Spring is Coming!

by Laurelynn Martin and Byron Martin

Some of us feel like spring will never arrive and for others spring sneaks up on us every year. But whichever camp you are in, the longer days are coming and we’re excited to get ready for our spring gardening. So, put away the snow shovels and get out the gardening tools, whether you are preparing your garden beds or waiting for increased sunlight so your indoor plants will wake up and start growing again. We have some extraordinary choices to kick start the spring season.

A colorful plant that makes a dramatic statement is Hibiscus ‘Imperial Dragon’ (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis hybrid). Whether grown inside in the cooler days or outside in the summertime, ‘Imperial Dragon’ has large showy blooms that reach 7-8” across. The heart of the flower is vibrant purple and the light orange to deep orange petals have frilly edges adding to its beauty.

Oso Easy® Rose ‘Italian Ice’ p.p. (Rosa hybrid) is an easy grower and prolific bloomer. The name alone conjures up summer vacations or special occasions and ‘Italian Ice’ blooms heaviest in the summer with its soft yellow roses blushed with pink margins and a touch of orange. Dead-heading is not required, and it blooms and re-blooms all summer long into fall. Its fragrant flowers and bushy growth habit make for a wonderful container plant or ‘Italian Ice’ can be planted directly in the ground for Zones 4 and higher.

Another excellent plant to grow for foliage and fruit is Banana ‘Super Dwarf Cavendish’ (Musa acuminata). We love this banana, especially for its ability to produce fruit at a height of only 3’ tall. I’ve grown my ‘Super Dwarf Cavendish’ for many years, moving it outside when the danger of frost has passed, and I use it in my garden beds as a central focal point with its large leaves that add a tropical flair. The fruit is smaller than commercial bananas but perfect for small hands or small appetites. Grow ‘Super Dwarf Cavendish’ in full sun with plenty of water and fertilizer. Also, when this banana produces “pups” (small plantlets), we recommend leaving one pup alongside the mother plant and any others can be removed and potted separately.

Terrestrial Orchid ‘Wild Thing’ (Phaius microburst) Orchids are a favorite at Logee’s and if you are looking for a reliable bloomer, this low light terrestrial orchid produces 15 blossoms per spike. The coral-pink blossoms have orange markings and the wildly colored lip is ivory with burgundy splashes. It is fully mature in one year and the second year ‘Wild Thing’ becomes a large specimen. The spikes rise high above the foliage and bloom in late winter and early spring.

Adeniums are the ultimate plant that signifies spring is really here. They love the longer days and the added warmth that we are all seeking in the coming months. Desert Rose ‘Good Luck’ (Adenium hybrid) has amazing double flowers of pink and white overlapping petals and it flowers from spring through fall. The key to getting Adeniums to bloom is to give full, hot sun and keep dry. However, when watering, make sure to soak them and let the water run out of the bottom of the pot. ‘Good Luck’ is a two-year-old grafted plant with a thickened caudex and is ready to bloom this spring.

Thank you for visiting Logee’s. You can learn more about these exciting spring gardening plants below. And while you’re here, please be sure to explore our selection of fruiting, rare and tropical plants. And don’t forget to request your free Logee’s catalog, too!

• Hibiscus ‘Imperial Dragon’
• Oso Easy® Rose ‘Italian Ice’ p.p.
• ‘Super Dwarf Cavendish’
• Terrestrial Orchid ‘Wild Thing’
• Desert Rose ‘Good Luck’