Saint Aubin Nurseries: FAQ

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"Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Meeting the Needs of your Plant

• Why didn't my plant bloom?
Factors such as age, light, temp, pH, nature of plant, nutrient level, soil are different for different plants. For instance, a Lilac's soil may be too acid or its location too shady; climbing Hydrangeas and trumpet vines take a few years to establish before blooming; Wisteria prefers full sun and a lean soil so don't fertilize or you'll get only foliage. It pays to learn about the needs of your plant and what is typical.

Protecting your Cape Cod garden

• What can I spray to kill whatever’s eating my flowers?
Always use the least toxic approach first. Hand picking it not an appealing answer but often the most effective. Read the labels carefully (Caution/Warning/Hazard). Companies spend a lot of time and money to determine proper mixing calculations for homeowner usage. More is not better so twice the dose will not kill them twice as fast. When using chemical pesticides understand that you may be killing the very insects you’re trying to attract (butterflies, bees, beneficial pollinators).

Accept a natural level of damage before using toxic chemicals that do not distinguish between good bugs and damaging pests. The majority of insects do no harm. Ladybugs, praying mantis, green lacewings, tricogramma wasps, bees – all are beneficial in that they pollinate and/or feed on bad bugs such as aphids.

Create a bird-friendly garden. A healthy eco-system is the best defense.