Annuals & Perennials

Sandy has been creating fresh flower arrangements for decades! Here she shares her favorite perennials to plant and later cut to bring the beauty indoors. You'll learn best practices on cutting & care too. 

Got your attention?  We’re talking about plant sex aka pollination. There’s a lot of activity taking place in our gardens right now but no need to avert your eyes or cover the kids’ eyes.

Like 7 inches from the midday sun! (nod to Santana) Not only do WE feel it, but our plants do to. And not all of them are fans. While most of our tropical plants look good, they also cry out for water… just not soggy feet.

No need to compromise your furry friends' health for a beautiful garden! Check out our list of pet-safe perennials, annuals, and houseplants. 

Creeping Bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides), a European import from colonial times (before they knew better) very easily escapes cultivation. According to minnesotawildflowers.com its status is Invasive – ERADICATE! No punches pulled there!

The ‘Scoop has heard from so many of you about how your perennials have not come back or are late to the party. I feel ya.  My Joe Pye Weed that I planted a few years ago are just sticks poking out of the ground. Fellow longtime gardeners are bereft at the loss of so many long-established Coneflowers.

As our climate continues to warm up, native plants continue to capture our attention. There is nothing wrong with planting cultivars, let’s face it, they’re gorgeous! 

Pots for Pollinators! That reads like a poster. It really should be on t-shirts too. Soon garden centers will be filling up with all sorts of amazing annual flowers. I had a chance to go on a Nursery Tour at Gertens and I can assure you they’ve got it growing on!

Why would a leader in the Gardening Industry choose a “weed” as their choice for perennial of the year? Easy, it’s not a “weed” but it can be abundant! I’ll have more on that in a moment…