I know, I know…it has felt like Spring for weeks, but we still have to be careful about planting too early. On average, the last freeze in Atlanta is the first week in April. Hopefully, this won’t be the case this year, and we can get some annuals planted in time for Easter. Though, this mild winter may have your violas and pansies happy through April! PLEASE make sure to read this whole post. The end has very important information on why NOT to plant Impatiens this year.
Email us TODAY to get on our calendar! We are already booking up quickly in April and May!!
Keep us in mind for your spring annual container and flower bed plantings, interior plantings, veggie/herb plantings, and your parties this spring and summer!!
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| Boxwoods underplanted with Begonias and Thyme |
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| Color explosion! Madevilla, Gaura, Vinca, and Verbena! |
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| Aspidistra, Angel Wing Begonias, and Ivy |
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| Sasanqua Camellia, Caladiums, and Ivy |
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| Spring Engagement Party. Peonies! Roses! Tulips! |
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| Summer Engagement Party. Hydrangeas! Stock! Roses! |
VERY Important note about Impatiens & Downy Mildew
Below is the information that we received from our wholesale nursery. We trust these guys completely and if they are not willing to sell Impatiens at the risk of spreading Downy Mildew, then we certainly are not willing to take the risk of planting them from anywhere. You will see Impatiens in retail stores…it is our strong suggestion that no one plant them. Here is why…
“First, this downy mildew, Plasmopara obducens, affects the common bedding impatien,
Impatien walleriana, not New Guinea impatiens(Impatien hawkerii).
Second, although the reports of downy mildew in the U.S. have been sporadic, they range from California to New York. Please note: downy mildew has now been reported along the east coast of Florida) According to Dr. Colleen Warfield, corporate pathologist for Ball
Seed, "The incidence and distribution of this disease in North America may be even greater than realized due to unfamiliarity with the signs and symptoms of the disease, especially as seen in landscape settings" She continues,"The latent period between infection and visible symptoms is of concern because infected plants could potentially be shipped or moved without even knowing there is a disease problem" (Growertalks Jan.2012, p. 78).
Finally, (for today) downy mildew is, in a word, nasty. It produces not one, but two types of spore. The short lived spores (zoospores) can become airborne, accounting for its rapid spread. The long lived spores(oospores) are not unlike Anthrax spores in that they
armor themselves and may persist in the soil for years.”
In light of this report, we felt that it best to air on the side of caution in order to avoid this rather disgusting sounding mildew. On the bright side, there are many other options for shade and part shade. We will be planting lots of Begonias…baby wing, angel wing, and dragon wing! Torenia is a beautiful part-shade spiller and Lobelia is wonderful fine-textured part-shade bloomer, as well. Finally, Caladiums and Coleus have many leaf-colored options that bring a splash to your shady areas.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns about Impatiens and Downy Mildew.
