Free Garden & Design advice:

Count us IN!

We’ve been pretty darn excited about Christmas and the holiday season in general coming, much like many small children we know!  The difference is that we have been anticipating this seminar like kids who wait under the Christmas tree for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve!  We’re talking about Aaron Shiver, Monrovia’s head Boutique Designer (and Alabama native!) coming to our Vaughn Road store location on Saturday (Oct. 29^th) to share his garden and design expertise on unique containers, indoor displays and landscapes with gorgeous holiday and winter interest.  Aaron promised to even tell us how to  incorporate the season’s yummiest flavors & colors into  the mix….or as he put it,

“ . . . a Martha – in –t he – garden at the holidays ! ”

Ooo, la, la!  We simply cannot wait!  Catch Aaron in action tomorrow (Friday) as he transforms the Monrovia Plant Boutiques at our stores into something truly magical! 

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Rich blends of turquoise, silver, white, mercury glass and more make a grand entrance at our Vaughn Road location

Save the Date…

Christmas Open House

November 4^th – 6^th 

{ both store locations } 

Enjoy storewide specials, tastings, door prizes, special guests and much more!

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Christmas Tradition:

A holiday decorating seminar

If you have shopped with us recently, then you have noticed that despite us being only half-way through October, we are completely decked out for the holidays!  As you were vacationing at the beach, we were busy little elves processing all of the gorgeous goodies that were arriving daily at our back door – we could hardly wait any longer to show you!  Now that our designers have completely “set” our stores with beautiful, awe-inspiring themes and magical displays, they’re going to show you just how they achieved it!

Get in the know. . .

Each year, we offer what’s become a customer (& staff!) favorite seminar – ‘Holiday Decorating’.  Our designers, Jerry Thrash and Phil Easter, show you just how to create show-stopping trees, centerpieces, mantle displays & more…all with items found in our stores.  It’s time to get brave, take the plunge, and try something new this year with your holiday decorating, right?  Of course!  Our experts will even show you how to seamlessly transition from the fall & harvest seasons into Christmas too…

Who, what, where, when & hOW much?

Perfect Pansies:

A fall planting favorite

Pansies are the cold weather plant of choice for fall and winter – they’re known for being exceptionally hardy, thriving in our area during our southern winters.   Pansies are multi-purposes as they can be planted in the landscape as full beds or borders and also bring fabulous color to our outdoor fall & winter containers. 

Thriller & filler. . .

Standing alone, it can serve as the ‘thriller’ element in container gardens, or it can be planted under upright shrubs (‘thriller’) as the ‘filler’ element too.   Got a mixed container that you just want to add a dash of pizzazz?  Toss in some pansies & voila! 

You can eat THAT?

Did you know that pansies are edible?  Sure enough, pansies make a beautiful garnish for fruits, salads and desserts!  Just add them to your herb garden or plant them with lettuce and parsley for a nice combination of texture and color – but please make certain you’re using only food-safe insecticides if you plan on indulging in these edible blooms!

Shop our gorgeous selection at both store locations – use your Garden Rewards card and get a flat of pansies for just $9.96!

(an $11.96 value)

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Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick

Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ (Own Root)

We promised that with the arrival of our Monrovia Boutiques, we would have spectacular new plant material, right?  One of our newest arrivals is delivering just that!  Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick is a unique deciduous shrub offering extreme visual interest with its gnarled and twisted branches that lasts year-round. 

Come fall, it grows terrific foliage color; showy greenish-yellow catkins that will brighten the seasonal scene. Makes perfect “thriller” material in large containers too (remember our container formula:  thriller, filler & spiller!)!   Go ahead and be the envy of the neighborhood – you can thank us later!

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Alabama has been bestowed a great privilege – having the Camellia as our official state flower.   Not only does the Camellia offer abundant color and cheer during the coldest & most bitter months, but a Camellia’s blooms are so versatile!  Varying in size, shape & color, Camellia’s are a true gardening gem.   We carry several varieties of Camellia’s to satisfy every gardener - from traditional grower pots to climbers on a trellis, meet our newest arrivals from Monrovia:

Chansonette Camellia

Camellia sasanqua ‘Chansonette’

A versatile performer displaying profuse, brilliant pink, double blooms and glossy dark green leaves with a short, pendulous habit. Flowers are perfect for cutting. Excellent choice for a colorful low hedge, espalier, or groundcover. Mid season bloomer. Evergreen.

 

Care Information

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system.  Provide well drained soil, rich in organic matter.  Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom.  Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch.  Pruning time: winter after flowering.

Design Ideas

Excellent choice for a colorful low hedge, espalier, or groundcover due to its short, pendulous habit.  A great addition to an Asian inspired garden or in mass at the front fringe of a woodland setting.  Perfect for hanging baskets or pots.

Companion Plants

The spreading habit makes this a great groundcover paired with blooming shrubs like Lily of the Valley, Hydrangea, Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel.  For an Asian theme, include Japanese Maple, Peony, Azalea, and Asiatic Lily.  If trained into an espalier, include other formal garden standouts like Boxwood, Gardenia and Spiral topiaries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debutante Camellia

Abundant, large, light pink, peony style blooms make a delightful contrast to the glossy, dark green leaves.  A valued plant in the milder regions of the U.S.  One of the earliest to bloom.  Evergreen.

 

Care Information

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system.  Provide well drained soil, rich in organic matter.  Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom.  Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch.  Pruning time: winter after flowering.

Design Ideas

Be sure to keep this beauty in viewing distance in patio beds, containers or decorating the foundation plantings around your house.  Great as an espalier to cover walls.  If set back in a woodland setting, plant in mass and complement with low growing perennials.  A wonderful specimen in Asian gardens.

Companion Plants

Pair with low growing, shade loving woodland perennials like Coral Bells, Fumewort, Astilbe and Anemone.  As a specimen planting in an Asian Garden design, go for the airy foliage of Bamboo, Heavenly Bamboo and Azalea as well as the interesting form and structure of Cherry and Japanese Maple. 

 

 

 

 

 

Kramer’s Supreme Camellia

Camellia japonica ‘Kramer’s Supreme’

 

Deep red buds open to magnificent peony-like, rosy-red blooms with a delightful fragrance.  Flowers make a dazzling contrast with the glossy, dark green foliage.  An old favorite for milder regions of the U.S.  Mid season bloomer.  Evergreen.

 

Care Information

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system.  Provide well drained soil, rich in organic matter.  Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom.  Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch.  Pruning time: winter after flowering.

Design Ideas

A must for Asian or woodland garden settings under large, old shade trees with filtered canopies.  Plant as a backdrop in mixed beds or as a foundation plant in high visibility areas. Dress up a wall or garage as a shrub or train as an espalier for a formal look.

Companion Plants

Plant close to your outdoor living area with Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Iris.  In a more natural woodland setting, combine with the airy foliage of Bamboo, Heavenly Bamboo and Lily of the Valley.  Early blooming deciduous trees like Cherry and Dogwood offer the needed filtered shade and ground hugging perennials such as Fumewort, Coral Bells, and Clematis offer interest and color throughout all layers of the garden.

  

Mathotiana Supreme Camellia

Camellia japonica ‘Mathotiana Supreme’

 

Extremely large, double blooms with loose, irregular, flaming crimson petals.  Flowers make a great contrast with the glossy, dark green foliage.  A prized plant for the milder regions of the U.S.  Mid season bloomer.  Evergreen.

 

Care Information

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system.  Provide well drained soil, rich in organic matter.  Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom.  Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch.  Pruning time: winter after flowering.

Design Ideas

Be sure to keep this beauty in viewing distance in patio beds, containers or decorating the foundation plantings around your house.  Great as an espalier to cover walls.  If set back in a woodland setting, plant in mass and complement with low growing perennials.  A wonderful specimen in Asian gardens and believed to bring wealth if planted at the entrance to your home, as are other red flowering plants.

Companion Plants

Plant close to your outdoor living area with Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Iris. In a more natural woodland setting, combine with the airy foliage of Bamboo, Heavenly Bamboo and Lily of the Valley.  Early blooming deciduous trees like Cherry and Dogwood offer the needed filtered shade and ground hugging perennials such as Fumewort, Coral Bells, and Clematis offer interest and color throughout all layers of the garden.

 

 Setsugekka Camellia

 

Large, perfectly formed, semi-double, white flowers with ruffled edges and a bright cluster of golden stamens at the center.  Dense, semi-weeping habit and glossy, dark green foliage makes for an exceptional plant for foundation plantings or as an espalier.  Mid season bloomer.  Evergreen.

 

Care Information

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system.  Provide well drained soil, rich in organic matter.  Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom.  Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch.  Pruning time: winter after flowering.

Design Ideas

This semi-double white Camellia makes a wonderful backdrop to a moonlight garden in backyard beds close to your outdoor living space.  A must for Asian or woodland settings under large, old shade trees with filtered canopies.  Dress up a wall or garage as a shrub or train the dense, spreading habit of this Camellia as an espalier for a formal look.

Companion Plants

Pair with other pure white bloomers like Astilbe, Hydrangea, Azalea, Gardenia and Lilac for a beautiful moonlight garden.  For an Asian theme, design with mixed Azaleas, Heavenly Bamboo, Dogwood, Japanese Maples, Lily of the Valley, Iris and Rodgersia.

 

Bonanza Camellia

Camellia sasanqua ‘Bonanza’

 

A versatile performer displaying a profusion of striking, scarlet peony form blooms. Flowers are perfect for cutting.  Spreading form makes this an excellent choice for a colorful low hedge, espalier, or tall groundcover.  The glossy, dark green foliage makes an exceptional foundation planting in sheltered sites with bright shade.  Early season bloomer.  Evergreen.

 

Care Information

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system.  Provide well drained soil, rich in organic matter.  Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom.  Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch.  Pruning time: fall after flowering.

Design Ideas

The spreading habit of this Camellia offers more versatility than the erect, shrub forms.  Plant as a low growing, hedge in place of formal Boxwood or throughout beds close to your outdoor living space.  The beautiful red color and ruffled petals are at home in both a manicured or wild garden setting.  This plant is a must for Asian or woodland gardens under large, old shade trees with filtered canopies.  Dress up a wall or garage as a shrub, or train the spreading habit of this Camellia as an espalier for a formal look.

Companion Plants

Bonanza’s versatility in shade and partial sun, as well as wet and dry conditions, make this a plant that pairs well with a variety of garden shrubs and perennials.  Combine with the big, bold foliage and blooms of Hosta, Coral Bells, Hydrangea and Rhododendron.  As a clipped, formal hedge or parterre, plant amongst Roses, Rosemary, Lavender and the topiary forms of Monrovia’s Italianate Collection.  For an Asian theme, design with mixed Azaleas, Heavenly Bamboo, Dogwood, Japanese Maples, Lily of the Valley, Iris and Gardenia.

  

Shishi Gashira Camellia

Camellia sasanqua ‘Shishi Gashira’

 

A versatile performer displaying profuse, hot pink, semi-double blooms with golden yellow stamens in the center and glossy, dark green foliage.  Flowers are perfect for cutting.  Excellent choice for a colorful low hedge, espalier or high profile groundcover. Early to mid season bloomer.  Evergreen.

 

Care Information

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system.  Provide well drained soil, rich in organic matter.  Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom.  Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch.  Pruning time: winter after flowering.

Design Ideas

This low and wide spreader boasts hot pink flowers and is ideal for raised planters in city gardens.  Allow its unique weeping form to create the background for a romantic garden setting, or use it as a front-of-the-border feature.  Excellent up against the house to cover foundations and to tuck neatly beneath windows.  For a colorful effect during the dull days of winter, mass several under very large tree canopies with filtered shade.  Equally at home as a single specimen around water gardens and pools, where the pendulous branches may trail off boulders and falling petals may float upon the still water.

Companion Plants

The spreading habit makes this a great groundcover paired with blooming shrubs like Lily of the Valley, Hydrangea, Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel.  For an Asian theme, include Japanese Maple, Peony, Azalea, and Asiatic Lily.  If trained into a topiary form, include other formal garden standouts like Boxwood, Gardenia and Spiral topiaries.

  

Yuletide Camellia

Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’

 

Single, brilliant, fiery red blooms centered with bright yellow stamens makes this a beautiful addition to the winter garden.  Blossoms stand out in high contrast against glossy, dark green.  Excellent choice for a colorful hedge or screen, espalier, and border shrub.  Mid season bloomer.  Evergreen.

 

Care Information

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system.  Provide well drained soil, rich in organic matter.  Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom.  Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch.  Pruning time: winter after flowering.

Design Ideas

With its simple yet elegant red flowers and golden centers, this sasanqua variety is among the most popular.  When not in flower, its upright habit helps it create a fine evergreen background for a variety of conditions.  Plant around the house to cover foundations and to fill window-free walls.  Use along fence lines and add vivid color to outdoor living spaces, porches and patios.  Even grows well under the filtered shade of old street trees dominating the front yard.  Can be used as an informal hedge, partition or privacy screen.  As the name suggests, a must holiday decoration in containers or as cut flowers throughout the house.

Companion Plants

The red, holiday blooms pair well with those plants that produce fall and winter berries like Holly, Marlberry, and Japanese Skimmia.  Combine with the big, bold foliage and blooms of Hosta, Coral Bells, Hydrangea and Rhododendron.  For an Asian theme, design with mixed Azaleas, Heavenly Bamboo, Dogwood, Japanese Maples, Lily of the Valley, Iris and Gardenia.

 Shop our entire collection of blooming Camellias today!

We don’t traditionally think of January as “early Spring” – especially when frigid temps and biting wind plagues us each day, but early signs of spring are present to those willing to look closely.  So wake up winter with the new Gold Collection of Hellebores – the alarm clocks of Spring!

So what makes these Gold Collection Hellebores so special? 

1.)  Large Forward-Facing Flowers - traditionally, hellebores had their pretty faces turned shyly towards the ground.  Now the Gold Collection Hellebores faces are perked up so you won’t have to hold a mirror under them to reveal their true beauty.

2.)  First-year Flowering plants – patience has been the name of the game with the old hellebores when they were newly planted.  Now, the Gold Collection will take care of that!

3.) New Colors, earlier bloom times & more blooms - colors include white, rose, cinnamon & pink (color selection may vary)

Hellebores are easy to care for indoors & and out:

Indoor Care - Keep plants in a well-lit and cool area.  Keep them well-watered (but don’t let them stand in water)…and display them indoors for up to 4 weeks!

Outdoor Care - Plant as soon as possible (after enjoying them indoors) in rich well-drained soil in full to part shade.  Water them as needed to prevent wilt and fertilize them as you would any other perennial.

If you’re still unsure whether these new hellebores are worth the investment, consider these points:

• Gold Collection Hellebores have healthy, evergreen foliage that stays compact and bushy, are under 2ft tall, and can carpet the ground in a just a few years to become a winter-blooming groundcover.
• Bloom in shade or part shade and thrive under dogwood trees and other spring blooming trees
• In mild climate winters, you’ll enjoy blooms all season (while those other plants sleep!)
• They’ll stay green all summer long
• THey’re a hardy, drought resistant perennial
• Long & prolific bloomers

We’re pretty hardpressed to find any reason to not like the new Helleborus Gold Collection – so visit either store location and pick yours up today!

While most blossoms are quiet for the winter, Camellia japonica has waited out the long, warm season to shout out their brilliance. One minute, they have tight buds on their branches, and then they’re out with a bang. Thick-petaled, perfectly shaped, the flowers burst forth and sit elegantly for weeks in the garden.

Plant winter-blooming camellias in odd numbers in a border, or perennial bed for remarkable color in winter. The dense shrub with its glossy leaves are a beautiful evergreen canvas for flowers during the rest of the year.

This elegant shrub, or tree, grows 10 – 20 feet tall and 3 – 10 feet wide, with most falling between 6 – 12 feet tall. Camellia japonica, with its exceptional flowers, is a class act that does well in borders, as a specimen plant, or in containers.

• Camellias are native to China, Japan, and Korea
• Blooms from winter to early spring. Depending on the variety, you can expect flowers anywhere from December – April.
• Flowers can be single, in pairs, or clustered depending on the variety.
• Foliage is dense, bold, and glossy.
• Blossoms are perfect for cutting, exhibiting, and floating.

Growing Camellia Japonica

• The camellia likes rich, well-drained, acidic, and organic soil. Coffee grounds are very appreciated.
• Enjoys filtered, bright light.
• Prefers protection from strong wind, and hot sun. Good places are by a wall, fence, over-hang, and bigger trees.
• C. japonica likes to be fed a well-balanced fertilizer in the midspring and again in early summer.
• Likes the soil evenly moist, but can do with less watering in the winter.
• Maintain a 2″ thick mulch on the soil surrounding the roots of the camellia, being careful to keep mulch away from the base of the shrub. Shredded bark, or leaf mold work well.
• If C.japonica is in a zone with heavy winters, protect roots with straw placed around the base of plants.
• The shrub likes to be planted with the base of the trunk just above soil level.
• Prune right after flowering or in the summer for a strong show next season