Spring flowers have passed their peaks and if you look in the home stores and nurseries you see a lot of plants that are past their prime this year. But this is actually the time I best like to buy flowers!
When you go into a nursery and find a beautiful, flowering bush or other plant- the look so pretty so many people buy them and plant them at home. A few weeks later- all the blooms are gone and they barely had a chance to enjoy them in their garden. Instead- buy plants that are past their bloom in the fall and plant for a gorgeous garden NEXT year!
Many times I check the “distressed” plant areas in my local Lowe’s and Home Depots and even Walmarts. These plants may look as little wilted or brown but a little bit of TLC, and a fraction of the price, and next year you will see a beautiful plant!
A few tips:
- Check that there is at least 50% of the plant still green. Depending on the plant you can often prune off the dead parts, feed it and love on it (fertilize, water, etc) and it will bounce back.
- Be sure to get the right shade/sun plants for your area or the outcome will NOT be successful.
- Do NOT buy annuals. They may be cheaper but you will have to replace them each year. Perennials are the best bet- they come back year after year.
- Think plants that you can stretch- plants that propagate themselves and grow bigger- think ground covers that spread out or hostas that you can divide as they grow. Plants that can be divided or grown from cuttings are great ways to stretch the budget.
- Start small- try one or two this year and if successful buy more next year.
- Don’t go overboard- be sure you have the room before bringing 25 plants home!
The same goes for houseplants! I’ve bought SO many “distressed” plants that have taken off once given a little TLC!
FYI Lowes Home Improvement has changed their Plant Clearance Prices. I am honestly NOT a huge fan ($5 reg price is now just $4) so I always aim for at least 50% off.
We got a free rosemary “shrub” at Home Depot this year — there were none on the shelves in the spring and my son found it on its side in a pot underneath everything — seemingly forgotten. My husband asked the clerk about it and he said ‘oh, you can just have it.’ It was half brown and missing dirt. But now it is thriving! We love to use fresh herbs for cooking. It will probably last through the winter in the ground here in NC.