Maybe you thought your only choice for color in a shady spot was to put in bright red bark mulch. Check out the selection at Wedel's of shady annuals that will brighten up shady garden areas. Try something new - a tiger fern, some new guinea impatiens, or maybe some large-leafed caladium.

Some of the easiest-to-grow, most rewarding plants you'll put in your gardens are annuals. Put in a huge wave of color with a mass planting of annuals or plant in spots in gardens to provide color in between perennial blooming times. Sunny annuals can be combined to make interesting planters, window boxes and containers that will provide color up until the autumn frost.

Tropical plants are great for deck and patio areas. Tropicals last the whole summer here in Michigan, giving you bright blooms up until the autumn frost. Check out the great selection of colorful pottery available at Wedel's to make an impressive focal point with gorgeous tropical plants like hibiscus, mandevilla vines, and bouganvilla.

1. Check to see if mulberries will tolerate the weather in your area. You wouldn't want to spend all of that time just to have it die a week or so after you plant it! If you are desperate to grow in a region that it can't thrive in, invest in a greenhouse.
   
2. Look up nurseries in your area that sell young mulberry trees. Call them just to make sure they haven't sold them all. If you cannot find anything in your area, order seeds online.
   
3. Till an area of land. Know that once you have your mulberry tree or seeds, till a 2x2 area in a sunny spot, or greenhouse. Dig a shallow ditch to get the maximum amount of water run off. Plant your seeds or tree in most shallow point of the ditch. Water immediately after you plant it, for if it is a young tree transitions from a pot to open soil are always rough. If it is a seed water will help it germinate.
   
4. Keep it healthy. To keep pets or pests away, sprinkle Sevin dust around the area. If it is a tree, spray the entire tree with Sevin spray to deter insects. Water at least every other day.
   
5. Be patient. It will take a long while for the tree to finally have fruit but when you can see small green berries spray more Sevin on it to keep bugs from eating your berries! When fully ripe, mulberries are black and are easily picked. After the harvest wash the tree with plain water to help prevent diseases. Enjoy your berries!

For an ultimate container garden, plant flowers in either functional terracotta or decorative pots. Wedel's has over 200 varieties from which to choose.

1. To keep the soil from running out of the bottom when watering, place gravel, pot shards or even a nylon stocking in the bottom of the pot.
2. Never use garden soil in containers; it will compact and cause severe drainage problems. We suggest Fertilome Potting Soil for excellent container plantings. Mix slow release fertilizer into your soil, Osmocote, before filling the pot.
3. To keep the heavier, deeper pots lighter and easier to manage, fill the bottom of the pot with light weight perlite (1/3 way to the top) and then fill it to the rim with soil.
4. Plant the tallest plant in the center with cascading plants around the edges. (Lobelia is a great cascade that stays in bloom for a long time.)

Decorate your patio, deck, and walkways with easy-care containers full of your favorite flowers, vegetables, or herbs. In season, Wedel's carries dozens of beautiful container plants ready for gift giving or to put in your outdoor living area. And of course, our specialty is to help you with choosing the right plants and containers to compliment your landscape. You can even keep the mess here - we'll be glad to plant up your selections.