Tag Archive for: shade

VIDEO: Boost Your Blooms: 🌸 Fertilizing Hydrangeas the Organic Way with Skye Hamilton

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When it comes to hydrangeas, proper fertilizing is key to ensuring beautiful blooms and overall plant health. Skye Hamilton, gardening enthusiast and hydrangea expert, stresses the importance of fertilizing these stunning plants with a high-quality organic fertilizer as a smart investment in your garden. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, which often contain excessive nitrogen that encourages foliage growth at the expense of blooms, Skye recommends using Espoma Organic Holly-tone.

Why Holly-tone? Because it’s an organic fertilizer specially formulated for acid-loving plants like hydrangeas. Its slow-release formula ensures steady nutrient availability, promoting vibrant, plentiful blooms rather than just leafy growth.

Skye Hamilton with Holly-tone

Here’s Skye’s quick guide for successful hydrangea fertilizing:

  1. Fertilize twice a year: once in mid to late spring and again in mid-summer.
  2. Your first application should occur after leaves emerge but before blooms appear.
  3. Apply the second round no later than July to avoid disrupting bloom cycles.
  4. Missed spring fertilizing? Early summer application still benefits your plants.
  5. Apply fertilizer during mild weather or in the evening shade to prevent root burn.
  6. Distribute fertilizer along the drip line of your hydrangeas and gently work it into the soil surface.
  7. Always water thoroughly after fertilizing to ensure nutrients reach the roots effectively.

With Espoma Organic Holly-tone, your hydrangeas receive exactly what they need, resulting in lush blooms and healthier plants overall. Go organic, bloom better!

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How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden with the Right Plants ?

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Hummingbirds bring a magical touch to any garden with their vivid colors and swift, darting movements. Attracting these tiny birds is all about selecting the right plants that provide plenty of nectar and visual interest. Here are some of the best plants to add to your garden to make it a welcoming space for hummingbirds.

image of Salvia

1. Salvia (Sage)

Salvia is a hummingbird favorite due to its tubular flowers, which are perfect for their long beaks and tongues. With many varieties available, you can find salvias that bloom in shades of red, pink, purple, and blue—all of which will draw hummingbirds in.

Use Espoma Organic Flower-tone when planting to help provide the nutrients needed to produce these beautiful blooms.

Hummingbird next to bee balm plant

2. Bee Balm (Monarda)

Known for its unique, spiky blooms, bee balm is a magnet for hummingbirds. The bright red, pink, and purple flowers provide plenty of nectar and also attract butterflies and bees, adding even more life to your garden.

Trumpet vine flower

3. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)

As its name suggests, the trumpet vine produces large, trumpet-shaped flowers that are ideal for hummingbirds. This vigorous climber can cover fences and trellises, providing a striking backdrop of orange or red blooms that hummingbirds will love.

pink Fuchsia flowers and green foliage

4. Fuchsia

Fuchsia plants are well-loved by hummingbirds for their pendulous, brightly colored flowers. These plants do well in hanging baskets and shaded areas, making them versatile additions to your garden space.

5. Honeysuckle (Lonicera)

Honeysuckle vines offer fragrant, tubular flowers that are perfect for attracting hummingbirds. Look for non-invasive varieties to ensure your garden stays balanced and thriving.

A ruby-throated hummingbird hovers next to a cardinal flower.

6. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

With its stunning red spikes of flowers, the cardinal flower is a fantastic addition for attracting hummingbirds. This perennial thrives in moist areas, making it a good choice for gardens with water features.

A ruby-throated hummingbird gathering nectar from a butterfly bush.

7. Butterfly Bush (Buddleja)

Despite its name, the butterfly bush is not just for butterflies. Its clusters of small, tubular flowers are excellent sources of nectar for hummingbirds. This shrub comes in many colors, including purple, pink, and white, providing visual interest throughout the blooming season.

Planting Tips for Hummingbird Gardens

  • Variety is Key: Plant a mix of species that bloom at different times to ensure a steady supply of nectar from spring through fall.
  • Go Native: Whenever possible, choose native plants that hummingbirds are naturally attracted to and that will thrive in your local climate. When Planting, use Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus to provide the essential nutrients needed for these plants to establish strong roots in their new environment.
  • Provide Water: Hummingbirds are drawn to water sources for both drinking and bathing. Consider adding a birdbath or a water mister to your garden.

By incorporating these plants and following these tips, you can create a vibrant and inviting space that will attract hummingbirds to your garden, bringing color and life to your outdoor space. Enjoy the enchanting sight of these tiny birds flitting from flower to flower!

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VIDEO: Planting Shade Loving Perennials with Wyse Guide!

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Join Kaleb Wyse from @WyseGuide as he shares top tips for planting shade-loving perennials. Learn how to tackle dry shade areas, prepare soil, and choose the right plants like Hostas and Japanese Forest Grass. Kaleb uses Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus to provide essential nutrients for blooming and growth. He also revitalizes outdoor containers using Espoma Organic Potting Soil and Plant-tone fertilizer.

Learn more about Wyse Guide here:

? YouTube: www.youtube.com/@WyseGuide 

? Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WyseGuide/

? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WyseGuide/

? Website: https://www.wyseguide.com/

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VIDEO: Planting a SHADE GARDEN with Colorful Annuals ??? || Garden Answer

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Do you have shady spots in your garden that you don’t know how to utilize? Watch as Laura from Garden Answer demonstrates how to plant annuals in shaded areas to create vibrant, lush spaces. Whether under a tree or by your house, these tips and plant combinations will help you make the most of those low-light areas.

The Perfect Plant Mix for Shady Areas

Laura’s Plant selection:

  • Sedona Sunset Colorblaze Coleus: Adds a warm autumn touch, blending beautifully with pinks.
  • Tropical Shades Impatiens: Though labeled orange, they turned out a stunning coral pink.
  • Non-Stop Joy Mocha White Begonia: With tuberous blooms and beautiful foliage.
  • Queen Tut Grass: A compact centerpiece with a fireworks texture.
  • Patricia Ivy: Perfect for containers, though tricky in-ground planting.

When planting, Laura trusts Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix and Bio-tone Starter Plus to provide her plants with the best possible growing medium and nutrients for successful establishment and growth.

Location 1: The Front Yard

Laura started with a small area in front of Limelight Hydrangeas. The plan was to layer Sedona Sunset Coleus for a vibrant splash of color, followed by Impatiens in the front. She also rejuvenated a nearby container with Queen Tut and Begonias, creating a clean and beautiful display.

Location 2: Under the Golden Rain Tree

This spot receives morning and late afternoon sun. Laura chose Colorblaze Coleus, part-shade to shade Impatiens, and Maverick White Geraniums for the sunnier areas. The result was a cohesive look that harmonized with the surroundings.

Location 3: The Maple Tree Area

This shady spot near the kitchen entrance required a cleanup first. Laura then planted El Brighto Coleus, White Begonias, and Wire Vine. The combination not only filled the space but added layers of color and texture, creating a container-like effect.

Final Thoughts:

Planting in shady areas can be challenging, but with the right plants and arrangements, you can transform these spaces into lush, colorful parts of your garden. Keep an eye on the light levels and choose versatile plants that thrive in varying conditions. Happy planting!

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Learn more about Garden Answer here:

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