Spring Fever in the Upstate: Your Guide to the Perfect Garden

Spring in the Upstate is a fast and furious season - if you aren't ready, you might miss the best planting windows! At Staggs Garden Center, we've curated our inventory to specifically thrive in our local red clay climate. Here's your guide to making this spring your most successful one yet.

The Foundation: Soil & Mulch

A great garden starts below the surface. Our Upstate soil can be heavy, but with the right amendments, it becomes a goldmine for nutrients.

• Amend: Don't just plant into raw clay. We carry Daddy Pete's Soil Enhancer and Mushroom Compost, which are perfect for breaking up the soil and adding organic matter.

• Mulch: Once your plants are in, protect them. We offer Double Ground Hardwood Mulch (available in Natural, Black, or Brown) by the scoop to help retain moisture and keep aggressive spring weeds at bay.

Must-Haves from Our Nursery

We take pride in our selection. Here are a few standout plants currently featured on our website that are perfect for Spring and Summer ahead:

For Early Color: Encore Azaleas

Why settle for one season of blooms when you can have three? We stock a massive variety of Encore Azaleas, including Autumn Royalty and Autumn Fire. These are the workhouses of the Taylors landscape, giving you a massive burst of color in the spring and then repeating the show in the summer and fall. They love our acidic soil and provide a structured, evergreen look year-round.

For Fragrant Shade: Gardenias

There is nothing quite like the scent of a Frost Proof or August Beauty Gardenia. These shrubs are local favorites because they are remarkably hardy and can handle the occasional late-spring cold snap. They're also beautiful!

For Pollinators & Drama: Loropetalum

If you want a "pop" of contrast, look no further than our Loropetalum varieties like Purple Diamond or Crimson Fire. With their rich burgundy foliage and bright pink "fringe" flowers, they are absolute showstoppers in a spring garden. They are drought-tolerant once established and very low-maintenance for the busy homeowner.

Don't Forget the Edibles

Spring isn't just for flowers! It's time to get your "cool season" veggies and herbs in the ground before the July heat arrives.

• Veggies & Herbs: From crisp lettuce to aromatic Rosemary and Lavender, our edible section is stocked with varieties that love Upstate SC's spring rain.

• Pro Move: Pick up a bag of Daddy Pete's Kickin' Chickin' fertilizer to give your veggie starts the nitrogen boost they need to produce a heavy yield.

Pro-Tip: The Staggs Diagnostic Service

Not sure why your old shrubs are looking a bit yellow this spring? Don't guess--bring us a sample! At Staggs Garden Center, we offer plant diagnostics. You can bring a leaf sample into the shop at 3010 Locust Hill Rd, Taylors SC, and our team members will help identify if it's a nutrient deficiency, a pest like lace bugs, or just a little "spring fever."

Ready to get started?

Browse our full Shrub and Annual lists online, or better yet, come see the colors in person.