In many regions of the United States, it’s hard to imagine spring without azaleas. Their vibrant colors shake off the winter blues in the garden, and get the growing season off to a great start. Unfortunately, most azaleas bloom only in the spring, making them less ideal for other seasons. That’s why Encore Azaleas are getting applause. And you can win one (and more!) in this Spring Fever Garden Giveaway.
Unlike normal azaleas, the 24 varieties of Encore Azaleas bloom spring, summer and fall, providing bold color nearly the entire growing season. First they bloom in spring. The second act comes in mid-summer, with an encore performance throughout the fall … until the curtain drops for winter.
Ideal for beginners, these azaleas have higher disease and pest resistance than traditional azaleas. They also are more cold and heat hardy. Recommended for Zones 7 to 10, some varieties will survive Zone 6 with protection.
Win a Garden Makeover! Could your garden use professional help? You’re in luck! Encore Azalea is giving one lucky winner a complete garden makeover. Simply drop by Encore Azalea before April 4 and show them pictures of your garden. Then explain why you should win. Good luck!
But that’s not all…
Win Seasonal Wisdom’s First Spring Fling Garden Giveaway!
This special giveaway — just for Seasonal Wisdom readers — includes exciting prizes from Encore Azalea and all-natural soil conditioning teas from Authentic Haven Brand, a family ranch in California.
This prize package includes:
An Encore Azalea container plant for three-season color in your garden. The winner will be able to select the small-sized Encore Azalea of his/her choice. Remember, this acid-loving plant benefits from soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Use an acid planting mix for your containers. Suggested retail price: $15.00.
Authentic Haven Brand offers all-nature, premium soil-conditioner teas for the home gardener, landscaper and farmer. This three-tea gift package features cow, horse and alfalfa teas. You can use the cow or horse manure teas throughout your garden (such as vegetables, flowers and lawn) for healthy plant growth. These teas also speed up compost piles. Use the alfalfa tea to give rose plants a kick start this spring. Suggested retail price: $12.99.
These teas from Authentic Haven Brand are made from high quality alfalfa and manures from livestock raised on permanent, native grass pastures at the scenic Haven Family Ranch in Southern California. Packaged in large, environmentally safe tea bags, these compost teas are easy to make … even for a beginning gardener. Learn how to brew.
Enter To Win: Tell us your “favorite signs of spring” in the comment section below. That’s all you have to do to enter. But hurry! Entries are accepted only until midnight tonight (March 31, 2011). The winner will be selected randomly. Don’t forget to provide a way for me to contact you, in case you win. Please note: This giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only, but some upcoming giveaways will be open to Canadian gardeners.
Coming Next: The Spring Fling Garden Giveaway continues. Every single day next week, you will have the chance to win exciting prizes, including gift certificates, solar lighting, garden tools, raised garden kits and more.
On Monday, April 4, Seasonal Wisdom is giving away Corona Tools’ new Dual Cut bypass pruners, and a pack of all-natural soil teas from Authentic Haven Brand’s grass-fed livestock. Just in time for spring garden chores… In fact, if your forsythia is blooming, it’s time to prune the roses. See you there!
Good luck with this contest and the Encore Azalea Garden Makeover contest. Enter now!
Images in this post copyright Encore Azalea and Authentic Haven Brand.
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My favorite sign that Spring is here is when the first thing blooming in my garden is the white Iris also known as “The Heritage Cemetery Iris”. My father gave them to me from his garden over 30 years ago. I have moved them from home to home over the years and shared them with many friends. Besides the first sign of Spring, they make me smile and remind me of the love my father had for me and gardening. Happy gardening, Cindy from TX
I noticed that my post says April 1, at 1:36. It is March 31, 2011, 8:38 pm. Interesting.
Hi Cindy! I’m Teresa’s web designer. There was a small glitch that caused your comment to be improperly dated. I fixed the glitch and changed the time on your comment to be the actual day and time that you commented. Sorry about that!
Cindy, thanks for sharing such a nice family story. There is nothing better than learning gardening skills from a family member or someone we love. Thanks for entering the giveaway, and good luck!
A sure sign of spring in Alabama is the blooming of they glorious Forsythia. It’s mother natures way of telling me it’s time to prune! Happy Spring!
Chris, You are so right. The forsythia are just blooming here, and I’m getting the pruners ready for the weekend. Thanks for entering the giveaway and enjoy your spring!
Spring Fling Giveaway.
To me, Spring means species tulips unfurling, white dogwoods in every yard, wild wisteria festooning Georgia forests and enjoying springtime fragrances that waft through the air.
Geri, You sound like you really know how to celebrate spring. I love that vision of “white dogwoods in every yard.” Enjoy! Thanks for entering the giveaway too – don’t forget to enter the garden makeover contest too.
My favorite sign of spring? Easy…I love tracking all of the buds everywhere, from the first crocuses and daffodils to the tiniest buds on all of the trees. I live in the city, so there is not a whole lot of green where I live, so anytime I see spring forcing it’s way I LOVE it! I love the halo of vivid green that cloaks the trees before they bloom. It is my favorite time out doors.
Michele, I think flowers are especially important in the city, so we can maintain that innate connection with nature. Keep tracking those spring buds! You’re entered in the contest. Good luck! Check back next week for more contests too. Teresa
Blooming azaleas and the migratory bird sightings.
I agree, Dana. I love to watch the different birds migrate by our garden. Thanks for entering the contest. Good luck today … and in next week’s contests too.
My favorite sign of spring is when I wake up and the birds are chirping outside my window. Then I know spring is really here.
Well, Susie, they are making a racket outside my window right now. 😉 You are entered in the contest. Good luck! Don’t forget to try again next week too.
One of my favorite signs of spring is the cherry blossoms in DC. Every spring the cherry trees throughout DC burst into glorious color. Simply beautiful!
Oh, I agree completely. I was raised near Washington, D.C. So, I know how beautiful those cherry trees are each spring. Just gorgeous. You are entered into the contest. Thanks for visiting, and good luck! Check back next week for more contests.
The first returning spring birds and the earliest tiny bulbs are my favorite signs of Spring. Nothing is more delightful to me on a cold March morning than to see the brilliant blue flash of the returning Bluebird in my garden, and to hear the chirp of the Robin! The blue Scilla and Chionodoxa, the purple Muscari and the yellow Crocuses are such a cheering sight when I can’t wait for the end of winter!
So true, Mary Ellen. It’s the little signs and sounds of Spring that let us know winter is almost over. Thanks for visiting. You’re entered in today’s giveaway. Good luck. And be sure to check back next week for more giveaways. Teresa
Thanks for the chance!
Loving the Seasonal Wisdom way of kicking off Spring 2011! My first sign of spring is the rising temperatures in the Greenhouse. It maybe a winter like 30*F outside but the spring sun is making it possible for me to kick it in gear with early seed starting in the greenhouse at 70* plus!
Happy Spring – Off to share on #gardenchat
Bren, How wonderful. I want a greenhouse too. Thanks for entering the giveaway … and for hosting #gardenchat on Twitter to share great gardening information. You’re entered. Good luck!
Spring is…tiny cheeps coming from the nest tucked in the Chilean Jasmine vine outside my window and Asiatic lilies poking–finally–their tops through the suddenly-warm soil. It is this weird desire to call in sick at work so that I can pull a winter’s worth of weeds in the backyard. It is the lovely scent of sweet peas whispering on newly-gentle breezes. Oh, and it is also first sightings of very white legs appearing in public as people haul their summer shorts out of winter storage! Oy vey!
Kate, I can just smell that “lovely scent of sweet peas whispering on gentle breezes.” Thanks for sharing … and for entering the drawing. Good luck!
The neighborhood children are outside playing. I can retire my slippers to sick days, and go about the house barefooted. The forsythia glow yellow against the browns and greys of winter. The astilbe and fern wait, poised, ready to unfurl new shoots just as soon as the tulips shout their “okay! it’s warm enough!” …. I am no longer the only customer browsing at the nursery.
Victoria, your comment made me laugh. Yep, those nurseries are going to start filling up now, and you’ll miss the solitude soon enough. 😉 Enjoy your spring, and thanks for entering the drawing. Good luck!
I know it’s Spring in Topanga, when the mountains are simply covered in soft shades of blue, from blooming Mountain Lilacs.
Kathy: I love Mountain Lilacs, and Topanga’s mountains, and spring! Enjoy this season. You are entered in the drawing. Good luck, and thanks for dropping by. Teresa
My favorite sign of spring is the driveway at my Oregon house when the hundreds of daffodils that we planted down the fencelime are all in glorious bloom. Then the flowering plum trees blossom and eventually the long driveway is lined with yellow flowers and pinkish “snow” covers the ground. I never get tired of seeing it.
Lydia, I’m impressed by your hundreds of daffodils. You go girl! Good luck in the contest, and don’t forget to try again next week for contests every day.
I just love all the tulips popping up throughout my garden, the birds singing, and since I am a sucker for animals- the little baby chicks! You just have to love spring!
Ooooh, Jessica, everyone loves little baby chicks! That’s why they end up on so many vintage Easter cards. 😉 You are entered. Good luck!
There are so many joyous signs of Spring, as she lazily awakens from her long winter’s nap, but my favorite time is when the small native Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia) trees bloom. The red buckeye flowers welcome our beloved ruby-throated hummingbirds. Each spring, I am reminded anew of the majesty of these tiny, living jewels. The perfect orchestration between migrating hummingbirds and the lovely red tubular blossoms speaks to our deepest selves. Miracles like this feed our souls and remind us to be thankful. Happy Spring!
How lovely, Leann. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I agree that nature’s changes are indeed inspiring. You are entered in the contest. Good luck!
My favorite signs of Spring here in the Rockies are: crocus blooming in the snow, first Bluebirds returning, then Robins, and then the first green I see–usually grass & Dandelions!!
Thanks, Penny. You are entered in the contest, and I’m hearing that robin sing right now. Happy spring and good luck!
For Me:
Spring is a song, the tree frogs bring it in, Loud and Long…
Sounds like a poem, it’s a true one though:-) We have a seasonal pond in our yard and the frogs tell us what’s going on. They predict rain. They sing in the evening if rain is coming the next day. They talk to frogs in other ponds. You will hear them stop momentarily and listen to another singing group of frogs, and then they will start up again and the others will stop. The animal world is more complex than we know.
Spring is a sign of new life and a refreshing time of renewal. A chance for each plant to grow bigger and better than ever before! It brings hope and anticipation that something good is to to come. In my own life at this time I feel encouraged just as the plants are to use what I have and do my very best!
Diana, thanks for signing up for the giveaway and sharing your thoughts on spring sounds. I love the sound of frogs too. You’re entered in the contest. Good luck!
My favorite signs of spring are the bulbs blooming and sweet smell of flower petals in the calm night air. Thanks and happy spring!
I love the smell of flowers on a calm night too. Thanks, Lisa. You are entered in the giveaway. Good luck!
My favorite sign of spring is my iris leaves poking up through last years leaves. I see them and I know it’s time to clean up the beds and start my seeds. Another sign of spring, although maybe not a favorite, is when the geese start chasing you away from their nests while strolling through the park.
Sandra, we have lots of geese here too. It’s rather fun to hear them honk, but they do leave a mess, don’t they? 😉 Happy spring, and thanks for entering this giveaway.
Well, I can’t photograph my garden right now – it’s still covered with snow! But I can tell you that one of my favorite signs of spring is seeing the daffodils and tulips start poking their heads through the cold soil, even if there’s still snow nearby.
Brrrr, keep the faith! Spring is coming. Thanks for your comment. You’re entered in the giveaway. Good luck!
My favorite signs of spring are the Hepatica and Trillium poking through and finally blooming. Right now it’s nothing but rain and cold. The dainty Hepatica are blooming and the Trillium, while still not in bloom, are poking up and getting ready to do their thing. (You can enter my giveaway until April 15th … all you have to do is leave a comment!).
Hi Jan: Hang in there, spring is coming. Thanks for entering this giveaway. I’ll be sure and head on over to your giveaway too. All best, Teresa
For me the first sign of Spring is Robin, blooming Forsythia, daffadils and tulips!
My favorite time of year!
Debbie, those are all great flowers. Thanks for entering this getaway, and have a great spring.
My favorite signs of Spring are bulbs, especially tulips and daffodils. I’m waiting for mine to bloom now. Also, surprisingly maple trees. I never knew until I moved to a house surrounded by maples, that they had noticeable flowers, but they do, small, but pretty.
Suzanne, I agree. Maple trees are lovely in spring, as well as dogwood, apple, plum, pear, cherry and other flowering trees. Thanks for entering the giveaway, and good luck!
It seems every year it’s different. We had the usual surprise super early daffodil, a couple rogue azaleas blossoms weeks before the bulk of the flowers opened, bluebirds battling chickadees and titmice for housing rights; this year, it was seeing numerous swallowtails (Tigers and Spicebush) in the gardens, even on one morning this week when it was only 39° out!! Thanks for the chance for one plant we don’t have in our landscape yet!
Hi Tom: Sounds like you have some wonderful bird sightings in your area. Lucky you! Thanks for entering the giveaway, and good luck!
In early spring, the daffodils peak out of their winter blanket of leaves and pine needles. It’s always the very first sign that spring is near.
Thank goodness for daffodils! Good luck, Amy, in the giveaway. Don’t forget there are lots more chances to win next week too.
Sign of spring? When that last snow drift finally disappears from my garden! (it’s still about 12″ high and 3′ around!!!
Oh no, sometimes it seems like spring will never get here. Hang in there, Jean. And good luck in this giveaway. Thanks for stopping by.
My favorite signs of spring are the spring bulbs blooming. When I see daffodils and tulips it really makes me think of spring.
Daffodils, tulips, crocuses and all those flowering bulbs. Hard to imagine spring without them. Thanks for entering, and good luck.
My favorite part of spring is that smell, when you walk outside, that clean fresh smell ,God washed the Earth and now its time to watch the beauty of the flowers in bloom . mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I realize I’m a bit late , but was here yesterday and did not see the post
Hi Teresa,
Great giveaway! My favorite sign of spring is when the tulips start blooming which should be happening soon.
– Victoria Williams
Thanks Victoria. This is just the first one. Come back next week for prizes every single day. Good luck!
My favorite signs of Spring are the smells right outside my front door! The earth awakens from it’s deep sleep and blesses us with it’s renewal of yet another scent filled Spring time!
Is alfafa tea recommended for lilac bushes?
Hi Susan: I’m not an expert on alfalfa tea, so I don’t feel qualified to answer this question. Here is more information on the benefits of using alfalfa tea in the garden. http://lilacsandroses.blogspot.com/2009_02_25_archive.html You might also want to contact your local cooperative extension service and ask their advice. http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/ Finally, here is a family farm that makes good quality alfalfa tea – Authentic Haven Brand Natural Brews – http://www.facebook.com/ManureTea. She might be able to help you too. Good luck! Teresa
Question – what small green plant did you put under those potted azaleas in the fire-glazed blue/green pot? I like them but can’t tell what they are.
Hi Kristin: I’m sorry but I don’t know for certain. Perhaps you could contact Encore Azaleas at http://www.encoreazaleas.com? They supplied the photos a couple years ago, and their PR staff might be able to help. Otherwise, I’d recommend taking the photo to your local independent garden center when you go plant shopping. If you don’t find the exact plant, you’ll be able to match it with something equally attractive and appropriate for your space. Good luck, and happy gardening. Teresa
Thanks a lot for the article post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
Sweet, Brisa. I’m glad you like it, and I’ll keep writing … No worries there. Thanks for dropping by. Teresa
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