Category: Flowers

Plant Fall Decor – Start a Crop of Sunflowers

August is surprisingly good time to plant sunflowers from seed. Warm yellow sunflowers popping into bloom set the mood perfectly as days shorten and fall arrives. Make plans now for a seasonal transition.

Many sunflowers planted this past spring have already sprung, their flowers are fading, and seed heads are forming. Thanks to our mild California climate we can enjoy a bumper crop and second harvest by planting sunflowers a second time. Planting sunflowers from seed now will give an abundant crop of bouquet-ready blossoms for the fall table.

The best varieties for fall color are generally the shorter ones and the multi-branching ones. Sunflowers are easy to grow in any soil. Water to establish and expect blooms in six to eight weeks.

Feeding Roses – The Ultimate Recipe

The ultimate recipe for feeding roses includes a variety of ingredients meant to nurture your roses into spectacular bloom with healthy vibrant foliage.

Inspired by our friend, local rosarian, the late David Lowell, this program provides for general plant vigor and wonderful looking roses! For use on established roses only (planted for at least 6 months).

Feed now and exhibit in the Mt. Diablo Rose Society Fall Rose Show on October 11th & 12th here at Alden Lane.

davesrosemarch[1]Apply in AUGUST and MARCH.

For each rose apply:

  • Use a 5-5-5 for the August Application – 1/2 cup/rose (4# box for about 9 roses)
    Use a 16-16-16 for the March Application – 1/2 cup per rose (5# bag for 18 roses)
  • Bone Meal – 1/2 cup per rose (4# bag for 18 roses)
  • Sulfur* – 1/2 cup per rose (5# bag for 18 roses)
  • Gypsum – 1/2 cup per rose (5# bag for 18 roses)
  • Magnesium Sulfate – 2 Tbs. per rose (5# bag for 70+ roses)
  • Chicken Fertilizer – 1 shovel per rose (1 bag for 9 roses)

*To supply sulfur, use one of the following: Iron Sulfate, Iron Plus*, or Soil Sulfur. Iron containing products can stain. Wash off adjacent paving after application. (*Iron Plus is non-staining.)

Make sure to water your roses the day before feeding. Sprinkle the first 5 ingredients around each rose and mix into soil if possible. Then sprinkle the chicken fertilizer around each rose and water everything in.

Do NOT combine this recipe with systemic rose fertilizer. It poses a serious health risk to pets if ingested. Pets are attracted to the bone meal and may ingest systemic rose food if it is included in this recipe or applied other months in the same area.

Alden Lane Nursery recommends applying Master Nursery Rose and Flower Food monthly, April through July and September (skipping August for Spring and Fall Fertilizer Program above).

Summer Container Watering Tips

Container plants in the heat of July and Dog-Days of August can dry out in less than a day.

Test soil around plants before watering
Soil should be only slightly moist before liberally applying water to any plant, whether in your garden or a container. Poke the probe of a moisture meter about 1″ deep around different parts of the pot to get an accurate sense of the moisture levels.

Water each plant
At the nursery, we water frequently in the summer heat. The correct procedure is to flood the containerized plant until the water runs slightly over the top sides of the container and drains out the bottom of the pot. If it drains quickly, then water it twice.

How often do I water?
You can become the best judge because you know the surroundings better than we do. Test the soil around the plant. Water thoroughly if needed. Check the soil moisture frequently and allow the plant to go slightly dry before watering thoroughly again. After 2 or 3 times of following this procedure, you will know the intervals of days the plant can go without watering again. On excessively hot days check plants two times!

Watch the Weather

Remember, if there is a drastic change of temperature; either way, it will affect your watering schedule.

Add water-holding polymer
Soil Moist to all your container plantings of flowers and shrubs. It will help cut your watering in half.

Alstroemerias

Alstroemerias or Peruvian Lilies are blooming around the nursery in a bright array of colors, and their attention-getting flowers deserve a place in your garden.

Alstroemerias are easy to grow perennials that bloom much of the warm season. They look good in the garden, and they look good in a vase. Alstroemerias are some of the best cut flowers on the market, often lasting two weeks in your home.

Alstroemeria can fill a good-sized spot in your sun garden if you let them. These long-lived perennials are a reliable bloomer from spring through summer. They are available in a wide range of colors, therefore, complementing many of your other plantings. For best results give them some shade in mid afternoon. They can flourish in dappled shade as well. They have strong stems for great cut flowers, love wet or dry conditions, and they come in pink, yellow, purple and many more colors.

 

Container Gardening

Almost everything that grows in the ground will also grow in containers, and the portability of container gardening means you can bring plants to the patio, and enjoy a summer retreat with the beauty, color, texture, and vibrance that living plants bring.

Containers allow you to have a portable garden that you can rearrange whenever the mood strikes. Containers also provide perfect drainage, so plants thrive as long as you provide adequate water and correct sun exposure.

Perennial Gardens
Colorful annuals with perennials in containers make a winning combination. Annuals provide constant color and perennials give interesting textures, foliage color, and flowers. Perennials come in many different sizes and can provide dramatic foliage as a focal point for your moveable garden. Perennials bloom at varying times of the year, so there’s always something of interest blooming in your containers. And as the perennials grow, they provide a bigger and more beautiful display every year.

Fragrant Herb Gardens
Make your herbs a decorative centerpiece this summer. Arrange your favorite herbs in a ceramic planter, wine barrel, or fill a hanging moss basket with herbs. Put thyme, rosemary, and oregano on the sides of the basket and borage, parsley, sage, basil, and chives in the top of the basket. Fertilize twice a month. We suggest that you use Master’s Pride Professional Potting Soil and E.B. Stone Sure Start Organic Fertilizer. Both products will help you grow the best herbs in the neighborhood. Once you’ve selected your container and you’re ready to plant, remember we carry a large selection of herbs including some of the favorites such as basil, chives, dill, fennel, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme, and tarragon.

Sweet Scented Citrus Gardens
If you’re looking for a plant that does it all – look no further than citrus. It’s a plant for all seasons. You have shiny leaves, fragrant flowers, showy fruit and to top it off you can plant the dwarf varieties in large containers. Lemons, limes & kumquats do well in partial shade while sweeter citrus such as oranges, grapefruit, tangerines need full sun. Citrus shows off its colorful fruit in winter when many plants are dormant.

Small Trees There are a number of smaller trees that are very happy to live in containers and can add visual “green” interest to a place where that might be missing. In addition to the citrus mentioned above, consider a “Little Ollie” non-fruiting olive tree or perhaps a Japanese maple.

An excellent soil mix is Master’s Pride Professional Potting Soil, Sure Start Fertilizer with the addition of Soil Moist water holding granules. The granules absorb many times their weight in water and release it as needed and will cut your watering frequency in half. These products will help you grow bigger, tastier vegetables and more beautiful flowers.

Crape Myrtles Flourish in the Heat

Some plants perform best when the heat is on; Crape Myrtles revel in the sun and heat. They are summer show-offs.  In full bloom this beautiful shrub/tree radiates color, sporting a full head of crinkled, “crepe” like blooms in various shades, and there are more talents to this tree.

Crape myrtles are drought tolerant once established, but that does not mean they want the water turned off.  New trees require even moisture.  

Earlier in the year, Crape Myrtles give another show when the new foliage breaks with a coppery red tone; and as the season progresses, the bark often splits to reveal a spring pink undercoat. In autumn the handsome green foliage of many varieties changes to either red-orange or maroon before dropping to the ground.

It is, however, the mass of summer blooms, which makes Crape Myrtle worth growing. They range in colors from white, pink, lavender, and purple to almost brilliant red. If it’s white you like, ask for Natchez. Pink Velour produces a hot pink flower.

Another choice is the brilliant red crape myrtle called Dynamite. It’s cherry red flowers, crimson buds, and leaves will leave no doubt that it will create an eye-catching display in your garden. As the red flowers age, they will create an explosion of color.

If powdery mildew has been a problem in the past on your crape myrtle, fear no longer! These mildew resistant varieties are available now in good supply. Muskogee has a lavender pink blossom and produces the most brilliant fall colors of scarlet, orange and yellow. Tuscarora is more upright and produces coral-red blooms in huge flower trusses.

For smaller spaces, enjoy some of the smaller crape myrtle bushes and patio trees. Any of these varieties will add an abundance of color to your summertime landscape. We have many Crape Myrtles in a variety of sizes.

Penstemons

Penstemons are easy to care for and beautiful and water-wise. A North American native; these living jewels thrive in the arid west tolerating poor soil as long as it drains well. Amending our heavy clay soil with Gold Rush is an easy fix. Consider adding this showy perennial to your garden this summer.

Penstemons are the perfect size plant for a bed or a border at about 30″ x 30″. The flowers look a bit like foxglove, tubular in shape, running the length of the stem. The colors are vibrant, some with white throats. Color options range from pale pink to red, purple and lavender and from soft pastels to near true blues. We even have California native varieties.

Care is easy. If you tend to neglect to fertilize and keep your watering on the dry side, penstemons will be a welcome garden addition. Removal of spent flower stems ensures continuous bloom from early summer through fall. Most Penstemons are evergreen and prefer full sun.

Tropical Planting

Tropical plants such as Palms, Hibiscus, Lantana, Bougainvillea, Bird of Paradise, Rose of Sharon are a sampling of the plants that will transport you to the tropics – and most are water-wise.

These hot summer lovers will add a splash of color and texture to your landscape, train bougainvilleas up a south or west-facing wall. The warmth of the wall will encourage early bloom and offer some cold protection in the winter.

Hibiscus are stunning in pots. What a great accent for your sunny porch or patio and since they’re in containers they’re easy to move away from winter’s chill.

Rose of Sharon is a hardy hibiscus producing lovely blossoms mid-summer. No cold protection needed.

Lantana comes in trailing and shrub forms and will bloom summer through fall. Bring on the heat for these nonstop blooming sun lovers.

Whatever you are looking for we are here and very happy to help . . . So please come by and let us do just that.

Bougainvilleas

We have gorgeous bougainvilleas to train up a south or west-facing wall that will give you sheets of color all summer long. Choose from a variety of tropical colors. Don’t forget to ask for planting directions as they have sensitive root systems and will need frost protection in winter.

Tropical Hibiscus

Bring shades of Hawaii to your plantings with glossy leaved tropical hibiscus, again in lots of vibrant colors like red, orange and pink. We have these both in bush and patio tree forms, to give instant height to your garden. Plant these in a protected spot in the garden as they require shelter from the frost and wind. Hibiscus love sun and heat. They bloom late spring through the fall.

Rose of Sharon

A deciduous, frost hardy member of the Hibiscus family is the Rose of Sharon. It produces stunning flowers in the summer and makes an excellent single stemmed tree as well as a large shrub.

Cordylines & Phormiums

Add tropical texture with the addition of Cordylines and Phormiums. Both have sword-like leaves but attain different heights. Cordyline is an exceptional plant to use for height and texture in container plantings. Available with bronze/red or green foliage.

Phormiums or New Zealand Flax are big dramatic plants with sword-like leaves. They produce red or yellow flower clusters on stems that reach high above the leaves. Available in foliage colors ranging from purple-red, bronze, purple and variegated with green leaves with a creamy white stripe. Available in varieties with varying heights from 3-9′.

The tropical Hibiscus and Bougainvillea are frost tender but can survive in the Tri-Valley area. They may freeze back to the ground in harsh winters but should re-grow. In sheltered spots or mild winters, they should be fine, but we recommend the use of insulated fleece blankets and bags, plus non-LED type Christmas lights to add a little extra warmth on those cold winter nights. Planting in pots also means that you can move them into a more sheltered position at the end of the season.

Gardening with Kids

Kids and gardening seem to go hand in hand. Dirt itself has a natural draw for children, as is the magic of planting a seed and discovering its power to change and morph and grow. If you have kids in your life, include them in the gardening process by planting with them or at least with them in mind.

Many childhood memories are formed in the garden and can be re-triggered later in life when certain smells re-enter consciousness. Many plants offer unique color, texture or olfactory stimulation, and of course many are edible!

Here are some plants you can place into a garden today that may be of particular interest for kids!

Radishes

Radishes from seed are extremely quick to germinate and grow to fruition within just 3 to 4 weeks from seed packet to table; radishes are the fastest way to illustrate the harvest cycle from start to finish.

Marigolds

Marigolds planted from seed have child-appeal partly due to the bright orange or yellow color and also for the distinct fragrance of the crushed leaf. Do you remember your first marigold? Marigolds are also kid-friendly because as the flower fades, the center can be tugged away to reveal the seeds as they form. These can be dried and planted again (and again), teaching the circle of life.

Cherry Tomatoes

They pop in your mouth, bite-sized, juicy, and growing at just the right height to harvest whenever a child needs a natural snack. Cherry Tomatoes climbs like a vine and can cover a trellis or arbor in a season.

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums, being both colorful and edible, naturally lend themselves to gardening with children.  A few seeds set into a semi-shady spot will sprout and clamber to grace a corner with mildly spicy flowers and foliage.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers are awe-inspiring both in the garden or as a cut flower on the table. Plant the “mammoth” giant blooms but don’t overlook the smaller branching ones that can be cut for a bouquet and tend to rebloom.

Pumpkins

Everyone knows that pumpkins have child appeal. The value of a pumpkin planted and harvested from one’s garden is immeasurably more memorable and valuable than one purchased from the supermarket.

Mint

A little mint underfoot will fill the air with the fragrance of so many familiar sweets. Tuck some in a shady spot near the hose spigot where it will soak up the spills. Beware! It travels and spreads if you are not looking. Mint can be invasive, so grow in a pot.

Thyme

Thyme is easy to grow and full of the familiar scent of pizza. It is always good to show kids that their food comes from the earth. Vegetable and herb gardens drive this point home.

More

There are dozens of more options for growing a kids’ garden. Consider planting veggies in with your ornamentals as long as you treat all with vegetable safe care products. Pumpkins and tomatoes can grow right in with the roses and perennials. The basic idea is to enrich the lives of the little set and provide some memories that will linger with them!

June Pollinator Power

swallowtail
Swallowtail caterpillar feeding on dill weed

Celebrate Pollinator Week June 16-22, 2025

National Pollinator Week is a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what you can do to protect them.

Nearly twenty years ago the U.S. Senate’s unanimous approval and designation of a week in June as “National Pollinator Week” marked a necessary step toward addressing the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations. Pollinator Week has now grown into an international celebration of the valuable ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats, and beetles. Pollinator Week was initiated and is managed by Pollinator Partnership.

Milkweed and Monarchs

Monarch butterflies have been in sharp decline since the 1990s due to the loss of milkweed (Monarch caterpillars eat only milkweed,) pesticides, changing weather patterns, and overwintering habitat loss.

Monarchs have lost 165 million acres of breeding habitat in the U.S. alone, so there is still more work to do to keep them from being considered endangered.

Home gardeners can help, too! Plant milkweed that is native to your area. Include native plants in the landscape to supply quality food for other pollinators. Minimize pesticide use, instead, look for garden pests regularly, dispose of them, and build a habitat that invites predatory insects.

Become a citizen scientist and share your observations, helping scientists get a fuller picture of the monarch population

Pollinator Palette

  • Lavender, sublime fragrance, and color all in a low water use “package”
  • Herbs especially when they go to seed, including Mint, Parsley, Cilantro, Oregano, Dill
  • Daisies add a bit of cheer! Shasta, African, Marguerites, Black-eyed Susans, and Coneflowers span the color spectrum
  • Summer Annuals, Marigolds, Petunias, Portulaca, Zinnias
  • Buddleia, Butterfly Bush’s purple flower spikes are a must have for bringing in its namesake
  • Asclepias, Butterfly Weed is in its full glory now and supporting our fluttering friends