Landscaping & gardening tips for newcomers to the Charlotte area (Franklin: price, Lowes)

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by ChelleC

Whatcom Seed Company - Catalog of Rare, Exotic, Unusual Garden Seeds

There may be a viable resource for the seeds. You will need to scroll about halfway down the page and you will see it.

We used to have this mint growing wild on our property when I was small. I found out later that the location it was growing in was where they had a small kitchen garden/herb garden back in the 1800's when my great great grandmother originally set up housekeeping on the property so it seems to be a fairly hardy plant. My mother loved it in her hot tea. Good luck.

That's a great link!!! Thanks for posting it.

[southbound_295]

Just thought of some advice that I got concerning planting roses a few years back.

A friend of a friend was the head rosarian at Morris Arboretum, in Philly. She told me that when you plant roses, if they are not own-root roses, ignore the instruction to plant the graft above ground. Always plant the graft underground, even if you have to cut some lower branches to do it.

If you plant the graft underground, the rose that you bought will develop roots. If the graft is above ground, the root that your rose is grafted to could take over.

[darling876]

Southbound, thanks for that tip..
Here is a pic of my container garden with everything in bloom..

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by darling876

Southbound, thanks for that tip..
Here is a pic of my container garden with everything in bloom..

You're welcome.

It's beautiful, darling!

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

Just thought of some advice that I got concerning planting roses a few years back.

A friend of a friend was the head rosarian at Morris Arboretum, in Philly. She told me that when you plant roses, if they are not own-root roses, ignore the instruction to plant the graft above ground. Always plant the graft underground, even if you have to cut some lower branches to do it.

If you plant the graft underground, the rose that you bought will develop roots. If the graft is above ground, the root that your rose is grafted to could take over.

OMGOSH!!! You just explained why several of my roses have reverted back to their pre-graft variety!!!! I HAD NO IDEA!!!!!!

Thanks for this invaluable piece of advice!! You rock, SB!!!

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by anifani821

OMGOSH!!! You just explained why several of my roses have reverted back to their pre-graft variety!!!! I HAD NO IDEA!!!!!!

Thanks for this invaluable piece of advice!! You rock, SB!!!

Thanks, Ani!

I had it happen with a moss rose. Talk about a weird looking rosebush!... After getting the advice, never happened again.

[CouponJack]

Guys, not sure if I should start another thread or not, but I have a question on landscape plants...

The DW and I have been talking about lining the side of our property (both sides) w/shrubs. We are choosing to go w/medium height shrubs because we both like that option better than a privacy fence.

Been to all the big box stores but haven't been to really any nursuries yet. I have found that alternating nelly stevens hollies w/crepe myrtles would be nice on both sides. (nelly stevens are the nicest variety I've found so far). I'd space them about 5' apart (even though the tag says double that). We are looking at 7 gallon containers (around 3-4 feet high) and in about 2 years they should grow another couple of feet. Cost for shrubs and a couple yards of good topsoil would be around $1000 give or take (I'd try to negotiate w/the store obv)..... I would also suck it up and save money by planting myself....backbreaking considering I'll have a total of 30 or so to plant (and tilling in the topsoil...) oh well...

My question is there anywhere that has a better deal than HD in Matthews off of 51? I've been to Lowe's and several HD's, however the Matthews location seems to have the highest volume of shrubs out there (except for nursuries). However, I have a feeling nursuries will be approx twice the price of HD.....

Any thoughts on other places to try, or even my selection of shrubbery? thanks

[sophialee]

Originally Posted by CouponJack

Guys, not sure if I should start another thread or not, but I have a question on landscape plants...

The DW and I have been talking about lining the side of our property (both sides) w/shrubs. We are choosing to go w/medium height shrubs because we both like that option better than a privacy fence.

Been to all the big box stores but haven't been to really any nursuries yet. I have found that alternating nelly stevens hollies w/crepe myrtles would be nice on both sides. (nelly stevens are the nicest variety I've found so far). I'd space them about 5' apart (even though the tag says double that). We are looking at 7 gallon containers (around 3-4 feet high) and in about 2 years they should grow another couple of feet. Cost for shrubs and a couple yards of good topsoil would be around $1000 give or take (I'd try to negotiate w/the store obv)..... I would also suck it up and save money by planting myself....backbreaking considering I'll have a total of 30 or so to plant (and tilling in the topsoil...) oh well...

My question is there anywhere that has a better deal than HD in Matthews off of 51? I've been to Lowe's and several HD's, however the Matthews location seems to have the highest volume of shrubs out there (except for nursuries). However, I have a feeling nursuries will be approx twice the price of HD.....

Any thoughts on other places to try, or even my selection of shrubbery? thanks

Can't help too much on prices, but as far as shrub selection if you are going to place them closer together I think it looks nice to stick a boxwood in here and there, depending on the spread of the other bushes. and in places you don't necessarily need height, Hostas look so awesome after a few years.

Just an idle suggestion. lol.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by CouponJack

Guys, not sure if I should start another thread or not, but I have a question on landscape plants...

The DW and I have been talking about lining the side of our property (both sides) w/shrubs. We are choosing to go w/medium height shrubs because we both like that option better than a privacy fence.

Been to all the big box stores but haven't been to really any nursuries yet. I have found that alternating nelly stevens hollies w/crepe myrtles would be nice on both sides. (nelly stevens are the nicest variety I've found so far). I'd space them about 5' apart (even though the tag says double that). We are looking at 7 gallon containers (around 3-4 feet high) and in about 2 years they should grow another couple of feet. Cost for shrubs and a couple yards of good topsoil would be around $1000 give or take (I'd try to negotiate w/the store obv)..... I would also suck it up and save money by planting myself....backbreaking considering I'll have a total of 30 or so to plant (and tilling in the topsoil...) oh well...

My question is there anywhere that has a better deal than HD in Matthews off of 51? I've been to Lowe's and several HD's, however the Matthews location seems to have the highest volume of shrubs out there (except for nursuries). However, I have a feeling nursuries will be approx twice the price of HD.....

Any thoughts on other places to try, or even my selection of shrubbery? thanks

Jack, do you care that crepe myrtle are deciduous? Honestly, I like the idea. For a bit more year-round privacy you could plant 2 hollies then a crepe myrtle, 2 hollies...

[CouponJack]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

Jack, do you care that crepe myrtle are deciduous? Honestly, I like the idea. For a bit more year-round privacy you could plant 2 hollies then a crepe myrtle, 2 hollies...

Are you sure about them changing over the winter? (crepe myrtles). I could've swore that they like the hollies stay green and don't lose any growth/foliage......I'll have to check into that.

Actually, I like your idea about 2 hollies for every 1 myrtle. That just increased my budget possibly, but its a good idea... thanks