From the McDonald Garden Center Blog
PACK A PUNCH OF COLOR WITH ANNUAL PACKSIt's time to plant those spring & summertime annuals we've all been waiting for! Annual packs are the easiest way to instant add color to containers and flowerbeds. And, with four plants in one pack, this is surely an economical way to add color to your landscape. There's so many options when choosing annuals. Check out our favorites for sunny and shady spots.
IT'S THE PERFECT TIME TO DIVIDE & PLANT PERENNIALS.by Kathy Van Mullekom, a lifelong gardener and gardening writer living in York County, VirginiaMy perennial garden is all cleaned up and ready to grow -- and grow and grow and grow some more. That’s the challenge of a perennial garden, especially when you plant Joe-pye weed, coneflowers, bee balm, daylilies and Shasta daisies. When they are happy, they happily spread until you have large lovely masses that need dividing.
The design of your landscape is just as important as the architecture of your home. Our landscape team will work with you to develop a vision that blends your aesthetic taste with your available space and budget. We strive to bring imagination, originality and practicality to every project. Whether it is the renovation of an existing landscape or the design of something new, we invite you to be a part of the process that will create your ideal design. Or, simply let our professionals develop creative solutions to maximize your landscape’s potential.
Petunias are sun-loving annuals that bloom spring through summer. You can find petunias in just about every color with growing habits that mound in borders or trail down containers. These garden favorites are heat tolerant and easy to care for. A thorough watering once a week should be sufficient (unless there are prolonged periods of drought). However, spreading types and those in containers require more frequent watering. We recommend fertilizing your plants monthly to ensure good growth. Try McDonald Greenleaf, a slow-release fertilizer specifically formulated for Hampton Roads.
Looking for an easy way to add pizzaz to your deck or patio? A container garden is just the trick! Go crazy with color or go monochromatic – you decide but either one will spice up your outdoors. Choose a container that pulls your arrangement together and sets the tone for the flower power. Follow our classic container formula and you can’t go wrong.THRILLERS - Choose a showy plant to be center stage. This should plant should be taller and larger than the other plants.SHADE: Rita’s Gold Fern, Majesty Palm, Red Sister Cordyline SUN: Hibiscus, Grasses, Spike, Geraniums
BAHAMA BEACH: Proven Winners Combo of the Year
Do the fingernail scratch test before declaring a plant dead.by Kathy Van Mullekom, a lifelong gardener and gardening writer living in York County, VirginiaWinter’s harsh hand slapped my garden. Thankfully, the damage is seen only on a few plants.My acre on a small creek in York County endures lots of wind, so much that I sometimes think I live in a NASA wind tunnel. Those cold winter winds can do more damage than frozen soil or heavy snow.
We've been growing Hampton Roads gardeners for 70 years and our number one goal has always been one thing -- to make you a success in the garden. Our team has put together a list of customer favorites and garden basics to help you do just that, be a success. Whether you are a true green thumb or just getting started, we're here to grow your knowledge. So, dig in and get growing!
