Updated: August 21, 2024 It sounds simple enough; open a packet, bag, or canister of wildflower seeds, sprinkle them out onto the ground, and “presto!” you have a giant patch of wildflowers blooming in a few short weeks. Not so fast. When To Plant Wildflowers First, you need to consider the optimal planting timetable for your wildflower seeds. Sowing at the right time will allow the seeds the best seasonal climate conditions to germinate well. In most zones, wildflower seed sowing season is in the fall, from mid-September to late November is best. This may seem counter-intuitive because after all […]
Category: Flower Gardening
5 Tips for Reducing Plant Stress
Vince Lombardi said, “Winners never quit and quitters never win.” Playing sports can be difficult and gardening can be thought of as a sport. All our plants are players and mother nature is our opponent. Weather events like freezing temperatures in spring, blistering heat in summer, drought, humidity, hail, diseases, and a plethora of insect pests work hard every season to defeat us and our plants. These kinds of stressful environmental conditions can slow growth, delay harvest, and reduce yields in the garden. They can also make plants more prone to pest and disease problems. We as gardeners can not […]
Fall Planting – Potted Perennials
Perennials can add color and foliage texture to your landscape, but be sure to make sure the perennial chosen is suited for the sun and moisture that the location receives. The soil also needs to be well-drained for the plant to thrive. Many perennials can be low maintenance and can add color in season. Most perennials are either spring, summer, or fall bloomers and the other seasons can add different foliage textures to your landscape. Growing Potted Perennials Soil Preparation Proper soil preparation is necessary for the long-term survival of perennial plants. If you have well-drained soil like sandy soil […]
Fall Bulb Planting Tips
Updated: October 17, 2024 With the weather cooling as we enter fall, it is time to start preparing for your spring flower garden. Fall is the optimal time to plant your bulbs so they are ready to bloom come springtime. Here are some tips when choosing, planting, and caring for your fall bulbs. Choosing Spring Blooming Bulbs For early blooms, try varieties of crocus, hyacinths, and be sure to add some snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) and glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa forbesii) which often bloom before the snow has even melted. The never-ending varieties of daffodils and tulips have such a wide range of […]
Iris Growing Guide
Irises are popular, easy-to-grow “old-fashioned” perennials. They are attractive plants for beds and borders but also make lovely cut flowers. Irises attract pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds. Learn more about growing and caring for your iris flowers. Types of Irises There are a number of different types of Iris with a dizzying range of colors, flower forms, and heights. The most familiar type is the bearded iris. Depending on the type of Iris, they grow from either a rhizome or bulb. Dutch Irises are considered bulbous types. Rhizome Irises The stems of the rhizome iris grow horizontally just beneath the […]
9 New Bulbs to Plant in Fall – Best Bulbs for Spring Flowers
Remember last spring when you spotted beautiful beds of spring tulips, daffodils and hyacinths blooming and you vowed to plant some in your yard? Well—now is the time to decide what you want and get those beauties planted. Actaea Daffodil Zone: 3 – 8 The Actaea Daffodil is an heirloom daffodil. It has a wonderful, sweet fragrance. The flowers are brilliant white with petite yellow cups that are rimmed with red and accented by green. Blooming in mid to late spring they are the perfect addition to your flower garden. British Gamble Daffodil Zone: 3 – 8 The British Gamble […]
4 Tips for Improving Garden Soil
Healthy soil results in healthy plants. Plants growing in a healthy soil ecosystem have easy access to air, water, and nutrients and are less prone to disease and pest issues. With our helpful information below, a little work, and patience, you can achieve healthy soil, no matter what type of soil you are starting with. Tip #1 Organic Matter The best way to improve any soil, whether a heavy clay soil or a well-drained sandy soil is to amend it with organic matter. What is Soil Organic Matter? Soil organic matter is the organic matter of the soil. It is […]
Rose Pests – Identification & Solutions
New and experienced rose growers know, there are a number of insect pests that are attracted to roses. These pests may affect flower development, the foliage or overall quality of a rose bush. These pests are not likely to destroy an entire plant, but they can severely damage or stunt parts of the plant. Any cosmetic damage done to your rose bush is unwanted! Regular inspection of your roses is important in order to minimize any damaging effects of insects. You may find evidence of leaf chewing, damage from piercing and sucking insects or other suspicious damage to a plant. […]
24 Flowers, Fruit, & Plants Perfect For Your Patriotic Garden
July 4th marks the celebration of America’s independence. Typically, we spend this holiday celebrating with fireworks, parades, or family gatherings. This year, why not celebrate by planting a patriotic garden. Show your love of country with a beautiful patriotic garden filled with red, white, and blue flowers, plants, and fruit. We have selected 24 of our favorite flowers, fruit, and plants to get your patriotic garden started. Red – Flowers, Fruit, & Plants Ac Wendy Junebearing Strawberry Apeldoorn Tulip Fanal Astilbe Fireball Dwarf Monarda Hot Papaya Coneflower Latham Summer Bearing Raspberry Satin & Lace Berry Chiffon Coreopsis Shenandoah Red Switch Grass […]
Sunflower Guide – Growing, Caring, & Varieties
Sunflowers are popular, easy-to-grow annual flowers. They make good landscape and container plants and are excellent cut flowers. Varieties are available in a number of heights, colors, flower sizes, and flower forms, so they can be used effectively in a range of ways in the garden and landscape. Although most sunflowers are grown as ornamentals, they also produce edible seeds relished by birds, and some varieties are grown primarily for their seeds. There has been increasing interest in growing sunflowers as cut flowers and flowering potted plants for weddings. Because they are easy-to-grow and reasonably fast to bloom, sunflowers make […]