Heather Hills Blooms for Spring

They’re back in business after the dreary, winter months, and Heather Hills Gardens wants you to come out and pick up a little patch of spring.

The nursery located at 8111 Ox Road shuts down for the season after their pumpkin patch closes and re-opens toward the end of March.  Heather Hills is already bursting with flowers, and as the temperatures climb, things will only improve. But the experts warn: you don’t want to jump the gun.

“People are so anxious to get planting and it’s hard to encourage them to buy things that won’t freeze,” said Lisa Jackson who works at Heather Hills.

Jackson said bright, cheerful pansies are perfect for early spring when there’s still some chill in the air, but it’s not a good idea to plant things like basil or tomatoes.  She said the trend, however, is toward planting edibles.  Even if you don’t have a yard, Jackson said you can plant things like strawberries in a container.

“You might not have room for a garden, but you probably have space for a pot,” Jackson said.

The owner of Heather Hills lives in the eye-catching Victorian home that sits on the property.  Parts of it are 100 years old and employees say it is enough on its own to get people to pull over and check things out.

Jackson said she’s thrilled that it’s planting season again and that Heather Hills has re-opened.

“It’s exhilarating!  It’s good to be back outside and get your hands dirty,” said Jackson.

Martha Thieman is about to graduate from college and has spent many summers and school breaks working at Heather Hills.  She says gardening is challenging and artistic.

“You can do a sun garden or a shade garden,” Thieman said.  “You can play with the heights of the plants and it’s a major art checking the blooming times.”

Heather Hills employees say they try to educate their customers with display gardens and keep them interested with special events like container day and herb day where they send clients home with specific ideas and free samples.  Their hope is to turn thumbs green, one by one.

“Just to be able to grow something,” mused Jackson, “it’s very satisfying.”