PHOTOS: (HOUSEPLANT) DEAN SCHOEPPNER; (MOWER) PETE KRUMHARDT; (CAMELLIA) ROB CARDILLO; (CINCO DE MAYO ROSE) MARTY BALDWIN

FEBRUARY GARDENER

outdoors

o

THIS MONTH

IN THE GARDEN

As the days get longer, you may begin to

see new growth on houseplants. Add

diluted fertilizer when watering, and make

it a point to fertilize on a regular basis.

SOUTH

Begin a regular mowing schedule this

month. When azaleas and dogwood

bloom in your area, you may apply

crabgrass preventer and the first fertilizer

application of the growing season.

Prune evergreen shrubs such as

pittosporum, euonymus, buddleia, and

rosemary now. Wait until blooms fade to

prune spring-flowering shrubs, such as

camellias,

above,

and azaleas.

P L A N T IN G S

TOPS

FOR 2009

All-America Rose Selections

picks roses that are beautiful,

disease-resistant, and widely

adaptable. One of the newest

AARS picks is ‘Cinco de

Mayo’, with a soft apple

fragrance and blooms that

range from smoky lavender

to rusty red. Purchase at

whiteflowerfarm.com/bhg

, or

find a retailer at

starroses.com.

Berries are one

of the easiest—

and most healthful

—fruitsyou can

grow. Local garden

centers should

stock raspberry,

blackberry, and

blueberry cultivars

right foryour area.

SU SA N A P P L E G E T H U R ST

SEN IO R

A S S O C IA T E ED ITO R

Crest Pro-Health

kills 99% of germs*

without the burn.

It kills

99

% of germs* that can

cause plaque, gingivitis, and bad

breath, without the burn of

alcohol. You’ve only got one smile.

Insure it with Crest Pro-Health.

Healthy, Beautiful Smiles for Life.

■ In laboratory tests.

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS FEBRUARY 2009 9 3