Happy February!!!  Has January flown by for you as well?  Seems we were just ringing in 2012 and already I am flipping the calendar to a new month.  It’s a Leap Year, and I can tell you that the Nectar Crew will be making full use of that extra day.

First things first: we want to make sure that everyone knows that our Annual Plant Sale will be held this year on April 20, 21, and 22.  This year we are thrilled to our tippy toes to be holding this event at the Museum of Arts and Science here in Macon.  Those of you who attended last year will remember that it was quite a party, and you know we aim to outdo ourselves so mark your calendars, bring your friends, and make sure there’s room in the trunk for some gorgeous plants.  We will share more details soon.

With this early spring weather I am guessing that there has been a fair bit of digging in the dirt out there already.  What is coming up in your garden?  We know for sure that many of you are already seeing early spring bulbs popping up – crocus, narcissus, winter aconite, hyacinth…to name a few.  The other day I found myself unable to remember exactly what bulb to expect (having planted a number of them that have not yet bloomed for me), and upon consulting my handy garden journal I was overjoyed to recall that I had planted calla lilies – chocolate and white with a touch of rose.  Before I profess my love for the calla, let me say here that a garden journal is a must have.  I gardened for years before I finally started doing this, silly me.  In my journal I keep track of what I planted, where I planted it, and when I planted it.  I also make notes about what worked, what failed, what pests I may have encountered, the weather that year…anything, really.  But let’s say you plant yourself some gorgeous sweet peppers, but those beautiful plants just won’t set fruit and at the end of the summer you find yourself with big bushy plants with maybe one or two teeeeeny little peppers.  Chances are that you planted your pepper plants too early (low evening temperatures early in a pepper’s life will keep it from setting fruit).  But do you remember when you planted your peppers?  Exactly.  Or in this instance I was thinking seriously about digging up a chunk of my front bed but a quick glance at my bulb map reminded me about those callas.

Speaking of which.  I have just loved these flowers since I was a girl.  Their shape is so elegant, they strike me as almost art deco in their lines.  A native of southern Africa, it is not actually part of the lily family at all.  They are easy to grow, although those in dry climates will want to take care to provide enough water.  They love humidity, bloom for a very long time, and can even survive a light frost.  And for those eager to get a jump on spring, these can easily be grown indoors as well.  But their real star power, in my opinion, shines when these are cut and arranged.  Their blooms will often be perfect for over a week, and with their tall elegance and color options they are a dream in a centerpiece or bouquet. 

We’d love to know: are you growing calla lilies?  Or thinking of having them in your wedding flowers?  We’ve put together a pinterest board of beautiful calla bouquets – take a peek here and let us know what you’re loving in a bouquet these days.  Happy February from the Nectar Crew!