3 Basic Container Gardening Essentials

Better Containers begin with these 3 essentials.

THRILLERS, plants that make you say ‘WOW’! As the reaction states, your Thrillers are the plants that are going to grab the initial attention. They usually are a tall, upright plant that has unique qualities, such as unusual colors, texture, or flowers-that will last all season.  Thrillers usually should be the tallest plant and the plant that the rest of your container is designed around.

FILLERS are just as the name implies, a plant that fills in around the others creating a massing look. Fillers should be a  more finely textured plant, one that can intermingle nicely with the Thriller. They create a nice colorful contrast that lies in the middle of your combination. You also will want to consider looking for Fillers that nicely can cover the less interesting base of the thriller you used. Don’t be stingy when planting your fillers, you want a nice full look.

SPILLERS complete the look! By now your pot probably is looking quite full. Maybe there is not a lot of room left to plant, but make sure you have room for a few Spillers. Spillers soften the look of the pot by adding interest all the way to the ground. With the many unique color choices and textures you can find in the line of Spillers, often the Spiller can create as much buzz as its looked up to friend the Thriller.

Do You Have All The

Container Gardening Essentials?

Start with THRILLERS

Add FILLERS

End with SPILLERS

Spring is in the Air at Garden Crossings!!!

Garden Crossings would like to introduce you to Spring a little early. We would like to invite you to our second annual Container Gardening Open House on Saturday March 26 between the hours of 10am-2pm or Monday March 28 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Tell all your friends. No better yet bring your friends for a couple hours of fun.

You will have the opportunity to plant your very own combination planters or hanging baskets. If you like to design, you can design a plan of your own. We will also have preprinted designs that you can follow. Our staff will be available to help you with your plantings and designs if needed. We will also provide to you a Proven Winners® Gardener's Idea Book for you to look through and take home. We will grow and take care of your baskets until May 6 or 7th when they will be filled out and ready for you to enjoy for the summer.

The cost for planting your own combination containers or hanging baskets will start at $29.95 and paid for at the time of planting. This price includes 5 - 4 ½" annuals of your choice, a 10" or 12" plastic pot or basket and potting soil with time release fertilizer and a Proven Winners® Gardener's Idea Book. Along with us assisting you in your design, growing and maintaining your plants until you are ready to pick them on Mother's Day Weekend. We will have other sizes and style basket available for an additional cost.

We are KID FRIENDLY! We also have a special planting program for kids. Kids can plant a 10" basket from select plants for only $9.93. It is never to early to share the love of gardening with your children, and they will thank you for it! More Info...

Educating The Future Gardener

Friday we had the great pleasure of taking the class out of the classroom. Children are the future to gardening and we feel it is very important to teach them the basics in plant knowledge. The future to gardening depends on our children. Many of us  20-30 somethings have no clue how to garden or where to even start. By planting a seed in these children we hope they go home excited to garden. Excitement is contagious and hopefully they can share their new found love for gardening with their parents. Gardening is a great family hobby, all ages can take part. From choosing plants, to planting, weeding, and enjoying the beautiful landscape they took part in creating. Is it time you start a new gardening hobby with your family?

Educating the Future Gardeners...that is the

Garden Crossings Experience!

What's Happening on Facebook?

Recycling Your Old Tires to Make Beautiful Planters

One person's trash is another's treasure! I was at a Stuck on Gardening Conference a few weeks ago and one of the speakers (Felder Rushing) was there. He was showing pictures of people using old tires in their gardens. Rushing is a great speaker, super funny guy.

Anyways, the pictures he first showed us were some pretty tacky looking tire planters, people were using them for fences, stacking them up, painting them white, all sorts of craziness.  I really was not so sure if this guy was for real with the tire planter idea. Then at the end of his talk he was showing us some pretty cool 'tire' planters. He gave us instructions of how to create these recycled pieces of art! I wanted to share this crazy, but cool idea with you.

Please be very careful when creating these pieces of art. Garden Crossings is not responsible for any accidents that may happen!

Here is a link to 'How to Create a Tire Planter'

Find these along with other great garden accents that came from 'junk' on Garden Crossings Facebook Page.

Be sure to 'Like' our page while you are there!

Vacations Last a Week, Your Backyard Lasts Forever!

Rod & Heidi

Save Over 30%

(Fountain Grass) Pennisetum 'Fireworks' is a refreshing new look to an old time favorite ornamental grass! 'Fireworks' is the first variegated purple fountain grass. Each leaf includes various shades of pink, burgundy and purple with a little white thrown in for contrast. Since 'Fireworks' is a sport of Pennisetum 'Rubrum', it will also look great as a center piece in combination containers. In the garden or landscape, plant it with red or purple plants such as Pennisetum 'Princess' PP17,728.

The Garden Crossings

Color Wheel

'Evergold' is a wonderful variegated sedge. Plant in a part shaded area and this evergreen will show off its color year round. 'Evergold' makes an excellent border or edging plant when planted along a garden path. It also can serve as an excellent transition plant between the lawn and the garden. This is a great plant!

School Kids

Mid March - We want to welcome certain grades from three of our local schools to Garden Crossings during the month of March. The Schools are:

• Borculo Christian
• Hudsonville Christian
• Zeeland Christian

The kids will be learning about plants and planting their own basket for Mom or Dad to pickup on Mother's Day Weekend.

March 26 - Join us for our Spring Open House. Create & Plant your own hanging basket or container combination. JQ99 will be broadcasting live from 10am to 12pm. More details coming soon!

March 26 - Children age 3 to 12 can plant their own 10 inch hanging basket as well. Choose from sun or shade plants. They will have fun while learning about plants.

March 28 - April 8th - Gather your friends, family or garden club together and schedule a Garden Crossings Planting Party. Day and Evening times slots are available. Call Heidi today at 616-875-6355 to find out more details and to schedule your Planting Party!

April 22 & 23 - Come celebrate our Spring Reopening on Friday & Saturday April 22 & 23. Come browse and enjoy the Garden Crossings Experience. Let Us Help Your Gardening Dreams Come True!

May 6 & 7 - Don't forget about Mom this Mother's Day. Plan ahead and bring her to her favorite garden center. Let us help you design and plant that perfect basket for her or select from our hundreds of beautiful baskets. JQ99 will be here broadcasting live on Friday May 6 from 5pm to 7pm. Mark your calendars now. You do not want to miss this special weekend.

4902 96th Ave

Zeeland, MI 49464

Map

Phone (616) 875-6355

Fax (616) 875-8765

sales@gardencrossings.com