are made from 100% recycled plastic, so youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re reusing unwanted plastic that would otherwise be destined for landfill.

Cambria Collection

The Cambria Collection’s pillowed cushioning is the ultimate in outdoor relaxation. The curvature of the frame and elegant arched back brings indoor comfort to your outdoor room year-round. The custom designed fire pit (far left) would work equally well on an urban rooftop or a suburban patio.

Teak The Solano Collection features a teak extension table which comes in two sizes with matching dining chairs. These reclaimed teak products contain wood that has been reclaimed from old structures.

AL S TIPS FOR SUCCESS Try before you buy.

Don t forget the table.

What about the weather?

Comfort is most important when relaxing after a busy day at work or when entertaining friends, so make sure to sit in our patio furniture before deciding on what to buy. Think about how many people you usually have, so everyone has a place to sit and be comfortable.

Your family and friends will relax when they have space for their food and drinks. Make sure to think about proper table space when purchasing a collection, whether it’s an end table, coﬀee table or dining table you’ll want to make sure your guests have a spot for their glass.

Choose durable materials for our Northwest weather. All weather wicker or cast aluminum is always a good choice. Umbrella’s, pillows and cushions come in UV protected material so they are water resistant and won’t fade in the sun, that way you’ll be prepared for those unexpected changes in weather. 2015 Season Kickoﬀ |

bloom

If you were a farmer, and could grow any type of fruit you’d like, what would you grow? We sat down with Al’s son Jack Bigej, who is a farmer who has grown a little bit of everything over his lifetime. Our conversation was fun and funny, and full of the wit and wisdom from a lifelong farmer who knows what he likes to eat. Take a look at some of Jack’s favorite fruits, mixed in with a few tips to help you enjoy your harvest.

Home Grown

Jack’s Favorite Fruits What would you grow?

What is your favorite variety of apple?

Fuji, because it’s the best apple. It’s great for cooking, great for fresh eating and keeps well too. I put them in the crisper in the refrigerator and can keep eating them for a long time. My Wife, now she loves a Gravenstein. She swears there’s no better applesauce than Gravenstein applesauce and she’s convinced all the grandkids too. Peter, our oldest grandson, just spent an entire day making applesauce with Grandma so he could bring 18 jars back to college. I wouldn’t say it’s for the dorm, because he will probably eat it all himself. That applesauce is a taste of home.

Q A

Jack Says: Plan t your apple trees in the full su n. Your tree will be a lot happ ier and have fewer prob lems. No shady spots for apple trees.

How about you favorite variety of cherry?

Rainier. For fresh eating, no question...Rainier. They are the biggest Royal Ann type cherry (yellow and red in color), almost 20% bigger than Royal Anns. They are a fine fresh eating cherry. Dwarf Lapin is also an excellent cherry. It’s a huge black cherry, about the size of a quarter. Dwarf Lapins are the biggest of the black cherries and they are excellent for fresh eating.

16 | als-gardencenter.com

Can you tell us about your favorite persimmon?

The Fuyu is my favorite not only for their taste, but because the trees do so well here in this climate. Also, you get a twofer when you buy a Fuyu persimmon tree. Not only do you get the fruit, but they are a gorgeous ornamental tree, with big white blossoms. Don’t hide these trees, plant them in the front yard, they are beautiful. And, whatever fruit you don’t pick and eat, the birds will. The birds just love persimmons so you’ll have plenty of birds to watch all winter.

What about your favorite variety of pear?

I’m a little diﬀerent than most people. Most people will tell you “Bartlett”, but I like Anjou pears. You can pick Anjou pears, store them, and eat them all winter long. Anjou pears are the best keepers. I like a slice of pear with my sandwich, there’s nothing like it, just delicious!

Let’s talk plums. What’s your favorite variety?

A e

My favorite plum is a Shiro. It’s a “lean over” plum: you’d better lean over while you’re eating it, or you’ll get juice all down the front of you. Shiro plums are golden, sweet and juicy; they are just xcellent. They are also extremely consistent producers. I’ve had a Shiro tree in my yard for 26 years and I’ve picked 26 crops. You can pick a Shiro just a little on the green side and it will keep in the refrigerator for awhile. I can eat fresh Shiros for a month if I stretch out the harvest. Variety

Fruit Size

Pollenizer

Elephant Heart

Very large; heartshaped

Self-fruitful, but better with Santa Rosa

French Petite

Small - medium; long oval

Greengage

Ripens

Fruit Color

Flavor

Applications

Sept - Oct

Bronze green skin that turns reddish-purple when ripe; Blood-red flesh.

Juicy with a rich, distinctive flavor.

Good for fresh eating, canning & freezing

Self-fruitful

Mid-Sept

Delicate, violet purple skin with greenishyellow flesh.

Mild & sugary flavor.

One of the best for desserts & canning. Superior when dried.

Small - medium; oval

Self-fruitful

Mid-Aug

Yellowish-green skin with amber flesh.

Juicy, rich confectionery flavor.

Good for cooking, canning, preserving & desserts.

Peach Plum

Large & round

Broooks, Greengage or Italian

Sept

Purplish-red fruit with white flesh.

Mild, peach flavor with plum aftertaste.

Excellent for fresh eating & superior for canning.

Santa Rosa

Very large & round; oval

Self-fruitful, but best with Japanese varieties.

August

Purplish-red skin with purplish-red & yellow streaked flesh.

Juicy, tangy & flavorful.

Excellent fresh, canned & dried.

Satsuma

Medium - large; nearly round

Shiro; Santa Rosa

August

Reddish-blue fruit with deep red flesh.

Sweet, lively flavor.

Excellent for fresh eating, cooking, canning & preserving.

Shiro

Medium - large; round

Santa Rosa; Satsuma

August

Yellowish with pink blush skin & yellow flesh.

Crisp, sweet flavor & ridiculously juicy.

Excellent for fresh eating, cooking, canning, preserves & dessert.

2015 Season Kickoﬀ |

How about fruit that grows on the ground, not in trees; what’s your favorite strawberry?

The only strawberry is the Hood strawberry. There are no others. My wife and I freeze 200 pounds of Hoods every year. We put them in a bowl, mash them up and sweeten with a little sugar and freeze them. I eat 6 tablespoons of hood strawberries on my Cheerios every morning.

Q A

What’s your favorite raspberry?

That would have to be the Heritage. I like them because you can pick and eat them all summer. My sister even brings some Heritage raspberries from her garden to Thanksgiving Dinner. They are red, but I’ll admit not as sweet as the late summer Heritage berries.

Finally, how about blueberries... what’s your favorite blueberry

That’s got to be a Chandler. The Chandlers are the size of a quarter. They are excellent for fresh eating, and also freeze well.

Variety

Size/Flavor

Ripens

Size

Growth Habit

Fall Color

Berkeley

large, mild

July-Aug

6-8 ft

open, tall - spreading

yellow-orange

Bluecrop

large, sweet

Mid-July

4-6 ft

open, upright

fiery red

Blueray

very large, sweet

Early-July

4-6 ft

open, upright

brilliant red

Chandler

largest! good flavor

Mid-July

5-6 ft

slightly spreading

crimson-red

Duke

medium, mild

Early-July

4-6 ft

stocky, upright & open

orange

Earliblue

medium, mild & full

Early-July

4-6 ft

upright, compact

red

Elliott

large, tangy

August

4-6 ft

upright

deep red, wine

Hardiblue

medium, very sweet

Mid-July

4-6 ft

upright

bright red

Legacy

medium-large, robust

Late July

4-6 ft

open spreading

crimson-red

Northblue

medium, wild

Mid-July

2-3 ft

compact, mound

red, burgundy

Northsky

small

Mid-July

1.5 ft

compact, mound

red, burgundy

Patriot

large, good flavor

Early-July

4-6 ft

low growing, spreading

fiery orange

Reka

Medium-large, sweet

Early-July

4-6 ft

upright

yellow-orange

Toro

large, mild sweet

Mid-July

4-6 ft

stocky, upright

crimson, yellow

Tophat

medium, rich & sweet

Mid-July

18 in

very dwarf, compact

fiery red

18 | als-gardencenter.com

Jack Says: Use 3 different varieties of blueberries for the best taste. The mixture of a slightly tart berry along with a sweeter berry and a spicy berry will make everything taste better. A mixture of 3 different varieties is so much better than a single variety, they all compliment each other.

What’s in the Air:

a i s d n a l Til

bloom

by Judy Alleruzzo Al’s Houseplant Buyer

hat do you think of when you hear the words ‘air plant’? You’re probably thinking of a plant that needs only air to survive. That is part true as Tillandsias are known as air plants and they need only bright light and water to survive. If you are looking for a unique, exotic and easy care houseplant, Tillandsias are perfect for your home. Tillandsia roots anchor the plants to trees but do not take any nourishment or water from them. They thrive on high humidity, abundant rainfall and wind born nutritional matter floating in the air. They would perish if planted in soil. The family of Tillandsias contains over 600 different species and is native to Central and South America, southern U.S. and the West Indies. They can be found in the limited sunlight of rainforest canopies, mountainous regions and even at sea level. Tillandsias are a widely diverse plant family with an amazing array of foliage texture, sizes and colors. Since they do not need soil, they can be displayed in glass bowls or on pieces of wood. You can suspend them from a fishing line or an intricate length of twisted wire. They are also just as happy to sit on a shelf. With their ease of care and unique attributes, it is worth trying these distinctive houseplants. Even if you think you do not have a green thumb, you can be successful growing Tillandsias in your home.

Tillandsia Care

» Display your Tillandsia in bright light, but with no direct sun.

» To water, submerge the plant in water for about 5 minutes or just hold the plant under the tap to wet down the foliage. Misting the plants every few days is great too. » Make sure you shake off any excess water before setting your plant back in its container. Don’t let water accumulate in the crown of the plant. » Frequency of watering or misting the plants depends on the weather and the temperature of your home. Warmer temperatures will require more water, while cooler temperatures will decrease the amount of water needed. » During the spring and summer months, fertilize your Tillandsia using a quarter strength dose of Al’s All Purpose Water Soluble Fertilizer in water. Submerge for about 5 minutes and shake off the excess water and fertilizer mixture. 2015 Season Kickoﬀ |

Meet Tara

Verotsky

Al’s Landscape Designer

ove plants but don’t know how to introduce them into your garden space? Having a clear vision of how to make the most of your space will save you both time and money. Design rooted in nature is our landscape designer’s passion, but whatever your landscape needs, our designer can help incorporate your unique style into your landscape. Meet Tara Verotsky. With her combined experience of horticulture and design, Tara has been in the landscaping industry for twenty years. She has been featured in Oregon Home Magazine, HGTV and has worked with world-renowned horticulturists to create garden sanctuaries for the stars. Whether it is Northwest natural, modern contemporary, or formal parterres that you desire, Tara can make the most of your budget and create a space that reflects you and your lifestyle. With just a couple of well-spent hours, Tara can provide you with the necessary plans to realize your dream garden. Call Al’s Garden Center today and schedule your design appointment. Al’s oﬀers a range of landscape design services to meet your needs. Whether it’s an in store consultation to ensure the right plant for the right space or an onsite visit to design a master plan for your entire yard, we can help you create a beautiful landscape that you can enjoy and be proud of. To learn more, visit

20 | als-gardencenter.com

als-gardencenter.com/landscapedesign

Spring

Bloomers Iberis ‘Purity’ Common Name: Candytuft Blooms: Pure white flowers in early to late spring Care: Sun. Height 8in. Hardy to -40F Al’s Expert Tip: Trim back spent flowers for fresh evergreen foliage the rest of the growing season.

n spring, gardeners cannot wait to see the first flowers of the season. We are really tired of the gray, rainy days and the bare stems in our gardens. It is a good idea to add a few spring blooming plants to brighten your garden or front porch containers. Some of the plants listed below are new varieties of tried and true perennials. Plant Breeders have created these plants with larger flowers and more blooms for the season. The stems are stronger to support the larger blooms and the plants themselves are more compact and mounding in habit. In the case of ‘Purity’ Candytuft, it is an old favorite of Al’s Garden Centers. We have been growing Purity for many years and still really like it as our “go-to” Candytuft variety. It’s a keeper as are all of these Spring blooming plants. Stop in at your favorite Al’s Garden Center location to pick up a few of these bright color spots for your garden and containers.

2015 Season Kickoﬀ |

Spring Bloomers

Phlox ‘Early Spring Blue’ Common Name: Creeping Phlox Blooms: Light blue star-like flowers in mid-spring to early summer.

Bellis ‘Habanera Mix’ Common Name: English Daisy Blooms: Fully double, fluﬀy petals flowers in red, white and rose-pink.

Care: Full Sun. Height 4-6 in. Hardy to -40F

Care: Full Sun or afternoon shade. Height 4-6 in. Hardy to -30F. Blooms in spring to early summer.

Al’s Expert Tip: Looks great in a rock garden, garden border or container.

Al’s Expert Tip: Cute for a container or front of a garden border.

Aubrieta ‘Axcent Dark Red’ Common Name: Rock Cress Blooms: Deep magenta-red flowers in mid-spring.

Aubrieta ‘Axcent Violet with Eye’ Common Name: Rock Cress

Care: Sun or afternoon shade. Height 4-6 in. Hardy to -30F Al’s Expert Tip: Butterflies love these flowers!

Blooms: Violet-blue flowers with white eye zone in mid-spring. Care: Sun or afternoon shade. Height 4-6 in. Hardy to -30F

Phlox ‘Early Spring White’ Common Name: Creeping Phlox Blooms: Bright white star-like flowers in mid-spring to early summer. Care: Sun. Height 4-6 in. Hardy to -40F

22 | als-gardencenter.com

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