Lavender is actually an herb that belongs to the perennial family and is native to the Mediterranean. There are at least thirty species of it and the most common flowers are purple but lavender comes in white and pink also. The leaves and flowers of lavender contain scented oil glands and the oil has been used extensively in cosmetics and perfumes for many years. You can dry the leaves and flowers of lavender and use in sachets and potpourris or just place them in a basket around the house for a delightful scent. (photo courtesy: Breck’s)

Lavender goes back to ancient times and used extensively by the Greeks and Romans. Back then, they used lavender to scent bath water and that is where its name comes from which is derived from the Latin word lavare which means to wash. Since then, lavender has been known to get rid of melancholy and lift one’s spirit. Lavender was also used to help combat dizziness and some say that women in labor had been known for using lavender during childbirth to gain some courage and strength.

Today, lavender continues to show medicinal properties as a discovery was made of a sedative in the plant called antispasmodic which has tranquilizing effects on people. It is believed that lavender has been used to relieve headaches and stress. It is also used as a topical disinfectant on wounds and to relieve tired nerves that causes pain. Some people have reported relief from intestinal gas and indigestion after using lavender. I don’t know if all these claims are true but what I do know is that the lavender scent is delightful and very soothing. And the best part is that lavender is easy to grow. Here are some tips for growing lavender in pots or containers. (photo courtesy: Breck’s)

•    Since lavender plants can grow to be a shrub, start with large containers or pots. You may want to fill the bottom of the pot or container with Styrofoam or even gravel to promote easy drainage. Mix some potting soil with about a tablespoon of lime and fill the container. Place the plant in the pot or container about an inch above the soil line so that the plant’s crown is not covered.

•    Add some mulch or you can use landscaping pebbles up to the plant crown. Some gardeners believe that the mulch gives the plant more light and it is better for fast growth. It also helps to dry the plant’s stems faster after watering. This is essential so that your lavender plant does not rot.

•    Lavender plants love sun and it needs at least eight hours daily so be sure to place the pot or container in a sunny area. A sidewalk or a patio is ideal for the pot or container.

•    Be sure to check the soil under the mulch frequently and water if the soil feels dry to you. If the soil is dry, water the plant until the water reaches the bottom of the pot or container. You can also feed your lavender plant regularly with fertilizer. Check at your local garden store for the best fertilizer to use.

•    When your plant is in full bloom, be sure to cut blooming stems as this will encourage more growth. Lavender plants can flower at least three times during the summer. Be sure to place those gorgeous blooms in a vase and keep in the house for a soothing scent.

•    In the winter months, bring your lavender pot or container indoors and place them in an unheated porch or garage. Don’t worry if the soil freezes, it won’t damage the plant.

It is starting to warm up a bit in some areas and there are lots of things you can do in your garden to get ready for spring season. Hopefully, you took care of your plants before the cold weather by watering them and adding lots of mulch to your shrubs and trees. Also, during really cold fronts, like the one we just had here in Florida, you covered your perennials and all tender shrubs with blankets and quilts. (photo courtesy: wikipedia.org)

But as you look around your garden, you see those sad looking flowerbeds that are still frozen and actually crunches when you touch them. Some perennials, pansies and snapdragons may be drooping and when you touch the soil it is frozen solid. Gosh! It really is sad to see your garden look like this. But this in reality is what happens to your garden during the colder months in the northern areas or even cold fronts like we have here in Florida.

If you have hardy perennials in your garden, the good news is that snow and ice act as insulators and this actually may have helped the plants survive the cold weather. Some gardeners believe that after a big freeze or cold front, you should not wash the ice or frost off the plants because it may damage the plants. Leave the frost alone and wait until the soil is completely thawed and dry before working on the garden.

Once the soil is frost free, water it lightly to make sure the roots don’t dry up completely. Don’t over water as this may cause your plants to rot. Once it starts warming up in your area, start removing the damaged leaves from your perennials and other plants that were affected by the freeze. Be sure to remove any leaves that look mushy, yellow or dried out to prevent the spread of disease. Remember that the roots of these plants were somewhat protected even during a cold front and these should come back healthy in the spring.

The exception to this is tropical plants that are sometimes called “woody” plants. Don’t prune plants like hibiscus or lantana right after a big freeze or frost. These plants are best pruned in the spring or once the danger of frost is gone. Wait until you see new growth beginning to sprout or you can scratch the bark lightly until you see green wood. If the green is there, go ahead and prune your tropical plants.

Let’s face it, we all have people in our lives that are impossible to buy for. With Christmas right around the corner, if you have someone that you just can’t find that perfect gift for, give them some flowering bulbs. This is a gift that they will have for years to come as bulbs do come back every year and they will always remember you with fond memories. (photo courtesy: Breck’s)

Christmas is a time for giving and now you can order some bulbs at incredible prices. For example, Breck’s which is a very reputable bulb company is offering 25% discount on selected bulbs for Christmas. They have lots of bulbs to choose from in their Holiday Collection but you have to hurry and order by December 15th to lock in your savings.

These bulbs come from Holland and Breck’s uses the most efficient way to ship them to you via US Parcel Service or United Parcel Service. They guarantee that all of their holiday gift items ordered before December 15th will be delivered by Christmas Eve. So hurry and get your order in for all those special people on your list. Here are a few of the bulbs in their collection.

Twinkle Twinkle Holiday Star Amaryllis
This gorgeous red amaryllis is known as the Star of Holland because of its dramatic white star in the center of each bloom. Amaryllis is truly a traditional symbol of the holiday season and you can expect to get 6-8 flowers that measure 8″ across from 1-bulb planter. (photo courtesy: Breck’s)

Sleigh Bell Daffodil
Daffodils are an old time favorite of many people and very easy to grow. Sleigh Bell Daffodil produces multiple blooms per stem of beautiful soft yellow flowers that are accented by a darker cup. It has very sturdy stems that grow up to 10″ tall. In this collection, you will get 3 potted bulbs in a 4″ pot that comes wrapped in green foil and produces 18-21 blooms. (photo courtesy: Breck’s)

Christmas Charm Hyacinth
This is another old time favorite and heavenly fragrant. Christmas Charm Hyacinth produces hundreds of tiny florets and one stem is enough to perfume a whole room. It has strong stems and lavender bell flowers with white markings and you can get 3 potted bulbs in a 6″ pot wrapped in green foil. These bulbs are already sprouted so you can have flowers in just a few weeks. (photo courtesy: Breck’s)

Go ahead and get your order in to arrive just in time for the holidays. You will have peace of mind knowing that you’ve purchased your bulbs from a very reputable company like Breck’s.

It is the fall season and time to get those containers full of your favorite fall flowers. Plants like mums and asters look beautiful and give a classic look in a fall container garden but don’t limit your choices to just these two, there are lots of other fall plants that usually last well beyond the first frost. (photo courtesy: Park Seed)

While most of us go crazy in the summer planting flowering annuals, hardy perennials are a great choice to plant in your container gardens during the fall season. Experiment with different color combinations that you usually will not consider during the summer months like orange and purple mixed in with greens and deep reds for a dramatic look. You can try some of these hardy perennials in your fall garden containers.

Sedum
Sedum is a late blooming and hardy plant that will grow well in any garden or container. In late summer, beautiful pink blooms appear and it continues blooming into fall. It has big leaves in creamy-ivory and edged in deep green. Sedum usually grows 20 inches high and about 24 inches wide. It is perfect for containers or even looks great as a border plant in your garden. The blooms attract butterflies and Sedum is also great as cut fresh flowers or even for dried arrangements. It is truly carefree and tolerates heat, drought and even gardener’s neglect and grows well in zones 3-10. (photo courtesy: Park Seed)

Lambs Ear
Lambs Ear is great as a groundcover growing just 2 inches high or it can be planted in containers. This plant is covered with very fine silky silver hairs that almost glisten. You can plant lambs ear in those bear areas left from the annuals and it will form a beautiful groundcover spreading 12 inches wide. Bees and butterflies love this plant and there is very little maintenance. Watering in periods of drought is all that is needed and it grows well in zones 5-8. (photo courtesy: Park Seed)

Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny is ideal for planting in walkways, use it as edging in your garden, or as hanging baskets and window boxes. It will also look great in containers. The golden yellow leaves of creeping jenny can truly add some much needed color to any garden during the fall season. It is recommended that creeping jenny be planted in full sun in order to get the best golden yellow color leaves. Creeping jenny grows well in zones 3-9. (photo courtesy: Park Seed)

Hens and Chicks
Hens and Chicks is a very hardy plant that grows well even in hot and dry gardens. You can plant hens and chicks in your garden or containers. It forms a bright rosette of foliage that spreads freely and creates a colorful display in almost any setting. The foliage can vary from gray-green to a deep magenta, and almost mahogany tones. The blooms can vary from yellow to pink shades color. (photo courtesy: Park Seed)

Coral Bells
Coral Bells is in the heuchera family and considered the last to bloom in the garden. It will start blooming late summer and continues until frost. It delivers masses of white blooms that look like snowflakes giving it almost a gentle beauty. Coral bells grow 18 inches high and about 19 inches wide making this plant a comfortable size for a container. It tolerates heat and sun and grows well in zones 3-8. (photo courtesy: Park Seed)