Striving for success without hard work is like trying to harvest where you haven’t planted. ~ David Bly

Custom Gardens, LLC welcomes you into the heat of midsummer with an invitation to enjoy news, tips, and our monthly spotlighted plant!

Plant of the Month

Custom Gardens is pleased to present the begonia as July’s spotlighted plant. You are sure to see its radiant hues playing in your summer travels, and we invite you to add them to your very own landscape — either indoor or out. With seven different sub species of begonia, many of which we display here, we’re quite sure you will find something to strike your gardening fancy.

Annuals or perennials? Climbers or shrubs? Succulents or trailers? Evergreen or deciduous? The designation begonia has it all.

One constant in their gardening equation is that begonias grow naturally in tropical to subtropical climates, making it evident why many people enjoy them outdoors as annuals in summer months. Begonias prefer soil that is slightly acidic, and they do not like their soil to be soggy or waterlogged. Instead, they grow best in well-drained, rich soil in partial shade. Indoors, begonias thrive in bright but indirect light. If growing indoors, be sure to repot your begonia once a year.

Helpful Hint for July

It’s not particularly difficult to find a plant sale in the month of July, and the colors are so inviting that you often can’t help but peruse the selections. But before purchasing, be sure to read the label. It’s not a bargain if your planting space is mostly shade and you select a plant that wants sun, or vice verse. And remember, watering a plant in full sun tends to invite sun burn. Custom Gardens recommends watering in the morning.

Did You Know…

Planning to remodel? Additions to your home often don’t end with the construction plans; you also need to consider your existing plants and new landscaping possibilities. Are you interested in saving or modifying your current landscaping, but unsure how to successfully accomplish the task? Custom Gardens can assess your remodeling plans and help construct a successful strategy to bring in the new, or protect the current — including any necessary temporary relocation of the plants and shrubs you now enjoy.

In the News

As you know, Custom Gardens was recently honored with the award for 2011 Best Growing Business by the Main Line Chamber of Commerce. In reflecting on the joys of success, we take pride in being able to consistently solve client problems. What does that mean? It means getting plants to grow where everything else has previously died, installing plants which pesky deer finally find unattractive, or even providing a client with a yard full of color — that also doesn’t require high maintenance.

All the Time

Custom Gardens invites you to contact us at 610.613.7506 for a consultation. Available to discuss indoor plants (what and where) as well as indoor and outdoor specialty gardens and landscapes, we are in the business of offering you ideas to make your property and everyday view more attractive and enjoyable.

Sincerely,

Ellen Covner
Custom Gardens, LLC