THE PERENNIAL PLANT ASSOCIATION ( PPA ) ALSO SELECTS A “PERENNIAL OF THE YEAR” The PPA has selected the 2021 Perennial Plant of the Year. This year the PPA is promoting Calamintha nepeta “Cat Mint” ‘CAT’S PAJAMAS’ as the 2021 Perennial Plant of the Year. Each year PPA chooses a perennial to honor that is … Read more
SUMMER OFFICIALLY STARTS THIS MONTH AND WE HAVE PLENTY OF IMPORTANT CHORES TO DO THIS MONTH Before we get into June I want to do a little re-capping of the weather we had in May. Last year we gardeners complained about too much rain that kept us cooped up inside. This year we are complaining … Read more
IDENTIFYING THE CULPRIT Over the past couple of weeks, I have lost count of how many people have come into the garden center with samples of leaves that “aren’t right” and have holes. Customers come to us for professional advice as to what is going on with the plant. If you are not sure what … Read more
HOMEGROWN HERBS IN CONTAINERS Container gardening continues to be a very popular gardening trend. A couple of reasons for the popularity of herb gardens are that almost anyone can grow homegrown herbs in a container. And, secondly, container gardening allows individuals to grow fresh herbs on a patio, deck, or porch. Sure, you can get … Read more
When thinking hydrangeas, most people think of only the one hydrangea with blue blooms. Did you know that there are actually six family types of hydrangeas? This is where the confusion begins. I am going to do my best in explaining the hydrangea family. MAIN TYPES OF HYDRANGEA Here are the six main types of … Read more
MAY IS A PERFECT MONTH TO GET OUTSIDE AND SO SOME GARDENING GET READY, GET SET, GO!!! – WITH ALL OUTDOOR GARDENING ACTIVITIES It would be very rare for us to have any cold, frosty nights from here on out. So many gardeners use the first part of May to get started with gardening, especially … Read more
I’M HAVING A HARD TIME LIMITING MY FAVORITE PERENNIALS FOR A SHADY YARD Last month our nursery plant expert, Nick Atkinson, gave a very informative seminar on plants to use in a shady backyard. Bottom line, a shady yard can be a beautiful yard when using the right plants for the right location. Hardy, shade-loving … Read more
IT’S A DIVERSE FAMILY THAT LEADS TO CONFUSION Whenever you stop into the garden center or call and talk to me or any other plant specialist and ask “Do you have Hibiscus” – you usually end up getting two or three questions back at you trying to figure out what type you are inquiring about. … Read more
MONARCH DECLINE A couple of weeks ago, Eve Roemhildt, our Virginia Certified Horticulturist, gave a very informative and enlightening talk on native plants and supporting our pollinators. Her talk has inspired this blog and my desire to highlight our Monarch butterflies. I am going to get onto my soapbox for a minute. As citizens of … Read more
A LOT OF GARDENING ACTIVITIES AND CHORES FOR APRIL Finally, April has arrived. April is a huge gardening month. As warmer weather becomes more consistent, people are getting ready to spend more time outdoors enjoying their gardens and doing more plantings. Here are some great April gardening chores: GRASS-CYCLING April starts our lawn mowing season. … Read more
