Sweet Pecan Trees are the Largest of the Hickory Trees

Pecan Trees, Carya illinoinensis, are one of the largest of the hickory trees. Generally growing 75 to 100 feet tall, the trunks often mature in the 2 to 4 foot diameter range. Hardy Pecan is native to the lower Mississippi Valley region from the river valley of Iowa, extending into areas of Kansas and Ohio and on south to Alabama. 

Yellow flowers of the Juglandaceae Carya illinoinensis appear in April to May. While both male and female flowers are on the same plant, they are not within the same flower and are pollinated by wind. Excessive rainfall during the flowering period may prevent pollination. 

By late summer, the sweet pecan tree has defined buds that grow until ripening in September to October. 

The Pecan fruit is an oval or pear shaped nut enclosed in green husks turning from brown to black as they ripen. When mature, the husks become dry and split away from the nut. 

Most pecan trees begin some nut production as early as 3 to 5 years old. Though, typically Pecan trees do not begin good production until 6 to 8 years with some natural stands not producing until even older. 

Established, mature trees (approximately 15 to 20 years old), cleaned nuts should average about 100 to 160 per pound. Good crops are produced at intervals of 1 to 3 years.

Plant in full sun.  We recommend installing Miracle Tree Tubes on your pecan plants for protection and growth assistance. For individual plants, use the Plant Survival Package which contains only 1 Miracle Tube with accessories.

To learn everything you need to know about growing Pecan trees, visit this link, University of Florida IFAS Extension article on The Pecan Tree. 

Hackberry Trees are Favorites for Birds and Wildlife

Hackberry Trees, Celtis occidentalis, are U.S. native trees that are also referred to as common hackberry, sugarberry, nettletree, beaverwood, northern hackberry and American hackberry. Hackberry grows best in organically rich, well drained soil in full sun to part shade. Hackberry Trees tolerate wind, urban pollutants and many soil conditions. Common hackberry can often be found growing in wet, dry and poor soils. 

You will find your hackberry producing greenish flowers (mostly insignificant) in April to May. By fall, the blooms have pollinated and are not berry-like drupes that mature to deep purple. These fruits are a favorite for many birds and other wildlife. 

Midwest cities like Hackberry Trees as street trees because of their tolerance to wide ranges of soil and moisture conditions plus it is drought tolerant. Also, hackberry is a favorite for planting in hunting food plots.

Fire Light Hydrangea Sets the New Standard for Hydrangea Paniculatas

The Fire Light Hyrangeas set the new standard for Hydrangea paniculatas. White flowers open in early summer on this strong upright shaped hydrangea shrub. As the temperatures begin to cool, usually in September, these white blooms on the Fire Light Hydrangea begin changing to pink almost red colors for its fall presentation.

Fire Light Hydrangeas are hardy hydrangeas and will grow as far north as into zone 3 and heat hardy into zone 9. With its range, the Fire Light can grow in most any location. It's upright growth habit will mature in the 4 to 6 foot height range with an equal spread. You will want to space these gorgeous fall bloomers approximately 4 to 6 feet for an amazing summer to fall color show. 

The easy to grow Fire Light Hydrangea will bloom on new wood so should be pruned or trimmed in late winter to early spring. 

Fire Light Hydrangea paniculata 'SMHPFL' USPPAF, Can PBRAF

Sunny Anniversary Reblooming Abelia Flowering Shrubs Perfect for Small Yards

The Abelia Sunny Anniversary is a new plant introduction for 2014 and a break through for abelia shrubs. This beautiful flowering shrub is not only a reblooming abelia, but a long blooming one as well. The Sunny Anniversary Abelia blooms from mid to late summer on new season growth. Perfect for small yards or limited garden space, the Sunny Anniversary Abelia grows approximately 3 to 4 feet tall with the same width. 

What makes the Sunny Anniversary Abelia so special is it's blooms. In mid summer the upright cascading branches fill with buds that open into wonderfully fragrant yellow blooms painted with shades of pink and orange. Though abelia is generally deer resistant, the Sunny Anniversary attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. 

Plant abelia in moist, well-drained soil. Prune to shape in late winter to early spring.

Sunny Anniversary Abelia 'Minduo1' USPP 24,445

Variegated Liriope is Beautiful Fall Interest Perennial Plus It's Deer Tolerant

Liriope muscari 'Variegata' or Variegated Lilyturf is a semi-evergreen grass like plant with long variegated leaves and purple lavender blooms in late summer to early fall turning to dark purple berries. Lilyturf is often used as garden or landscape borders. The long leaves are green with creamy edging. In warmer climates, liriope is often an evergreen. 

Variegated Liriope grows approximately 1 to 1/2 feet tall with a spread of 1 to 3 feet. Plant in partial shade to full shade areas with well draining soil. Water weekly during extreme heat.

• Fall interest
• Deer tolerant
• Salt tolerant
• Berries for winter food for birds
• Brightens shaded areas

New Non-Invasive Privet Available at Greenwood Nursery

Finally a non-invasive privet shrub, the Golden Ticket Ligustrum Privet was developed by Dr. Thomas Ranney of NCSU. This easy to grow privet shrub offers fragrant white flowers in spring. A golden vicary privet, the foliage is yellow green and deer resistant. Golden Ticket Ligustrum grows to the 4 to 6 foot tall range with an equal spread. An excellent choice as a low maintenance hedge. 

Prune your Golden Ticket Privet to shape after blooming. Fertilize in early spring. Blooms on old wood.

Golden Ticket Ligustrum x vicaryi 'KCLX1' USPPAF   Can PBRAF

Also available are the non-invasive fast growing shrub Ibolium Privet and the California Privet.

Native Pawpaw Trees are Easy to Grow and Produce Tropical Looking Fruits

Pawpaw trees are native to the eastern United States, yet also grows wild through many parts of the midwest. The botanical name for the native pawpaw is Asimina triloba, while nickname includes American Custard Apple.

The yellow fruits of the Pawpaw tree is easy to grow in home gardens  and unusual in looks and flavor resembling that of tropical fruits. Pawpaw fruit is wonderfully aromatic with a clean, light fruity fragrance. Pawpaw fruit can be compared to bananas, pears and mangos. 

Best grown in full sun with wind protection, Paw paw can also fruit in some shaded areas, Slightly acid soil is recommended (pH 5.5 to 7) along with good drainage. 

Container grown Asimina triloba or Pawpaws provide the best results in transplanted growth. The first 2 years after transplanting are the most critical and attention should be given for root growth promotion. Water well and provide shade protection during harsh summer months. Pawpaw generally begins fruiting when the trees reach roughly 6 feet in height which can take approximately 5 to 7 years.

Pawpaw fruit is extremely perishable which is why it is rarely found in farmers markets or grocery stores. 

PawPaw does require a second tree that is genetically separate from the other. Our native paw paw comes from a wide enough selection to cross pollinate as their genetics will not be exactly the same. We sell our Pawpaw as 2 plants. Order more for even better fruiting.

For more information on the native Pawpaw Tree or Asimina triloba, visit the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service site and read the fact sheet on Growing Pawpaws.

PawPaw Tree Fruit

Save Water By Planting a Xeriscape Drought Tolerant Garden

With these Xeriscape guidelines, you can save water by planting a xeriscape drought tolerant garden that is water wise and drought resistant. 

Xeriscaping is landscaping designed for water conservation, resourcefulness for drought conditions, and use of native plants that have adapted to accept lower moisture levels.  Derived from “xeros,” the Greek word for “dry,” successful xeriscaping far surpasses the desert garden look so often associated with it.  Before acting on your own xeriscaping ideas, consider these elements:

*Setting

*Exposures

*Slopes

*Soil

*Irrigation potential

With such crucial elements at the center of your garden planning, design is your number one starting place.  While many wonderful gardens grow from whimsy and spontaneity, xeriscape gardens require careful planning, especially where water conservation and run off control are true top priorities.

Setting affects xeriscaping plans in various ways.  Slopes, southern and western exposures, and other similar issues will lead to run off problems and maximum evaporation.  Where slopes are an issue, terracing is the most effective measure for reducing run off and promoting soil soak.  Everywhere water might slowly soak into soil for deep moisture, water is conserved and plants will be healthier. 

Southern and Western exposures promote evaporation of valuable water, but that does not mean that gardening cannot be implemented in such areas.  Trees and shrubs may be incorporated into your xeriscape design to create shade.  Shade helps to cool natural hot zones, and that means cooler soil and lower evaporation rates. 

Extreme soils are not likely to conserve water.  Where high levels of sand exist, water retention is low.  Where clay content is heavy, run off is excessive.  For the greatest potential of supporting plant life and conserving water:

*Compost your soil before planting, adding compost every year

*Amend your soil to balance sand, silt, and clay whenever/wherever possible

*Establish a volume pore space of about 50%

Ideal soil includes:

*Aggregates (clusters)

*Sand

*Pore space

Balancing sand, silt, and clay promotes the balance for ideal soaking and water conservation.  As the water directs through each of these components, evaporation is minimized, run off is avoided, and deep soaking is increased.

Among the drought-tolerant trees that should blend with xeriscaping in various areas are:

*Elm

*Poplar

*Green Ash

*Ginkgo

*Oaks

Place any of these trees strategically to optimize their role in your xeriscape garden.  Acting as both focal points and thermal controls, these trees will set the tone for your entire scene.

Shrubs that help with shade include:

*Holly

*Nandina

*Viburnums

*Honeysuckle

*Barberry

*Abelia           

Each of these may be included to create a unique aesthetic within your garden.  Many xeriscapes incorporate spindly pines and low junipers for a pleasing desert garden effect.

Flowers that work well in xeriscapes are native, adapted to specific climates, and perennial, establishing roots to return year after year.  Some of the best choices for low-maintenance xeriscaping are:

*Mint

*Salvia

*Coreopsis

*Rudbeckia

*Coneflower

*Black-eyed Susan

*Succulents

Adding a selection of spring bulbs and late bloomers will extend your bloom range and make the best use of spring and fall rains.  For this reason, consider introducing tried and true favorites such as irises and crocuses.

The most successful xeriscapes will be designed to include efficient irrigation systems.  Efficient irrigation systems do not:

*Mist

*Overlap

*Drive or patio watering

Observe the flow of your irrigation lines or plan to determine that each of these inefficient practices is eradicated.  Outlying shrubs, raised plants, trees, and narrow strips of turf will benefit from drip systems.  If your main irrigation plan involves manual watering, try to stick to an as-needed system.  Water those plants that need it most to avoid overwatering and wasting this valuable resource. 

Two other techniques that help to create successful water conservation in your xeriscape design are proper mulching and decrease of lawn blanketing.  Organic mulches are excellent choices for any garden as they add nutrients to the garden as they break down; attract worms, and cool soil.  Often synthetic choices are counterproductive as they increase heat and decrease moisture retention. 

Lawn blanketing, or planting water-thirsty turfs, necessitates frequent watering.  Additionally, narrow strips, quirky corners, and islands of turf can be tricky to water.  Your best bet is to isolate lawn to areas closest to the house or in frequently traveled paths. 

Once you have established your well-planned xeriscape, watering your garden should be a thing of the past. 

Visit GreenwoodNursery.com for a selection of Xeriscape drought tolerant plants for your new water free garden.

Tired of Mowing Your Yard? Easy Lawn Alternatives are Available

You don't want to spend your weekends on nothing but lawn care. Do you? We have lawn alternatives for you to plant instead of growing the traditional grass in your yard. 

Don't mow your lawn anymore! Instead fill the area with spreading perennials and groundcover plants that will provide your old lawn with a new life of color and beauty. Till, plant and enjoy!

This is the time of year, most of us become disillusioned with our lawns. Water, aerate, water, reseed, water, fertilize, then repeat and that doesn't include the mowing. It's a never ending cycle. Customers send emails wanting to know how they can forget the grass and have something that is just not as time consuming.

Well...there are lawn options and planning is a must or you will be the neighborhood poster yard for weeds. Ground cover plants, ornamental grasses and spreading perennials are popular, but there are more ways to fill in your old lawn area.

Cheryl Jones notes, "This is a frequent question that I get once mowing season begins. Some of our favorite lawn substitutes are vinca, wintercreeper, pachysandra, creeping phlox, creeping thymes, mints and sedum, or stonecrop." Jones adds, "Lawn alternatives are gaining in popularity. Homeowners would rather have color, fragrance and beauty with little work than a time consuming yard."

More ideas for lawn substitutes are sowing wildflower seeds, small growing shrubs, ground cover roses, clover, xeriscape plants, pea gravel, heavily chipped mulch, landscape pavers, and artificial grass (don't laugh, it is used quite often).

Visit Lawn Alternative Plants for more ideas on creating a garden rather than a lawn.

Calycanthus Aphrodite Sweetshrub will quickly become your favorite flowering shrubs. From mid summer to fall, the Calycanthus Aphrodite will adorn your garden with large red magnolia like flowers. Living up to its name of sweetshrub, this deer resistant shrub will fill the air with sweet apple scented fragrance. 

The Calycanthus Aphrodite Sweetshrub blooms on old wood, so be sure to prune only for shaping (if needed) after flowering. The glossy medium green leaves make a nice backdrop for the gorgeous red flowers that bloom from mid summer on to fall. Space your new Calycanthus sweetshrub Aphrodite shrubs 6 to 7 feet apart. 

'Aphrodite' Calycanthus PP: 24014 Can. PBRAF

Rose Rosette Disease - What it is and Why it's Affecting Knock Out Roses

What is Rose Rosette Disease?

Rose Rosette Disease is a disease that is fatal to roses. It is a threat to potentially all cultivated roses, regardless of cultivar. Roses with this disease will not recover becoming ugly and misshapen by Rose Rosette in a short amount of time. The only cure for Rose Rosette Disease is prevention. Once your roses have Rose Rosette, the only option is to destroy affected plants.

What does Rose Rosette Disease Look Like?

Rose Rosette Disease can look like some other rose diseases that aren’t as serious, so before you remove any plants it’s best to be sure your roses actually have the dreaded disease.

Here are some things to look for:

• Stressed growth in leaves, canes, and blooms. This appears as growth that doesn’t look normal. Stunted, dwarfed growth in canes, narrow leaves, leaf distortion, and odd looking blooms.
• Bunching of stems, clustering, broom like appearance of stems giving it the name witches broom of roses.
• Bright red leaves and stems (not always abnormal, as many rose cultivars have fresh new growth can is red or crimson). Look for mottled coloration and redness that doesn’t go away. This growth will also appear unusual.
• Overall death and decline of the plant.

What causes Rose Rosette Disease?

Rose Rosette Disease is caused by a virus. This virus is spread by a mite that feeds on roses called eriophyid mite, or the wooly mite. These are not spider mites. They’re much smaller mites that are almost impossible to see with the naked human eye. They move on wind currents from rose to rose.  It’s thought that this virus first showed up in wild, native rose populations in the US. It then spread to multiflora roses which are considered invasive, imported from Asia to serve as a plant solution for windbreaks and screens. From these invasive roses, the virus spread to infect landscape roses including the once thought to be disease resistant Knock-Out Roses series, and the Drift series.

I thought my Knock-Out Roses were resistant to disease!

The biggest feature of the Knockout Roses was that it was resistant to Rose Rosette. However with the extensive propagation of the variety, that feature has dwindled over time. Because gardeners and landscapers have relied so heavily on both the Knock-Out and Drift series of roses for their ease of care and beauty, the Rose Rosette Disease has done a lot of damage in wide areas. It’s not known why some roses still seem resistant to Rose Rosette, but it’s been shown that Knock-Out and Drift roses are not immune.

What do I need to do if my roses have the Rose Rosette disease?

• Destroy the plant - dig up plant and roots, then bag and destroy
• Limit use of the surrounding soil
• Remove multiflora roses within 100 yards of roses - if cannot then try not to plant roses downwind from the multiforas
• Watch for regrowth from any remaining roots and remove
• Avoid planting any new rose varieties back in the same soil

My ag inspector who lives down the road, stopped by recently and we talked about this rose issue. Her information said the soil where diseased plants were located could be tainted for up to 5 years.

How can I prevent Rose Rosette, or treat what I have now?

The mite is extremely difficult to kill, as typical mite killing chemicals don’t often work well on this species of mite. However, some pesticides may offer some protection such as Sevin, bifenthrin, horticultural oils and insecticidal soap when applied weekly during June and July. 

The best course of action is prevention. When receiving your roses, inspect them carefully and look for the above signs of Rose Rosette. Only plant disease-free plants. When planting, give your roses plenty of room to breathe and allow air to circulate, as this can help keep the mites from spreading from one plant to another, although this isn’t very foolproof. And finally, don’t rely on one type of rose in your landscape. We’re not referring to color. Instead choose different species. If there are multiflora roses growing wild nearby, consider destroying them if possible as the mite can catch a summer breeze to your roses.

We hope this helps you avoid and end your infestation of Rose Rosette. It’s a heartbreaking disease, but with proper prevention and planning, you can avoid or diminish its effects on your garden and landscape.

Here at Greenwood Nursery, we are committed to monitoring all new growth of container roses coming in from different growers. The Knockout and Drift Rose series are anticipated to be in short supply over the next couple of years as many growers will be discontinuing their growing rights for these plants due to this terrible disease. 

I will keep in conversation with my agricultural agent on this topic and update you as new or more information is revealed. In the meantime, the best prevention is to plant different rose varieties and continually search your area for multiflora rose bushes as the source of this problem.

Best Garden Plants to Eat from Your Garden!

Which are The Best Garden Plants To Eat? Creating a garden is a reflection of your unique style and personality. If you enjoy preparing foods with fresh ingredients, you might want to think about incorporating affordable garden plants to eat into your landscape. Planning a garden that includes edible plants can add interest and provide pleasure to your senses, and they can help you make delicious summer recipes to share with family and friends.

Sugar Mountain Kalinka Haskap

For a different garden plant treat, establish the Sugar Mountain Kalinka Haskap and the Sugar Mountain Blue Haskap as a set in your garden because the one pollinates the other. Grow Haskap flowering shrubs in full sun with plenty of water in well-drained soil, At maturity, these five to six foot plants, produce one-inch sweet summer berries that are a wonderful addition to frozen desserts, jams, wines, or just eating as a fresh or frozen fruit.

Nanking Cherry

A nice flowering and fruit-bearing shrub is the Nanking Cherry. It grows six to eight feet tall and about as wide, and the sweet-tart cherries are delicious used in pies and jams. This shrub is hearty, grows well in sun to partial shade, and will tolerate dry, sub-zero winter temperatures very well. The wildlife in your region will enjoy eating the fruit too.

Mint

There are several varieties of fragrant and tasty mint for the garden. You may want to use them for container gardening because frankly, mint needs to be contained or it may take over. However, if you are looking for ground cover plants, any of the mints will work. Try some of the newer varieties such as Pineapple Mint, Chocolate Mint, and Apple Mint, or there is always the old favorite, Blue Balsam Peppermint. They all smell delightful and each has a different look. Mints pair beautifully in fruit dishes and summer drinks. If you are looking to feed the butterflies and bees, several mints bloom mid to late summer and make perfect plants to eat nectar.

There are many edible garden herb plants and small growing fruit plants at our online plant nursery. We invite you to signup for our gardening newsletter and updates, and please feel free to browse our site. You will find lots of information and the perfect edible plants to grow among your already flowering shrubs and ornamentals. If you are landscaping a new garden, we have everything you need to succeed. We are always happy to answer any questions, and we are just an email or phone call away.

Mojito Mint Leaves Make the Best Authentic Cuban Mojito Cocktail Drinks

Prepare for summer entertaining with a selection of mint plants, including the Mojito Mint Plant for making authentic Mojito Cocktails.

If you haven’t tried a Mojito Mint Cocktail, you’re missing out. It is a sweet, fruity alcoholic drink that is very pleasing to the taste buds. Although easy to make, it’s a great way to impress your guests.

This mild flavored mint livens up fruit and grain salads, teas, fruit desserts and makes a wonderfully fragrant garnish for drinks, salads and desserts.

"Each year we add new herb plants and this spring our favorite is the Mojito Mint Plant", notes Greenwood Nursery owner, Cheryl Jones, "Since it really needs to be grown in a container, the Mojito Mint plant is perfect for balcony and patio gardens in part to full sun!"

Visit https://www.greenwoodnursery.com/mojito-mint to get started our video of How to Make an Authentic Mojito Mint Drink and purchase your plants.

 
Steve and Cheryl Jones began Greenwood Nursery, McMinnville, TN, in 1978 as a propagation and wholesale nursery. In 1998, they took their plant catalog online offering a wide selection of garden plants to the home gardener. Greenwood Nursery is now an online plant nursery and garden center that ships plants throughout the continental United States.

For further information or to place an order, please visit https://www.greenwoodnursery.com/ Questions may be sent by email or by phone during office hours, Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm central time.

Deer Doing Damage to Your Yard?

Many homeowners are having the problem of deer doing yard damage. Cities and towns are extending further into undeveloped regions and wildlife has no place to relocate. So...they begin to survive in new ways which includes eating your garden and landscape plants and deer seem to do the most damage.

Now...that being said, how can you as a homeowner control the deer damage and safely drive the deer away? Use a combination of the following tips as one won't generally do the job.

Deer Control Tips:

• Plant deer resistant plants 
• Deer repellents - direct repellents spray on the plants or are systemic while others are area repellents that emit a foul odor
• Deer fencing - mesh type 6 to 7 feet tall
• Tree shelters - use those at least 48 inches tall
•  Homemade remedies

To read the complete article on controlling deer,click here.

Growing a Rose of Sharon Hedge in Your Garden

Growing a Rose of Sharon hedge in Your Garden is an excellent way of creating a private garden area during the summer season. Changing the appearance of your garden can be easily done. Regardless of the size of your garden, you don’t have to spend more time, money, and effort in improving its appearance. With your knowledge about Rose of Sharon shrubs, your problem can be easily solved.

Like other homeowners, you shouldn’t miss to ignore the benefits of Rose of Sharon bushes. These are the common names of the different species of flowering plants, hardy hibiscus, hibiscus syriacus, and althea. They are one of the few shrubs that bloom in the summer garden.  Compared to others, they are low maintenance and the Rose of Sharon shrubs can grow upward to 12 feet.  Therefore, if you want the shrub to appear as a tree, just prune away the lower branches in early spring. 

One of our favorite things about Rose of Sharon bushes is their appearances. Their flowers have beautifully distinct colors such as blue, red, pink, white, and purple.  Most of these bushes also grow from 8 to 12 feet tall and roughly six to ten feet wide though some varieties have a more columnar shape.  Hardy Hibiscus plants show good pollution tolerance which makes them a good choice for urban gardens. 

Tips on growing Rose of Sharon hedges in your garden:

• Pick Your Planting Site – Rose of Sharon grows in full sun areas. They also grow well in a part sun or part shade areas though blooming may be limited. 
•  Prepare the Planting Site – You can do this through digging the hole approximately 4 to 6 inches deeper than the root system and about a foot wide. If you have clay soil, mix into the fill dirt aged compost or aged manure mix and some coarse sand for drainage.
• Put the Rose of Sharon Shrubs in the Planting Hole – Do this step carefully, fill holes and water. You may need to add more soil around the plant and water it again if it settles too deeply.
• Fertilizers – Fertilize can be applied in spring after the plant begins to leaf out. A balanced timed release is best. If using aged compost and aged manure mixes as mulch regularly, there should be no need for a fertilizer application.

With Rose of Sharon, you can easily change the appearance of your garden. Since these shrubs and flowers are easy to grow and maintain, you don’t have to monitor them regularly. 

Greenwood Nursery Mail Order Nursery offers a great selection of affordable Rose of Sharon hedge plants. With their low prices and helpful customer service, it is easy for you to improve your garden.

Plant a Rose of Sharon Shrub Hedge

For summer blooming, plant a Rose of Sharon shrub hedge. Hardy in zones 5 through 9, Hibiscus syriacus shrubs perform at their best as full sun shrubs and planted in well drained soil. These flowering shrubs provide long lasting blooms from mid summer to frost. Though they will grow in partially sunny to lightly shaded areas, their blooming may be limited. Rose of Sharon or hibiscus syriacus, which is a deciduous shrub also known as Hardy Hibiscus and Althea.

Although Rose of Sharon bushes will lose their leaves in winter, they still make beautiful flowering privacy hedges in areas for summer use such as planting around swimming pools. Their unusually large blooms attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees from mid summer until frost. As these hibiscus bloom much later than most other plants, they are, also, later to leaf out. Expect rose of sharon to leaf out in late spring to early summer.

Aphrodite Rose of Sharon Shrub Flower

Useful Tips to Control Deer Damage

Useful tips to control deer damage and deer resistant plants. When deer are hungry and their food supply is gone, deer will eat anything. Plants known as being deer resistant is a good step in controlling deer damage in the yard. Deer will not find them as tasty and will eat off other perennials  and shrubs before attacking these varieties.

White-tailed deer in Toronto, Canada (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In order to get the deer damage under control, it is a must to properly select deer resistant plants. Deer repellents are also a great thing to have and it should be used regularly to have best results. Area repellent emits foul odor that is good in keeping deer away, however it will also keep people away. It is also advisable to use contact repellents. There are so many contact repellents out in the market today that are also environmentally safe and biodegradable that can be used around pets and children. Properly choosing the right contact repellents which will adhere to plants structure, rain resistant and will last for a month is a must.

Greenwood Nursery is owned by Cheryl Jones. It is one of the most dedicated companies in giving deer resistant plants and right tips in order to have the best garden and landscape unlike any other. One of their helpful tips to prevent deer in eating plants is to create deer fence.

Deer fencing is now available in all sizes, shapes and prices.  One of the most common types is the mesh type. This type of deer fence is more flexible and it can also be attached in nearby posts and trees. More often, 6 to 7 foot in height is frequently used for deer fencing. Tree shelters are also called as deer guards and they are proven effective in keeping deer away. Everyone can also take advantage of homemade deer repellent remedies.

There are so many steps that should be considered in controlling deer in the landscape or garden. The first step is properly selecting deer resistant plants that are appropriate in the garden and landscape. Greenwood Nursery ensures that everyone will have the best deer resistant plants that will suit in anyone’s garden.

Blue River Lavender Blooms To Early Fall

Plant this small growing Blue River Lavender Plant in all sunny areas of your garden. The Blue River Lavender plants are comfortable growing in containers, in garden borders and filling in nook and cranny areas. The deep purple fragrant blooms of the Blue River Lavender stand strong from mid summer to early fall.

As with other lavender plants, the Lavandula angustifolia 'Blue River' is deer resistant, rabbit resistant and attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. With its low water requirements, the Blue River Lavender is an excellent choice for growing in pots. 

Dave's Candles Now Available at Greenwood Nursery

Dave's Candles come in a wide range of intensely fragrant, long-burning varieties. There's something to suit virtually every candle lover's preference! These 100% soy candles feature crackling wooden wicks for long-lasting burn time.

Each and every 100% soy wax candle with crackling wooden wick is handmade by Dave. Fans love his candle creations, which have a very unique scent personality.

Join the many Dave's Candle lovers today and try one of these fragrant, long-burning soy candles, now available through Greenwood Nursery.

Pink Perfume Lavender Perfect for Small Yards

The Pink Perfume Lavender Plants are certain to make a show in your yard all summer long. Plant along your front sunny walk way and the Pink Perfume Lavender will greet your guests with its wonderful fragrance. Separate areas of your garden with a low growing hedge of Lavandula angustifolia 'Pink Perfume'. 

The Pink Perfume is perfect for small yards, container gardens, cut flower gardens, and butterfly gardens. Use the rosy pink flower stems as cut flowers or dry for potpourris. Plant in well drained soil. The Pink Perfume Lavender is drought tolerant and blooms from May to September. Pink Perfume attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden.

Winterberry Shrubs Provide Food for Wildlife in Winter

Winterberry Shrubs are the "queens" of fruiting shrubs world when ranked for ornamental value. From early fall through winter, the branches are covered in bright-red fruits. The fruiting branches are great for decoration in the garden or in the house. Winterberry Shrubs provide food for wildlife in winter. These plants have multi-branches, so clipping a few doesn't take away from the appearance of your mature plants. Or leave the branches for the birds since over 40 species of birds are known to eat the fruit, including: bluebirds, brown thrashers, cedar waxwings, flickers, gray catbirds, mockingbirds and robins. The dense branching also provides shelter, cover and nesting spots for birds.

The leaves of Winterberry plants are thick and dark green and contrast well with the red fruit. The foliage stays healthy all summer and isn't bothered by insects. The leaves drop off the plant in late fall to expose the beautiful berries. You'll need both male and female plants to produce fruits, with one male for up to 6 nearby females. Plant in sun or part shade. They like moist to wet, slightly acid soils. Winterberries are native to North America, no garden should be without them. Hardy from Zones 3 to 9.

Plant your Winterberry Shrubs in full sun to part shade in moist, garden soil. Can tolerate wet conditions. Space 3 to 4 feet apart. To get berries, be sure to plant one male for every 6 nearby females. Berries will be on female plants.

Get started with your winterberry plants by ordering our Ilex Berry Nice and Jim Dandy female/male plant kits.

Phenomenal Lavender Proves to Be Cold Hardy

Introduced in 2012, the Phenomenal Lavender will prove to be one of the hardiest lavenders available. Lavendula x intermedia 'Phenomenal' does not experience winter die back as seen in varieties such as Munstead and Hidcote. With its proven winter survival, the Phenomenal Lavender is hardy as far north as zone 4, which is unusual for lavender plants.

Phenomenal Lavender was named a 'Must Grow Perennial' for 2013 by Better Homes and Gardens.

The uniform mounded shape of the Phenomenal provides a silvery base for the late spring to early summer blooms of deep blue to purple. Growing 12 to 32 inches tall with a spread of 24 to 32 inches, this hardy new lavender variety will stand up to dry, moist and well drained soils. 

• Resists crown rot, downy and powdery mildews
• Deer resistant
• Rabbit resistant
• Heat tolerant
• Humidity tolerant

Great uses for the Phenomenal Lavender:

• Garden borders
• Low hedges
• Winter interest
• Containers
• Cut flowers
• Attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds
• Medicinal
• Culinary
• Fragrant

The Phenomenal and other lavender plants are available at GreenwoodNursery.com.