"Deadheading" means what??

     Okay, so I'm a little slow with my planting.  Actually, it's not so much that I'm slow.   I just keep buying more beautiful pots of this and that every time I walk through Tagawa's.  But it's a good obsession, right?

     Still, the "to-be-planted" assortment of perennials on my deck is no excuse to neglect my mid-summer chores.   Specifically:  deadheading.

Deadheading defined

    It's not as brutal as it sounds.  Deadheading simply means that as the flowers on annuals or perennials begin to fade (and well before they've actually crashed!), we need to snip off those spent blossoms.  Mother Nature has programed the plants to  make seed.  By cutting off the flowers before the seed production begins, you can "trick" the plant into thinking that it hasn't actually accomplished its mission.  The plant's only choice?  To make more flowers!

     The exception, of course, is if the seeds are what you want.  For example, the main point of growing dill (other than attracting butterflies) is to harvest the seed.  But with most plants,  it's the flowers that we work so hard for.

A bonus!

     Deadheading can also help keep plants healthy.  Certain petunias can get leggy in mid-summer.  Consider removing not only the fading flowers, but cutting back a few inches of stem as well.  It will help petunias and other plants look full and vigorous rather than tired and strung out. 

     Flowers like geraniums that bloom at the end of a separate stem are one of the easiest annuals to deadhead.  Just carefully reach down to the bottom of that leafless stem and snap it off.  Cutting just below the geranium blossom and leaving the flower stem will give you a plant with a lot of little sticks pointing out, but no new flowers at the ends of those dried stems.  It doesn't actually hurt the plant, but its not going to help its appearance, either.

Maybe a "haircut" is called for.

      Annuals and perennials that grow so tall they don't stand upright anymore may need more than deadheading.  They may be trying to tell you that they need a good haircut, so listen to them!  Get out some sharp scissors or pruning shears and cut them back to give them another chance to grow and show-off what they can do. 

     If you don't know how a particular plant should be deadheaded or cut back, bring in a sample in a sealed plastic bag.  The fine folks at Tagawa's will be happy to identify the plant, and offer some great advice on how to revive it for another round of flowers.

"Plant Select" Salute to Tagawa's

     Here at Tagawa's, we're not exactly "drum roll" kind of people.  But I did want to let you know that Tagawa's has received a big gold star from the folks at Plant Select.  We've been recognized as the "Plant Select Organization of the Year."    (Listen closely and you can hear me discretely tooting our horn in the distance....)

"Sonoran Sunset" hyssop

     Plant Select is a terrific program run jointly by Colorado State University, Denver Botanic Gardens and members of the "green industry," i.e., independent greenhouses and growers like Tagawa's,  The very demanding experts with Plant Select test dozens of plants to determine which ones are especially suited to our climate's tough demands.  Only the best of the best actually makes it as a Plant Select winner. 

     Tagawa's has a first-rate Plant Select section in our perennials and nursery departments.    We're die-hard fans of the programs and the plants it promotes.  I grow many of the plants in my own garden, and happily label myself a Plant Select cheerleader. Go team!

    Ginger, Tagawa's Perennials Supervisor, sits on the Plant Select Marketing committee and routinely voices her own enthusiasm for the program every chance she gets.  Hats off to her and everyone in her department!

     If you have any doubts about a drought-tolerant garden being big, bold and beautiful, jump over to their website:   www.plantselect.org   You'll find pictures of more than one-hundred plants that have made it to their winner's list.  And be sure to check out their section on garden designs, too.  Great plant combinations and ideas from a great program!

"Snow Angel" coral bells

      

"Narbonne" blue flax

 

    

Bring on the Red, White and Blue!

"Peppy"

     As we count down to the Fourth of July, why not bring on the colors of Old Glory to help celebrate?  Tagawa's has all the red, white and blue you could want to dress up your home or yard for a great party.


     Let your creative streak loose and have fun in the process!  Pick a colorful pot and fill it with the flowers of your choice.  Big, bold red geraniums or gerbera daisies.... Hardy Boys "Peppy" red and white petunias.  Beautiful blue flowing lobelia....  Sweet and delicate-looking (but tough!) white alyssum.  There's a lot to choose from.



     Tagawa's expert and friendly staff will gladly help you choose plants that "play together well."  It's easier than you might think to make a one-of-a-kind centerpiece or accent container to add fun to the holiday.


     Have a safe and happy Fourth of July from all of us at Tagawa's.
    

"The Market" at Tagawa's is Back!

      Hungry for fresh fruits and veggies-- most of them Colorado grown?  Interested in some specialty foods or artisan jewelry?  Like to eat while you shop?  Then "The Market" at Tagawa Gardens is just what you've been waiting for!

     The produce market is already up and running inside Tagawa's.... fresh cherries, summer squash, cucumbers.... with lots more varieties yet to come.  Every day, all day long, while Tagawa's is open for business, the produce market will be freshly stocked.

 

     And every Friday through September, the outdoor market at Tagawa's will host more than 40 vendors, rotating on different weeks for a great selection.  Colorado honey, homemade jewelry and artwork.  It's a great way to wrap up a busy week and get ready for a summer of fresh and healthy eating for you and your family.

     Several of the Friday vendors will be serving a selection of unique hot foods so you can indulge in lunch as you wander among the stalls, taking your time and enjoying your visit.

     And as always, you'll find a full array of annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs that would make great additions to your home and yard.... plus expert advice from Tagawa's experienced staff. 

     For full details on "The Market" at Tagawa Gardens, go to our website:   www.tagawagardens.com

     Hope to see you there!!  

Sound the Trumpets for "Plant Select 2013!"

     "Plant Select" is one of my favorite plant programs ever, and it's headquarters are right out our front door, at the CSU campus in Fort Collins.  That means you can count on these plants to be Colorado tough.  The eight tried-and-true gems on the 2013 Plant Select list are certainly no exception. 

     Details of all of the 2013 plants and dozens more can be found at Plant Select's excellent website:  www.plantselect.org    The site comes complete with suggested designs that can incorporate the Plant Select winners and many other drought-tolerant plants for a water wise landscape.  Once the plants are "established," (one to two growing seasons), many of them will thrive on moderate- to low- to no-supplemental water.  

"Turquoise Tails Blue Sedum"

     This wonderful blue-green sedum will offer up creamy yellow flowers in mid-summer.

photo courtesy Lauren Springer Ogden



    

photo courtesy Harriett MacMillan

"Narbonne Blue Flax"

     The flowers on this Mediterranean form of blue flax just keep coming, all summer long.







photo courtesy Mike Kintzen

"Tennessee Purple Coneflower"

     This lovely coneflower was once endangered in the wild, but has made a great comeback, and is now a Plant Select winner!  










"Curly Leaf Sea Kale"




photo courtesy Pat Hayward

      Big, distinctive waxy blue leaves last all summer long.  Clusters of white flowers will help you celebrate the beginning of the garden season.



         






Chieftain  Manzanita                                                       

     One of Plant Select's toughest players....
     and a terrific evergreen groundcover.     

photo courtesy Gary Epstein

And for the first time:  "Plant Select Petites"

"Oxslip Primrose"

     An oh-so-tiny primrose that is so much tougher than it looks!  (See www.plantselect.org for picture.)

photo courtesy Kirk Fieseler

"Sandia Coralbells"

     These diminutive pink flowers top out at just eight inches tall, but they're a magnet for hummingbirds and bees in May and June.


 
 




 "Scott's Sugarbowls," "Scott's Clematis

photos courtesy Kirk Fieseler
 

     As if the mounding, lacy blue-green foliage isn't enough, the delicate purple flowers are sure to win your heart!

Reminder: You don't want to miss our "Night of Wine and Roses!"

"Ketchup and Mustard"

Counting down!! 

       "Night of Wine and Roses"

               Friday, April 19th.  4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

     Big doin's coming up at Tagawa Gardens!  It's our annual "Night of Wine and Roses."  Thousands of roses will be available for sale for the first time this season. 

     Members of the Tagawa family will be hosting the event, serving gourmet cheese, fruit and wine from Balistreri Vineyards.  It's the Tagawa's way of saying "thank you" to our many oh-so loyal customers.



"Sunsprite"

     And as if that wasn't enough, everything in the store.... (everything!) will be 20% off, this evening only.

     We'll have an official ribbon-cutting to open the rose department at 4:00.  The event will continue until 7:00.



"Love Song"

"Pink Home Run"

     Color?  You bet!  Just take a look, and mark your calendar for April 19th.  The "Night of Wine and Roses" is a tradition not to be missed!

               
                    




"Sparkle and Shine"





"Bronze Star"



"Cinco de Mayo"



Heirloom"




"Apricot Drift"



"Vavoom"

"Tiffany"



"Scentimental"



"Abraham Darby"

"Outa the Blue"

Watering Restrictions Update

     It's official!  Watering restrictions are kicking in.  Thankfully, there's one central website you can go to for up-to-date details on what rules are in effect where.

     www.coh2o.co

    The website is maintained by the Colorado Water Conservation Board.  The CWBC is a state-sanctioned group that collects and coordinates water-related information for all of the major drainage basins in Colorado.  It's the shortage of snow that's fallen on those drainages that's prompting so many of Colorado's water agencies to issue restrictions on outdoor water use.

Different areas, different rules

      At www.coh2o.co  you can enter your zipcode.  That will link you to the agency that governs water use in your area and determines the rules that apply to your home or business.  Different water districts set their own restrictions based on their specific water deficits. 
 
     In general, many districts are imposing twice-a-week watering limitations, based on odd and even addresses.  Most of them ban watering during the heat of the day, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., on the days that watering is allowed.  Frankly, that just makes sense even when we're not in a drought.  Most of Colorado is, after all, a semi-arid climate.  Right now, we're just more arid than not.

Exceptions....

     Some districts, including Denver Water, will allow hand-watering of flowers and vegetables on days other than those tied to odd/even addresses.  The hose cannot be left unattended, and you'll need to use a watering attatchment that includes a shut-off valve.  No running back and forth to the hose bib as the only way to shut off the water.  Again, the rules may vary from one area to the next, so checking with the website for specifics is your best bet.

Tagawa's is here to help.

    This growing season is all about gardening smart!    That's something we at Tagawa's urge our customers to do anyway, so it comes as no surprise that we're at-the-ready to help now.  We have plenty of tools that can make this growing season a success:  different mulches that will help conserve moisture, watering wands and hose-end attatchments with shut-off valves, soaker hoses, moisture meters and rain guages to help you judge how much water your landscape might need. 

     We'll also carry a large array of plants that can adapt to low-water conditions once they're established.  And perhaps best of all, we'll have all the advice and hand-holding you could possibly need to make this gardening season a winner! 

     Let us help you take care of your existing landscape, which adds so much to the feeling of "home."  And don't be afraid to add new plants.  It really is all about gardening smart!