www.theflowerbin.net

www.theflowerbin.net

Monday, February 18, 2013

New Fairy Garden Plugs and Getting Rid of Bugs!

There is a lot going on both at The Bin and in your very own yard this time of year!  Read below to learn about what some of the our experts at The Bin say you should be doing in your yard right now, and also learn about some great new plants for your fairy gardens.
Michael and Luis working on diagnosing the leaf off of a sick plant at our (free) Diagnostic Center



Dormant Spray Oil
Insects are sneaky, and many of them are overwintering inside the bark of your shade trees and your fruit/nut trees as you read this.  Late February and early March is the time to  take care of that problem with our Dormant Oils.  This oil takes care of nasty overwintering bugs such as Scale and Coddling Moth.  This is a paraffinic oil that you spray on the trunk of your ornamental trees, your fruit/nut trees and even your rose bushes.  It is highly 
effective, yet isn't potent like a pesticide.  For those of you who have never applied sprays to your trees before....do not fear, it is simple!  We sell Fertilome hand sprayers that are made to work with our Hi-Yield Dormant Oil Spray.  Just screw the nozzle of the sprayer onto the bottle of oil, turn the dial to the amount of tablespoons listed on the back of the bottle, hook it to your hose and you are all set!  It is really that easy.




Butterfly Bushes
It may seem odd, as it is still cold out, but now is the time to prune back those Butterfly Bushes that bring so much color in the summer months.  Cut the bush back to the ground, and it will come back beautifully this spring.








Fairy Garden Plugs
Kathy, the Houseplant and Herbs Manager is hard at work planting the fresh Fairy Garden plant plugs that have just arrived.  Many of you have been waiting for these to come in, as they are perfect for that indoor fairy garden you have been wanting to plant in the cold months.  She is planting up 6 different varieties; Ali's Sensitive Plant, Iris' Variegated Flowering Maple, Suzie Q's Variegated Marjoram, Emmy's Alpine Strawberry and Bambi's Velvet Vine.  Three weeks, and Kathy says these adorable little plants will be 
ready to go home with you!  On that same note, we are waiting for a shipment of fairy garden supplies to arrive soon.  We are getting in a bunch of new stuff that we have never carried before...and we are pretty excited about it!




Tuesday, February 12, 2013

The Meaning Behind the Plant

Corinna and Megan are gearing up for Valentine's Day.  Corinna is making bows as Megan shows off a few of our foiled and  bowed Tulip and Kalanchoe plants


Some people like to pick out a plant for their sweetheart based solely on what looks good at the time or perhaps based on a favorite color.  Some people however like to pick their plant based on a common meaning behind the plant.  If you are one of the latter, we are here to help!  If not, it's still fun to learn something new!  Let us go over just a few common meanings behind certain plants you may be giving for Valentine's Day...and yes we do have all of these!
Some of our Daffodils hanging
 out by the fountain




Daffodil-Regard, respect







We have some beautiful potted and hanging
Boston Ferns, as well as many other varieties



Fern-
Fascination, sincerity, magic








We have these gorgeous Geraniums
blooming and ready to go in the
greenhouse!





Geranium-
Comfort, folly (giving this plant as an act of apology)









Some White Heather, starting to bloom




Heather (White)-
Good luck, protection, wishes coming true








A gorgeous Hyacinth ready for
 your sweetheart!




Hyacinth-
Playful, fertility, games










Three different varieties of Ivy hanging out in our vibrantly
colored, biodegradable bamboo pots


Ivy- 
Fidelity, wedded love, friendship








Stunning maroon Orchid
thriving out in the greenhouse



Orchid-Love, beauty, luxury








A few of our Ranunculus chillin' with our stone owls



Ranunculus-
I am dazzled by you!








We have a ton of herbs, included this delicious smelling
Rosemary 


Rosemary-
Remembrance, wisdom





Some of our Tulip and Daffodil bulb gardens





Tulip- 
Fame, happy years





Well, that should give you a few ideas of the common meanings behind many plants that we have. Also, don't forget that we put your choice of colored foil and a bow on your plant free of charge.  We hope this helps on the quest to find a meaningful gift this Valentine's Day!