If you love using Argyranthemum in container designs as much as I do, you are going to love the new Pure White Butterfly™ as an option. The large, crisp white daisy looking flowers explode with beauty and are a perfect choice for a thriller in annual container designs.
Gardening brings out all kinds of emotions and memories, one shrub that is sure to create a pleasant memory for you is Abelia Sweet Emotion™. Walking through the greenhouse this past spring there was this amazing scent that was drawing me in. Once I located the plant offering that spicy sweet scent I was hooked. Sweet Emotion™ starts off in the spring with bright red buds that burst open in late May resulting in creamy white flowers that are arranged in a nice cluster.
I love to add a new “Friend” to my butterfly garden each year. Sometimes it may be two or three. This year I added Bloomerang® ‘Pink Perfume’ Lilac. I heard that the blooms were so fragrant that I had to give it a try. Bloomerang® ‘Pink Perfume’ Lilac did not disappoint. This shrub is so compact in size, 4-5 feet, but really performs like the big guys. ‘Pink Perfume’ begins blooming in May with an abundance of gorgeous pink blooms. By mid-June the first round of flowers begin to fade. At this time you may trim the spent blooms. This will encourage more abundant flowers as it reblooms in late-July. ‘Pink Perfume’ will continue blooming through the summer. The lilac bush also makes for a great hedge or boarder for you garden. For those of you that love the wildlife, all the Syringa Bloomerang® series are Deer resistant.
Graceful Grasses® ‘Fireworks’ is one of my go to Thrillers. I love the variegated purple, pink and burgundy with a splash of white for contrast. This plant likes full sun and can go without a lot of water. I like ColorBlaze® Alligator Tears to complement the rich dark colors of “Fireworks”. Alligator Tears has beautiful green foliage with a creamy-yellow tear drop center. This plant will do well in all sun exposures. Alligator Tears needs moderate moisture, but is drought tolerant. My third splash of color comes from Supertunia Vista Fuchsia. This Petunia is a vigorous grower and will add a striking display to your combination. Vista Fuchsia will adapt well with my other choices. Supertunia Vista Fuchsia is a trailing variety and will spill over the edge of your planter. You will love the abundant display of color throughout the summer months.
My new favorite Chick Charm is Chick Charm Golden Nugget. This tiny beauty has found a home in my perennial rock garden. I have had so much fun watching the color change as the winter weather arrived in Michigan. When I purchased this Chick Charm from Garden Crossings this summer it was a bright green color with red picoted tips. Now it is a beautiful golden color with red tips. The baby “chicks”, will begin to sprout when the weather breaks.
We have reached the time of year when our annual containers and combination containers are starting to look, well, less than desirable. There is a solution, a rather easy one at that. There are several fall plants that can be used alone or in combination with one another to freshen up your containers. Using more than one of the same plant, or using a combination of different plants, can create a fall container that will leave your neighbors in awe at the look of your new fall decor. There’s no better time than now to get started on those creations.
Planting shrubs in the garden or landscape can be an easy solution to deer problems and high maintenance plants. Barberry Shrubs are a particularly good choice if deer are a constant problem for you. Bring a variety of color to your garden, as well as low maintenance, with Sunjoy® Barberry shrubs from Garden Crossings.
Meteor Showers and the color purple! Need I say more? Absolutely not! But I will. The most requested flower color of customers is purple. One of the most brilliant sights seen in the night sky are meteor showers. Put the two together and you have a masterpiece. Exactly why we need to talk about a new 2016 annual, Meteor Shower™ Verbena.
There is a new Proven WinnersⓇ perennial that is so awesome you will not want to miss out! Beautiful blooms to adorn your landscape and for you to enjoy. Rich, bright color to add eye catching interest to your garden or yard. A sense of the tropics right in your own habitat. SummerificⓇ Hibiscus ‘Berry Awesome’ will put on a show in your landscaping.
Are you looking to get into the ‘Flowering’ world but the thought of ‘Gardening’ is scary to you? Take the advice of Walt Disney, “All of your dreams can come true, if you have the courage to pursue them”. Gardening can be large scale or small scale, no matter what you are looking to do gardening can be successful and fun!
Spring is almost here and many of you are probably thinking about your garden(s) or landscaping. An avid gardener is always thinking of ways to add a new garden area or to freshen up their current landscaping. While touring Four Star Greenhouse during the summer of 2015, I observed a beautiful idea for an annual landscaping trio. Graceful Grasses® ‘Fireworks’ Pennisetum, Supertunia® Bordeaux Petunia, and Luscious® Pinkberry Blend Lantana are three beautiful choices to plant together to make a colorful statement with movement in the landscaping.
Succulents are so popular right now for any age group. Whether for home décor, the office or even in your dorm room or apartment, succulents are easy to grow and fun to have around.
Garden Crossings has just released a large selection of succulent planters with a wide assortment of colors and textures.