It’s not too early to begin to think about what to get that special someone! This year stop by Wegman’s for that special someone and chose the right little something that is the perfect way to say "I love you." Wegman’s basketfuls of ideas for gifts that will keep on blooming. Come in and choose from a wide variety of beautiful orchids, azaleas, European baskets, bromeliads, ferns and other interesting plants for your home.

Looking for something other than a plant? Just drop by and we will be happy to suggest some other unique gift ideas. We also have Gift Cards available for your Valentine.

The Show will feature judging of blooms by American Camellia Society qualified judges. Our typical show includes over 1000 individual camellia blooms for viewing, from a wide variety of gardens in Northern California. Literature and expert advice on camellia selection and horticulture will also be available from members of the Society. Society members will be available for identification and classification of unlabeled camellias during the show.

For additional information about the show or the society please visit the San Francisco Peninsula Camellia Society website.

Hydrangeas need a rich, well draining soil for the best growth. In our heavy Peninsula soils this means amending with about three inches of organic matter (redwood compost, Gold Rush, Bumper Crop, rice hulls, coir or similar material) plus ten pounds of gypsum per 100 square feet all dug or roto-tilled to a depth of 8 to 10 inches.

There are about ten fairly common species of hydrangea. The most frequently used is Hydrangea macrophylla (garden hydrangea or mophead hydrangea). At least one species of climbing hydrangea can become 50 or more feet long (H. anomala). H. serrata is a compact species which may be only four feet tall. The garden hydrangea blooms with red, pink, white or blue flowers, which accounts for its popularity. Additionally, some varieties of H. macrophylla are called ‘lacecaps’ because the flower cluster is of two different sizes (small bead-like blooms in the center, surrounded by one or two rows of large frilly petals.)

The colors of the garden hydrangea can be intensified by adjusting the pH of the soil. ‘Nikko Blue,’ for example, can have its pale blue flower changed to a deep dark blue by acidifying the soil with aluminum sulfate. The aluminum fraction also plays a role in color production. Aluminum sulfate must be applied to our soils before the flower buds are fully formed. We recommend that it be applied for at least three months in November, December and January. More often would also be fine since it will maintain the lower soil pH.

Our clay soils are naturally alkaline so genetically pink flowering plants will remain pink. Pink and red flowering plants can have their colors intensified by adding oyster shell lime to the soil on the same schedule as the aluminum sulfate. Obviously, it is not a good idea to mix pink flowering and blue flowering hydrangeas in the same flower beds. White hydrangeas will remain white regardless of soil pH.

Two relatively new varietals, 'Endless Summer' and 'Penny Mac,' can have their flower colors changed from pink to blue or blue to pink or have their color intensified by making the soil more acidic (aluminum sulfate) or more alkaline (oyster shell).

Pruning hydrangeas seems to cause more problems and misunderstanding than any other aspect of the plant’s care. Most hydrangeas bloom on ‘last year’s wood.’ That is, the flowers will come from the buds on the stems that grew last summer. Therefore, it is essential that new, healthy stems be produced each year. Garden hydrangeas and most others should be pruned in January or February.

First take a quick look at your bush and identify the canes one-half to one inch in diameter and with no more than one "dog-leg" in its length. These you will keep.

Next cut off at ground level any dead canes or any pencil size or smaller canes.

Remove at ground level any old gnarly looking canes or those with more than one ‘dog-leg.’

If there are two canes one or two inches apart, remove the smaller of the two.

If you have not removed at lest one-third of the bush’s total growth, do that as the next step. All cuts up to this point should be at ground level.

Decide how tall you want your bushes to become and cut the remaining stems 12 to 14 inches shorter than that. Make the cut within one inch above a pair of buds on the stem. Then cut all of the other stems to about the same height, above a pair of buds.

‘Endless Summer’ and ‘Penny Mac’ will bloom on both this year’s new growth and last summer’s wood. Consequently, there is a prolonged blooming period.

Fertilize hydrangeas at Easter time and the 4th of July. Mr. Ed uses Master Nursery Camellia, Azalea, Gardenia and Rhododendron Food on the blue flowering plants and Master Nursery Rose and Flower Food on the ones with pink flowers.

To bloom well, hydrangeas need a moist soil and filtered sun all day or two to three hours of direct sun. "Bright light" doesn’t work.

Finally, acid soil for blue flowers, alkaline soil for pink flowers, fertilize twice a year, use well amended moist soil, prune in January or February leaving new canes three-quarter inches or larger and cut in half above a pair of buds.

Yes, you can grow hydrangeas in containers, but use 15 gallon size or larger and Gardener’s Gold potting soil. Container plants must be fertilized monthly from Valentine’s Day to Halloween. Lime or aluminum Sulfate are added as described above.

For Fruit Trees and Vines

Master Nursery Fruit Tree & Vine Food is a granular blend of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, plus numerous micronutrients (calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron manganese and zinc) which Big Box store fertilizers lack. It is formulated to encourage growth and quality fruit production. In addition to regular pre-harvest feedings, a feeding after the fruit is harvested is critical in aiding in the development of next year's fruit buds.

For Citrus Trees

Master Nursery Citrus Food is f ormulated for the home garden. It contains the essential nutrients Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium plus the micronutrients listed above which assist in the development of blooms and fruit.

Dr. Earth’s Fruit Tree Fertilizer is an organic alternative. Remember organics take a bit longer to work so plan to use a few weeks ahead of a non-organic fertilizer. Dr. Earth’s Fruit Tree Fertilizer is a superior blend of feather meal, fish bone meal, cottonseed meal, kelp meal, alfalfa meal, soft rock phosphate, mined potassium sulphate, humic acid, seaweed extract, beneficial soil microbes plus ecto- and endo- mycorrhizae. Note that organic fertilizers lack iron so sprinkle a handful or two of Iron Plus in with your organic fertilizer. Use on all fruit and citrus trees, vines, berries, grapes, avocado and other trees.

Both the Star and Yellow Bird Magnolias are stellar choices for early spring color and as a specimen plant in any garden. Both like full sun, need regular watering the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system, and are fertilized before new growth begins in the spring.

The Star Magnolia is a moderate grower and grows to about 10 to 15 feet. tall, 10 to 12 feet. Wide and is pruned in the winter to maintain its shape. The Yellow Bird Magnolia is a bit larger, having vigorous, pyramidal growth that can reach 40 feet tall and 25 feet. wide.

Few trees are as charming as the little Star Magnolia. Plant the Star Magnolia up close in your garden where you can enjoy its dainty but large flowers. The Star Magnolia is an excellent choice for moonlight and all-white gardens. This tree is a perfect choice for courtyards and entry courts, town-house and condominium gardens.

The Yellow Bird Magnolia is a hybrid magnolia and is a perfect, single front-yard specimen. You will see this variety along driveways and in public parks and other civic spaces. Such an elegant tree is a natural in larger estate and suburban home sites where its full size and breadth is revealed without pruning. The Yellow Bird Magnolia is particularly exceptional when combined with other trees that offer summer flowers, autumn foliage and winter silhouettes for four season groves. Magnolia lilliflora is known in its homeland of China as the Mulan Magnolia, where it is native to the Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces.

Now is the time to plant bare root strawberries, onions, garlic, asparagus and horseradish--and Wegman’s has them! The supply is limited so make a trip today!