Shrubs & Vines

The Garden Scoop - Keeping Bunnies at Bay in winter

The Garden Scoop - Keeping Bunnies at Bay in winter

October 23, 2025

Every winter we huddle up all cozy in our homes while bunnies burrow into areas as close to some tasty young shrubs as they can get. Even they aren't as interested in venturing too far in 10 below zero weather! This 'Scoop offers the best method of protecting your shrubs and suggestions on rabbit "resistant" shrubs and perennials too.  

The Garden Scoop - Blight blues on Lilacs

The Garden Scoop - Blight blues on Lilacs

September 4, 2025

Blight is baaack.... Coming out of a tough winter (2024/25) into a cool, wet spring, it was bound to happen. Lilac blight thrives in that environment. 

Tuesday Toolkit: 2025 Landscape Design Trends

Tuesday Toolkit: 2025 Landscape Design Trends

June 2, 2025
Welcome to your Tuesday Toolkit from Gertens a weekly dose of deep-dive garden inspiration, tips, and creative ideas to elevate every corner of your landscape & home. THIS WEEK: 2025 Design Trends & what we're loving for our landscapes!
The Garden Scoop - 2025 Year of the Dogwood

The Garden Scoop - 2025 Year of the Dogwood

May 21, 2025

This year’s shrub choice is Dogwood aka Cornus. It’s been a part of human history for centuries and, since the 1800’s, it’s become a favorite of American gardeners. I’m one of them! 

The Garden Scoop - There ARE plants for clay soil

The Garden Scoop - There ARE plants for clay soil

November 11, 2024

Literally, it's not easy to dig in clay soil. It's heavy, sticky and a bit stubborn to work with. You could work trying to amend the soil, but I choose to work with what I have and choose plants that naturally "thrive" in clay soil. A reminder of the Master Gardener creed, "Right Plant, Right Place". You may be questioning my sanity right now but stick with me... no pun intended.

The Garden Scoop - Fall into winter to-do's

The Garden Scoop - Fall into winter to-do's

October 23, 2024

Fall is here and we are now looking at our depleted vegetable gardens, spent perennials and brown lawns; our trees in various stages of color and/or "balding"! Is there anything we can do right now to help tuck them in for winter? Yup, there sure is. And in particular, new plantings.

Top Ten Drought Tolerant Plants

Top Ten Drought Tolerant Plants

July 11, 2023

Our Crew members weighed in on their favorite drought tolerant plants.

VIDEO: All About Roses With Ryan of Baileys | Gertens Garden Center

VIDEO: All About Roses With Ryan of Baileys | Gertens Garden Center

July 7, 2023

Ryan, of Baileys, takes a walk around the Gertens lot to talk all about Roses!

All About Hydrangeas with Ryan of Baileys | Gertens Garden Center

All About Hydrangeas with Ryan of Baileys | Gertens Garden Center

July 7, 2023

Ryan, of Baileys, takes a walk around the Gertens lot to talk all about Hydrangeas!

THE GARDEN SCOOP: Bunny Battles

THE GARDEN SCOOP: Bunny Battles

February 6, 2023

This winter season 2022/23 has been one for the books. And for the bunnies. One local television station’s headline was “Twin Cities sees snowiest start to winter in 30 years”! And let’s not forget the cold!  

VIDEO: Where Hibiscus & Ferns Grow | Garden Guy Dale

VIDEO: Where Hibiscus & Ferns Grow | Garden Guy Dale

February 1, 2023

Garden Guy Dale is in Florida checking out where hibiscus and ferns grow.

VIDEO: Michaela on Overwintering Perennials & Shrubs

VIDEO: Michaela on Overwintering Perennials & Shrubs

October 11, 2022

Michaela explains why it's important to prepare our shrubs and perennials for winter.

THE GARDEN SCOOP: JB, the Garden Scoop Is Coming for You in 2022

THE GARDEN SCOOP: JB, the Garden Scoop Is Coming for You in 2022

July 25, 2022

The adult Japanese Beetles feed on our prized plants for about 6 to 8 weeks beginning in early July. The Garden Scoop dives into some ways to deter JB from your garden.

Top Ten Roses for Minnesota Gardeners

Top Ten Roses for Minnesota Gardeners

March 4, 2022

Karen's Top Ten Roses for Minnesota Gardeners!

Top Ten Shrubs

Top Ten Shrubs

February 28, 2022

Tim's Top Ten Shrub Recommendations!

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