Belgian Nursery is open year-round and carries an incredible selection of plants and products throughout the seasons, including Cacti, Succulents, most varieties of Tropical Houseplants, and so much more! However, there are some varieties that can only be offered during their individual seasons, so keep the time of year in mind when you come to visit the greenhouses. Here are some of the most popular seasonal varieties Belgian carries:
Early Spring
Primula (Primrose) – Winter (Feb-March in Tropical House) to Early Spring (April-May in Perennial Centre)
Light: Bright, Indirect Light, protected from afternoon sun
Water: Let dry slightly then water well; do not allow to sit in water.
Tips: Rigid foliage can be easily damaged, handle with care. Remove spent flowers by cutting stems as close to the crown as possible; this will make room for future blooms!
It’s never too early for some spring colour! Belgian offers vibrant Primula (Primroses) in a wide range of colours, all grown on site! You can find our “first crop” in the Tropical House during February and March – perfect for adding a burst of colour to your indoor tables and counters: these can be planted outside once the weather warms up and frost has passed. Our “second crop” fills multiple benches in the Perennial Centre in April and May. Bonus: these Perennials tolerate frost AND can be planted outside in spring! Find them a nice shady spot that is protected from the hot afternoon sun; water deeply and regularly for their first year, then as needed in future years. Enjoy their blooms every spring!
Pansies (Annual) – Early to Mid Spring (March-April) in the Perennial Centre
Light: Sun to Part Sun
Water: Let dry slightly then water well; do not allow to sit in water.
Tips: Remove spent blooms to encourage future blooms. Can be planted in gardens in early spring once ground has thawed.
Big and beautiful spring blooms! These flowerings Annuals are grown on site and are available in range of vibrant colours, from bright white to deep purple and everything in between! Their large “faces” are perfect for spring garden borders and planters; they can even handle a light frost! There might be some flower damage but it’s easy to remove those few blooms to make way for new bright buds! They can be found in our Perennial Centre* in early spring; planters and hanging baskets are also available, while supplies last.
*Note: Pansies are Annuals, but they prefer the unheated Perennial Centre to grow and thrive.
Potted Bulbs (Tulips, Daffodils) – Early Spring (March-April) depending on availability
Light: Medium to Bright light
Water: Let dry slightly then water well; do not allow to sit in water.
Tips: Potted Daffodils will naturalize and multiply, so plant them outdoors in a sunny site to enjoy them for future years!
Belgian carries a selection of potted Forced Bulbs (typically Tulips, Mini Daffodils, Hyacinths) during the early weeks of spring, just as our Perennial Centre is opening up for another shopping season. Fall Bulbs (or Spring Flowering Bulbs) need 12 to 16 weeks of cold winter temperatures before they can bloom; these beauties have been “forced” into flowering by our suppliers so that you don’t have to wait! They are perfect for bringing a pop of spring colour to table settings and centrepieces.
Spring brings so many choices when it comes to colourful blooms! Violas, Ranunculus, and Spring Flowering (Easter) Cactus are all bursting with blooms during this season!
Fall
Garden Mums (Annual Varieties only) – Late Summer to Mid-Fall in the Perennial Centre
Light: Sun to Part Sun
Water: Let dry slight then water well; do not allow to sit in water or dry out.
Tips: Use an all-purpose or flowering fertilizer every 2 weeks while in bloom. Branches are fragile, so handle with care.
Belgian grows thousands of Mums on site every year! Garden Mums, also known as Fall Mums, are perfect for extending the growing season for your garden beds and planters, with gorgeous blooms in shades of red, orange, yellow, purple, white, and even pink and lavender! Their blooms last 3 to 6 weeks, depending on weather conditions and their flowering stage at the point of purchase. Classed as a tender Perennial; meaning they may or may not survive the winters, however these varieties of Mums offer a wide range of bloom colours and sizes. To give them their best chance to survive the cold winters plant them early in the season and in a protected location; like along a house foundation. Belgian releases these fall bloomers as they start to colour, so check out the Perennial Centre often from late August through September to see what’s new!
Ornamental Cabbage and Kale (Annual) – Late Summer to Mid-Fall in the Perennial Centre
Light: Sun to Part Sun
Water: Let dry slightly then water well.
Tips: Remove lower leaves if they turn yellow or discoloured.
Another incredible option for filling in your late season gardens and containers! The large rosettes of green foliage offer the most incredible colours in fall, bursting with bright red-purple, pink, or creamy white from their cores! Their colours intensify as the weather cools, and they can even handle fall frosts with little damage to their leaves! Belgian grows thousands of Ornamental Cabbage and Kale, perfect for garden beds and borders, tucked amongst Garden Mums, and added to fall planters. You can find them in late summer until October (while supplies last) just outside the Perennial Centre by the Gazebo.
Looking for other additions and fillers for your fall gardens? Annuals like Purple Fountain Grass, Celosia, and even Sunflowers are great for late season arrangements and gardens!
Winter
Amaryllis (Tropical Houseplant) – late Fall to early Winter in the Tropical House
Light: Medium to Bright, Indirect Light
Water: Let dry slightly then water well.
Tips: Click Here to read our Amaryllis blog, filled with great care tips and potting information!
Dazzling & Dramatic! Amaryllis really like to show off their gigantic and brightly coloured blooms, available in shades of red, white, pink, and even bicolour combinations! Held atop thick, strong stalks that burst from their huge bulbs, they are great for adding height and drama to indoor displays and holiday centrepieces. Belgian carries a beautiful selection in late fall to early winter, just in time for the holiday season; choose from potted bulbs with stalks standing tall, or build your own blooms with a packaged bulb, ready for planting! While supplies last, availability can vary depending on our suppliers.
Cyclamen (Tropical Houseplant) – late Fall to early Winter in the Tropical House
Light: Medium to Bright light
Water: Let dry slightly then water well; do not allow to sit in water.
Temperature: Prefers cooler temperatures; keep away from heating sources and vents.
Tips: Remove spent flowers and foliage by removing entire stem from plant’s base with a gentle tug; this will reduce risk of rotting off at the tuber.
Belgian offers a wide variety of colourful, flowering Tropicals for all your winter and holiday arrangements, and Cyclamen are always tops on the list! These vibrant downward-facing blooms seem to drip from their upright stems, with delicate petals that unfurl in shades of pink, purple, red, white, and even bicolour, all with a light, delicate fragrance. Their rounded, silver-green mottled foliage adds the perfect backdrop for these flowers to really pop. They make a stunning statement on tabletops and counters, and make great gifts for plant lovers in your life!
Christmas or Thanksgiving Cactus (Tropical Houseplant) – late Fall to Winter in the Tropical House; year-round in the Cactus & Succulent House, depending on availability
Light: Bright, Direct light
Water: When in flower, let dry slightly then water well; allow soil to dry when not in bloom.
Tips: Feed with a flowering or all-purpose fertilizer once a month while in bloom.
One of the most famous flowering Cacti! These beautiful bloomers burst with colour in late fall into winter (typically during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons) making them the perfect addition to your indoor holiday displays! Their bright shades of red, pink, and white offer stunning contrast to the deep green, succulent-like foliage which drapes over the sides of its pot. Make sure to give them more frequent water while they’re in bloom; the rest of the year, let your pots dry out before giving them a deep drink. The short days of late fall and winter trigger their bright buds to burst open to reveal some of the brightest hues! Belgian carries a wonderful assortment In November and December in the Tropical House, with select varieties available the rest of the year in the Cactus & Succulent House, depending on availability.
Frosty Ferns (Tropical Houseplants) – late Fall to early Winter in the Tropical House
Light: Medium to Bright, Indirect Light
Water: Let dry slightly then water well; do not allow to sit in water or dry out.
Tips: Prefer cooler temperatures, keep away from heating sources and vents. Mist for extra humidity; feed an all-purpose fertilizer once a month.
Cute & Adorable! These bushy, low growing Houseplants are a close cousin to Club Moss, though their bright green foliage with white tips more closely resembles a delicate cedar. The name “frosty” comes from their preference for cooler living conditions; keep them in a cool location, away from any heating sources, to keep their tips looking frosted! They also like to stay evenly moist and love humidity, so be sure to check your pots often. Frosty Ferns are great for adding to tables, shelves, and counters, and add a pop of holiday greenery to indoor tropical arrangements!
Mini Poinsettias (Tropical Houseplant) – November and December in the Tropical House
Light: Medium to Bright, Indirect Light
Water: Let dry slightly then water well; do not allow to sit in water or dry out.
Tips: Like other Euphorbia, Poinsettia will bleed latex from broken or snapped bracts and branches; take care if you or others have a latex allergy or sensitivity.
A classic seasonal Houseplant! The brightly coloured bracts offer incredible contrast against dark green, pointed foliage. Add a few to tabletops, counters, and shelves for bright bursts of colour; they also make wonderful gifts! Belgian carries a select assortment of mini Poinsettias in shades of red and pink, though other colours may be available from our supplier. Due to their small pot size, be sure to check your plants often as they will dry out quicker than larger pots. Please note: Belgian no longer carries larger pots of Poinsettias.
Seasonal Dish Gardens (Tropical Houseplant) – November and December in the Tropical House
Light: Bright, Indirect Light
Water: Let dry slightly then water well
Tips: Pots may not have drainage; water carefully around each individual plant, but do not allow to sit in water. Feed an all-purpose fertilizer once a month.
Add an instant pop of colour to your holiday displays and table centrepieces with a Seasonal Dish Garden! During the winter holiday season, Belgian carries a wide variety of pot sizes and plant combinations, typically a mix of the following: red Poinsettia, Frosty Fern, white Kalanchoe, and English Ivy. The look is finished with a top dressing of sphagnum moss to tie all the Tropicals together. Check out our available selection in the Tropical House starting in November, just in time for holiday decorating and gift giving!
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Other Houseplants, like Norfolk Island Pine and Cypress, are perfect for adding a touch of tropical greenery to your home!