Attracting butterflies/hummingbirds

Here are some flowers to plant to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden: Anaphalis, asclepias, echinacae, nasturtiums, valerian, borage, delphinium, monarda, calendula, verbena, joe pye weed, lemon balm, buddleia, garlic chives, yarrow, parsley, baptisia, globe thistle, lavender. Also hummingbirds especially like any flower that has a bell shape, like the campanulas and penstemons.

Early blossoms

Are you looking for something that blossoms early in the spring? Try some of these: Arabis, English daisy, bergenia, caltha palustris, bleeding heart, helleborus, candytuft, lamium, forget-me-not, poppies, creeping phlox, polemonium, primrose, lungwort, tiarella, vinca, and violas are just a few.
We have them at Hearthstone!!

Bit of Wisdom

Here is a quote I came across today. To own a bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds, and watch their renewal of life--this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do.... The man who has planted a garden feels that he has done something for the good of the world. Charles Dudley Warner
If you believe global warming is happening, than indeed you are doing your part. Plant a few natives and you will also be helping to balance your little eco-system.

Plants favorite colors

Did you know some plants have favorite colors? For an increase in tomato production plant small plants in red plastic mulch. Potatoes and bell peppers prefer a white mulch.

Planting trees

Did you know it can be up to 20 degrees F cooler under a tree in the hot summer sun? Plant trees on the west and south facing side of your house to reduce air conditioning by 10 to 50 %.

Pruning tips

Prune spring or winter-flowering shrubs right after blooming. These include dogwoods, forsythia, rhodendrons and azalea, climbing and shrub roses. Summer blooming are usually pruned in winter while they are dormant. These include beautyberries, hibiscus and hybrid tea roses.

Water saving perennials

If you are thinking of adding some new perennials to you garden, try these water saving mound forming plants: armeria, cerastium, euphorbia, and soapwort. Easy to grow, well drained soil and sun!