Home Grown Notions: Flower Gifts

by: Beth Cook, Mammoth Cave Transplants
With Mother's Day coming up this Sunday, flowers remain the top gifted item for the Moms in our life on Mother’s Day. Instead of giving the usual cut flower arrangement that will soon wilt and be tossed away, give her a gift that will keep on giving through the spring and summer or even for years to come. Here is a few tips for giving flowers as gifts, but also a few if you receive flowers.

​One very important thing to keep in mind when gifting flowers is to know is how much sunlight will it get at its new home. A shade loving plant will not be able to survive in an area that gets sun a majority of the day no matter how much TLC you give it. So be sure to check the labels in each plant. See the below recommendations for lighting conditions.

Full sun: Prefers six or more hours of direct sunshine a day

Partial shade: Thrives in three to six hours of daily sunshine

Shade: Generally does well with less than three hours of sun per day, preferably morning sun.

​If you want to give a gift that keeps on giving year after year, get her a perennial like a Clematis, a Peony, or one of the many other perennials that are available. Rose bushes, other flowering shrubs like Hydrangeas, and ornamental trees are also a great gift idea that she can enjoy for years to come. If you unsure about what flowers she would like or what type of plant would do best at her home, you can always get your avid gardener some new gardening gloves or tools. Beautiful garden décor is also another gift idea that may just add the perfect touch to her garden or even a hummingbird feeder. If you are still unsure, you can always get a gift certificate and she can choose the plants to her liking. Take a day and make a special outing with her to pick them out, spending time together would be the greatest gift of all.

​If you are lucky to be on the receiving end of a hanging basket or container of plants take a look at the tag for specific care instructions. The key to keeping them looking great is watering and fertilizing. Containers and hanging baskets tend to dry out quickly especially on hot or windy days and will need watering daily and possibly twice a day depending on the plant and temperatures. It is a good idea to feel of the soil daily to make sure it is moist. If cloudy or rainy you may need to only water every other day. It is also a good idea to add a time release fertilizer to your pot to continuously feed it for a few months. You should still use a water soluble fertilizer once a week.  

Happy Mother’s Day from Mammoth Cave Transplants!

Join us for Cupcakes, Tea, and Lemonade Saturday, May 11!