Petals From the Past is the premier destination in Alabama for heirloom plants, roses, shrubs, perennials, container plants, herbs, vines and more. Many people come to us, especially for our heirloom plant selection. Due to large-scale farming, many varieties of traditional native plans are being lost. At Petals From The Past, we aim to preserve plant species native to the Southeast. We have dozens of types of native perennials, shrubs, vines, and trees.
THE JOYS OF GARDENING |
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Today people spend more time staring at the phone in their hand than doing something with it. Gardening is relaxing and fulfilling. Staring at a spreadsheet or spending hours waiting on hold doesn’t give much satisfaction. Gardening gives you real, tangible results. Plant your seeds today, and the fruits of your labor will soon become clear.
Tradition
Gardening is a way to connect with our forebears and to live as they did. We should not leave farming and gardening to just the big companies. Before industrial agriculture, there were many more varieties of plants available. Now monoculture has reduced our options. Heirloom gardening is a way to preserve varieties for generations to come. More varieties of plants mean a more delicious tasting harvest.
Money Savings and Taste
Besides giving you access to varieties you could never find in a store, gardening has other benefits. It is financially sustainable. You can grow your own food. The psychological benefits of knowing you can feed your family from your own land are priceless. There is no need to buy your produce from big name supermarkets.
Come to Petals from the Past where we can advise you on planting and growing apple trees, Asian pears, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, citrus fruit such as Meyer lemons, jujube, kiwi, Muscadines, nectarines, olives, peaches, pears, persimmons, plums, pomegranates, raspberries, strawberry plants, figs and crab apples. Not to mention you don’t want to forget your herbs such as parsley and basil.
Health Benefits
Sitting for too long is hazardous to our health. Gardening helps offset any health issues caused by sitting too long at work.
Why pay money for a monthly membership and for gas to go to a gym? Going outside with your trowel will easily work up the same calories as at the gym. Gardening is good for the heart and also helps with manual dexterity.
Reduced Alzheimer’s Risk
In a study of over 3000 older adults over the course of sixteen years, gardening was the single biggest factor in risk reduction for Alzheimer’s. Daily gardening reduced the chance of developing Alzheimer’s by thirty-six percent. Gardening keeps older people engaged. It helps with manual dexterity, spatial awareness, and problem-solving. Gardening synthesizes different skills. This keeps the brain active and keeps mental and physical dexterity from deteriorating. It is the optimal way to stay engaged in the world and with our natural environment.
PETALS FROM THE PAST |
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Petals from the Past offers dozens of native trees, shrubs, bushes, and vines. We would like to highlight a few of our favorites. These plants are beautiful, and some even offer major health benefits.
STRAWBERRY BUSH
Consider the easy-to-grow native strawberry bush, which grows best in USDA Zones 6-9. You can plant the cuttings for strawberry bushes year-round. This is a great vine to have for the fall when the pods burst open to display shiny, bright red seeds. The strawberry bush is the perfect fall plant. It is like having autumn itself right in your front yard.
PAWPAW TREE
Perhaps you would like to plant the until-now-forgotten but healthful Pawpaw tree. The fruit of the Pawpaw tree is the largest edible fruit in North America. It was popular with Native Americans. This tree is now making a deserved comeback in popularity. The fruit of the pawpaw tastes like a blend of mango and pineapple with a hint of banana. The taste varies somewhat from tree to tree. For fruit-producing trees, you will need to cross-pollinate two trees.
The Pawpaw’s health benefits are many. Pawpaw has cancer-fighting properties. It contains antioxidants such as Vitamin C, E, and beta-carotenes necessary for fighting cancer.
Pawpaw is also good for treating digestive disorders because it contains papain. Papain is a proteolytic enzyme. These enzymes break down protein into food which helps with digestion. Eating papaw can even helpless serious digestive disorders such as bloating and chronic indigestion.
Pawpaw can treat male virility. Pawpaw contains arginine that helps with increased blood flow. Arginine in concentrated quantities treats erectile dysfunction.
Pawpaw is also rich in fiber which helps clean out the colon. Taking Pawpaw regularly helps prevent colon cancer because of its antioxidants and high fiber content.
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This beautiful native flower is covered in red hibiscus flowers in the hot summer months. Because the flowers never fully open some people say they represent a Turkish turban. Grow this beautiful red flowering plant in the shade or part-shade to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Not just these plants are available but many others.
DEALS, COUPONS, & MORE |
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We always have something new available at Petals from the Past. Come and take a walk around our fruit orchards and see what’s new. We offer guided tours.
“You pick your own” blackberry fields are open now from 9 am to 5 pm. They are still in season until July 5th so come now.
Figs will be in season from late July until late September. And if you like Asian pears, they are in season late August until late September.
Apples are in season in early August and last until late October. Muscadines come in late August and last until mid-October.
Persimmons will be from early October until late November. Satsumas start at the same time but last a little later until early December.
And for a surprisingly sweet mid-winter surprise, come from November until December for our Meyer lemons. Meyer lemons are famous for their sweet taste and best of all they grow in cold weather. Kumquats are also in-season then.
Past Events
On Saturday, July 21st we held a Fig and Stone Fruit Walking Tour with Dr. Arlie Powell. She discussed the different varieties, care, and maintenance of figs and stone fruits such as delicious peaches, plums, and nectarines. Attendants enjoyed a relaxing walk through the orchards and the tastes of summer as they sampled all the different delicious varieties.
On Saturday, August 4th, we held an event called Butterflies of Alabama Up Close and Personal with Paulette Ogard and Sara BrightAttendants learned how to identify some of the most common species of butterflies and gain insights into their fascinating life histories. They also learned when they fly and what they eat.
Attendants discovered what plants would attract and sustain them in your yards. We also took a quick online tour of the Alabama Butterfly Atlas, an informational website that brings all these things together. Join us as next time as we delve into the world of Alabama butterflies!
Paulette Haywood Ogard has spent over 20 years researching the life histories of southeastern butterflies. She and Sara Bright co-authored Butterflies of Alabama: Glimpses into Their Lives. Her current field research focuses on adding life history information to the online Alabama Butterfly Atlas where she serves on the board of directors.
On Saturday, August 18, 2018, we held the Apple, Pear, and Muscadine Walking Tour with Dr. Arlie PowellDr. Powell discussed the variety, care, and maintenance of apples, pears, muscadines, and bunch grapes. Next time, join us to taste all the varieties of these fruits to decide which ones you will want to add to your home garden.
On Sunday, September 9, 2018, was the Kiwi Walking Tour with Dr. Arlie Powell.Dr. Arlie Powell discussed the best way to grow kiwi in Alabama. Attendants learned all they needed to know to add these vines to your home garden.
On Sunday, October 7, 2018, we held an event for Fall Gardening—Why?, What?, and When? with Jason PowellJason discussed his favorite perennials for fall bloom and planting. Attendants learned why fall is a great season to plant.
On Sunday, November 4, 2018, gardening fanatics joined us for the workshop Repotting Orchids with Shelley Powell.Attendants brought their orchids that needed a new life. Shelly helped attendants re-pot them so they would perk up and provide long-lasting beauty.
Saturday and Sunday, November 17 and 18, 2018, were Petals Christmas Open House.
Join us for future gardening events and workshops!
CONCLUSION |
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Petals from the Past offers all you need to start your or continue your adventure in gardening. We have so many options and informational events to get you started.
Most of all we are here to help and educate. You will find plants you know about, and you may also learn about some plants you never heard about, whether you are looking for roses, shrubs, fruit plants, perennials, herbs, vines, container plants, or garden aids.
Don’t forget we especially offer many native plants only found in the southeastern United States.
Come on by or order from our extensive catalog online. We at Petals from the Past look forward to hearing from you.
