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Summer is here and the longest day of the year is now behind us. We're getting ready for fall here at Estabrook's
(fall mums are being planted as we speak!) but at home, I'm just starting to get my gardening underway. I'm too busy during the
spring, so summer is my time to work in the yard. If you haven't had a chance to get out in the garden either, fear not. Plenty of fresh trees, shrubs, perennials and more have arrived just in time for our Summer Sale - most plants are now 25% OFF. Come visit us in Yarmouth, Scarborough or Kennebunk and say hi! -- Tom Estabrook, Vice President |
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Planting a Shade Garden
If your yard doesn't get the necessary sunlight to grow a regular garden, don't worry - many plants
thrive under shady conditions and can quickly transform your landscape into a lush garden oasis. Plus, because shade gardens require less
maintenance than sunny ones, you'll have more time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.Choosing Your Site
The first step in establishing a shade garden is deciding where to place it. Do you want an intimate setting in the corner of your yard or would you like it featured along a walkway? Before selecting a site you should keep in mind the many elements that will affect your shade garden, including soil quality, drainage, existing structures, and trees or hedges that may battle your new plants for water and nutrients.
Types of Shade
Light is critical to the health of any plant and even shade garden plants will generally require at least some type of sunlight during the day (usually in the morning). Shady spots can be divided into five different levels of shade:
- Light Shade - Bright, open shade that offers indirect light in addition to direct sun.
- Partial Shade - Shade is present during part of the day but the area generally receives two to six hours of direct sun.
- Dappled Shade - Sunlight filtering through trees creates dappled shade and may change over the course of the day.
- Heavy Shade - Solid shade created by tall buildings or large evergreens. Evergreens can be trimmed to allow more sunlight here.
- Dense Shade - Constant shade with no direct sun at all and no reflected light. Plant selection will be limited under these conditions.
If your property is wooded, your soil is probably rich in organic matter created by tree trunks and fallen leaves or branches. However, areas under trees can have lifeless soil, particularly if the soil is root infested or the ground is covered with pine needles.
To improve the soil, add two parts humus (compost, leaf mold, or peat moss) to one part sand and one part clay soil. Thoroughly work the mixture into the soil with a sharp spade. The humus will make the soil light and porous, the coarse sand helps to ensure good drainage, and the clay will provide necessary nutrients.
Selecting Plants
Since this is a shade garden, be sure to choose plants that love the shade and pay attention to the kind of shade the plants prefer. Some plants will do well in light shade, while others thrive in partial or full shade, so check the plant tag, our online catalog, or ask one of your garden professionals for help.
Since a limited number of shade plants flower, the focus should be on foliage. Instead of blooms, you should plan your garden around contrasting foliage and textures. If one of your goals is to brighten up the space, look for plants with variegated foliage.
Due to the wide variety of colors, forms and textures, perennials are a popular choice for shady areas. While Ferns and Hostas remain the kings of the perennial shade garden, many varieties of Astilbe will provide brilliant blooms and thrive in the shade.
When everything is in place, fill in the bare spots with colorful shade-loving annuals such as impatiens, begonias, and coleus.
By following these simple steps, you'll have a beautiful new garden that you can enjoy all season long while lounging in the summer shade!
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Landscaping Your Front Yard
It's a great time to start tackling some overdue projects now that you can save 25% during our Summer Sale. If the front yard is at or near
the top of the list, we have some tips before you get started.Creating a beautiful, welcoming front yard is a wonderful way to express yourself and give your home warmth and personality. Try to envision your front yard as another room of your house. It should convey your sense of style through shape, texture and color. Although working with living elements that change with the seasons and grow over time is challenging, the rewards are great.
Tie Your Home to Your Landscape
Take cues from your architecture, neighborhood and surrounding environment. The style of your home plays a large role in the design of your landscape: formal, informal, contemporary, rustic, colonial, cottage. The area surrounding your home should be reflected in your design: wooded, seaside, field, waterside. And consider the color of your home - a color coordinate landscape flows.
Create a Welcoming Entry
A front entry is the gateway to your home, so make it the focal point. This is where you meet and greet family and friends. The entry should be warm and inviting with enough space to enter and objects to attract the eye.
Front Yards Need to Work
Since your front yard is the most public place of your home, they need to function as well as be attractive. Each yard needs a practical way to get from the drive to the main entry. Although utilitarian, a path or walkway can be more than a just getting from point A to point B. Well designed walks can create a mood. A gently curving walk is an invitation to slow down and enjoy. Straight concrete walk can soften with plantings and points of interest.
A welcoming front yard and entry is a wonderful way to express your creativity, and add interest and value to your home.
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 Save 25% on these fantastic plants during our Summer Sale!  Marguerite Daisies  Endless Summer Hydrangea  Cleome 'Senorita Rosalita'  Russian Sage  Orange Crush Daylily  Camelot Rose Foxglove |
 Hot summer weather is here; we recommend deep waterings 2-3 times per week (even when it rains) to keep your plants happy and healthy New houseplants are here! Choose from flowering jasmine, cacti, succulents, a great variety of fresh ferns and much more! Heat, humidity and rainfall can attract insects and disease to your plants; check out your garden and contact us with any concerns |
 "Private Gardens of the Kennebunks" Garden Tour July 17th P. Allen Smith Day August 6th Learn More... |
 From the ultimate garden solution to perfect gifts, you're sure to find something great in our emporium!  Don't let slugs ruin your garden this summer; fight back with Sluggo  Protect yourself from the sun with a stylish Tula Hat - new styles have just arrived! |