Under colorful blankets of blooms and tall inflorescenses, our plants' foliage can remain overlooked. This isn't entirely fair. Afterall, foliage faithfully absorbs light, makes food, breathes, and releases excess water for our plants. It is, in a word, essential.
Lucky for gardeners, foliage isn't only utilitarian, but also often beautiful. Why not celebrate leaves, … Continue Reading ››
The beauty of Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) is hard to overstate. Reliable and quick to establish, these beautiful perennials attract birds, butterflies, and bees. The bright golden yellow flowers have black or brown centers and make a bold color statement in the garden from midsummer to fall.
Black-Eyed Susans are versatile when it comes to … Continue Reading ››
This year's dry weather and oppressive heatwave have had many of us scrambling to keep up with watering. Moisture loving plants pout, crisp, and languish in the relentless dry heat. Luckily, there are many plants that can withstand dry periods after they're established. Read on for our list of drought tolerant plants that … Continue Reading ››
Wet soils are a challenge for both gardeners and landscape plants alike. Many plants struggle and eventually die in oxygen deprived soil, so choosing the right plants for wet sites is critical. If you're dismayed at loosing plants over and over in a boggy area, fret not! Here's our list of plants for … Continue Reading ››
Tropical style is all the rage right now. Caladiums fly off the benches. Cuttings of rare specimens sell for unimaginable sums. Monsteras have made 'fenestration' a household term. This is all well and good, but there is only one true queen when it comes to tropical flare in the Midwest landscape, and her … Continue Reading ››
