Father’s Day can mean many different things to fathers and kids.  It can mean it’s a time for Dad to relax.  It could mean a time for Dad to spend quality time with his kids.  It “could” mean Dad get’s a break from his kids.  Sometimes gifts are involved and sometimes we just show Dad how much he means to us some other way.  I used to clean my Dad’s garage.  It wasn’t something I looked forward to but I knew he didn’t destroy his garage, chances are “I did”.  I always knew he would appreciate that more than anything.  Then we’d go to dinner wherever he wanted to go.  Of course, he always chose a place we’d want to go to also.  What’s important for Father’s Day isn’t what you do for Dad, it’s that you show him in some special way that you care about him.  That’s why here at Rosehill we want to give you just one more option for a special way to show Dad you care.  Whether you want to have a tree planted for Dad, or the kids would like to plant the tree with Dad as something they can do together, we’d like to help make it possible.  That’s why starting Tuesday running through Sunday (Father’s Day) we will deliver any tree purchased at our Garden Center free of charge, or if you’d like us to plant it we’ll give you 50% 0ff our normal planting fee.  Dad can relax knowing part or all of the work has been done for him.  We have many fathers right here at Rosehill and we want to see all Dads have a rewarding Father’s Day.

Fathers Day Specials (June 13th through June 17th):

•    Buy a tree, get your choice of free delivery or half-price planting.
•    Buy three shrubs, get one free.
•    Buy three trees, get one free AND get free delivery.
•    Buy one geranium or tomato plant and get one free.

Come  join us at the Garden Center to gather unique and creative combinations for your containers.  We will show you how to incorporate annuals, perennials, herbs, tropicals and succulents for your own personalized combination to take home.  Bring in your favorite containers (limit 2, please) and let us help you choose the right plants to express your individuality.  We will provide the soil, potting area and staff assistance. Special class discount of 20% off plant purchases for the container! No RSVP needed.  Just come in with or without a container.

Once you have completed your container we will take a picture for you and automatically enter you into our facebook contest for a gift certificate of either $100, $50, or $25.

Pick a day that works best for you:

Saturday, June 2, at 10:00 am

 Tuesday, June 5, at 5:00 pm

Saturday, June 9, at 10:00 am.

Here we go again!  So far this year in Kansas City Winter in Kansas City was spring and spring was summer.  If that’s not confusing enough try to figure out what that means summer will bring.  What does all that mean for weeds?

Last year in Kansas City we had a very wet spring followed by a very dry summer.  Weeds were terrible to say the least.  This year we have had a very dry winter and spring and no cold weather during the winter.  The bottom line answer to the above question is, “the weeds will once again be bad this year”. 

Weeds will grow in almost any environment but they will grow best in environments under stress.  That means whenever there isn’t enough water for turf or when there is too much water for turf, any conditions that cause stress to your turf.  Think about your grass being in a constant struggle with weeds above the surface and below the surface.  The conditions below need to be just right for your turf so they can crowd weeds out.  The water must be consistent and reach the roots to promote deep root growth.  Above the surface the grass needs the right amount of sun.  Too little or too much sun are guaranteed to be conditions better suited for some type of weeds than your grass.

We can’t control the sun, although sometimes we can control the shade by adding or thinning trees.  What we can at times control is the amount and frequency of water.  Your turf will do best if you water more frequently for shorter periods of time.  Your landscape, and specifically trees, on the other hand has deeper roots and likes more water but less frequently.  The other variables you can control are proper use of fertilizers and herbicides.  It is essential that any chemical applications are timed correctly especially during years like this year where the weather is abnormal.  Rosehill chemical applicators pay close attention to weather trends and moisture in determining when to put down chemical applications.  With Spring here 3 plus weeks early you can bet the weeds were here that early also.

For your part make sure you properly mow at the correct frequencies and lengths depending on the conditions.  Water and fertilize your lawn to encourage healthy turf growth and minimize thin turf.  Make sure you catch weeds as early as possible with a post-emergent application or by pulling them roots and all.  Remember Rosehill has a complete turf application program that includes weed control both before and after.  Good luck in pushing the grass up and the weeds down.

            Each season here at the garden store brings something new and wonderful to witness (learn).  Surrounded by big skies, trees and an abundance of birdlife, our days are often filled with chatter, chirps and mating pairs seeking a safe haven to nest.

            Recently, something special has captured our attention daily.  For reasons unknown to us, the ficus trees inside the greenhouse have become that safe haven. On three different occasions now, we have watched the devoted mates flying in and out, carrying all sorts of bedding material for their families-to-be……someone’s straw from lunch, jute twine from the tree lot, even a perfectly centered label advertising Rustiks’ ornamental twigs!

            While cardinal mates ‘setting up nest’ in ficus trees may not be unheard of, what we are now witnessing next door, truly is.  Less than ten feet away from the female cardinal in her nest,  in yet another ficus tree ( this one variegated), sits a robin.  Several times a day, both sit on their eggs at the same time, close to each other in proximity yet each completely absorbed in their own mission.  No fighting, no interfering-just alert, vigilant and waiting.

 Two days ago, we walked through the greenhouse to the sound of tiny peeps and saw downy, miniature Mohawks poking over the nests’ edge.  Ten feet away sits the robin, still———-waiting, vigilant and ready to dive-bomb if we get too close.  We are gently anxious for her four beautiful eggs to hatch as the cardinal parents fuss and feed and fly about.  She sits and stares ahead waiting patiently.  Hopefully, very soon we will be hearing more tiny peeps in our cross-species bird nursery.

While you’re shopping at Rosehill make sure to ask an associate to direct you to see the birds.  It’s quite amazing to see nature co-existing with our society.

Antirrhinum is a genus of plants known sometimes as dragon flower or snapdragon. The flower resembles the face of a dragon that opens and closes its mouth (when the flower sides are squeezed); thus, the ‘snap’. The Latin name, Antirrhinum, is derived from the Greek ‘anti’, meaning ‘like’, and ‘rhis’, meaning ‘nose’–literally, “like a nose”.

Snapdragons are cold-season annuals in the Kansas City area, and do best in full to partial sun. Available in a rainbow of colors and a wide range of heights, snapdragons provide a charming burst of color for the summer garden. Plant them in soil that drains well to prevent the roots from rotting.

Snapdragons are also important as a model organism in botanical research, as its genome has been studied in detail.