Cottage Gardens are defined by their causal, sprawling layout and a riot of color. They are characterized by a refined rustic feel and a look of bountiful abundance and color. Traditionally, cottage gardens contained a combination of flowers and edibles such as herbs, berries and vegetables. Cottage garden tips: Start small: gardens beds require lots [...]
Every garden has at least one tricky spot where most plants do not perform well. These spots tend to be either too wet, too dry or too rocky. Luckily there are plants that not only can tolerate these unusual conditions but can thrive in them. Spaces in the garden that are constantly wet or tend [...]
Are you looking for something unique? These plants feature dark foliage or blooms that make striking accent plants or could be mixed and matched for deep colored garden. Our favorite dark and unusual annual plants are Ipomea ‘After Midnight' and Canna ‘Toucan Scarlet'. Both feature deep purplish foliage and fill different roles in the garden. [...]
Hanging baskets are a great way to add instant color to a porch or garden. They last longer than cut flowers and with proper care can last the whole season. Here are a few tips to pass along to help keep hanging baskets looking great all summer long. Picking the right plants for the right [...]
Sometimes shady gardens seem like a curse but there are many fun and exciting plants that can be used in this location. When looking at the sight it is important to think about shade gardens for one of their finest attributes, the potential to look like a peaceful woodland sanctuary! There are many perennials that [...]
All plants have different preferences for sunlight, soil type, and water requirements which are all important for growing happy plants. While measuring sun exposure for plants is not an exact science, the definitions below are the generally accepted standards for determining sun exposure in the garden. Full Sun: At least 6 hrs of direct, unfiltered [...]
Are deer munching on your garden? Deer can devastate a landscape especially if planted with their favorite snacks such as hostas, daylilies, azaleas, rhododendrons, roses, burning bushes, tulips and pansies. When planting deer resistant landscaping remember this tip for picking out plants. Deer do not like fine, fuzzy and fragrant plants. Here at Hook’s we have [...]
Rabbits are adorable critters that can cause problems in the garden. No plants are completely rabbit proof and young plants are particularly vulnerable. That being said, some plants are generally considered rabbit resistant. These plants tend to be thorny, spiny, heavily aromatic or that secrete a milky sap which makes them less appetizing to rabbits. Here at Hook’s we [...]
Strawberry plants are easy to care for and produce delicious fruits! Strawberries are also perennials meaning that you can enjoy them year after year! When it comes to picking out which strawberry variety to grow the first thing you need to know is that there are three different types of strawberries that produce at different [...]
Acer 'Bloodgood' Today is Arbor Day! Arbor Day is a day dedicated to the celebration of trees! Trees provide many benefits to the ecosystem and to us! In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, trees help clean air and water, their roots help prevent erosion and their leafy canopies provide shade and shelter both [...]
A big part of keeping trees healthy is choosing the appropriate tree for your space. The size, shape, spread and type of tree depend on what you are looking for and the space you have available. Picking the Right Tree: Space is one of the main factors to consider when picking out a tree. For [...]
Are you ready to start planting this spring? Creeping phlox is ready too! Our Emerald Blue creeping phlox is acclimatized to outside temperatures and can be planted now! This spring blooming semi-evergreen perennial features pastel purple color blooms and makes a perfect border or filler between stepping stones. As its name implies, creeping phlox has [...]
Pansy baskets are the great for adding a quick splash of spring color anywhere! These versatile plants perform well planted in flower beds, transplanted to pots to decorate a porch or left as they are for cute Easter baskets. Pansies are cool weather favorites that produce colorful blooms in both Spring and Fall. These frost [...]
We choose to feature Proven Winner plants because Proven Winners searches the world to bring you Proven Winners new Heuchera 'Wildberry' vibrant flowering annuals, perennials and shrubs that deliver the most beautiful gardens. Each Proven Winner variety has been trialed in numerous sites and situations and have been found to be easy to [...]
With succulent season around the corner, Here is a fun video we made with an old pair of shoes and succulent plants. https://youtu.be/LjBIx7DVDus