HUMMINGBIRD SEASON

Years ago, after recommending the Medina products one show after another, someone pointedly asked me on the air if I owned stock in Medina. I do not! But it does point out that when I really like a product or place, I will recommend them over and over. That sort of makes my job easy.

The same sort of thing happened recently regarding The Arbor Gate. Someone emailed me and asked "If I was part owner?" or something like that since I recommend it a lot. No, I'm not part owner, and I'm not getting any kickbacks from them by recommending them a lot. They just so happen to be one of those great garden centers that "true gardeners" appreciate.

This is not just a place to buy plants, since you'll soon discover that you spend hours upon hours in this garden center. Nevertheless, that's not the reason I'm incorporating them into this week's email tip. First, I was thinking "how 'bout using these weekly email missives, as a way to profile some of the unique garden centers around town?"

Plus, September means the Hummingbird Migration and what better place to find plants and feeders and you name it, to attract Hummingbirds than The Arbor Gate. So, in essence, I'm giving you a quick little nursery profile, which I plan on doing from time to time. And I'm giving you a quick tip sheet on attracting Hummingbirds as well.

So, let's start with that. Since Hummingbird season is upon us, here are a few links to some of the better Hummingbird sites on the internet.

• Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. - Hummingbird Roundup
• Attracting Hummingbirds
• Hummingbird Society
• Incredible Photos of Hummingbirds

And here's a list of plants, you should choose from specifically for the Houston area to get "action" from hummingbirds. This list is from Beverly Welch at the Arbor Gate:
     Cuphea - David Verity or cigar plant
     Bottlebrush
     Firespike (Odontonema) -
          Last year, as a customer was pulling some in a wagon,               a hummingbird actually followed her all the way to the front!!!)
     Firecracker Fern (orange) Russelia
     Hamelia
     Porter Weed
     Perennial Salvias (coccinea, regla, greggii)
     Cypress Vine (Ipomea quamoclit)
     Turks cap
     Shrimp plant (Justicia spicigera)
     Tecoma (Tecomaria capensis) orange jubilee or Red Admiral
     Lobelia cardinalis
     Dicleptera - velvet hummingbird plant

Now, for a quick little profile on The Arbor Gate and why it's worth the trip no matter where you're coming from. First, as already noted, this is a true "gardener's nursery." So, what does that mean? First, it means that the staff there knows what they're doing. In fact, they couldn't be more helpful. They know how to analyze problems and they know what works in what conditions. Secondly, they have working landscapes/gardens (demonstration gardens), which allows you to see what they sell, and how they work and don't work in all the different seasons. This is one of those nurseries that excel in the three areas that I think are so important to a quality nursery or garden center that I can recommend: SERVICE, SELECTION AND QUALITY.

They have every imaginable organic product under the sun, they carry most of the products on my fertilization schedules - organic and synthetic - and they have this magnificent Rose House in the back chock full of every imaginable antique and old garden rose. They have the most unique and enormous collection of Gardening Art. They hold specific classes on everything from Herbs to Welding - that's right welding your own garden art. And no matter whether it's a flower or fruit tree, they carry the RIGHT VARIETIES for the Houston area. For example, The Arbor Gate (and other responsible nurseries) will never carry an Alberta Peach, although you can always find it at big box store nursery centers in Houston.

So, yes I recommend The Arbor Gate quite a bit, but I think you understand why now. And if you want to nominate a garden center or nursery that meets those three standards of SERVICE, SELECTION AND QUALITY, then by all means email me your suggestion. And you just may see them profiled in these GardenLine Weekly Email tips.

Location: 15635 FM 2920 1.5 miles West of 249 in Tomball
Phone: 281-351-8851
Hours: Tues.- Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Mon. Noon to 6 p.m.
Website: www.arborgate.com