It’s late August in Michigan and as I am sitting here looking out my window into my garden, I’m seeing an incredible number of bees whizzing by while a beautiful yellow Eastern swallowtail butterfly hangs upside down to feed on my six-foot tall ‘Uchida’ lilies. I am blessed to welcome so many pollinators into my
If a durable, lower maintenance landscape is what you’re seeking, you’ll find this list of reliable native shrubs and perennials helpful. We offer many cultivars of native plants (sometimes referred to as “nativars”) here at Garden Crossings, but we’ve selected these ten for their unique beauty and ease of growth. Find details about where they’ll
Photo Courtesy of Susan Martin Caption: Rather than creating a single hedge, this homeowner layered this shrub border with a mix of small to medium sized flowering shrubs in front of tall evergreens. This creates a more interesting landscape that has something to offer in every season. So, you want to grow a hedge! Let’s
Photo Courtesy of Spring Meadow If you are looking for a hedge that stays green all year, or one that will afford you a greater degree of privacy year-round, you’ve come to the right place. We’re sharing seven of our best evergreen shrubs for creating privacy hedges in your landscape here. With a mix of
The term “ornamedible” is picking up steam with today’s gardeners and you might be wondering what it actually means. Ornamedible is a plant that combines both ornamental and edible qualities into one – something you might grow primarily for one use or the other, but ultimately fulfills both roles. You might also think of it
Let’s Dance® Blue Jangles® and Rave® hydrangeas are just the right size for showcasing in patio containers. They are paired here with Supertunia® petunias, Superbena® verbena, Diamond Frost® euphorbia and Catalina® torenia. Photo courtesy of Proven Winners. If this looks like your dream patio, read on to find out how to grow hydrangeas in pots
Here in West Michigan, the “Butterflies are Blooming” event at our local botanical garden is one of the biggest attractions every year in late winter. So, we thought, why not build a butterfly house right here at Garden Crossings? We love watching butterflies and grow many of the nectar and host plants they need, so
If you were lucky enough to have plenty of outdoor time when you were young, think about how those experiences shaped your life going forward. You love having time to spend out in your garden now, whether it’s just a few minutes to harvest the peppers you’ll be using in tonight’s dinner or a few
When I visit southern Florida, there’s always one simple pleasure I look forward to — exiting the airport doors and stepping out into the warm, humid air for the first time. There’s an instant rush of oxygen as I take in the lush plantings around me. Things I’ve only grown as small houseplants overflow in
When summer arrives, we want to spend every moment we can soaking up the sunshine and fresh air. Instead of being couped up in front of the TV at night, we move our living spaces out onto our decks or under our pergolas and build a fire in the outdoor fireplace. If you’re looking for
As a confessed plant lover, I want them all—every beautiful plant I see at the garden center wants desperately to come home with me and I am happy to accommodate. That is, until I run out of room in my garden. To have ten acres of open land and an unlimited budget to collect all
With so many amazing flowers to choose from, including dozens of vibrant Supertunias®, how do you decide which ones are best for you? Supertunias® are all petunias but they vary quite a bit in size and habit. Their names hold a clue as to how they grow. Let’s take a closer look at all the different