A Note from Scott and Marsha
July 2, 2020
We are rolling hard here into summer. With the weather warming up, intermittent rain and plenty of sunshine, we are busy caring for plants, mowing lawns and beautifying landscapes like crazy!  Maybe you are currently finding yourself tending to your gardens, picking vegetables and seasoning your food with fresh herbs. Don't forget your sunscreen and remember to provide plenty of water as the temperatures continue to rise to your plants and yourself.  

We have someone new to introduce to you. Meet Billy Balton! After a long search, Billy is the new designer we have added to our landscape team. Billy graduated from NC State with a Masters in Landscape Architecture. Aside from his incredible talent and growing skill, he has an easy-going mannerism and is so kind and a joy to be around. Billy lives in Raleigh, loves animals, hiking and grew up outside Philadelphia. He traveled the coast of Australia in  The Mystery Machine  with a friend one summer during grad school (And I kid you not Scooby Doo fans. It was painted identical to the Mystery Machine!!) 

Doug is enjoying the camaraderie as we both assume the role of training Billy to our ways and systems. I'm really not doing much of anything except encouraging. Ok, that's not true. Previously, Doug and Billy were sharing a small office space. It worked, but it also felt like a dungeon. So John and I flipped our conference room into a design studio and created two spaces for them. It is bright, airy and there are two large windows and fluorescent lighting as well as ceiling can lights. They both have better desk space and hopefully this will get their creative juices really flowing! I even put two comfy conference chairs up there just so I have somewhere to sit while I watch or encourage (or instigate) them. I always say instigating and playfulness is my love language. When I stop, I say you should always worry!  

Hopefully you will meet and chat with Billy at some point. He is spending part of his time assisting Jack, our Landscape Install Manager, as he learns our install crews talent and skills and is spending some time at the Garden Center. We say it is fortunate for a designer to learn various aspects of installation. When a designer understands the installation process of what they are really designing, they are truly better for it. There is nothing worse than having a $10,000 budget, but your designer provides a $30,000 dream! We look forward to Billy's future at FGS!  

I'm really excited if you can't tell. It doesn't take much for me to be excited. What else is exciting? The Potting Shed, Sunset Slush, cider, mimosas .... houseplants, pottery, shrubs, trees, annuals, perennials, succulents and more. Not to mention our garden center staff, their knowledge in helping our customers, our lawn maintenance crews, landscape crews, managers, chickens, goats, ducks, turtles, etc. Y'all. Spring wasn't cancelled and summer isn't either.   We are here to help you #bringgreenhome while scattering kindness like wildflowers in the wind.   See you soon! 
GARDEN CENTER IS CLOSED THIS WEEKEND
Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5
Our Garden Center Associates have worked so hard this spring, and they deserve a weekend off.
We will open again at 9AM Monday, July 6!
JUDY'S HOUSE PLANT PICK
Judy is loving Alocasia this year. Alocasia is loved for its striking and unique foliage. We have a few Alocasia varieties in stock including Ivory Coast, Safari, Frydek and Polly. Alocasia needs bright, indirect light. They love humidity, so consider placing it in your bathroom or near a sink. You can also mist it frequently. Make sure it has good drainage and allow soil to be dry to the touch before watering.
SUN-LOVING ANNUALS
Sun-loving annuals are part of the beauty and charm of summer gardens. Add instant color to your garden with heat and sun-tolerant annuals like Vinca, Angelonia, Lantana and Cleome. Most of these are also deer-resistant! Currently, annuals are on sale by the tray! 18 4-inch annuals are 20% off. Choose all one variety or mix and match all of your favorites!
CRYPTOMERIA JAPONICA
An excellent choice for a unique specimen and/or large screening plant is a Cryptomeria Japonica, also known as Japanese Cedar. The varieties we have are all very diverse and are likely to fill a very specific need in your garden or landscape. Some are tall and others are miniature and can stay tiny. We have Radicans, Gyokurya, Yoshino (pictured), Black Dragon and Globosa Nana.
G ARDEN CENTER SALES
ALL PERENNIALS are now 25% OFF!
ANNUAL TRAYS (18 4-inch plants) are 20% OFF! You can even mix and match your favorites!
These savings will last through Friday, July 10 !
Tropical Tuesdays RETURNS
Every Tuesday in July and August
Save 10% on any of our houseplants on every Tuesday in July and August! Our first Tropical Tuesday will be Tuesday, July 7! We are open 9AM-5PM!


Georgia Peach Truck Returns!
Wednesday, July 8
3:00-4:30PM
Mark your calendars today! The Georgia Peach Truck will return Tuesday, July 8 from 3:00-4:30PM. You will be able to pre-order your peaches or stop by and grab a box. We will make it a fun afternoon for all! Check out our website for more details. We will also share more information on Facebook and Instagram . Let's pray for sunshine and blue skies this time around!

This popular class is back! Join us for an informative session on everything houseplants. We will cover how to choose the right plants for your home and how to care for them so they stay happy and healthy. You will learn about air-purifying plants and pet-friendly plants! Every houseplant needs a home and every home needs houseplants! Cost is only $10 and includes a spray bottle and cloth to keep your plants clean. Register here.
July is here. It is HOT, but there is still plenty to do in the lawn and garden, especially making sure all of your plants are well-watered. But that is not all! Check out the full July To Do List here .

Last week, we shared a new post about c aring for Haworthia ! Haw0rthia are some of our favorite succulents because they are beautiful and easy to care for. Find out how to keep them living their best life in this post !
"THE POTTING SHED" IS OPEN
THURSDAY-SUNDAY!
"THE POTTING SHED" will be open Thursday-Sunday this week serving beer, wine, cider, seltzer, mimosas and Sunset Slush!! Sunset Slush is a smooth Italian ice that can be enjoyed by all ages! It is dairy-free, gluten-free, full of flavor and amazingly refreshing! Adults can enjoy Sunset Slush topped with white wine or champagne for a cold and delicious adult treat! We have multiple flavors available. Enjoy a cold beverage as you shop with plenty of space for social distancing! Click HERE for hours and menu.
FOLLOW US!
We post daily to Instagram @fgsdurham (Garden Center) and @fgslandscapes (Landscape and Lawn Maintenance) and Facebook to keep you up to speed with the latest information about what we are up to, what's in stock, or all the fun we're having!
For Garden's Sake | 919.484.9759| www.fgsdurham.com