posted on August 18, 2016 by

How to Spice Up Your Lawn this Fall with Ornamental Grass

ornamental grassAre you looking to add a bit of privacy to your backyard this Fall? Are you wanting to add color to your landscape design? Ornamental grasses are grass-like plants that come in a variety of colors and sizes. So whether you’re looking to spice up your lawn or create your own utopia, we’re sure you’ll find a plant that’s perfect for your creative vision. Check out these common ornamental grasses we’ve put together for you!

Flame Grass

(Image: Pinterest)

(Image: Pinterest)

This grass is known for its flaming red color and ability to grow up to five feet tall. If color is in your landscape vision, this grass is for you.

Blue Oat Grass

(Image: Houzz.com)

(Image: Houzz.com)

This grass is known for being durable and manageable. It can easily grow up to three feet tall.

Giant Feather Grass

(Image: Pinterest)

(Image: Pinterest)

This grass forms a large, loose clump of grayish-green foliage and can grow to be four feet tall.

Moor Grass

(Image: Pinterest)

(Image: Pinterest)

This grass slow to get established, but its compact foliage makes it a perfect ground cover plant for wet, acidic soil.

Palm Sedge

(Image: Pinterest)

(Image: Pinterest)

The tips of the light green foliage branch to resemble tiny Palm trees and this plant can grow to be up to three feet tall.

Pampas Plant

(Image: Pinterest)

(Image: Pinterest)

This grass is a fast growing plant due to its size and durability as well as its large plumes of showy white to pink flowers.

For more information about Whispering Springs Nursery, visit our website or give us a call at 770-893-1254.

Have you been by the nursery lately? Share your experience with us in our review section on Facebook today. We want to hear from you!

Filed Under: Uncategorized
posted on July 29, 2016 by

What to plant now

Fall gardening Summer’s in full swing, but soon, the leaves will begin to change colors and the kiddos will be heading back to school. Fall doesn’t mean no more gardening, just different gardening. Not sure what to plant? Check out a few of Whispering Springs Nursery’s Fall harvest favorites.

  1. Trees and shrubs – Fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs because the weather is cool, but the soil is still warm enough for root development.
  2. Pansies – The warm soil temperatures of the Fall also aid in root development for Panies. Planting these flowers in the Fall gives you two seasons to enjoy them!
  3. Cool season vegetables – Many vegetables including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, radishes, rutabaga, spinach, and Swiss chard thrive in cool weather.
  4. Spring bulbs – All spring-blooming bulbs need a period of cold dormancy to bloom. Plant bulbs in fall to ensure a beautiful spring display.
  5. Turf grass – Fall is the best time to establish new turfgrass and do most lawn chores. Specifically in the South, avoid fertilizing dormant warm-season grasses unless they have been over
    seeded with winter ryegrass.

Keep in mind that many fall-harvested crops are planted in early August to give them enough time to mature before harvest.

For more information about Whispering Springs Nursery, visit our website or give us a call at 770-893-1254. Do you like our nursery? Like and share our page on Facebook, then tell everyone why you love Whispering Springs Nursery. We want to hear from you!

Filed Under: Uncategorized
posted on July 10, 2016 by

Gardeners share why they love Whispering Springs

Customer testimonials At Whispering Springs Nursery we aim to provide superior customer service with associates that are knowledgeable about our plants. Check out why our customers love visiting the nursery.

“Great little local nursery. I buy all my annuals from here.” – Richard Wallace

“We bought a bunch of plants and a hanging basket and Jennifer was so knowledgeable about how to set the plants in the pot to make the biggest impact of beauty! I can’t wait to go back when we have more time to look…I just LOVE plants! Thank you Jennifer, the pot on the deck will look so good in a week or two when the plants to hold!” – Beth T. Compton

“Picked up a Cherokee Brave Dogwood, he traveled to Narcoossee to live amongst the Seminole, hope he fares well. Found the staff at Whispering Springs to be knowledgeable and friendly.” – Jim Moore

Have you been to our nursery? Share your experience with us on our Facebook page today!

For more information about Whispering Springs Nursery, visit our website or give us a call at 770-893-1254.

Filed Under: Uncategorized
posted on June 30, 2016 by

3 tips that’ll keep you in the garden during allergy season

Enjoy gardening this summer

For some, working in the garden during the summer can cause serious health concerns, and because we at Whispering Springs Nursery care about you, too. So, here are three tips that’ll help keep allergens down while you’re working in the lawn this allergy season.

  1. Protect your skin and your eyes. If it’s not too hot, wear long sleeves and pants while working in the garden. This will protect you from a skin allergic reaction. Wearing a pair of shades while gardening also helps decrease the chances of pollen irritating your eyes.
  2. Wash up after. – After working in the yard, it’s best to immediately shower to wash away any dirt and/or pollen you may have come in contact with.
  3. Stay up on your allergy meds. – Over the counter antihistamines are great for treating pollen and grass allergies. If you still don’t have relief, you may try talking to an allergist to see what medicines are best for you.

By following these three tips, you’ll be able to enjoy the outdoor this summer! Since you’ll be enjoying the outdoors, stop by the nursery and pay us a visit.

For more information about the nursery visit our website or call 770-893-1254.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized
posted on June 24, 2016 by

How to Make a Summer Garden Look Like Spring

Choosing the right plant for your landscape is only the first step in cultivating a garden that’s worth another look. Garden maintenance may be less fun than landscape design, but it does just as much for the beauty as planting bright annuals and richly textured trees. Are your plants wilting under the hot summer sun? Keep your yard bold and beautiful with our top summer garden care tips.

Summer Garden Maintenance

  • Do your homework. Can’t wait to plant new summer flowers or a fresh veggie garden? Before you dig in, do your research. Choose plants that don’t just look great together, but also have similar growing conditions. Test the soil before you plant and supplement it as necessary.
  • Dig in. Nobody wants weeds in the garden, but nobody wants to pull them up either. Weeding is unavoidable if you want a thriving landscape. Go ahead and dig in (or pay the neighbor kids to do it for you). Trust us, it’ll be a lot harder to uproot them later if you let them grow.
  • Deadhead. Maybe you went on vacation and your house sitter neglected the yard. Maybe you forgot to water for a week. But if your summer flowers look droopy, there’s a simple solution: deadhead. Remove spent blooms on your annuals and perennials and, with a little TLC, they may blossom again before summer ends.
  • summer plants with soaker hoseWater. We live in Georgia after all. If you can’t survive 10 minutes outdoors without running inside for some sweet tea, you should seriously consider how much water you give your plants. Invest in a soaker hose, which allows water to penetrate the roots more deeply. Check how much water your plants need during the summer to survive. Most garden plants need about 1 inch per week.

Need a burst of inspiration? Whispering Springs Nursery has a wide variety of summer plants that thrive in the mountainous region of Jasper. Stroll our nursery and talk to our staff about planting and maintaining summer gardens.

Soaker Hose

Filed Under: Education, Uncategorized
posted on May 17, 2016 by

The Buzz on Pollinator Gardens

Pollinators are an integral part of our ecosystem. They’re not just colorful birds flitting around our kitchen windows or butterflies dancing along the hedges. They’re the bees, bats, birds, and other creatures that are responsible for pollinating 75% of the plants we need for food, drinks, medicine, fabric, and spices. Unfortunately, pollinator populations are in decline. If you’re not ready to say goodbye to your morning coffee (coffee plants are pollinated by wild bees), it’s time to do your part in planting a pollinator garden.

Protecting Pollinators

bee pollinating flowerPollinators are in decline. Habitat loss, pesticides, grazing practices, and introduced species have drastically affected the bee population in the last few decades. Since 2006, the US has lost 40% of its commercial honeybee population. The World Conservation Union predicts that the reduction in pollinator populations, along with a variety of other factors, may lead to the extinction of roughly 20,000 flowering plant species in the next few decades. So what can gardeners in Jasper do?

Planting for Pollinators

  • Before planting your first flower, take a look at your gardening practices. Are they eco-friendly? Reducing or eliminating chemical pesticides can go a long way toward helping pollinator populations.
  • Plant a variety of native plants that flower at various points in the year. This provides nectar throughout the entire growing season.
  • Don’t plant solitary flowers, trees, and shrubs. Clump native plants together in an artful arrangement. Not only will it look better, it has a better chance of attracting pollinators to the garden.
  • Avoid planting invasive species. If you’re new to the area, ask the folks at Whispering Springs Nursery which native plants will attract pollinators, and which invasive species will only cause more damage.

Time to get to work! Visit Whispering Springs Nursery for native plants, landscape design tips, and information on how to protect pollinators.

Bee

Filed Under: Education, Uncategorized
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
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