Blogs by Year

Just when you think the cold, rain, or gloom of winter will never end, up pop hellebores. This hardy perennial, also called the Christmas Rose or Lenten Rose, often times blooms around the Christmas holidays (see the Legend of the Christmas Rose below). This perennial evergreen, features blooms with five petal, cup-shaped flowers. Available in a variety of colors from white to pastel yellow to pink and purple, this intriguing perennial is without a doubt the star of the winter landscape.

'The Christmas tree is a symbol of love, not money. There's a kind of glory to them when they're all lit up that exceeds anything all the money in the world could buy. - Andy Rooney -.Research* shows that going to get a tree is among the top Christmas experiences people remember as a child. It’s a tradition that can help strengthen family bonds and be shared and passed down for generations.

‘Tis the season for twinkling lights, chilly weather, Christmas trees, and the scent of fresh-cut greens. Set to deck your halls this holiday season with a fresh magnolia wreath- perfect on the front door, above the mantle, on a mirror, or as a tabletop centerpiece. Create this classic wreath with this simple DIY guide. In just six easy steps, you'll have a beautiful wreath that can deck your halls and welcome family and friends throughout the Christmas season. What You'll Need:

10 Ways to Use RosemaryRosemary is a must-have for every home and garden! It’s one of the most famous, widely grown, and frequently used herbs in the world. This hardy evergreen is easy to grow and is best known for enhancing Italian cuisine, but its wonders go way beyond the kitchen.. While there are too many creative ways to use rosemary to list here, we've picked some

Lifelike Christmas trees have come a long way from their modest beginnings and going with an artificial tree over a real one won't make your holiday any less bright. As long as you pick a high-quality tree, no one will ever be able to tell (except for maybe Santa). In fact, over the years, the design of artificial trees has improved so much that some look exactly like the real thing. And best of all, today's lifelike trees come pre-lit making them even more magical.So why does a lifelike tree make so much sense? Here’s why:

Flip through the pages of the McDonald Holiday Lookbook 2019

The ultimate starter fertilizer with both endo & ecto Mmcorrhizae, Bio-tone Starter Plus is super charged to help new plants.Click here to learn more about Bio-Tone Starter Plus with Garden Guru, Mike Westphal.

Bird watching is an activity that brings nature to life! The connection to nature and other living creatures is a basic need, and birding is an activity that encompasses both. Even better, it is something you can do as a family - it gets you outdoors and connecting with each other as well as the environment. Studies have shown that birdwatching can also do wonders for your wellbeing - it really does make you happy! Here are few “tweet-worthy” birding accessories that are sure to lift your spirits:

In the world of pumpkins, there are the varieties that are great for carving - and those that are made for eating. Selecting the perfect pumpkin for carving can be a real adventure considering all the different shapes, sizes, and colors out there. And like people, every pumpkin has its unique characteristics, giving it a personality all its own. Pumpkin carving is a tradition your whole family can enjoy, so here’s a few tips on picking and carving one.

Who doesn’t love perennials? Versatile, dependable and enjoyable year after year, and once established, most perennials are low-maintenance and give your garden color and texture. McDonald carries a wide selection of perennials that are well suited for Hampton Roads conditions and soils. Check out these three new perennial varieties: