Mother’s Day Gifts From the Garden & More May Gardening Tips
As growing season kicks into high gear, certified professional horticulturalist and manager of The Green Thumb Suzanne Barton shares her recommendations for Mother’s Day florals, strategies to beat the heat and her favorite herbs to spruce up iced tea.
Story by Alea Wilkins and Suzanne Barton
Key Points
● Zinnias make beautiful Mother’s Day gifts that attract butterflies and local pollinators to the garden.
● Ensure all irrigation systems are working properly and start mulching early to protect plants from the heat.
● Basil, mint and lemon balm make delicious additions to iced tea, and they’re super easy to grow at home.
Florals never feel more present than at this time of year. Gardens burst with vibrant blooms, and supermarkets stock their shelves with the sweetest Mother’s Day arrangements. To embrace all of the season’s beauty, certified professional horticulturist and manager of The Green Thumb, Suzanne Barton, shares how she gets ahead on summer gardening, her favorite herbs to add to iced tea and the perfect present for Mom.
[LOCAL Life] What florals do you recommend for Mother’s Day?
[Suzanne Barton] Bouquets are lovely, but for a gift that will last, I suggest a flower she can plant in her own garden. Annuals like zinnias attract butterflies, so she can enjoy beautiful blooms and the presence of wildlife. If you’re struggling to choose, consider where she would plant it: how much space she has and how much sunlight the area receives. From there, it’s all about what will make her smile.
[LL] As the weather heats up, how can I protect my garden?
[SB] The best way to get ahead of the heat is to ensure all your irrigation systems are working and to start mulching early. Mulching helps protect plants by keeping the soil evenly moist. By midsummer you won’t want to be working in the garden, so it’s best to get it done now. You can also side-dress warm- weather vegetables like tomatoes, peppers and eggplants with compost. Sprinkle it at the drip line so when it rains, that organic matter works in and helps retain moisture.
[LL] How can I dress up my iced tea?
[SB] You can grow all sorts of herbs for your iced tea, and they’re wonderfully low- maintenance. Planting in the ground is best, but they can also thrive in containers if they have room to grow. Basil, mint and lemon balm have delicate leaves that don’t hold much water. If a storm is approaching, bring in any stalks you plan to use, but don’t remove more than a third of the plant at a time, and never place them in the fridge. This is the biggest mistake I see gardeners make. Herbs don’t like cold temperatures. Instead, treat them like cut flowers. Place the stems in a glass of water on the counter, and they’ll be ready to add to your favorite summer drinks.
May tips from Lowcountry Gardening, a guide written and produced by the Lowcountry Master Gardener Association
Wait until the foliage of spring-flowering bulbs has died completely before removing it. The green foliage nourishes the bulbs for next season’s growth. Mark the area before cutting so you don’t disturb dormant bulbs.
Now that nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees, set out warm-season vegetable plants such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplant.
Nurseries and garden centers will tempt you with a wide variety of plants. Do your homework to ensure you’re choosing the right plants for the right places.
Experiment with annuals for containers, but be cautious of pre-planted arrangements. Many are already rootbound and difficult to keep watered. Creating your own containers is a fun and rewarding process. Think thrillers, fillers and spillers.
Excerpted from Lowcountry Gardening, written and published by the Lowcountry Master Gardener Association. Pick up a copy of this handy guide for $5 at The Greenery, Bruno Landscape & Nursery, The Green Thumb or the Master Gardener booth at the Bluffton and Port Royal farmers markets. For more information, visit LowcountryMGA.org.
May birth flower: lily of the valley
May’s birth flower promises brighter days ahead. With petite blooms that cascade in gentle waves, lily of the valley symbolizes the end of winter and a return to happiness. In bouquets or arrangements, its sweet floral scent freshens the air as spring gives way to summer, serving as a gentle reminder that the best is yet to come.
