Unlock the Beauty of Nature With Our Wide Range of Plants at the Garden Center

When outdoor plants begin to flower, their vibrant hues offer a feast for the eyes. Whether you’re an avid gardener or a nature lover, understanding the flowering months of various outdoor plants can improve your enjoyment.

While buying plants at a big box store is possible, many gardeners prefer to visit their local garden center. The knowledgeable staff at garden centers can provide precise details about each plant’s care.

Perennials

If you want to use perennial plants to create a stunning garden, consider browsing the gardening website for inspiration and advice. Perennial plants can offer an array of gorgeous colors and textures that can elevate the overall beauty of any garden. 

Furthermore, perennials offer several ecological benefits as well. The roots of these plants occupy spaces and help aerate the soil, reducing erosion and making the ground more fertile. Various wildlife species can use them as a food source, and their presence can reduce the need for herbicides.

When selecting the best perennial flowers and plants, it’s essential to consider the length of their bloom time. Some perennials can bloom for several seasons, extending the beauty of gardens and flower beds into fall and winter. To get the most out of your perennials, it’s essential to read the plant tags and labels to learn about their optimal growing conditions and blooming times. 

For instance, the clumping perennial American boneset is an excellent choice that blooms throughout summer and fall, providing a rich source of pollen and nectar to bees, butterflies, and moths. Additionally, its seeds can attract songbirds, adding to the ecological value of your garden.

Shrubs

Shrubs offer many benefits to landscapes, from privacy and ornamental beauty to texture, vertical height, berries for wildlife, and more. Many shrubs are evergreen, which keeps them lovely in winter and offers protection against noise and dust. At the same time, other deciduous varieties, such as lilac, azalea, and camellia, can brighten up shady spots with their rich foliage.

Generally, shrubs have several stems and are less tall than trees. However, some shrubs, such as lilacs and honeysuckles, can develop into small trees if grown under favorable conditions. Hence, the distinction between shrubs and trees often must be more apparent. Some bushes, such as purpleleaf Japanese barberry and Kelsey dogwood, can be trained into a single trunk. Some shrubs also help to clean the air, provide shade, and improve soil stability.

Trees

Trees provide numerous benefits to people and the environment. They provide shelter and food for wildlife, reduce the cost of air conditioning, help people with mental fatigue concentrate, and improve the quality of life by reducing ground-level ozone. They remove odors and pollutants from the air and absorb carbon dioxide and other gases, including those contributing to climate change.

Annuals

Annuals are colorful flowers that complete their life cycle within a single growing season. They can be grown from seeds or transplanted as seedlings. Annuals are ideal for filling in bare spots in garden beds while waiting for perennials or shrubs to mature, and they can also be used to enhance and extend container gardens and hanging baskets.

Many common annual plants, including petunias, marigolds, and zinnias, offer bright blooms to add vibrant color to your landscape. Other annual flowers, such as cleome and vinca, provide beautiful foliage that works well in planters and planting beds. Some annuals act like perennials by dropping seeds and returning year after year, such as lisianthus, dianthus, and sweet alyssum.

Succulents

Succulents are hardy houseplants that bring fresh greenery to your home in any climate. They add beauty and texture to any room while providing natural health benefits. Many studies have found that plants improve productivity, boost mood, and help reduce stress.

Succulent plants need bright light but not direct sun (like a lightly shaded patio outside or a bright window indoors). They do best with good drainage in pots with plenty of holes. They are drought-tolerant but enjoy a little extra water in the summer.

Succulents can be propagated using stem or leaf cuttings. It is best to select healthy and pest-free plant material that is actively growing for optimal results. Many factors affect the watering frequency, such as soil type, container, temperature, humidity, and sunlight.