February Field Trip: What is Happening in Garden Centers this time of year?
Though it might be the off-season for much of the country as far as fresh-looking plants in the landscape, it is good for gardeners to stay in tune with the horticultural world.
We encourage a visit to the local garden centers and for many, you might be surprised.
Most operations know the value of avoiding a botanical down-time where plants are not visible and shelves are barren. Despite the season and regardless of the weather outside, gardeners like to maintain some connection with plants. That’s why we hang on to the fading, leaf-dropping Poinsettia too long. You’ve held out hope for the Christmas Cactus that didn’t bloom at Christmas, and being the plant-optimist, you’ve resolved it must be an Easter Cactus and hold out hope or for the next available holiday-name-cactus.
As Christmas décor is hauled away, we saw new signs for the season upon us and ahead. Heart-shaped cacti and an abundance of red-colored foliage plants warm us up to St Valentine’s Day. It is also encouraging to see those plants and trends we discussed in earlier postings are alive and well. Color from foliage plants was evident with eye-catching Rex Begonias, crotons with blends of red, yellow and orange, Burgundy Rubber plants, the pink, white and red foliage of the Polka-dot Plant.
The popularity of succulents shows no sign of decline. Quite cleverly much of the appeal can be attributed to the fascinating containers that hold the plants. The assortment is cute like tiny teacups, coconut shells and holes bored in driftwood branches. Some are corny like ceramic creatures such as trolls with hollow-heads with succulents jammed inside. Suspended glass orbs are want-to-be terrariums; nice but maybe too small to last very long. Colorful cacti and aloe fill the shelves.
Overall, houseplants of various sizes, colors and textures abound. A stroll through a garden center this time of year is a must. Keep your plant juices flowing and make the indoor feel more like the outdoors with plenty of plants.
-Rob McCartney, Horticulturist
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