Lessons Learned By A Novice Gardener

TN Nurseries best selling perennials

Tall Phlox

Daffodils

Primrose

Trilliums

The Lessons that have Turned Me Into an Online Nursery Expert

When I started my journey down the gardening path, I was clueless as to what was what. I possessed a lot of enthusiasm backed up by rudimentary gardening, watering, and weeding. Well, give credit where credit is due. I did know what a plant was.

After extensive reading on the internet, a few lawns, and garden books, I felt that I had mastered some basics; after all, I now knew the difference between an annual and a perennial plant. I was loaded with information and started to plow ahead.

What NOT to do in Your Landscape Design

I made many mistakes because I was clueless about the requirement for maintaining a garden in my locale or proper landscape design and that this new hobby may monopolize my limited free time. You planted sun-loving trees and shrubs in a too shady spot. I planted plants requiring too much maintenance. And last but least, not possessing a futuristic outlook as to how the plant would look at maturity.

Several years were spent fixing my 'mistakes,' ripping out invasive vines, and relocating massive shrubs that grew too close. Moving clumps of irises and daylilies across my yard gave me valuable insight that I wish a garden expert had told me at the beginning of my journey.

Tips for Beginners for Better Landscape Design Results

It is in this light that I offer my humble advice for beginning gardeners:

  1. It is true. I read the plant tag, and it stated that it would attain a height of 10 feet and 15 feet wide. I asked myself how this sad little one-branch twig could grow that large, and anyway, it would never get that big in my lifetime. Well, I was wrong! It attained the promised height and width in a few years, crowding out other plants. So remember, believe the labels and space plants accordingly. Plant Growth Patterns:
  2. Fewer is often Better: If one is good, more may not be better. I'm a sucker for deals and couldn't resist a six-pack of summer squash for my developing vegetable garden. Those zucchini jokes are actual. Not only did the enormous leaves turn much of the vegetable patch into a jungle, shading out the nearby peppers and beans, but no one could eat all the foot-long squash that kept growing like, forgive the expression, weeds all summer long.
  3. Heed Warning Labels: Heed label warnings, particularly if it states "can be aggressive." You have been warned. In the beginning, I was fascinated by plants that reproduced with bionic power. Having a bare yard and freshly-dug beds, I wanted to fill the void fast. I planted 'Oriental Limelight,' a tall spiky plant with mottled yellow and green leaves that are colorful and fresh-looking all summer. However, it is tough to control with its runner roots and seeds spew each spring. I will be trying to eradicate this from my yard until the day I die.
  4. Simplicity is the key: It's easy to go crazy when confronted with the thousands of choices in trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables. I used to spend hours letting my fingers do the walking through garden catalogs and circling the scores of plants I wanted to try-plant too many different plant species. Your yard and flower beds can take up the appearance of a confusing jumble. Consider planting a cluster of at least three or more of each variety of flowers. That will form a big, visible clump. When installing a row of shrubs or trees, please limit the number of types to a handful, repeating some of them rather than going for endless variety.
  5. Start small and get to know an expert: True, those sprawling flower beds are beautiful; however, they can suck up your precious free time, what with weeding, watering, and trimming off dead flowers. I was hoping you could limit the size of your beds until you know what you're getting into (I sure didn't). And avoid plants that require maintenance, such as spraying or covering to prevent winter damage. Find a good garden center with helpful employees; ask lots of questions, even if they seem dumb. Most local plant experts are happy to share, and they're the ones who know which native plants will thrive in your area and which are troublesome.

One final bit of advice, RELAX-IT'S JUST a GARDEN!

Source of Information for Beginner Gardeners

Tall Phlox - TN Nursery

Tall Phlox

Tall Phlox is a perennial plant valued for its upright growth habit, showy clusters of fragrant, colorful flowers, and attractiveness to pollinators. It is a popular choice in gardens and borders and is often used in landscaping for its numerous benefits. Here are some advantages of incorporating them into your landscape design. Known for its vibrant colors, this flower is a popular addition to many home gardens. Native to North America, this stunning plant can grow in many different environments. Your garden can liven up flower beds and walkway borders during the warmer months of the year. Enjoy Tall Phlox (Phlox paniculata) in Your Flower Beds As a perennial, this stunning plant will return year after year. Known as a favorite among beginning gardeners, this flower can be used in many parts of your garden. You can find this flower in landscapes and along slopes. It is often tucked into garden beds. While it is famous as a landscape plant, many people also grow it for its potential as a cut flower. Discover Green Leaves and Fragrant Flowers With Tall Phlox Because of its growth habits, you never struggle to see them. This upright flower typically grows about 3 feet in height. If you need a shorter option for your gardening beds, some cultivars grow only 2 feet tall. Beloved by pollinators, it is a common addition to butterfly and hummingbird gardens. Once the flowers start blooming, you can enjoy having them throughout the summer. Tall Phlox Come In A Rainbow of Colors You don’t have to limit yourself to just one when picking a color. Depending on the cultivar, you can find Tall Phlox in just about any shade you can think of. While it is trendy in shades of blue and purple, it can also be found in pink, orange, and white hues. Besides its stunning flowers, Tall Phlox is also recognizable because of its dark green foliage. When the fragrant florets arrive, they form flower heads that are about 5 to 6 inches in size. If you are short on space, these flowers can grow well in planters. Whether you want to include them in your flower beds or a container garden, there are many ways to incorporate this stunningly beautiful flower into your garden. What are the best conditions for growing Tall Phlox  Phlox can grow best in locations where it receives full sunlight and shade as well. It prefers soils that are well-drained and have organic matter. By consistently providing the plant with ample moisture during the dry season, it will develop lush blooms and have healthy growth.  When does Tall Phlox bloom  Tall phlox blooms from around mid-summer to early fall; it provides a burst of color when many other perennial plants are done flowering. The flowers are long-lasting and thus suitable to decorate any landscape in the garden.  How can I keep Tall Phlox healthy and vigorous  Deadheading needs to be done on a regular basis to ensure that the plant keeps blooming, and also help prevent self-seeding. Provide adequate water and good airflow to help prevent powdery mildew.  Can tall phlox attract pollinators?  Tall phlox attracts bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds. The plants have sweet-scented flowers that not only complement the beauty of your garden but also support local ecosystems.  Is Tall Phlox suitable for cut flower arrangements  Tall phlox's tall stems with bright colors make it ideal for cut flower arrangements. They can be plast for days in a vase and bring qualities of elegance and charm indoors.

Daffodil Plant - TN Nursery

Daffodil Plant

The Daffodil Plant is a Spring-blooming, trumpet-shaped flower characterized by its vibrant yellow or white petals and central trumpet-like corona. It adds a burst of color to gardens and landscapes. The plant's vibrant colors, from sunny yellows to pastel lemon, create striking visual displays that brighten any outdoor area. Daffodils are famous for being yellow, but there are all kinds of other colors, as well, including white, orange, and even pink. They also feature varieties with more than one of these colors. Therefore, they can form a splendid and colorful swash throughout any garden. They have adorned gardens for thousands of years. Indeed, the Greek name is Narcissus. Currently, it's the national flower of Wales. They've been harbingers of the coming of spring throughout their existence, and because they're perennials, each plant does the same for many years throughout its life cycle. They'll anchor your garden through spring and summer as long-lasting blooms, drawing people's gaze to their grace and beauty. The Blooming Trumpet The Daffodil (Narcissus) Plant Before they bloom, the trumpet of the mature bloom is covered in a waxy shell called a spathe. The spathe is delicate and reflects the entire light spectrum when covered in morning dew. Not every daffodil forms a trumpet, however. They form two kinds of cups: charming double blooms and what's known as the jonquil, which is a beautiful two-toned bloom. Generally, there are two kinds of jonquils: one with primarily white petals and yellow accents and one that's the opposite. Such flowers that sport two exquisite colors can act as a transition between sections of the garden. The Daffodil Plant Can Reach 3 Feet Tall They can grow almost to 3 feet tall and a foot wide. Their mature leaves are tall and straight and only sag toward the end of the growing season at the beginning of August. They last more than a month through the heart of the summer, lending their multicolored cheek to any garden. Because they thrive in containers as much as in the open, they're a terrific accent for window sills, porches, patios, and decks, bringing their polychromatic cheeriness to every part of the garden and the whole property. Partners for Daffodil Plant The bright yellow of the plant pairs very well with other garden residents, including the Northern Blue Star with its deep blue and indigo blooms and the vibrant red of roses or dahlias. The color palette is nearly endless when considering them fresh, with fabulous flexibility. Enhance Your Spring Garden With Daffodils Where do daffodils grow best? Daffodils love soil with good drainage and full to partial sun. Choose an area of your yard with proper airflow to reduce the chances of fungal diseases.  How frequently should I water Daffodils It is recommended to water the daffodils in the growing season but avoid excess watering to prevent the bulbs from rotting.  How do I Propagate Daffodils?  Daffodils can be multiplied through the division of the clumps of bulbs every three to four years. The daffodils can also be grown from seeds, though this process takes longer than bulb division. Harvest seeds when the flowers have withered, sow them in a planting medium, and wait for flowers to come up.  When Should I Plant Daffodil Bulbs Timing is essential. Plant your daffodil bulbs in autumn, before the soil gets frozen for them to have enough time to develop and bloom in spring.  What are some companion Plants for Daffodil Daffodils enjoy the company of other flowers and plants. Grow them with tulips to get a truly floral marriage made in a floral paradise, or grow them with perennials to create a marvelous garden outlook.

Evening Primrose - TN Nursery

Evening Primrose

Evening Primrose is recognized for their tall stems adorned with bright yellow, four-petaled flowers that typically bloom in the afternoon, contrasted by lance-shaped, green leaves. It is a delightful and beneficial plant with numerous advantages when landscaping. This herbaceous perennial is native to North and South America and has become famous for gardeners due to its striking blooms, versatility, and ecological contributions. Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) is a lovely and prolific North American flower that greatly benefits pollinators in gardens and the wild. Natural Habitat Of Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) Native to North America, Oenothera biennis is naturalized across the United States. This biennial wildflower grows along forest edges and clearings and can also be found in prairies, marshes, pastures, old mines, railroads, roadsides, and other open, disturbed areas. It is one of the few native plants that bloom into late fall. Oenothera biennis features clusters of four-petaled, bowl-shaped, two-inch-wide yellow blooms that blossom at the top of the stems. The heart-shaped petals surround eight yellow stamens and a cross-shaped stigma. The plant grows three to five feet tall. Its stiff, purple central stalk is covered in oblong olive-, light-, or medium-green leaves that also form a rosette at the plant's base. Evening Primrose Has A Wonderful Aroma  Oenothera biennis is a late-season biennial primrose that produces abundant fragrant, lemon-scented blooms from July through October. Its blossoms open in the afternoon, after the sun sets, and close up again in the morning after sunrise. In the garden, this plant will fit right into a cottage or wildflower garden and add color and texture to borders and flower beds. It can also add beauty to meadows and naturalized areas. This quick-growing flower is best planted in late fall. It will bloom in its second year and self-seed unless it's pruned back at the end of its blooming cycle. Attract Night Pollinators With Evening Primrose  Suppose you want to attract pollinators to your garden, plant Oenothera biennis. Night-flying moths are the plant's chief pollinators, and when the flowers stay open on cloudy mornings, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are likely to stop by. Birds will feast on the seeds, and small mammals will nibble on its roots and leaves. Add Rustic Color With Evening Primrose If you're looking for an easy way to add rustic color to your landscape and attract more bees, birds, and butterflies, be sure to plant Evening Primrose in your garden. These bright, fragrant plants will bring you joy during the late summer months. Where does evening primrose grow best?  The recommended environmental conditions are rich, well-drained, sandy or loamy soil, full-sun to part-shade location.  What Is An Interesting Fact About Evening Primrose  These flowering plants produce bright yellow flowers that open at night when moths pollinate them. Does evening primrose multiply?  Yes, evening primrose reproduces well through propagation from seeds through self-sowing. Once it has seeded itself, it can self-propagate quite easily, so you get these great colored patches of flowers year after year. How long does it take for evening primrose to germinate?  Seeds of this plant take between 10-30 days to germinate when the appropriate environmental conditions are provided.  What Happens To Primrose After Flowering  Seed pods appear after flowering and can be collected or allowed to shed on the ground to self-sow. Most of the plants tend to wither away, but they drop seeds, which sprout out when the next season comes in.

Yellow Trillium - TN Nursery

Yellow Trillium

Yellow Trillium is a showy spring-blooming wildflower with golden, three-petaled flowers and mottled leaves, typically found in woodlands and forests. They are an excellent choice for landscaping due to their numerous positive attributes. These beautiful native North American wildflowers possess unique characteristics that can enhance any garden or outdoor space. From their striking appearance to their role in promoting biodiversity, they offer various benefits for landscape design. Yellow Trillium, also known as Trillium luteum, is a member of the lily family. They bloom between April and May and produce a faint scent of lemon. Due to their growing pattern, these gorgeous flowers can be planted next to other perennials that bloom in mid to late summer. The Stunning Leaves Of The Yellow Trillium (Trillium luteum) Each of these plants has three leaves, and they range in appearance from dark green to light green. Additionally, they may have a few hints of silver, which gives them an extra pop of color. Over time, these herbaceous perennials can grow up to 16 inches tall. You'll see yours grow and expand, but you can divide them during the summer. One trimerous flower sticks up out of the trio of leaves surrounding it. In keeping with the pattern of its leaves, the flower has three petals, three carpels, three stamens, and three sepals. Interestingly, these flowers do not have stalks, but they do have erect petals. Once their flowering season ends, these plants will dormant in the summertime. However, they'll exit dormancy for the late winter season. One Yellow Trillium Gives You Many They are self-seeders, so once you've planted the first one, you'll typically see others rise. They rely on ants to help them spread their seeds. Each new flower will grow beautifully from the plant's center and stick straight into the air. Meanwhile, the leaves grow outward and may slightly swoop toward the ground. The mottled leaves can vary in intensity, with some being primarily green while a light gray shade almost entirely covers others. They provide the perfect backdrop for these stunning light gold flowers. Yellow Trillium Can Be Planted Anywhere Although Yellow Trillium can be planted anywhere, they have a unique natural habitat. They typically grow around the Great Smoky Mountains, where they help bring light and beauty to the area. What's truly unusual, though, is how many will naturally arise in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It's unknown why they flock to this specific city, but it certainly provides a bright point of interest for those living there. Enhance Your Garden Space With Yellow Trillium

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