Newsletter 18 – July 2, 2009

Perennial of the Week: Hollyhock Free Ice Cream Sat and Sun

Al's Pick of the Week: New Guinea Impatiens    

WIN a Fountain!     Independence Day Recipes

The Beetles are Coming

“The things that the flag stands for were created by the experiences of a great people. Everything that it stands for was written by their lives. The flag is the embodiment, not of sentiment, but of history.

- Woodrow Wilson

CELEBRATE the Fourth at ABF

Independence Day honors the birthday of the United States of America and the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.  It's a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks, and a reason to fly the American flag.  You all know how we like to celebrate birthdays here at America’s Best Flowers, so this Saturday and Sunday, from 10 to 3, at our Cottage Grove location, we are giving away

FREE Ice Cream and Popcorn.

WIN A FOUNTAIN!

Enter our contest for a FREE Earthen Spillway Fountain

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, July 3-5

$299.99 value

What did Paul Revere say at the end of his ride?

‘I gotta get a softer saddle.’

Joke 1

Al’s Pick of the Week – New Guinea Impatiens

For showy blossoms and bold foliage, it’s hard to top New Guinea Impatiens. Coming into their own when the weather warms up, they are available in a wide array of brilliant colors, from hot pink through shades of oranges and lavenders, to bright red, as well as some bi-colors.  Growing 18 to 24 inches high, and with blooms that can be up to three inches across, New Guinea impatiens can be a traffic stopper when planted in mass plantings.  We have chosen them this year for the bed nearest the driveway at the front of our property. Stop out today and see for yourself how great they look.

Often referred to as the ‘sun’ impatiens, New Guineas can tolerate, and, in fact, need more sun than traditional impatiens, actually blooming more vigorously with more light.  Like their cousins, however, they do not appreciate the hot afternoon sun, so they make a great addition to any spot that receives strong morning sun and afternoon shade.  Other requirements include even moisture, fertile soil and regular fertilization.  A bit of compost dug in at the time of planting, along with a sprinkle of time release fertilizer, and a nice layer of mulch goes a long way to meet these needs.

If you have never tried New Guinea impatiens, or haven’t had any in years, we encourage you to come on out today while the selection is still good.  Buy one get one free savings on this fine plant makes it the perfect choice for summertime color in your landscape.  As the warm days of summer continue, the beautiful blossoms of these plants will make you very glad you did.

What was George Washington’s favorite tree?

Infantry.

Joke 2

PERENNIAL of the Week - Hollyhock

Hollyhocks trigger such fond memories of my childhood.  As you know by now, I grew up on a farm in Iowa.  Our house was set back from the highway by a long lane.  At the end of the lane, right before turning into our driveway, there was a large patch of hollyhocks.  I spent many summertime hours playing with the red, pink and white flowers.  I still remember how to turn a single hollyhock blossom into a beautiful dancing lady.

The hollyhock has come a long way since those days.  Horticulturists have been successful in breeding beautiful fully double varieties.  Perhaps one of the best is Appleblossom.  A tall variety, growing to six feet, the spikes of Appleblossom are covered in masses of soft pink ‘powderpuffs,’ and are perfect for a sunny spot in the back of the border.

Queeny is another new and interesting variety.  The shortest ever in the alcea rosea family, this ‘baby’ hollyhock is bushy, growing to only 30 inches, and requires no staking.  The unusual, eye-catching flowers come in shades of rose, salmon, red, yellow, white and the award winning purple.  Queeny can be used in sunny borders, in summer bedding displays and in patio pots.

If you think hollyhocks are the tall, leggy plants of old, we invite you to come out today and see what’s new in the hollyhock world.  At the special pricing available on hollyhocks this week, you’ll be glad you did.

What colonists told the most jokes?

Punsylvanians

Joke 3

Prepare for Japanese Beetles!

Well folks, it is that time again.  Starting around the first of July we will be seeing the shiny green, crispy-shelled nasty little critters called Japanese Beetles.  Now is the time to get ready!  There are a few steps you can take to prevent damage to your gorgeous plants.  Keep in mind, Japanese Beetles will not kill anything, they just make your plants look terrible.  America’s Best Flowers has everything you need to stop the destruction caused by these pests.

For your roses and ornamental plants, we recommend Bayer All-in-One Rose and Flower Care, available in concentrate and granules, or Bayer Insect, Disease and Mite Control.  For your fruits and veggies, especially raspberries, you can use Bayer Multi-Insect Killer or Eight by Bonide.  And for those of you that prefer the Organic method, we carry Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Brew which contains Spinosad, a naturally occurring bacterium that was collected from an abandoned rum distillery on a Caribbean island in 1982.  It was defined as a new species when it was discovered and has never been found in nature anywhere else in the world.

The best way to prevent the Japanese Beetles altogether is to get rid of them in the grub stage while they are still in the soil.  Bayer Complete Insect Killer can be sprayed on your lawn by simply attaching your garden hose to the bottle and pushing the button.  And for those of you that are thinking green, we suggest Milky Spore granules.  One bag covers 7,000 square feet and when applied spring, summer and fall for two consecutive years is guaranteed for 10 years. What a deal!

Another product you might consider are Japanese Beetle traps.  They use a pheromone bait to lure thousands of beetles to the trap.  Keep in mind they work very well and will attract any Japanese Beetles in the surrounding area, so please be sure to place them at the edge of your property, far away from any plants you are trying to protect.

If you have any questions, feel free to stop in and let us assist you!

Where did George Washington buy his hatchet?

At the chopping mall.

Joke 4

Save Money While You have Fun

You already know that shopping at America’s Best Flowers is fun, but did you know it can also save you money?  Many of our Bayer chemicals come with a money saving rebate.  Save $3 when you purchase one product or $6 when you buy two.  Just make sure to pick up the rebate form, fill it out and mail it in.  You won’t find these money saving rebates at the big box stores.  Bayer only provides them to fine, independent retailers like America’s Best Flowers.

What did one flag say to the other?

Nothing, it just waved..

Joke 5

Mark Your Calendars

July 4-5             Independence Celebration FREE ICE CREAM & POPCORN

July 11-19         Dollar Days Time to use your ABF orange bucks

What kind of tea did the American colonists thirst for?

Liberty

Joke 6

Bonnie’s Kitchen

What’s more American than hot dogs? But there’s a difference between slapping a hot dog on a bun and adding a squirt of mustard and this recipe. We’re going to turn the humble hot dog into a red, white and blue riot of taste and texture for your tongue. This recipe is from Bobby Flay of Food TV, the king of the BBQ and it is FUN!

Happy 4^th of July!

Nacho Dog

For the guacamole:

2 ripe avocados, pitted and coarsely chopped

1 large jalapeno, finely diced

3 T finely diced red onion

1 lime, juiced

2 T canola oil

3 T chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the grilled tomato-chipotle salsa:

4 plum tomatoes

4 T canola oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

3 T red wine vinegar

2 t chipotle in adobo puree

For the hot dogs:

8 kosher beef, turkey or chicken hot dogs

8 hot dog buns, split ¾ of the way through

1 ½ c grated white cheddar

8 pickled jalapenos, thinly sliced

Blue corn tortilla chips, coarsely crumbled

GUACAMOLE:

Combine the avocados, jalapeno, onion, lime juice, oil and cilantro in a bowl and gently mix until combined.  Season with salt and pepper.

GRILLED TOMATO-CHIPOTLE SALSA:

Heat grill to high. Brush tomatoes with 2 T of the canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on the grill until charred on all sides. Remove from grill, slice the tomatoes in half, remove the seeds and coarsely chop. Whisk together the remaining 2 T of oil, vinegar, and chipotle puree in small bowl, add the tomatoes and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper

HOT DOGS:

Heat grill to high. Grill dogs until golden brown on all sides, about 7 minutes. Remove to plate. Place buns on the grill cut side down and grill until lightly golden brown, about 20 seconds. Place hot dogs in the buns, top with cheese, jalapenos, guacamole, salsa and tortilla chips.

Father William, the old priest, made it a practice to visit the parish school one day a week. He walked into the 4th grade class, where the children were studying the states, and asked them how many states they could name. They came up with about 40 names. Father William jokingly told them that in his day students knew the names of all the states.

One lad raised his hand and said, "Yes sir, but in those days there were only 13 states."

Joke 7 8

SEE YOU SOON!!!