Proven Winners Echinacea PowWow Wild Berry Spring is on its way and here at Hook’s we are getting excited for all of the planting and gardening that comes with it. After a long winter it's finally time to get excited about working outdoors. Building a rain garden is a fun project to consider for [...]
Watch for early spring frost, freeze or just plain cold nightly weather. If you have an early itch to plant flowers, start with containers on a protected porch or that could easily be moved in. Use cold hardy annuals such as violas, pansies or alyssum. Outside grown perennials or harden off perennials make great container [...]
It's time to look forward to spring! Are you already thinking about your garden? We'll be ready for you! Here's an article to get you in the mood.... Perennials —Fuss-free plants that flourish for years What’s the big difference between an annual and a perennial? Annuals die when it gets too cold out. Perennials appear [...]
Foxglove, also known as digitalis, are gorgeous woodland plants that attract birds, bees and hummingbirds to the garden while also being deer and rabbit resistant. These showy plants feature tall stalks of distinctive bell shaped flowers in late spring to mid summer. Digitalis makes a wonderful addition to any garden by adding eye-catching height and [...]
Sweet William Barbarini comes in two stunning bicolored varieties, 'Purple Bicolor' and 'Purple-White Bicolor'. These two fabulous plants feature large clusters of eye-catching flowers. Sweet William flowers are known for their beauty, easy care needs, drought tolerance, deer resistance and long blooming bicolored flowers. In addition, Sweet William's fragrance attracts hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden. [...]
Hardy Hibiscus (Rose Mallow) has an amazing tropical look but is hardy to zone 4. Hibiscus plants have breathtaking 12-18 inch blooms making them a striking addition to any garden. This easy maintenance plant attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and many other pollinators while deer typically leave it alone. These awesome perennials survive in wet soil and [...]
Russian Sage, produces lacy lavender blue flowers from mid summer all the way through mid fall. The delicate blooms of Russian Sage make great cut or dried flowers. In spite of its delicate appearance, Russian Sage is hardy, drought tolerant and deer resistant. Russian Sage also features fragrant foliage and attracts hummingbirds. Russian Sage is [...]
Pollinators are an important part of any garden as they play a critical role in the reproduction of the vast majority of flowering plants. Without these helpful little critters many plants would be unsuccessful in producing fruits and seeds for the next generation of plants. Building a pollinator friendly garden can help all of your [...]
Echinacea is a stunning low maintenance perennial that comes in a wide range of colors. ‘PowWow Wildberry’ and ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ are some of our favorite varieties of echinaceas. Echinacea 'PowWow Wildberry' have stunning purple-rose ray flowers around an orange brown cone that attract birds and butterflies to your garden. These hardy plants are drought, deer, [...]
There are many reasons to think about reducing water use in the garden including conserving water, saving money, not having to worry about local watering bans during droughts or even if you want to put in a new bed that is inconveniently far away from the nearest water source. Here a couple of Hook’s tips to [...]
Trillium is a beautiful easy maintenance native perennial. Are you tired of tough gardening chores and plants that require constant attention? We are too! One way to decrease time working in the garden and increase time spent enjoying the garden is to pick plants that are adapted to the spaces available in your [...]
Cut flower gardens provide flowers for endless bouquets and arrangements. There is no one formula for a cut flower garden just like there isn’t one way to build a flower arrangement. Feel free to be creative. Almost any plant can work in a cut flower garden, simply fill a garden with flowers that you love [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]