Pieris japonica, also known as Japanese Pieris, Japanese Andromeda, or Lily-of-the-Valley Plant, is a hardy and versatile evergreen shrub that provides excellent color and interest throughout the season. When Does Japanese Pieris Bloom? During the spring season, bell-shaped, lily-of-the-valley-like blooms provide a cascading color to signal the beginning of the new season. But this isn’t… Read More
Gone are the days when Hydrangeas were merely reliable background players in the garden. Then in 2003, a Midwestern plant breeder introduced Endless Summer, transforming them from summer stalwarts into botanical superstars. This game-changing variety offers spectacular blue-to-pink blooms that persist for an astounding six months in mild climates, thriving everywhere from Minneapolis to Houston…. Read More
Love spring-blooming azaleas? Meet their show-stopping relatives: Encore Azaleas. These extraordinary plants deliver waves of vibrant blooms from spring through fall. The performance begins with a spectacular spring show, followed by summer growth that sets new buds, leading to a second stunning display. As other plants wind down, Encore Azaleas continue their color show well… Read More
As the state flower of both North Carolina and Virginia, dogwoods are a highly sought-after tree in our area. Dogwoods began their history prized more for their wood than for their beautiful blooms. In Europe, the thin stems of hardwood were used to make arrow shafts and daggers, while the Native Americans used the wood… Read More
Chiefly known for their colorful, long-lasting summer blooms, crape myrtles offer incredible versatility in the landscape. From large, multi-stemmed shrubs to small trees and dwarf varieties, there’s a crape myrtle to suit every need. And with a range of flower colors from deep purple to bright white, they provide a stunning visual display. To ensure… Read More
American boxwood? English boxwood? Japanese boxwood? What’s the difference?! With so many varieties available, choosing the right boxwood can feel overwhelming. Today we break down the differences and share 14 of our favorite varieties that thrive here in the Mid-Atlantic. American boxwoods are cold tolerant, with leaves that are rather long ovals with more pointed… Read More
Barberry is an unsung hero of many gardens here in Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland! Not only do they provide foliage colors from a variety of different spectrums, but they are also deer and pest-resistant. As it shares the shape of other hedge favorites such as boxwood or compacta holly, barberry offers a variety of… Read More
A fruit tree, once planted, becomes a lasting source of homegrown goodness. Enjoy the sweet reward of growing your own plums right here in Virginia. Here is one of our favorite varieties to consider. Growing Your Own Plums Plums are a popular fruit for cooking, jam-making, bottling, and canning. The sweeter varieties are among the… Read More
A fruit tree in your landscape is an investment that will pay dividends for years to come. Once you allow a fruit tree to become established, it will provide a bountiful harvest of your favorite fruits that are fresher and so much sweeter than anything you can find in your local supermarket. Today we’re sharing… Read More
A fruit tree, once planted, becomes a lasting source of homegrown goodness. Enjoy the sweet reward of a bountiful harvest, far surpassing store-bought produce. Read on for some of our favorite peach varieties to grow in Virginia. Growing Your Own Peaches Peaches are considered the “queen” of the fruits and second only to apples in… Read More