Southern Homes & Gardens Blog

Have you ever seen a plant like this?

 

 

It’s so unusual and a real conversation starter!  This little plant packs a great visual punch and is often referred to as a Caterpillar Fern or Grub Fern.  

 

Notice the base of the plant, just above the soil – it actually looks like little caterpillars ready to crawl right out of the container!

 

Grub Ferns are typically grown for their beautiful foliage – taking average amounts of water and sunlight.  Add this interesting little fella to your collection and watch curiosity grow with the plant itself!

 

 

4”  Grub Ferns

$4.99 ea.

 

(just visit our greenhouses to pick yours up today!)

 

 

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Mother’s Day – it happens every year.  Just as annual as the holiday is, you forget to find Mom something “special” every single year.  Until the last minute that is.  Does this sound oddly familiar?  If you’re nodding ‘yes’ as you read this, no worries…we won’t tattle on you!  Our mothers taught us better than that. 

 

So in honor of all of those husbands & children that search for something “perfect” and “special” each year for dear Mom (but always settle for the “that’ll work” last minute purchase), we’ve put together our very own SH&G Mother’s Day Gift Guide to help bail you out of such a pickle this year!  We’ve even broken it down into categories: Going Green, Eco-Chic, Fashion, Bath & Body, Home Décor, Entertaining, Outdoor Living & Vera Bradley.  Browse the categories below and we guarantee you’ll say “A-ha! Mom will LOVE that!” all the while knowing that Mom really will love this year’s thoughtful gift!

Here’s a few things to remember as you browse:  All prices listed are valid with your Garden Rewards card through Saturday 5/7/11 only, and style/ selection of items may vary upon store location. 

We will be closed Sunday May 8th for Mother’s Day.

 

Going Green:  Gifts for the Greenthumb

14” Mixed Container Gardens $29.99

Add instant color anywhere!

 

Annual Flats $9.96 per flat

Great for containers, beds and more – choose from Begonias, Marigolds, Vinca, Impatiens, Petunias & more.

 

 

 

10” Boston Fern Hanging Baskets $10.99 each

Proven to help improve air quality in home or office!

 

 

 

Selected Nursery-Grown Hydrangeas – 20% off

*Including Endless Summer Hydrangeas

 

 

 

All Roses 25% off

*Excluding Drift Roses

 

Shop more great in-store specials!

 

 

Eco-Chic:  Show Mom (& Mother Earth) the Love

 

 

 

Napa Firelite - prices may vary

Get the crackle & ambiance of a wood-burning fireplace, but with portability! Choose from a wide variety of colors & styles…don’t forget the gel fuel (psst! It’s the only certified “green” gel fuel on the market!).  The gel fuel burns completely clean without giving off fumes, smoke or soot.  Flame will not extinguish in wind or rain either – read more about Napa Firelites here.

 

 

 

Market Totes – prices may vary

Great for picnics, tailgates, grocery shopping and general ‘catch-all’ for the car.  Great to take to your favorite embroiderer to monogram too! Available in various sizes, patterns & colors -  monogram for show only.

  

 

Scout – prices may vary

Mom’s love to be organized, so give Mom some colorful new reusable storage bins with fun names like “Shouldah Bin”, “Junque Trunque” or “Trash Cache” – or reusable lunch bags and cooler totes that are completely insulated.  Assorted bright colors, styles and sizes.

 

 

Fashion: Style for the Trendsetters

 

 

Jewelry – prices may vary (Vaughn Rd only)

Shop our wide selection of uniquely hand-made pieces comprised of freshwater pearls & colorful gemstones all strung on woven silk thread.  Choose pieces that range from classic to modern to traditional with a twist – available in earrings, necklaces, bracelets, cuffs & rings.

 

 

Scarves – prices may vary (Vaughn Rd only)

A fashion must-have the past few seasons (winter or summer!) are great scarves! We have a wide variety of colors, textures, & fabrics to choose from.  Mom will love the versatility of this trend and wearing it seamlessly from one season to the next!

 

 

 

Beach/Pool Tunics & PJ bottoms – prices may vary (Vaughn Rd only)

New this past Spring, cool cover-ups for beach/pool arrived and we can’t keep them in-stock!  Got a Mom who loves to lounge in her pj’s while sipping a cup of java? Pick her up fashion-forward patterned pj shorts or pants (with cute ruffles too!) in invigorating & fresh colors.  Sizes include: Small, Medium and Large (tunics & pj bottoms)

 

 

 

Purses & Totes -  prices may vary (Vaughn Rd only)

Whether she’s all about business, kids or relaxation, we’ve got something that’s just her bag!  Trendy handbags, carry-all totes, and classy clutches are just a few of the fashionable finds – wide variety of fabrics, finishes, colors, styles & sizes.

 

 

Bath & Body: Spa-like Spoils

 

 

 

Shelley Kyle Collection – prices may vary (Vaughn Rd only)

One of our decadent new arrivals, the Shelley Kyle Collection boasts an olfactory experience like non other.  Take in a small breath of any one of the 3 fragrances (Tiramani, Da Ma Mere or Sorella) and Mom will quickly drift away into a spa-like la-la-land!  She’ll feel so spoiled by the luxurious scents offered in foaming bath gel, hydrating lotion, body powder (splurge & get her the fancy powder puff to complete the experience too!) and hand-poured glass jar candles.

 

 

 

Crabtree & Evelyn’s La Source – prices may vary

We love the serenity that the 60-second Fix for hands or feet offers – a true spa-like treatment that Mom can experience in the comfort of her own home for a fraction of the cost (even though she IS worth it!).  Let her rejuvenate in 60 seconds or less at home or on the go – we promise that she’ll appreciate this one!

  

 

Home Décor & Accessories:  Magazine-Perfect Elements

 

Preserved Greens – prices may vary (Vaughn Rd only)

One of our BEST sellers, hands down and one of our favorite recommendations!  Nothing says ‘classical chic’ quite like a gorgeous richly-hued green boxwood, now get the look in perfectly manicured ball topiaries, wreaths and balls.  Simply spritz the boxwood with a gentle misting every few weeks to maintain it’s beauty – how easy! 

 

 

Wall Art – prices may vary (Vaughn Rd location only)

Mom loves art and is always looking for a new piece to add to her walls?  Have no fear, we have a great selection of wall art to choose from.  We offer a wide variety of styles including: distressed canvases, framed art, painted canvases, & more.  Styles include modern, vintage, traditional, & even whimsical.  One of our new favorites (&  new bestseller) is our Donnie Sasser “Faceless Angels” collection…buy one of these and you’ll never go wrong!

 

 

Furniture – prices may vary

We’ve scoured high and low to bring furniture that is spot-on-trend, quality-made and durable.  Go for the gusto this year and surprise Mom with a new dining table & chairs set, armoire, occasional chair, banquette, sideboard or coffee table!  Shop our wide variety of wood finishes, leather, and upholstered furniture available in everything from tables to storage to seating. 

 

 

Entertaining:  Hostess with the Mostess

 

Beatriz Ball – prices may vary (Vaughn Rd only)

Hand-made in Mexico, each piece is a unique piece of art – another staff favorite to recommend!  Mom will love that each piece of Beatriz Ball servingware can go from freezer to oven to table – a feature only Mom’s can truly appreciate.  She’ll be wanting to serve any and everything on these pieces.  We can’t blame her – with their luxurious luster and genuine ‘sparkle’, it totally transforms any casual get together into a feast fit for royalty.

 

 

 

Dana Wittman Collection (prices may vary)

One of our newest arrivals, and by the looks of it, a new customer favorite too!  Brightly colored ceramic serving pieces adorned with the Gulf inhabitants make fun conversation starters or will help Mom remember all those fun trips to the beach.  Collection includes large serving platters, trivets, spoon rests and more.

 

 

 

Embroidered Handtowels (prices may vary) (Vaughn Rd only)

Moms never have enough hands for all the jobs they juggle, and never enough handtowels either.  We have a wide variety of embroidered and monogrammed handtowels that she will surely love.  Whether she needs one in the kitchen, powder room, or ‘just because’ – she will no doubt appreciate the thought.  Selection includes linen handtowels with various embroidered crosses, waffle-weave dishtowels with single initial, or linen handtowels embroidered with inspirational phrases or messages from the heart. 

Outdoor Living:  Living Inside-Out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patio Furniture (prices may vary – 30-50% off selected sets)

We know Mom never goes out and treats herself, so give her a BIG surprise with a new set of patio furniture!  She might just faint from the surprise, but with our cushy sofas, chairs & loungers, she’ll recover just fine.  Shop Montgomery’s largest selection of patio furniture including sofa sets, dining sets, chaise loungers & more.  Save 30-50% on selected sets too! 

 

Outdoor Umbrellas (prices vary)

Mom will have it made in the shade under a new patio umbrella…we’ve got great new arrivals in assorted colors.  So crank one up for Mom as she relaxes sipping ice cold sweet tea in the shade!

 

Indoor/Outdoor Rugs (prices vary)

She will love the versatility and durability of our indoor/outdoor rugs – whether utilized in the kitchen, entryway, or patio these rugs were made to withstand everyday wear (including rain & sun!).  Select from various sizes and colors.

 

Vera Bradley:  Perfect Patterns for Mom

Did you know that SH&G recycles the plastic grower pots that our plants & flowers are sold in?  We sure do – we even have collection receptacles conveniently located at both store locations!  Look for the signs below on the collection bins at each store and simply deposit any plastic grower pots in them…voila!  You’re part is done!  Rather than throwing those plastic pots away after you’ve done your planting, toss them in your trunk and drop them off in the bin the next time you’re in our neighborhood! 

 

Not sure if we can recycle a certain plastic pot?  No big deal, deposit in our bin and we’ll sort it out!

 

Now isn’t being ‘green’ easier than you thought?

Today is indeed the day to wear green to avoid getting pinched in honor of St. Patricks day, but choose to live green and you’ll be a happier (and healthier!) person – who might just out-last all those St. Patty’s day ‘pinchers’!

Living a greener lifestyle doesn’t have to happen overnight.  Take baby steps to ensure you’ll stick with the new lifestyle – otherwise, like a bad new years resolution, you’ll only have failure on your hands.  A great & EASY first step is something so simple, most folks tend to overlook it completely:  getting a houseplant!  Yep, it’s that easy.

Most houseplants are very easy to care for, considering you purchase the right type of houseplant for your home or office environment.  Most only need watering a few times a week (if that) - and add the perfect amount of color to any space (even if it is just green!).

Here are a few houseplants that are proven to mini-miracle-workers when it comes to our health & well-being…

 

Peace Lily:

An outstanding foliage plant that also produces beautiful white flowers, the peace lily should always be included when seeking a variety of indoor plants.  It posesses all the qualities to make it one of the best indoor plants.  It’s ability to remove air pollutants and its excellent performance in all categories makes it the MVP…most valuable plant! 

Boston Fern

Ferns are probably one of the oldest groups of plants.  It is grown strictly for its foliage (as it doesn’t produce flowers).  It is best displayed in a hanging basket or sitting upon a pedestal.  Of the plants tested, it’s the best for removing air pollutants, especially formaldehyde, and for adding humidity to the indoor evironment.

Ficus

Expect some leaf drop until the plant adjusts to its new location.  A magnificent large plant, its ability to help purify the air, ease of growth and resistance  to insects make it an excellent choice for the home or office.

We’ve got lots of great houseplants  – just ask our greenhouse experts to help find the right fit for your home, office or classroom.  And we promise we won’t pinch!

Napa Firelites are an ideal Valentine’s gift – it’s a little something that truly keeps giving with every season!  We have a wide variety of styles, sizes & colors to choose from…and certainly one that suits even the most discerning taste.  Each Firelite contains an 8oz stainless steel reservoir that when filled with gel fuel properly, will offer a burn time of approx. 1hr 30-45mins.  Napa Firelite gel fuel is the only certified ‘green’ gel fuel out there – burning completely clean leaving no soot, smoke or residue behind.  It’s completely safe to burn indoors – just remember to place the Firelite safely out of reach of both children & pets.  Napa Firelite gel fuel is available in both Citronella (outdoor use only) and Regular (indoor/outdoor) – we recommend purchasing 3 bottles of gel fuel per Firelite (Regular or Citronella).

You’re sweet Valentine’s heart will surely be warmed after receiving a Napa Firelite this year!

 

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“Tree-huggers”, “hippies” & the likes have had a long-standing relationship with the ‘natural’ & organic lifestyle….however, times are changing.  Thankfully, our world has broadened it’s view beyond that & have see the ‘bigger picture’ – like the health & wellness benefits of gardening naturally or organically for ourselves, families, pets & even Mother Nature.  Here are just a few reasons why we should choose to grow naturally:

1.)  Our pets & children are safer

Natural gardening products are less toxic than their synthetic counterparts, generally.  This is the no. 1 reason why most people choose to grow their gardens naturally.  Health & safety matter to parents – think of the rules & regulations for flame retardents in children’s pajamas, trans-fats in our foods, & secondhand cigarette smoke in public places.  We are opting for natural & organic pesticides because they are less likely to contribute to long-term health risks.

 

2.)  Our yards & environment are safer

If we neglect to water promptly or measure exactly, natural fertilizers are much more forgiving.  In spring, we have people come in with deformed leaves & we have to inform them that the “weed” portion of their “weed & feed” did not distinguish between the dandelions & oaks.

Synthetic fertilizer runoff eventually travels into the nearest body of water.  That leads to harmful algal blooms, which can be toxic, themselves.  These algae overgrowths can deplete oxygen in lakes, streams, & the ocean, which in turn can cause enxtensive fish kills.  Recent studies have shown that natural fertilizers produce little, if any, runoff.

Even if a synthetic fertilizer does not contain weed killer or heavy metals, and shomehow doesn’t wash away, natural fertilizers still perform better.  In healthy soil, an extensive web of life performs a multitude of functions.  The soil is a matix of minerals, organic matter, water, & air.  Within this matrix, bacteria, fungi, protozoa & other microorganisms help to suppress diseases, protet the soil from erosion, hold moisture, retain nutrients & make them available to the plant at the proper rate, allow greater water & oxygen penetration in the soil, produce growth-promoting hormones for teh plants & decompose toxins.

 

3.)  We can enjoy more life in our garden

From experience & hearing testimony from other customers who have made the switch to natural products have noticed more butterflies, lizards, birds & other life in the yard.  With more life in the yard, a gardener receives more help from ladybugs, lacewings, assassin bugs, earthworms, & even wasps & bees.

 

4.)  We understand horticulture more

The most successful gardeners are those who learn & understand more about the garden & all of its components.  And natural gardening does this best.  Native plants, for example, hae driven us to learn more about our local bioregion, rather than just buying any ol’ pretty plant & plunking it in the ground.  Working with beneficial insects makes us more likely to grab the insect identification guide rather than the insecticide.  If we learn it’s a pest, we ask:  “Is it doing enough damage to warrant an insecticide?”  If we determine that our plant is going to die or be severely damages, we are learning which insecticide is best – the big guns or the more targeted & less toxic solution.

 

5.)  Customers love natural gardening

We’ve noticed a big uptick in the number of first-time customers who say, “I have been wanting to go organic for a long time, & I have finally made it out here”

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An Auburn University study sheds new light on just how valuable shade trees are in reducing homeowners’ electricity bills during hot summer months.

Professor David Laband in the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences says electricity usage and costs will be 11.4 percent less if a house has just 17.5 percent heavy shade coverage. This is compared to a house with no shade.

“The keys are heavy foliage and late afternoon shade,” Laband said. “The savings can be very significant for homeowners. Over the years I had read statements that shade trees reduce electricity consumption, so we wanted to put a dollar amount to it.”

His office conducted a yearlong study of 160 houses in the Auburn area to determine the annual energy savings provided by shade trees, primarily looking at the months of May to September. He analyzed power bills, calculated shade coverage and surveyed the homeowners about household makeup, electricity-usage habits, square footage, type of air conditioning, appliances, roofing, exterior material and other factors.

“We looked at the amount of shade in the early morning, early afternoon and late afternoon,” Laband said. “If you have trees on the west side of your house, you will have a much lower power bill.”

Using local power company rates for kilowatt hours per day, Laband said the 11.4 percent savings would equal $31 to $33 per month. The study, which categorized types of shade into light, moderate and heavy, also found that a house covered with 50 percent of light shade will save 10.3 percent.

Thermostat settings were important as well. “For each degree you raise your thermostat, you will save 3.3 percent on your power bill,” he said. “We also found that children under age 12 are the major power consumers in the home. They watch television, play games and leave lights on.”

Laband hopes the study will encourage real estate developers not to cut down all the trees on new lots.

“Many older houses have large trees around them because the owners did not rely as much on air conditioning then,” he said. “Houses today often do not have shade trees because it’s easier to run an air conditioner. This study shows how much can be saved when trees are used in yards.”

Auburn’s study was funded by a $116,000 grant from the USDA Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program and a matching $116,000 grant from Auburn’s School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences.

Laband has briefed USDA officials on the results and has presented seminars in Australia at the Tropical Forest Research Institute, the University of Melbourne and the University of Adelaide.

“It gets very hot there, too,” he said. “They are interested in doing a similar project.”

Laband, who earned his Ph.D. in economics from Virginia Tech in 1981, conducts research and teaches on topics related to economics and policy, with a focus on natural resources. He joined the Auburn University faculty in 1994 and the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences in 2000, where he is a member of the Center for Forest Sustainability and the Forest Policy Center.

(Written by Charles Martin.)

Contact: Charles Martin, (334) 844-9999 (marticd@auburn.edu), or
Mike Clardy, (334) 844-9999 (clardch@auburn.edu)

Russell Brown, General Manager – Southern Homes & Gardens