Now’s the time to plant

Kevin Westrick stands among Japanese maple trees.

By Monica Dufour
INDEX Staff Writer

DAVISON — May is here, and it’s time to start thinking about planting flowers and trees with the help from a couple of local florists.

Marlene Cole, owner of Rayola Florist, 919 N. State Rd., said as a general rule, flowers, plants, and vegetables can be planted after Mother’s Day. Perennials may be planted before Mother’s Day, she said.

Rayola offers a rainbow of flowers including perennials, annuals, potted flowers and plants, hanging baskets and vegetables.

While plants should be okay, Cole said people should still be conscientious of frost and the damage it can do.

“We live in Michigan, after all,” Cole said with a smile. She suggests covering plants and flowers if frost is forecasted.

Of all the types of flowers, Cole said hanging baskets seem to be the hot item.
For those just getting into gardening, Coles suggests planting flowers that don’t require a lot of maintenance, such as petunias or geraniums.

Mother Nature takes good care of flowers and plants planted outside, but Cole said potted flowers and plants require watering daily or at least every other day. She suggests fertilizing twice a month. Hanging baskets need watering every day.

“You can plant any tree or shrub now,” said Kevin Westrick, general manager of Wojo’s Garden Splendor, 7360 E. Court St.

Their tree and shrub section displays about 1,500 trees and shrubs including crabapples, cherry ornamentals, spruces, maples and fruit trees. Their knowledgeable staff is available to answer questions about planting.

Westrick recommends digging a hole one-and-a half times the size of the pot when planting trees and shrubs. He also recommends using a mixture of Canadian peat and soil.

Tree fertilization should be done in the spring, but no later than July 4, he said, to ensure the tree won’t be adding to its growth when it should be conserving energy to remain hearty during the winter months.

Employee Bob Filter said hydrangeas are great blooming trees. “They bloom from early July to September; at least six weeks.”

Rose bushes are his favorite. To grow great hybrid roses, he recommends burying the knob at least two inches below the soil line.

Rayola’s is open from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, phone 810-653-4177.

Wojo’s is open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, phone 810-658-9221.