Updated: February 17, 2025 Valentine’s Day originated in the 17th century in Great Britain. During the 18th century, the custom of giving flowers was brought back from Persia by King Charles XII of Sweden. Roses were the primary flower of choice as it was considered the favorite flower of Venus, the Goddess of Love and Beauty. The tradition has evolved such that many different flowers are given for Valentine’s Day. Here are 9 of the most popular flowers currently being exchanged to express one’s love. Alstroemeria The exotic flowers of Alstroemeria, or Peruvian Lily, are used in cut flower arrangements, but […]
8 Popular Evergreens To Grow
Now is the perfect time to observe the evergreens in our landscapes. You may be growing evergreens or would like to grow them. Either way, there are ample benefits to having these unique plants. The leaves of evergreens conserve moisture during summer and winter, allowing them to photosynthesize and provide greenery year-round. You can find evergreens in northern and southern climates. Today, we’ll focus on species suitable for the north, where winters are long and cold. The majority of these conifers are native to the U.S. Arborvitae (Thuga occidentalis) White cedar is a common name for this popular tree. In […]
Creating Winter Interest In Your Landscapes
Winter can be dreary but also beautiful. In the Midwest, we enjoy the snow that blankets our gardens, creating a peaceful scene for us to enjoy. However, our long winters often have us looking for additional beauty in our landscape. You can use a variety of trees, shrubs, and perennials to add interest to the garden using features that include peeling bark, seedheads, or colorful stems. One example is the River Birch (Betula nigra). My parents have this tree in their yard, and it always stands out when I visit them. The peeling bark is also multicolored, adding to its […]
Popcorn Growing Guide
National popcorn day is here, and one of the best ways to enjoy this delicious treat is by growing it in your garden. Jung Seed has several varieties that provide ornamental value and a tasty snack. Today, we’ll look at how to grow and harvest popcorn from the garden while examining the unique types you can grow. What Is Popcorn? Many of you are familiar with this popular food, but what makes popcorn different than sweet corn? Popcorn is a type of corn with smaller kernels than other corn. Another key difference is their harvest time. Unlike sweet corn, popcorn […]
Garden Trends: Color of the Year 2023
As you start planning your garden for 2023, there are many new items available at Jung Seed. With so many choices to choose from how do you decide? One way would be to get some inspiration from the new Color of the Year! This year Pantone has chosen Viva Magenta. It is described as “a new animated red that revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint, an electrifying, and a boundaryless shade that is manifesting as a stand-out statement. PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta welcomes anyone and everyone with the same verve for life and rebellious spirit. It […]
Winter Sowing Garden Guide
Updated: January 9, 2025 The cold has arrived. As gardeners, we find ourselves longing for spring, when our gardens come back to life and we can spend time outside. It’s tempting to believe we can’t plant anything now, but there is a way to plant seeds for next spring. Winter sowing is a type of planting that involves planting seeds outdoors in winter. It sounds too easy, but it works! Many hardy annuals and perennials can be sown in winter to give plants a head start in spring. What is Winter Sowing? To answer this question, we’ll look at the […]
8 Useful Tools For Your Garden
December is the perfect time to reflect on the previous gardening season. What plants grew well? Do some areas of the garden need improvement? Another question to consider is how you can garden more efficiently. Gardening is intense physical work that can leave us feeling sore at the end of the day, making it essential to use the right tools. Whether using the standard trowel or a new item, various gardening tools help every gardener. The Importance of Garden Tools In my work as a horticulturist, I often hear the phrase “ergonomics.” This term means “the study of people’s efficiency […]
4 Festive Holiday Plants
Updated: December 5, 2024 The weather outside is frightful, but the indoor temperature is delightful. As you head to the nursery this time of year, you’ll see an assortment of plants produced for the Christmas season. Among those plants are poinsettias, a popular shrub known for its red bracts (a type of leaf). There are other species you can grow this time of year too. As a bonus, many of these plants can be grown as houseplants throughout the year. Let’s examine the various holiday plants and consider how to make them thrive beyond Christmas. Poinsettias Poinsettias are popular for […]
Jung Seed Holiday Gift Guide 2022
Looking for gift ideas? Jung Seed has the perfect gardening gifts! Each year, we carefully select products to feature for the holidays. From beautiful flowers to practical gardening items to beautiful decor, we have everything your favorite gardener would love. Too hard to choose? Why not select one of our popular Holiday Gift Boxes which features several items. Or looking for something fun to stuff stockings with? We’ve got you covered with our Seed Stock Stuffers. Here are some of our 5 favorite gift ideas this holiday season. Amaryllis Amaryllis is a popular choice for the holiday season. They are […]
How To Create Winter Container Displays
November is a quiet time in the garden. The perennials, trees, and shrubs have entered dormancy and show few signs of life. Birds have migrated, and the pollinators have begun their hibernation. If that’s not enough, the days are cold and dark, making it difficult to enjoy the outdoors. Fortunately, there’s a way to create a festive look in the landscape this time of year, especially with containers. Winter containers are gaining popularity as gardeners realize their unique contribution to the landscape. Container displays can brighten your patio, balcony, or driveway. You can also display containers in your garden. Here’s […]