The Blog

Nowadays, most people don’t give much thought when buying an orchid. Orchids are readily available in grocery stores, big box stores and online and, oftentimes, priced for just about anyone’s budget. But if you want your orchids to endure, a little more thought than simply putting a Phalaenopsis into your grocery cart is needed. McDonald Garden Center offers some unique and interesting plants — and orchids are among these. In fact, we have one of the largest orchid selections in Hampton Roads.

Of course, that potted Boston fern is beautiful, but can it really improve the air quality in your home or office? Well, according to studies by scientists at NASA, Pennsylvania State University, the University of Georgia and other institutions, houseplants are effective, natural purifiers.

Calathea is a tropical plant also known as the Zebra plant or Zebrina plant (Calathea zebrina). These trendy houseplants are loved for their large, oval, distinctly patterned, and vibrantly colored leaves. Leaves can be curved, ribbed, round, oval or pointed and exhibit various unique patterns. Leaf colors range from yellow, rose, white, and even olive. Calathea's fancy foliage makes smaller varieties an excellent choice for tabletops, and larger specimens are suitable as a floor plant.

Hoyas are tropical plants with thick, leathery, leaves and small clusters of star-shaped, fragrant flowers. Often referred to as wax plants due to their thick, waxy leaves, this low maintenance houseplant comes in a variety of leaf sizes, colors, shapes & textures.

When it comes to holiday decorating, wreath, fresh or faux, are a timeless symbol of the holidays. And, while wreaths can usually be found decking the front door, there are countless other ways to integrate this holiday staple into your yuletide decorating. Here are few simple and delightfully unexpected ways to decorate with wreaths: