2020-08-06 20:17
Can I tell you a story? I bought Delosperma cooperi, aka pink ice plant, on a whim at a supermarket, of all places, a few years ago, not really knowing what to expect. Within a few week… Read More
Blog Directory > Home & Garden Blogs > Hobbies & Crafts Blogs > Great Garden Plants hobbies-and-crafts Blog >
Great Garden Plants Blog
greatgardenplantsblog.com
Tags:
plant
flower
garden
container garden
love echinacea
perennial cut flowers
container
love
delight
color
Mary & Chris share their ideas, observations, knowledge & inspiration on gardening with their vivid photography
2020-08-02 17:53
Springtime is always packed with tasks to do, but the dog days of summer? We scratch our heads and try to remember what we’re supposed to be doing in the garden. Well, we’re here… Read More
2020-07-31 20:29
Make summer even sweeter with the delicious scent of ‘Sweet Summer Love’! You can think of this easy-care clematis as a colorful, earlier-blooming, less-rambunctious version… Read More
2020-07-10 21:00
Like pollinators, we buzz around our gardens completing tasks left and right. It is so satisfying to see our garden grow in beauty and health that we exhaust ourselves be… Read More
2020-07-02 20:10
If having to replant an annual cut flower garden year after year doesn’t work for you, try perennials! They just need to be popped in the ground, have their flowers harv… Read More
2020-06-27 09:21
Easy to grow, easy to love Echinacea (pronounced eck-in-eh-shuh) – or coneflowers, as some call them – are fabulously showy native perennials. They bloom long, attract pollinator… Read More
2020-06-14 19:48
We love multi-purpose plants. Whether it’s herbs that are as pretty as they are delicious, or a stately fig tree laden with sweet fruits, or a garden full of flowers begging… Read More
2020-06-09 16:51
In this season, rich experiences are everywhere and your garden should be one of them! Is there enough color and action in your space to compete with the myriad of sensations that battle for… Read More
2020-06-03 18:45
Our gardens are wells of calm and inspiration for us to draw from any time we need it. So, looking for reasons to get out there and work is pretty common for most of us! I can’t t… Read More
2020-05-24 15:58
When you have a passion for plants, there’s just no better way to create instant real estate than to plant a container. Most people primarily associate them with planting season annual… Read More
2020-05-19 20:48
Healthy soil is essential to our existence and understanding how to care for it is arguably one of the most important parts of gardening! After all, from the soil grows all of the… Read More
2020-05-05 16:20
There’s more to the pretty face. Learn about the myth that gave them their name, where they come from, and cap it off with some beautiful historical literature. You can share… Read More
2020-04-28 16:16
To get started, all it takes is a dry, sad-looking plot of soil. These sun lovers don’t need nutrient-rich, moist soil like many other exotic-looking plants. They thrive in the difficu… Read More
2020-04-26 18:59
Yes! You definitely can, and you definitely should. Here’s why. Save money, save time, save resources Lots of people are fretting about how they’re going to obtain basic gardenin… Read More
2020-04-17 19:31
Native plants aren’t just a passing fad – they are useful, beautiful additions to landscapes and gardens of every style and size. And the benefits don’t stop there! They he… Read More
2020-04-08 15:43
This long time garden favorite can be tricky to grow! Keep these three things in mind when caring for your lavender and you will have healthy, luscious plants in your garden. … Read More
2020-04-01 16:08
Some hydrangeas like to be pruned in spring, while others do not and will not flower if you do! Not sure if the types you have are due for a trim? Let us help. Hydra… Read More
2020-03-22 14:00
Right now many of us are spending more time in our gardens than ever. Our canine friends are tagging along and they’re mostly well behaved… but if your pup tends to mu… Read More
2020-03-17 14:28
They’re not just for backgrounds for colorful plants! Green can be more than a vague accompaniment to other colors in the garden. Interesting and noteworthy green flowers and… Read More
2020-03-11 15:21
Spring is nearly here, and we’re wondering: Is there anything prettier than these primroses? WOW! That’s what we all said when we saw these beauties starting to bloom in the… Read More
2020-03-08 15:48
Meet the people behind the plants! Today is International Women’s Day – celebrate with a look at the women who have developed some of our favorite plants! Talent, know-how, … Read More
2020-03-03 20:33
If so, I feel your pain. When I moved into my house, I never guessed I’d have a deer problem: it’s in a densely populated area and just a few blocks from our bustling small… Read More
2020-02-25 21:26
Enjoy a little Mardi Gras festivity? Bring the party to your space! Colorful parades and celebratory swag make Mardi Gras a memorable spectacle! Similar joys can be had in your garden withou… Read More
2020-01-31 16:17
Looking for something a little different? There’s no shortage of plants to liven up the fall landscape, but if you’re tired of the same old, same old, here are two very cool opti… Read More
2020-01-30 19:48
Low Scape Mound Aronia: The plant world’s superhero. What’s your biggest landscape challenge? Too much sun or too little? Too much water or drought? Acid soil or alkaline? Harsh… Read More
2020-01-29 17:04
Infinitini® crapemyrtles in particular bloom on and on and on… Jolt your garden to life, even in the summer doldrums, with Infinitini crapemyrtles. These are not your average crap… Read More
2020-01-28 14:02
‘Sweet Summer Love’ is deliciously fragrant and delightfully easy to grow. Make summer even better! ‘Sweet Summer Love’ clematis is a truly revolutionary variety &nda&hell…Read More
2020-01-27 13:32
They’re the ones with the big, football-shaped (and sized!) flowers that bloom everywhere in late summer. Also known as peegee (pronounced like the letters, p.g.) or Limelight hyd… Read More
2020-01-24 14:26
There’s no better place to cool off than in the shade. Sometimes, shade can feel really limiting in the garden – so much of the big, showy, flowery stuff needs sun. But when the… Read More
2020-01-23 16:12
Everything you need to know about this easy-growing summer stunner Bask in the limelight! Would you believe that when Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs introduced ‘Limelight’, ev… Read More
2020-01-22 15:12
Smooth hydrangeas? Arborescens? What are you talking about, Great Garden Plants? Why, just the best and easiest to grow hydrangeas on the market! You may be familiar with Annabelle hydrangea… Read More
2020-01-21 16:50
Full Speed A Hedge™ ‘American Pillar’ arborvitae Long in demand but hard to find until now, we’re delighted to bring Full Speed A Hedge ‘American Pill… Read More
2020-01-20 14:28
Meet the rose that’s won six awards world-wide. Ringo rose is very unique. Though its blooms are just a single layer of petals, each one is graced with a cheerful red ring surrounded b… Read More
2020-01-17 14:10
It’s because the tiny, shiny, black seeds of coreopsis look a bit like ticks. It’s NOT because these beautiful plants attract or harbor the pesky buggers, or that ticks… Read More
2020-01-17 14:10
When it comes to the colorful, daisy-type flowers of coreopsis, we say: the more the merrier. Very floriferous and long-blooming, each flower on this sun-loving perennial has a deep red… Read More
2020-01-16 20:02
If you garden in deer country, we feel your pain. Here in West Michigan, we’ve got plenty of them, and they’ve happily moved into residential areas. After all, why would they lim… Read More
2020-01-16 20:02
If you garden in deer country, we feel your pain. Here in West Michigan, we’ve got plenty of them, and they’ve happily moved into residential areas. After all, why would they lim… Read More
2020-01-15 19:27
Whether you call it althea, hibiscus, or rose of Sharon, you can’t beat this summer flowering shrub for effortless beauty. We’ve always been big fans of rose of Sharon (Hibiscus… Read More
2020-01-14 16:31
Shasta daisies: a story of American innovation. Though he’s best known for developing the Russet potato, Luther Burbank is also the genius behind Shasta daisies. Recalling the scraggly… Read More
2020-01-14 16:31
Shasta daisies: a story of American innovation. Though he’s best known for developing the Russet potato, Luther Burbank is also the genius behind Shasta daisies. Recalling the scraggly… Read More
2020-01-13 18:21
You love ‘Walker’s Low’, and so do we… It has been one of our best sellers for years, and it’s no wonder: it blooms like crazy every year, its cool purple-blue… Read More
2020-01-13 18:21
You love ‘Walker’s Low’, and so do we… It has been one of our best sellers for years, and it’s no wonder: it blooms like crazy every year, its cool purple-blue… Read More
2020-01-09 20:11
Shade tolerant, totally beautiful Climbing hydrangeas are versatile, easy to grow, and make a memorable statement in your landscape. Meet Hydrangea anomala petiolaris… …aka cli… Read More
2020-01-09 20:11
Shade tolerant, totally beautiful Climbing hydrangeas are versatile, easy to grow, and make a memorable statement in your landscape. Meet Hydrangea anomala petiolaris… …aka cli… Read More
2020-01-08 20:29
Success with clematis Lots of people find clematis confusing, but it’s easy to be successful if you just remember a few basics: Head in the sun, feet in the shade: clematis do best whe… Read More
2020-01-03 21:13
Some plant names are simple, some are hard to pronounce. But there’s meaning behind every one. Let’s start with “Hydrangea” Many people believe that the name derives… Read More
2020-01-02 16:53
Red gets attention in the garden There’s no faster way to create a focal point in the garden than to plant something red. It’s bold, attention-getting, and very effective, even i… Read More
2019-12-27 20:37
The most durable lavender Lavender is easy to love, but hard to grow for some people – Phenomenal changes all that! Proven to be one of the toughest, most durable lavenders o… Read More
2019-12-17 21:13
Need color? We’ve got you covered! Transform any sunny, dry spot from ho-hum to holy cow with the super colorful combination of Hot Cakes ‘Banana Blast’ ice plant &hell…Read More
2019-12-16 19:21
Looking for something a little different? Mukdenia, aka crimson fans, just might be it! A great ground cover for shade New to our selection this year is Mukdenia rossii (pronounced… Read More
2019-12-12 15:44
When you think of shrubs, what comes to mind? If it’s a big, hulking thing, with no particularly beautiful features, it’s time you rethink shrubs! Plant breeders have been busy i… Read More
2019-12-10 19:52
Easy, reliable flower power Everyone, it seems, has a weigela in their past: whether their garden growing up, or their grandmothers’. Few plants evoke so many memories as weigela… Read More
2019-12-09 21:05
Winterberry holly is an easy way to make winter landscapes more cheerful A good winterberry holly is a sight to behold! Can you believe this beauty is native to North America? Naturally occu… Read More
2019-12-06 21:07
Purple mazus is an easy-going, easy-growing ground cover. It surprises us that mazus hasn’t quite caught on yet as a beautiful, useful ground cover. It quickly forms a tight, low-growi… Read More
2019-12-05 20:56
Plant flowers, get hummingbirds Did you know that a hummingbird has to eat 5-8 times every hour during the day to maintain its high metabolism? Every single one of those feedings could be in… Read More
2019-12-04 13:42
There’s no such thing as a black thumb. That’s what they told us on my first day of horticulture school, way back in January 2000. And it’s a message we try to spread here… Read More
2019-12-03 21:23
Knock Out roses are so popular because you barely need to lift a finger to enjoy all-season blooms. But pruning is one simple task you can do that makes Knock Out roses look and perform even… Read More
2019-12-01 14:13
Need to shake off that Thanksgiving drowsiness? Get out into your garden! There’s no better time than the present to start garden scheming for next year and there’… Read More
2019-11-26 14:02
They call it “America’s favorite daylily” Judging from the sheer number of ‘Stella d’Oro’ daylilies you see on campuses, in parks, at gas statio… Read More
2019-11-25 13:32
Don’t waste another season with an empty spot in your yard… We’ve been busy adding tons of exciting new varieties to our online garden shop, including many beautiful flowe… Read More
2019-11-21 16:51
We know hydrangea pruning is confusing. But it doesn’t have to be. You only need to know two things to be successful: which type of hydrangea you have, and whether it blooms on old woo… Read More
2019-11-20 16:05
Beat weeds at their own game Ground covers: beautiful + functional Even if barely anything else in your garden is awake yet, you’re probably already seeing a few brave spring weeds sta… Read More
2019-11-19 21:20
We haven’t been this excited about a butterfly bush since…well, ever! The Pugster butterfly bushes from Proven Winners are getting tons of attention and winning awards left and… Read More
2019-11-18 21:23
You’ve heard the name…here’s the story This summer, you’ll see Karl everywhere. It’s that very narrow (but not too tall) grass that is planted in all sorts of… Read More
2019-11-13 17:40
Solve your landscape problems with a ground cover Ground covers do everything a lawn does – protect the soil, keep down weeds – but they’re much more interesting to lo… Read More
2019-11-12 14:58
Boring Winter Landscape? Endless flat lawns or cut back gardens can make for boring winter views. Adding ornamental grass is one surefire way to bring beauty to the bleakness! Many… Read More
2019-11-08 16:23
And the secret to fewer of them in your garden is as simple as starting your slug-fighting measures way earlier than you’re used to. If slugs are a pest in your garden, chances are you… Read More
2019-11-05 17:55
Why plant an arborvitae hedge? Arborvitae (pronounced ar-bor-vy-tee or ar-bor-vye-tuh) is the plant’s common name.Its scientific name is Thuja (pronounced thoo-yuh). It’s a rare… Read More
2019-11-04 17:38
All About the Arborescens Smooth hydrangeas? Arborescens? What are you talking about, Great Garden Plants? Why, just the best and easiest to grow hydrangeas on the market! You may be f… Read More
2019-11-01 16:44
Destined for your garden. Do you know the word “kismet?” It’s been in use in English since the 1800s, but it comes from the Turkish word for “fate.” S… Read More
2019-10-31 16:31
First, you can call it ice plant, if you prefer. These South African natives earned that name because their succulent foliage is covered with tiny clear dots that glisten in the sun. Second… Read More
2019-04-12 13:11
Knock Out roses are so popular because you barely need to lift a finger to enjoy all-season blooms. But pruning is one simple task you can do that makes Knock Out roses look and perform even… Read More
2019-02-27 13:16
Arborvitae (pronounced ar-bor-vye-tee or ar-bor-vye-tuh) is the plant’s common name. It’s scientific name is Thuja (pronounced thoo-yuh). It’s a rare case of a plant’… Read More
2019-01-28 19:55
‘Walker’s Low’ nepeta has been a best seller for us since day one – that’s over ten years. It’s beautiful, long blooming, deer resistant, a… Read More
2019-01-28 18:52
Look out the window. What do you see? Snow? Ice? Okay, besides that. Any plants out there catch your attention? If not, there should be! There are lots of perennials, shrubs, and even s… Read More
2017-08-08 11:20
Butterfly Loving Sedum that is deer and drought proof! Plum Dazzled (PPAF) is a new selection of Sedum from Chris Hansen, breeder and originator of the SunSparkler Series of Sedum. Plu… Read More
2016-03-27 13:37
Blue Zinger Carex certainly has a subtle zing with its tufted long blue foliage and color that last all season long. Carex are grasslike plants (called sedges) with mostly evergreen foliage… Read More
2015-01-26 09:59
Gardening beneath trees can be challenging if trees are shallow rooted. Sometimes it is a case of futility in trying to get plants to grow. Trees hog water and soak up nutrients. There are a… Read More
2014-08-21 16:01
Here is a garden design idea with perennial groundcovers for a shady spot. I like to dress up a shrub border with low growing ground covers plants. Ground covers can add lots of… Read More
2014-05-01 11:53
Here’s a clever plant container idea I saw at a local greenhouse. It was a lot of fun watching Lisa effortlessly put this whole thing together in about 2 minutes. Here is how she… Read More
2014-04-23 14:32
With GreatGardenPlants.com Plant Finder Guide, you can find your perfect plants & flowers for your garden. Search by height, size, sun/shade needs, plant type, flower color, hardin… Read More
2014-04-08 14:55
SedumSod® is a gardener’s dream when it comes to a Dig Free Garden™. Enjoy instant beauty and quick results with this easy to install sun loving ground cover. No other… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
Our New 2014 Digital Garden Catalog contains hundreds of popular garden plants. We have been growing and shipping some of the most exciting new and favorite garden perennials, roses, f… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
Lawn alternative! Rugged as grass! Takes foot traffic! Let it roam where you want it! If you are looking for a low maintenance replacement for lawn or pathway, then Blue Star Creeper (Isotom… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
I like to do a number of containers with Hosta since they are a hardy shade perennial with beautiful foliage & easy to care for. I was looking for something to dress up my shaded front e… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
Two new Heucheras (Coral Bells) really caught my eye last summer – Cinnamon Curls & Blackberry Ice. Heucheras are one of my favorite low growing shade plants. They are great… Read More
Subscribe to Great Garden Plants
Get updates delivered right to your inbox!