When we think of healthy plants and shrubs, we think of vibrant green leaves. But have you ever noticed that some trees and shrubs have red leaves all year round? We’re used to seeing beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows in the fall as the leaves change, but certain foliage stays that way no matter what time of year. Here’s why…

Why Leaves Are Usually Green

Have you ever wondered what makes trees, grass, and other plants green? At 3am Growers in Tallassee, Alabama, we thought we’d tell you. It’s all about chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a green pigment that is used in conjunction with sunlight to create food in plants. It’s a vital part of photosynthesis and integral for plant life.

Reasons for Red Leaves

Some plants have red leaves all year round because they are parasitic. Certain weeds, vines, and other plants can’t produce their own chlorophyll so the take it from other plants and trees growing nearby.

Other trees and plants with red leaves produce chlorophyll, but they have other stuff going on as well. Chlorophyll actually absorbs and filters out red and blue light, leaving the vibrant greens we see in most plants. However, some plants, trees, and bushes have other pigments at work that shine through the filtration system of its chlorophyll.

Plants with red leaves that produce their own chlorophyll also produce high levels of anthocyanins. This is another pigment that has a high level of red and purple pigments.

Why Does This Variation Happen?

No one is 100 percent certain why some trees have a higher level of anthocyanins and hence a red-colored leaf. Some think it’s an adaptation to protect against sun intensity. One thing we do know, though, is that trees like Japanese Maples and other red leaved trees can be a beautiful part of your residential or commercial landscaping. Give us a call to find out more about your options at 3am Growers today!

Folks will call just about any yard with a little bit of grass and a plant or two “landscaped.” But at 3am Growers in Tallassee, Alabama, we know a thing or two about planting your property for maximum curb appeal. Creating a beautiful outdoor space can change the way you feel about your home and the way others look at your it. Luckily there is a science to it, though.

Work With Your House

A lot of landscapers will try to bring in all kinds of crazy plant combinations to make a yard look fancy. However, the most important part of a well-landscaped yard starts with the house. Every yard is different and at 3am Growers, we take the time to walk you through different species that will work great with the canvas that your house gives you instead of trying to force trendy designs into the wrong space.

Aim the Focus

If you are landscaping to maximize your curb appeal, you should focus on trying to center your design on the path from the drive to your front door. This area draws the eye and will be the most seen aspect of your landscaping. Making your walk beautiful is half the battle, so definitely don’t skimp here.

Accessorize!

Once you have a solid plan for your front walk, you’ll want to start thinking about how to fill out the rest of your front yard. Evergreens like hollies are great fillers because they keep your yard looking vibrant all year long. Creating mulched flower beds around trees is another great option.

No matter what you’re working with, though, our pros at 3am Growers can help you find the perfect complement of plant species to make your curb appeal pop!

It’s no surprise that it gets hot in the Alabama summer–at 3am Growers we’re already sweating! Your customers aren’t the only ones suffering, though! Trees also need protection from the soaring temperatures and scorching sun in these months. Customer education will go a long way towards creating and retaining a loyal customer base, so make sure you’re keeping yours up to date on how to care for their trees in the summer.

Moisture is one of the first things to go in the heat. Watering should be done during the early morning and late afternoon when temperatures are cooler and water is less likely to evaporate before it does any good. This will also help to conserve water, especially in drought situations. Make sure customers adjust their automatic sprinklers if applicable. Adjust watering schedules based on the weather–if it’s raining a lot, water less.

Proper mulching helps protect surface roots from sun damage and helps to keep moisture in the soil long enough to get used by trees, rather than sucked back up into the atmosphere. And remember not to encourage trimming, especially in a drought situation. Trimming encourages new growth, and that requires a lot more water.

With proper care and management, trees provide shade that helps keep cooling costs down in homes and businesses. They also provide much-needed sources of food and shelter for beneficial insects and animals, and they look so lovely! Help your customers take care of their trees during the hot summer months and everyone will benefit.

Spring is here! This is a busy time for nurseries, because it’s a busy time for gardeners. While you’re marketing and selling products this season, make sure that your customers are aware of what exactly they should be doing to prepare their gardens and landscapes this spring.

• Tools should be seen to. Does anything need to be sharpened, repaired, or even replaced? Remind customers that the last thing they want is to be stuck halfway through a project without working tools. If your nursery doesn’t sell tools, consider partnering with a local business that does–both businesses can benefit from referrals.
• Soil should be tested and appropriately treated to correct any imbalances. Lawns should be mowed, trimmed, and watered, and emerging weeds should be seen to. This is a good time for your customers to see to any insect problems as well. Make sure your customers also know to look out for lawn fungus and diseases.
• And finally, plants should be cared for. Obviously, this is the time to plant many types of flowers, trees, and shrubs like the ones we stock at 3am Growers. Gardeners should also be trimming, mulching, feeding, watering, pruning, and checking on the health of their existing plants. Prepare your staff to answer many questions about how to care for plants–and not only the ones you sell.

Educating your customers will not only increase your business in the short-term; it will help to increase their satisfaction and long-term loyalty. If customers know they can trust you to give them good information, they’re more likely to come back and to recommend you to their friends!

April isn’t only National Lawn Care Month. It also includes Arbor Day on Friday, April 27th. 3am Growers is celebrating the same way we always do: by providing and caring for the trees that do so much to benefit us and our world.

You don’t have to look far from your front door to see the benefits of trees. They provide shade to our homes and lawns, give a degree of privacy to our lives, and insulate our homes against the noise of the outside world. They also improve quality of life in two very different ways, by providing a peaceful spot to rest under, or an exciting place for adventurous souls to climb!

Trees provide benefits for more than just humans, of course. Wildlife like birds, squirrels, and beneficial insects find homes, food, and building materials in their branches. Trees minimize runoff into water sources like streams and rivers, thus decreasing water pollution, and help prevent erosion if planted thoughtfully. Each tree can absorb thousands of gallons of stormwater, helping protect your home from flooding!

Perhaps their most well-known environmental benefit is the improvement of air quality. Not only do trees recycle carbon dioxide into oxygen, but they store carbon in their trunks and branches, decreasing the impact of global climate change. Trees also impact the temperature–they can reduce temperatures up to 7 degrees.

Celebrate Arbor Day and beyond by making sure your customers have access to a rich selection of beautiful, high-quality shade trees like those at 3am Growers.