Shade-loving annuals, such as Begonias, are perfect for adding vibrant splashes of season-long flower color in both your perennial and/or shrub shade gardens. Shade-loving perennial plants aren’t known to be the most prolific bloomers and that’s where shade-loving flowering annuals come in to add the “wow factor” to shade gardens.

Other shade-loving annuals, such as coleus, are known for their outstanding foliage color and texture. Whether grown in beds or pots, these foliage plants are very useful to brighten up shady areas or bring a tropical look and feel to the garden.

Jersey Tomato Salsa Recipe
Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 4 medium vine-ripened tomatoes, cored, seeded, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 red onion, minced
• 2 jalapeno chiles, stemmed, seeded if desired, minced
• 1 bunch cilantro leaves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• Pinch of freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and gently stir. Chill, covered, until ready to use.

Morning Light is noted for its very narrow green leaves with white variegation on the margins. Foliage has an overall silvery appearance. Typically forms an upright, rounded clump of foliage growing 4-6′ tall. Tiny reddish-copper flowers appear above the foliage in mid to late September, gradually turning into silvery white plumes as the seeds mature. Flower plumes persist well into winter providing good winter interest.

• Full Sun and does not need much water
• Deer Resistant
• Good for Dried Flowers
• Seaside/Salt tolerant

Holiday Hours
July 3rd
8:00 am – 5:00 pm

July 4th
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
OUR BIGGEST SALE YET!

• All Flats $9.99
• All Hanging Baskets Buy 2 get 1 FREE
• All 4″ Proven Winner Annuals – 25% Off each or 40% Off when buying Full Flats.
• All Flowering Patio Pots Buy 2 get 1 FREE

Must present this offer at time of purchase, limit one per customer, good while supplies last, not to be combined with any other offers or coupons.
At Colonial Nursery we have a well where we get our water. If you feel that you need any water for your container gardens or special plants, please feel free to bring down a 5-gallon container that we can fill for you. You can bring it down during our nursery hours, as many times as you would like!

For the summer Tuesday Tips, we will be highlighting one perennial every other week and giving you suggestions of where you can plant it. The Iberis Sweetheart has beautiful pink blossoms which turn to brilliant lilac. Also known as Candytuft.

Planting Tips:

• Full sun
• Drought resistant
• Use as edging, in rock gardens, or near the front of the border.

It’s SALE time!
Buy two hanging baskets, get one free! All full flats, $9.99 (originally $12.99)

Not to be combined with any other offer. Don’t hesitate to contact us at the nursery if you have further questions. We are here to help you!

REMINDER

Thursday is the last day to guess how many gumballs are in the jar!  Make sure you fill out the form when you are checking out.  You can win a $50 gift card!

For the June Tuesday Tips, we will be highlighting one perennial each week and giving you suggestions of where you can plant it. This type of salvia has delicate red and white blooms create a stunning show throughout summer. Deer resistant!

Planting Tips:

• Lots of sun!
• Height – 30″
• Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies!

Want to learn more about attracting butterflies to Your garden? Colonial Nursery invites you to join Master Gardener Patrice McCoy as she discusses “Attracting Butterflies to Your Garden”. Win free plants through Colonial Nursery with our butterfly raffle! Free class though registration is required.

Don’t hesitate to contact us at the nursery if you have further questions. We are here to help you!

Be the first person to stop down to the nursery this Saturday (we open at 8am!) and find the perennial collection tag with the smiley face sticker, wins that perennial for FREE! We will have more than one prize available but only one winner per family.  We want everyone to join in the fun so stop by on Saturday and see if you can be the lucky winner!

Have you been down to the nursery this spring and noticed our new Perennial Collection Tags? They have been developed with over 25 years of experience in Central New Jersey and reflect our experiences with these plants in local gardens.

You can use these tags to select plants for certain areas of your garden. They indicate the best area for sun or shade, wet or dry areas, height and whether they are deer resistant. The best part? It includes a photo of what the plant will look like in full bloom! We strive to make your shopping experience as easy as possible!

Let us know what you think the next time you are down at the nursery. We would love to hear from you!

Geranium Rozanne

For the June Tuesday Tips, we will be highlighting one perennial each week and giving you suggestions of where you can plant it.

Extremely long blooming – even through the heat of August the Geranium Rozanne has mounded, slightly marbled foliage turns attractively red in fall. It’s extremely heat tolerant and deer resistant! Geranium Rozanne is delightful where it can spill over ledges, large boulders or scramble up over pink daylilies.

Planting Tips:

• Sun-Shade: Full Sun to Half Sun/ Half Shade
• Bloom Time: Early Summer to Fall
• Height: Medium 20″/Plant 24″ apart

Want to learn more about perennials?

We are offering two perennial classes on Saturday, June 23rd. Perennials in the Sun is from 9:30-10:30 and Perennials in the Shade is from 11:00-12:00.Learn how to choose the best plants for your areas that are full to partial shade/full to partial sun. Learn the best way to place them in your garden for maximum impact including height and space requirements. Also learn how to plant your perennial bed so that there will be something flowering at all times during the season. We will also give you tips on deer resistance. Each student will be able to take home one perennial plant equaling $10 or less to add to your garden! $10 per student Stop by the nursery or call 732.530.3838 to sign-up!

Dill is an annual herb that is a member of the Parsley Family. This herb is grown for its bitter seeds that are used to make dill pickles. Dill is easy to grow and a perfect choice for beginning gardeners.

Planting Tips:

• Dill needs at least six hours of sunlight each day. There are many varieties of dill, some growing up to 42″ tall. As the plants get taller tie them to stakes for support.
• Dill can be grown outdoors in the garden or inside in containers placed on a sunny windowsill. When growing dill in containers, use a pot that is at least 8″ in diameter and 8″ deep.
• Dill responds well to pinching out the growing tip. Pinching will make for a bushier plant, so pinch and use your dill often.
• The leaves of dill can be rinsed, dried then placed in a plastic sandwich bag for freezing.

Dill Pickles (From Alton Brown’s Good Eats 3). Makes 3 pounds pickles

• 5 1/2 ounces pickling salt
• 1 gallon filtered H2O
• 3 pounds pickling cucumbers (4-6 inches in length)
• 1 tablespoons black peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
• 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
• 1 teaspoon dill seed
• 1 bunch fresh dill

Combine the salt and water in a pitcher and stir until the salt has dissolved. Rinse the cucumbers thoroughly and trim off the blossom ends. Set aside. Put the peppercorns, pepper flakes, garlic, dill seed, and fresh dill in a 1-galloon crock. Add the cucumbers to the crock on top of the aromatics. Pour the brine mixture over the cucumbers to completely cover the. Pour the remaining water into a 1-gallon ziptop bag and seal. Place the bag on top of the pickles, making sure that all of them are completely submerged in the brine. Set in a cool, dry place. Check the crock after 3 days. Fermentation has begun if you see bubbles rising to the top of the crock. After this, check the crock daily and skim off any scum that forms. If scum forms on the zip-top bag, rinse it off and return it to the top of the crock.

The fermentation is complete when the pickles taste sour and the bubbles have stopped rising; this should take 6-7 days. Once this happens, cover the crock loosely and place in the refrigerator for 3 days, skimming daily or as needed. Store for up to 2 months in the refrigerator, skimming as needed. If the pickles become soft or begin to take on an off odor, this is a sign of spoilage and they should be discarded.

***If the whole fermentation thing is not for you, don’t give up on the pickle! Make refrigerator pickles! Cut your cucumbers into spears, pack them in the same brine, in jars, and stick them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You’ll have the same kind of pickle that many delis serve alongside sandwiches.

Cilantro

Cilantro is an herb and is sometimes referred to as coriander. Cilantro specifically refers to the leaves and stems of the coriander plant. Freshly chopped cilantro is an excellent source of potassium, is low in calories, and is good for the digestive system. It makes a good complement to spicy foods. Cilantro is commonly used in Asian, Mexican and Indian cuisines.

Planting Tips:

• Grow cilantro in full sun and well-drained soil
• Harvest the cilantro leaves when the plant is 6-inches tall. Be sure to cut leaves that are further from the central stalk.
• Once cilantro has made a home for itself in your garden, it willingly reseeds, offering fragrance, flavor, and flowers.

You can also plant cilantro in a container! Thinking about starting a container garden this spring? Our vegetable container class is Sunday 5/27 from 9:30-10:30am. Stop by the nursery or call 732.530.3838 to sign-up! The class is $10 and you will leave with your own lettuce bowl containing 4 vegetable or herb plants. Don’t hesitate to contact us at the nursery if you have further questions. We are here to help you!

Mama Pea’s Margarita Smoothie (From Peas and Thank You – Simple Meatless Meals the Whole Family Will Love)

Makes 4 smoothies

• 2 cups lime seltzer
• 1 cup light coconut milk
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 2 cups spinach
• 2 cups frozen pineapple
• 1 cup ice
• stevia to taste
• sea salt to rim glasses

Combine all ingredients except salt in a blender and blend until smooth. Wet the rim of your serving glasses and dip in coursely ground sea salt. Pour and enjoy! It’s not to late to sign up to be part of our Tomato Contest! For the entire month of May, purchase a tomato plant and register to be part of our Tomato Contest! Make sure you ask for more details when you check out at the nursery.

Chives are the most petite member of the onion family. They are related to green onions (aka, scallions) and grow in little clumps of long, thin, hollow green leaves. Two types of chives are available, depending on your taste. The most common type is the onion chive which has an onion flavor. A second variety, the Chinese Chive, has a hint of garlic flavor to it. You can save a lot of money by growing your own herbs! Definitely swing by to pick up your chives!

Planting Tips:

• An area with full sun is best, but a significant amount of shade will also be tolerated by this hardy plant.
• An area that provides good drainage will produce the best quality chive plants.
• Chive plants produce beautiful flowers which makes them a perfect addition to landscaping.
• Chives can be grown almost anywhere. They thrive in both window boxes, indoor and out, as well as in gardens.
• To promote new growth, cut back whenever the height exceeds six inches.

You can also plant chives in a container! Thinking about starting a container garden this spring? Our vegetable container class is Sunday 5/27 from 9:30-10:30am. Stop by the nursery or call 732.530.3838 to sign-up! The class is $10 and you will leave with your own lettuce bowl containing 4 vegetable or herb plants. Don’t hesitate to contact us at the nursery if you have further questions. We are here to help you!

Garlic Chive Pesto (From The Gardener and the Grill) Makes about 1 cup

• 2 cups chopped fresh garlic chives
•  1/2 cup toasted walnuts
•  1 garlic clove, crushed or roughly chopped
• 3/4 cup regular or extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
• Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

In a food processor, process the chives, walnuts and garlic until they form a smooth paste. With the processor running, drizzle in the olive oil in a slow, steady stream until the pesto solidifies. Add the Parmesan and season to taste with salt and pepper, pulsing just to combine. Use immediately or spoon into a small jar with a tight-fitting lid. This pesto will keep in the refrigerator for 7 to 10 days or in the freezer for up to 6 to 9 months.

*For basil pesto, substitute fresh packed basil leaves for chives and toasted pine nuts for walnuts.

While parsley is a wonderfully nutritious and healing food, it is often under-appreciated. Most people do not realize that this vegetable has more uses than just being a decorative garnish that accompanies restaurant meals. They do not know that parsley has a ton of nutrients (rich source of anti-oxidants, helps for a healthy heart, and protects against rheumatoid arthritis) and that it features a delicious green and vibrant taste.

The two most popular types of parsley are curly parsley and Italian flat leaf parsley. The Italian variety has a more fragrant and less bitter taste than the curly variety.

You can save a lot of money by growing your own herbs! Definitely swing by to pick up your parsley plants!

Planting Tips:

• Fresh parsley grows really well in both indoors and out. You can certainly choose to plant them directly in the ground or you can opt to use large containers to control the growth.
• Planting parsley in areas with full sun to partial shade is recommended.
• This easy-care herb requires little maintenance, other than occasional watering or weeding, once established. These tasks, however, can be reduced by applying mulch around the plants.
• For optimal flavor, pick parsley early in the day (morning hours) when the plant’s oil is strongest.
• You can also plant parsley in a container! Thinking about starting a container garden this spring? Our vegetable container class is Sunday 5/27 from 9:30-10:30am. Stop by the nursery or call 732.530.3838 to sign-up! The class is $10 and you will leave with your own lettuce bowl containing 4 vegetable or herb plants.

Don’t hesitate to contact us at the nursery if you have further questions. We are here to help you!

Sue’s Lemon Chicken

• 8 thin-sliced chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 lb.)
• Salt & Pepper
• 1/3 c. all-purpose flour
• 4 tb. butter, divided
• 2 tb. olive oil, divided
• 1/3 c. chicken broth
• 1/4 c. fresh lemon juice
• 8 lemon slices
• 1/4 c. fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

• Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper and dredge in flour.
• Melt 1 tb. oil in skillet over medium heat and cook breasts until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer chicken to serving platter and keep warm. Cook the remainder of chicken with the remaining olive oil and butter. Transfer to platter
• Add broth and lemon juice to skillet and cook 1-2 minutes until thicker, stirring to loosen particles from the bottom of the skillet. Add lemon slices.
• Remove skillet from heat, add remaining 2 tb. butter and stir until melted.
• Pour sauce, including lemon slices, over chicken and top with parsley. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Holland Grill Demo this Saturday!

From 9:00am-2:00pm, we will have a representative from Holland Grills. Stop by to learn more about these grills as well as sample the wide-selection of food they will be grilling throughout the day!

Not sure what to do for a Mother’s Day gift? We have plenty of options for you on Saturday!

10:00am-11:00am (ages 6-8) Paint a Pot Class

11:00am-12:00pm (ages 9-12)
Paint a Pot Class

1:00pm-2:00pm (ages 10-17)
Make your own stepping stone

2:00pm-3:00pm (under 10)
Make your own stepping stone

9:00am-2:00pm
Holland Grill Demonstration

3:00-6:00pm
Tomato Fest!