posted on April 29, 2016 by

Reclaim Your Landscape from the Wild

overgrown shrubsNature has a mind of its own. It’s easy to step outside on a bright spring morning, only to realize that the thriving garden you planted all those years ago has taken on a mind of its own. Weeds spring up, perennials grow unruly, and deer munch on trees, flowers, and shrubs. Lucky for you, Whispering Springs Nursery is here to help you reclaim your landscape from the wilds of Jasper.

Tips for Redesigning the Landscape

  1. Set goals. Why do you want a thriving landscape? To attract bees and birds, to give the kids a place to play, or to enjoy its beauty from the kitchen window? Taking a serious look at your lifestyle will help you plan the ideal garden.
  2. Consider what went wrong. Do you have drainage issues? Curious wildlife? No time to prune? Take these problems into account when designing a new landscape. Deer around your property won’t miraculously disappear, but if you plant deer-resistant shrubs, you may encourage them to look elsewhere for supper.
  3. Out with the old. Before you start planting flowering shrubs, clear away the brambles. Remove weeds, trim unruly plants, and uproot any vegetation that makes your yard look messy. Get rid of hardscaping eyesores like moldy bird baths and broken garden ornaments.
  4. Ask the pros. Whether you need tips on choosing the right annuals or an artist’s eye for your landscape redesign, Whispering Springs Nursery is here to help. Our retail center is full of knowledgable staff who are happy to help with your plant selection. We also have a landscape artist, James Grno, whose keen eye and artistic mind have transformed many a yard into a vital landscape.

Whispering Springs Nursery has everything you need to redesign your landscape this spring. Visit us for garden inspiration, landscaping tips, and the best selection of plants in Jasper.

Overgrown Yard

Filed Under: Uncategorized
posted on April 10, 2016 by

Holiday in the Sun

Keeping plants healthy when they’re fully exposed to sunlight can be a challenge, but knowing which plants are suited for full sun is the key. Try sticking with native plants, as well as plants that are tolerant to heat and drought. Then, simply plan an arrangement and put that green thumb to work!

Full Sun Annuals

sunflowerBecause of their tendency to be tough and drought resistant, many annuals make popular and fitting choices for planting in full sun. Kansas’ state flower, the sunflower, isn’t picky about soil condition, making it a great choice for easy-going gardening in direct sunlight. Marigolds are similarly low-maintenance and come in different styles such as French, African and Triploid.

Full Sun Perennials

Plenty of perennials also fare well in hot, sunny conditions. Lavender loves hot, dry conditions, and smells wonderful anywhere you plant it. Any area that is nutrient-challenged is a great place for hens and chicks, or sempervivum, a unique style of succulent. The mother plant of this species always stays attached to its babies, helping them grow, so planting these with your children is a fun way to teach them about gardening.

Sunny Border Plants

The smaller, shorter plants used for edging and borders in your garden can often be susceptible to direct sunlight, but not with our help. It’s very important to keep soil type and moisture in mind when choosing your border plants. Yarrow, while technically an herb, is great for garden borders and is nearly care-free once planted. The beautiful daylily, which now has over 35,000 different hybrids, is another gardener’s favorite that needs little attention after you plant it.

For more help with your lawn and garden, contact the friendly gardening pros at Whispering Spring Nursery, or check out our services online any time.

Sunflower

Filed Under: Education, Uncategorized
posted on March 25, 2016 by

Getting Your Garden Ready for Spring Part 2

Have you completed the first 5 steps?

All good things come with time and work. Here are the final steps for prepping your garden to be the best on the block.

6. Divide Necessary Plants

Now is the time to divide any plants (such as Boston ferns) you were hoping to split. Plants can tolerate more stress earlier in their growth cycle and recover faster than later in the season.

7. Stake Your PlantsPlants on stakes

While it may not be everyone’s favorite visually, now is the time to stake your plants. It’s better to have them grow in the direction you want now than wrestle them later in the season when they are more mature.

8. Mulch!

If your soil is warm and dried up, this is the time to add mulch. Mulch = vitamins for your garden. No, they don’t need it, but there is a significant difference when used. Mulch helps increase growth and vibrancy by helping conserve water, feed the soil, smother weeds and cool the plants.

9. Finishing Edgefreshly edged garden

This final step isn’t necessary, but it adds a finished touch that is always noticed. Edge your garden. It makes it look more polished and elevates it’s appeal.

10. Plant your plants

If you haven’t already, pick your plants and get to digging! We recommend planning the placement first by placing the plants in their temporary containers in their planned spaces before planting -just to make sure it looks as beautiful in real life as it does in theory. Now bust out that shovel and plop them in the ground.

If you need help planning your garden, whether it’s picking plants, mulch, or tools, stop by or contact us. We’d love to help you create the garden of your Pinterest dreams!

Filed Under: Uncategorized
posted on March 11, 2016 by

Getting Your Garden Ready for Spring Part 1

The temperature is rising, the sun is shining and it’s making us want to get outside and get started on that beautiful garden we’ve been scouring Pinterest for and dreaming of.  While the weather might be right, it’s important to make sure your garden area and tools are ready for their “busy season.” Here are five steps to take to ensuring a fruitful garden this seasn.

 1. Get Your Tools Ready

First thing’s first, prep your supplies. Start saving containers for seedlings, order your seeds and clean your tools. A great way to clean them is add a little oil to the metal then scrub them with a Scotchbrite pad. A neat little storage trick is to store them in a bucket of sand to prevent them from rusting.

2. Remove the debris

When you soil will no long hold a ball (drop a ball on your soil, if the ball stays put, the soil is good, if the ball rolls, it’s time to replace it), rake your lawn and clear it of the debris that has built up. Debris is also a good thing to add to compost.perennials

3. If you have perennials, prep them

Prune your perennials as soon as you see new growth so that the plant stays on its seasonal cycle. If you have any plants that only bud on new growth, prune those plants as well. By cutting the dead stems, it will bring it out of it’s dormant stage.

4. Pull the weedsno weeds!

It’s best to weed while the topsoil is still damp so that you are able to get to them before they seed the rest of the lawn. Be sure to put the
weeds in a pile separate from your compost. If the weeds mix with your compost you’ll be spreading the seeds back into your garden.

5. Test Your Soil

Before you bring any new plants and blossoms to your garden, test the soil’s balance to see what kinds of fertilizers or pesticides you may need. To test your soil’s pH level, take 1 cup of soil from different parts of your garden, add 2 spoonfuls into separate containers then add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the soil. If it fizzes, you have alkaline soil with a pH between 7-8. For more on soil testing, here is a great resource.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized
posted on November 18, 2015 by

DIY Flower Decorations For Thanksgiving

Fall is the perfect time to decorate your house. The bright fall flowers with a colorful mixture of fixtures such as pumpkins, vases and other accessories can great the perfect theme for the holidays! Here are a few DIY flower decorations for Thanksgiving.

diy thanksgiving flowers

  1. Cranberry vases with hydrangeas. These vases are gorgeous centerpieces for any household table! The beautiful purple color mixed with a light green color creates the perfect color palette and mixes well with other pieces.
  2. Pumpkin gourds and flower fixture. Add a little modern twist on decor with this project! Stack them in multiples on your entry table or scatter them throughout the house.
  3. Sunflowers and pumpkin vases. Fall doesn’t have to be for dark colors! Use bright yellow sunflowers to add a little pop of brightness to your home. Pumpkins are a great way to be festive and get creative.
  4. Wildflowers and barrels. Want a more rustic look? Then this is a must have! Great a shabby chic look by adding a large array of wildflowers to a large barrel.

Inspired? Be sure to stop by Whispering Springs Nursery to pick out all the flowers for your decorations! You can visit our site for list of everything we have. You can also check out our Facebook page for updated products! Give us a call at 770-893-1254 and we’d be more than happy to help.

Filed Under: Uncategorized
posted on November 6, 2015 by

Repellex: Your Chewed Up Plant Solution!

We’ve got a lot going on this November, and we’re excited to share it with you! Here’s a few of our deals and a product we’re featuring for hunting season; Repellex!

repellex

November Deals

  • All perennials are buy two get one free, excluding the Tiarella and Heuchera perennials. These two are buy three get 1 free.

Featured Product

One of the great products we have this season is Repellex. Repellex is a pest repellent for plants, so the winter critters won’t chew up all your hard work! Many businesses like ours will push you to buy plants that animals aren’t typically attracted to. But with Repellex, you can buy anything you want without the worry of pests!

Repellex comes in a variety of different products, including the original deer and rabbit repellent, fruit and vegetable animal repellent, mole, vole and gopher repellent, dog and cat repellent and squirrel repellent.

These repellents work because they last from 60-90 days. You can find out more about all Repellex products on their ingredients on their website.

Visit Whispering Springs Nursery in Jasper, GA for all your plants, perennials, landscaping services and more! Check us out on our Facebook page for updates on products, services, industry news and more. You can also give us a call at 770-893-1254 for more info.

 

Filed Under: News & Events
posted on October 22, 2015 by

It’s Deer Season…And We Have Deer Resistant Plants!

It’s deer season, and while this is a highlight of the year for many, it’s unfortunate for those who have their garden eaten to shreds. But did you know? Deer-resistant plants do exist! Here’s a little breakdown:

Something to keep in mind: Remember, plants are never completely deer resistant. They just have a much lesser chance of being severely damaged! There are plants that help lessen the damage. For a full list of deer-resistant plants, click here.

deer resistant plants

What plants to deer like? 

  • Perennials
  • Shrubs
  • Food, foraging and browsing crops
  • Trees

What plants to deer dislike? 

  • Poisonous plants. Not surprisingly, deer stay away from poisonous plants. Daffodils, foxgloves, and poppies are among these that emit toxins deer don’t enjoy.
  • Scented plants.  Herbs like sages, ornamental salvias, lavenders, peonies, and bearded irises come across as “smelly” to deer.
  • Prickly plants. Just like humans, deer don’t like the prickly plants! It causes them to feel threatened. An example of this could be a lamb’s ear plant.
  • Bleeding perennials. This perennial is one of the best deer-resistant plants out there.

Luckily for you, Whispering Springs Nursery in Jasper, GA specializes in deer-resistant plants! Give us a call at 770-893-1254 or visit our website services for more info! You can also check us out on our Facebook page for updates, tips and tricks and more.

 

Filed Under: Education
posted on October 8, 2015 by

5 Ways To Use Pumpkins In Your Yard This Fall

It’s fall, and what’s more a  more signature statement than a plump pumpkin? While most stick to carving, lets get a little creative. Here’s a few things you can do to incorporate pumpkins in your yard!

pumpkin garden

  1. Make a pumpkin totem! Well technically, they’re called a pumpkin tipsy pot. Essentially, you gather a large pot filled with soil, stick a rod in the middle, and stack a bunch of pumpkins on it. You can stick flowers in each pumpkin or decorate the pumpkins to your liking!
  2. Succulent pumpkin DIY! Cut a hole in the top of your pumpkins and throw in some succulents.
  3. Hang them! Consider hanging pumpkins on plant hangers, garden hooks or even on your door.
  4. Spray paint them! Whether it’s craft paint or spray paint, adding creative touches will make your pumpkins unique.
  5. Plant some yourself! Surprisingly growing a pumpkin garden is actually very easy.

Need some pots and other items to get you started? Stop by Whispering Springs Nursery! We have a full variety of plants and landscaping items perfect for fall. Give us a call at 770-893-1254.

Filed Under: Uncategorized
posted on September 23, 2015 by

11 Flowers To Plant This Fall

Here are a few perfect fall plants for your garden this season!

  • Toad Lilly. These flowers grow great in the shade, and they’re beautiful! Their spotted leaves will add some great texture to your garden, especially in areas that are dying.
  • Colchicum. This flower’s cup shaped head will add style and uniqueness, as well as color and shape.
  • Asters. The great thing about asters is that they come in a variety of colors, so you’ll have no trouble finding colors to spruce things up. Bees also love them, so you’ll have visitors even late in the season!
  • Perennial Sunflower. This yellow will look great in your yard once the leaves start changing color, and keep your garden looking happy even when the weather isn’t!
  • Blue Star Amsonia. These are whitish-blue flowers that scatter across your yard. They provide a sort of cool and calming texture, which fits the fall theme perfectly.
  • Red Spider Lily. These are one of the brightest red flowers you’ll ever find. Despite it’s ugly name, the bright red petals will provide great accents to your garden.
  • Goldenrod. This is such a traditional seasonal change flower. It’s pretty and tough, so it will stay alive without much maintenance on your end.
  • Helenium. This is another strong flower, and easy to grow. It’s multicolored, so it’ll stand out among the rest!
  • Beautyberry. This perfect combination of green and purple is perfect for fall and will truly tie the whole garden together.
  • Garden Mums. These can also be kept in flower baskets! They look luscious and fill provide a full look to your yard.
  • Sedum. These are perfect to plant at the end of summer because they bloom best during the fall. They will add a great highlight to the rest of your garden.

Interested where you can find these? Well Whispering Springs Nursery in Jasper, GA is your place! Come explore our large variety of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and specimen plants. Give us a call to see what we have or take a look at our nursery page for more information!

Filed Under: Uncategorized
posted on September 10, 2015 by

Your Ultimate DIY Tree Pruning Guide!

Most of you all are putting away your tools for the fall…but don’t be so quick to retire! Did you know that colder weather is the perfect time to prune? The foliage is gone, and the branches are clearly visible! The tree is dormant, so there is no bleeding of sap, and there are quite a variety of trees less prone to disease in the cold. Here’s everything you need to know!

small shrub

Prune your shrubs this fall with these simple tips!

What Do I Need?

  • Hand Pruners: Used to remove small branches (up to the size of about your middle finger).
  • Loppers: Used to remove 2-3 inch branches.
  • Pruning Saws: These are specialized saws whose teeth are spaced widely. Good for 5-6 inch branches.
  • Chain Saws: Used to remove large branches.

What’s My Reason For Pruning? 

A guide to live by is the Five D’s: dead, dying, diseased, deformed or damaged. These are all valid reasons for needing to prune. Do a check up every once in awhile, things change quickly!

Why Should We Prune?

  • Strength. This means pruning to make sure the branches are strong and stable, eliminating the possibility of damage by rain or snow. Look for branches that are rubbing together, and remove one branch. Rubbing together causes open wounds that lead to disease. Also remove water sprouts of suckers, and don’t forget to look at the base of the trunk!
  • Form. Many trees will thrive once some of the interior branches are removed. It allows for air circulation and sunlight! Remove a few leaders, which are branches near the top that grow vertically. Also remove inward growing branches, or those growing downward.

Don’t want to take on the task yourself? That’s great, because Whispering Springs Nursery can do it for you! We specialize in the pruning of trees and small shrubs. Give us a call at 770-893-1254 and we’ll help you out. Check out our other services as well, we do it all!

Filed Under: Education
« Previous Page
Next Page »