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Mother Nature on Mother's Day: The gift that grows in The Woodlands

By: Kim Kyle Morgan, Woodlands Online
| Published 05/08/2018

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MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas -- Whether you're hitting up the local flower shop, creating a bouquet of your own or browsing a garden store, there are two things to keep in mind when it comes to the perfect Mother's Day arrangement: how it looks and what it means.

"Nothing says 'spring time' better than a mix of peonies, roses, hydrangeas, and tulips amid some appropriate greenery," said Walt Crowder, owner of Lawn Ranger. "The color pink is said to represent grace and femininity. That's why every mother appreciates pink orchids, or pink carnations which are said to also symbolize a mother's undying love."

Crowder said while pink represents grace and femininity, yellow is simply cheerful.

"Consider including yellow roses, sunflowers and tulips in an arrangement," he said.

Crowder has another thought: Consider a blooming plant, something that keeps on giving long past Mother's Day.

"Hydrangea, geranium, lavender, rosemary, and lilies are good options," Crowder said. "They can be left together in the container, or can be planted separately in the garden."

Crowder said roses are always a hit, because they represent endearment.

Mark Bowen of Nature's Way Resources said Duchesse de Brabant roses are a good option.

"It was introduced in 1957," Bowen said. "It's mature height averages about six feet. This pink, full-cupped tea rose is extremely fragrant and is a repeat bloomer. It needs full sunlight and good drainage. It's very tough and fairly easy to grow."

Bowen also recommends Almond Verbena, a tall, shrubby, deer-resistant plant with fragrant white flowers that smell like vanilla and almonds; the Philippine Lily, which resembles Easter lilies but blooms during our summer months and attracts hummingbird moths; Angel Trumpets that come in a variety of flower colors that repeatedly bloom during our warm months; White Butterfly Ginger that can be used to provide lushness to the landscape and are root hardy; and citrus plants such as Meyer Lemons, Texas Republic Oranges, Rio Red Grapefruit and Owari Satsumas.

Sweet Bay Magnolias are another great option.

"These fairly small (20-30 feet tall) native magnolias produce medium sized magnolia flowers that are very fragrant with a rich, spicy perfume quality," Bowen said. "In fact, these flowers were used historically to make perfumes before the modern day synthetic varieties became the norm. This magnolia is great for sunny to partially shaded moist locations in the landscape with poorly drained soils."

While restaurants will be full, phone lines at capacity, and the mail overloaded with greeting cards, perhaps Mother Nature is the best giver of gifts on Mother's Day.

"What mother doesn't like to receive an arrangement of beautiful flowers or a long-lasting plant arrangement?" Crowder said. "Either way, to all moms we say: Happy Mother's Day. We hope you enjoy your special day."

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