Agave Care Sheet
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5 Steps to Growing COLORFUL Container Gardens
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CONTAINERS
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SOIL vs GARDEN DIRTCommercially prepared potting soil is recommended in garden containers. Potting soil contains rich organic material such as peat and composted barks needed for optimal plant growth & flowering. It also contains vermiculite, which helps the soil drain; yet keeps it moist, resulting in healthy roots. Healthy Roots = Healthy Plants! Dirt from the garden should never be used in containers. It contains bacteria, noxious seeds, and other harmful organisms that can effect your newly potted plants. Garden dirt also becomes compacted in containers, resulting in rotting roots, stunted growth and eventually plant death. |
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LOCATIONBefore selecting the plants for your containers, consider how they will be used & where they will be placed.
All of these factors need to be considered to when choosing the right plants to fill your pots. Planning ahead results in successful container gardening!
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PLANTSNext comes the fun part! Picking out plants can be a little overwhelming at first because there are so many to choose from, but if you consider a few things first, you will be successful.
You can create a unified collection of potted plants by planning a themed garden. Use your imagination and you’ll be surprised with the fun & unique designs you may come up with. Group flowers by color or create a tiered look by combining plants that are upright, round or trailing. Keep the tallest plants towards the back or center to create a focal point. Trailing plants should be placed towards the edge to naturally cascade. The round plants should be used to fill in the space between the trailers and uprights. Don’t forget about plants known for their sweet scents or bold foliage. Another idea is to grow an edible garden. Consider creating a fresh salsa garden by planting tomatoes & peppers in a large pot surrounded by smaller pots of cilantro & chives. Herb gardens are also very popular. Place these close to the back step for easy harvest. |
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PLANT CARE
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Care & Maintenance for Your Landscape
Maintaining your landscape need not be a chore. By giving proper care to your plants, they will not simply survive…they will thrive! Use this guide to help individual plants grow into your own personalized, spectacular landscape.
Drink Up!Though watering needs vary according to plant varieties, soil types and weather, there are general certainties to keep in mind. Most importantly, observe your plants! Dig down about 6 inches just outside the root zone. If the soil crumbles when you squeeze it, it’s time to water. If the soil forms a ball, wait a few days. When you water, soak the ground thoroughly enough to saturate the root zone. Allow adequate time between waterings for proper drainage. Watering properly is essential the first growing season. Following years allow for less watering, but always check the soil and look at the plants! |
Boost with FertilizerBonide Plant Starter is a sufficient fertilizer at planting time. For any other fertilizing, use an all-purpose fertilizer, such as Miracle Gro or Osmocote. General fertilizing is not recommended after August 15th. Fertilizing promotes leaf production. As winter approaches, the plant needs its energy for root production instead. Less is more! Never give your plant more than the recommended dosage. You will burn your plant. Always follow label instructions on fertilizers. |
MulchingImportant for water retention, maintenance of soil temperature, and reduction of weeds, mulching also makes the planted area aesthetically pleasing. Use shredded cottonwood or hardwood mulch around all newly planted trees and shrubs. Mulch should be layered 3”-4” thick, and extended to a 3’ radius. Always leave 3” or 4” between the base or trunk of the plant and the mulch. This allows for air circulation. |
Seasonal WateringHot summer days are not the only times plants thirst. When there is little snow or rain throughout autumn, winter, and spring, roots will easily dry out. Since soil expands and contracts (called “heaving”) air pockets can form around roots. During days of constant freezing temperatures, roots are apt to freeze too! Water prevents air pockets from forming, thus insulating the roots. |
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Pruning & TrimmingConsidered by many to be an art, important for aesthetic beauty and shape, pruning trees and shrubs is actually essential to the overall health and proper growth of plants.A few tips:
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Healthy Soil, Healthy PlantsThe most fundamental element in the garden is soil. Few gardens or planting areas have naturally perfect soil. Fortunately, there is help.
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Adding to Your LandscapeSpring is a nice time to do some “remodeling” in the yard. So is summer. So is autumn. Container-grown plants can be planted anytime during the growing season…from the last frost of winter (usually April) until the ground freezes hard in late autumn (October or November).
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| Give us a buzz!Gardening can be both exciting and overwhelming. If you ever have questions or need advice about your plants, call us! We can help!(308) 234-6670 | On the Straight & NarrowContrary to popular belief, staking is not always necessary for newly planted trees.
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Top 10 Perennials
We’ve compiled a list of the our best-selling, most reliable perennials for Central Nebraska. We have carried these varieties of perennials for several years and have eventually compiled this list based on the performance of these perennials. These varieties will give you the most color, most flowers, have the least amount of maintenance, and are the most hardy. Make sure you find room in your landscape for these tremendous perennials!
Salvia ‘May Night’
A neat, clump-forming plant w/stunning deep purple flower spikes May-August. Plant in full sun, mid-border along with ’David’ phlox and ‘Stella de Oro’ daylily. ‘May Night’ continues to be one of the most stunning plants in the perennial border. Grows 22-28” tall.
Coreopsis ‘Moonbeam’
This cheery plant seems to never stop blooming. It’s bright yellow, star-shaped flowers and lacy foliage compliment every other plant in the sunny border. ‘Moonbeam’ continues to be one of our best selling perennials. Grows 18” tall.
Penstemon ‘Husker Red’
This ‘Great Plant for the Great Plains’ is a University of NE introduction. ‘Husker Red’ has delicate white flowers that dance above striking, deep-red foliage. This early bloomer pairs nicely with almost anything in a sunny border. Grows 20-24” tall.
Scabiosa ‘Butterfly Blue’
This charming plant blooms forever. It’s ‘pincushion-like’ flowers attract butterflies and are excellent for cutting or drying. Plant in the front of the perennial border along with ‘Moonbeam’ coreopsis in full sun and well drained soil. Grows 18” tall.
Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
No perennial garden should be w/out ‘Autumn Joy’. This hardy, easy-to-grow plant gives a long season of interest. Blue-green foliage support massive rosy-pink late summer flowers, darkening to coppery-red in the fall. Exceptional color combination when planted alongside ‘Russian Sage’ & ‘Goldsturm’ Rudbeckia. Blooms in full sun. Grows 24” tall.
Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’
This prairie wildflower sometimes get a bad rap. But ‘Goldsturm’ isn’t your common ‘Black-eyed Susan’. This superior variety displays magnificent deep-yellow flowers over sturdy dark green foliage. Looks striking next to ornamental grasses and ‘Russian Sage’. Blooms mid-summer through fall. Grows 24” tall.
Perovskia ‘Russian Sage’
This shrub-like perennial displays delightful sprays of lavender-blue flowers above silvery foliage. It thrives in full sun and hot weather. Use in the back of the border to create height and contrast. Combines nicely w/ornamental grasses.
Phlox ‘David’
This summer blooming garden phlox has deliciously fragrant, white flowers above tall, mildew resistant foliage. Plant in the back of the flower border along side coneflowers and delphiniums. Blooms July-Aug. Grows 36-40” tall.
Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’
An eye catching plant w/mounds of bold, deep purple foliage and airy clusters of white flowers resembling bells. Offers color spring-fall in the front of a semi-shade flower border. Mixes nicely w/ blue hostas. Grows 12-14” tall.
Echinacea Magnus ‘Purple Coneflower’
This prairie wildflower continues to be in high demand. Dark Purple, daisy-like flowers stretch horizontally surrounding an intense, copper colored seed head. Birds and butterflies alike love this very adaptable plant. Blooms all summer into early fall. Plant in full sun towards to back of the border. Combines nicely w/ ’Russian Sage’. Grows 36” tall.
Other Top Ranks of Garden Perennials
Daylilies
Most dependable of all perennials! There’s no end in sight to the number of varieties available (over 40,000). They come in a rainbow of colors, heights and bloom times, extending the flower season from May-Aug. They’re disease-free and can be grown anywhere. Try them planted in masses, in combination w/ other perennials or even in containers!
Hostas
First class shade plants that are ever-increasing in demand. Hostas are now the # 1 selling perennial. Gardeners have a passion for these collectors items w/ over a 1,000 varieties to choose from. All very adaptable to our Nebraska landscapes adding foliage color and texture.
Ornamental Grasses
These gems of the garden are becoming increasingly popular and essential elements in landscape design. They’re easy to grow and add movement and texture unlike and other plant. Ornamental Grasses make spectacular, eye-catching garden features.
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