Preparing Plants To Survive the Winter

During wintertime, most garden plants enter a period of dormancy due to the cold, harsh weather.

Preparing outdoor plants for the winter season will ensure that they will survive and wake up undamaged and healthy in the spring.

The right type of continued care throughout the winter months will also minimize damages that could occur.

Below are some steps for ensuring that garden plants are kept safe during winter.

1. Remove dead leaves, mulches, and other garden debris from summer before the ground begins to freeze in the fall. That is very important because soil substances usually harbor diseases that can attack garden plants, making them vulnerable in the springtime.

2. Put down fresh mulch. Use 2 to 4 inches of straw mulch over the surface roots of shrubs and trees to protect them and help preserve moisture in the soil. Do the same for perennial flower beds. That will protect the crowns of the garden plants from becoming frostbitten. It will also prevent frost heave caused by the ground thawing and then refreezing.

3. Check for soil moisture around shrubs and evergreen trees whenever the ground thaws during the winter season. Water the evergreens when the soil becomes dry and is not frozen. That is important because the needles or leaves could turn brown and die.

4. Put up windbreaks for garden plants, not in sheltered areas. Surround the plants with wrap burlap and stakes. That will break the wind without trapping any heat that could burn plants on sunny days.

5. Bring annual flowers, such as begonias, impatiens, coleus, and geraniums inside to protect them during winter. Ensure that they get adequate light and water. In springtime, you may replant them outdoors.

6. Move all container garden plants inside to protected areas during the winter months. The roots will be very vulnerable in containers during winter. Would you please place them in a shed or garage away from winter winds?

Sourcing Information for Caring for Plants during the Winter

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Burning Bush

Burning Bush

 Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus) is a widely used decorative shrub prized for its red-hot leaves, which brighten up any landscape or garden. This durable, low-maintenance shrub is perfect for year-round interest and stunning fall foliage. Ease of Planting and Maintenance Burning Bush This shrub can be easily planted by any gardener. This shrub prefers well-drained soil and is shade-tolerant in full sun to part shade. Once established, Burning Bush requires little maintenance. It is drought-tolerant, pest-resistant, and only occasionally pruned to keep it tidy. Euonymus Alatus Has Vibrant Red Leaves in the Cool Season  Burning Bush is known for its spectacular autumnal changes. Its bright green leaves in the summer make it a tall, erect shrub. As fall draws near, the leaves blaze red and burn for several weeks. Small greenish flowers bloom in spring and summer, followed by decorative red berries that entice wildlife.  Shape and Longevity of Burning Bush  The shrub forms a neat, oval shape and usually reaches 6 to 10 feet tall and wide. Its dense growth makes it a great choice for hedges, borders, or individual focal points. Burning Bush is a long-lasting plant that will survive for decades with proper care.  Life Cycle of Burning Bush at TN Nursery  Burning Bush shrubs are grown to perfection at TN Nursery and shipped as fresh-cut plants. These plants grow quickly, providing you with glorious seasonally changing foliage and enduring beauty. Take Burning Bush into your garden and witness an unforgettable blaze of fiery leaves every autumn!

Milkweed Plant - TN Nursery

Milkweed Plant

The milkweed plant is known for attracting monarchs. It is a native perennial with clusters of showy, pink to mauve flowers and lance-shaped leaves. The plant attracts pollinators while thriving in moist, wetland habitats. It boasts numerous benefits when incorporated into landscaping designs. Its unique features contribute to outdoor spaces' aesthetic appeal and ecological value. With clusters of vibrant and captivating flowers, it adds a burst of color and charm to gardens while also serving as a vital component in supporting local ecosystems. Milkweed Plant (Asclepias Incarnata) The Asclepias Incarnata variety of Milkweed is a flowering perennial that, in addition to its ornate floral growths, is highly beneficial for local ecosystems. Today, we will examine this truly stunning and unique plant. The Asclepias Incarnata Milkweed can grow to about 59 inches tall and is known for the vibrant, clustering flowers at the top of the narrow stem. The flowers have a purplish-pink hue and pink shafts reaching the main plant stem. The plant's leaves have a sword-like shape and a deep green hue that remains for most of the year.  When the flowers are in full bloom, they create a stunning contrast against the natural earth colors of the leaves, making them stand out in any garden or landscape. The Asclepias Incarnata Milkweed has opposite leaves that grow in pairs on either side of the stem. Thus, the plant alone has an elegant, tidy, and elegant air. The green leaves work well in drab areas of your garden that could use some brightening. Aside from the innate beauty of Asclepias Incarnata, with its green foliage and glowing pink flowers, this plant also attracts a different kind of beauty-monarch butterflies.  The nectar of the Asclepias Incarnata Milkweed is the only known food source for the larvae of monarch butterflies - That's a Primary Reason Monarch are now going extinct  The monarchs will frequently visit these flowers to nourish themselves with their nectar and lay their eggs in them so the larvae can thrive. As a perennial with rich, nectar-filled flowers, the Asclepias Incarnata Milkweed attracts beautiful hummingbirds. The shifting colors of the hummingbird breast will also contribute to the palette of your outdoor areas. The length of the Asclepias Incarnata leaves varies from 2 ½ inches to 6 inches. They are narrow and have light green veins running through them. They don't grow densely, leaving the flowers to take center stage in their bouquet. The near-neon hue of this Milkweed's flowers makes them great companion pieces for other bright-blooming flowers. Gardeners and landscapers like to plant this variety of Milkweed to add a splash of unique color that instantly breathes new life into dull spaces. Benefits of Milkweed (Asclepias Incarnata) Yes, the Asclepias Incarnata looks stunning in full bloom. However, there are perhaps even more important reasons you should consider adding this perennial to your garden. It's A Native Plant - The Asclepias Incarnata Milkweed grows natively in North America. They have been observed to grow wild from Texas to Nova Scotia. This means they will be easy for you to plant, cultivate, and maintain even if you don't have much gardening experience. Asclepias Tuberosa Plant Supports the Local Honey Bee Population  Honeybees are vital to your local ecosystem as they are natural pollinators. In fact, according to Farmers.gov, honey bees are responsible for the pollination of nearly 80% of our flowering plants. Keeping Milkweed can attract bees that pollinate your garden's flowers and other plants. The honey bee population is dramatically declining, and providing sanctuaries for these critical links in the ecosystem has never been more important.  Keeps Pests Away Asclepias Incarnata contains a natural latex that repels invasive insects and animals that would otherwise feast on the plant. This Milkweed in your garden can, therefore, repel these pests and keep your other plants healthier. Ornamental Value - If you look closely at the flowers, you will see they are made of smaller, intricate flowers. This gives them a stunning appearance, while the purple-pink coloration adds ornamental value to many landscapes. Plus, the flowers have a fragrant aroma that some have said is reminiscent of cinnamon. T Monarch Butterfly Population-Like honey bees, the monarch butterfly population is in decline. Some leading conservation groups have even classified them as endangered. You can do your part to support the migration patterns of the Monarch butterfly by keeping the Asclepias Incarnata Milkweed in your garden.  Milkweed F.A.Q.s If you still have questions about the Asclepias Incarnata Milkweed, please look at the following answers to some of the most common questions:  Is Asclepias Incarnata Sun or Shade?  The Asclepias Incarnata Milkweed does well in full sun or partially shaded areas. However, the seeds germinate quickly with heat, so these plants need at least some direct sunlight. When do you Plant Asclepias Incarnata? The best time to plant this Milkweed is in the fall when the soil is likely wet. The Asclepias Incarnata prefers wet and moist soil, so if your area receives a good amount of rain in the Spring, you can also plant it in early Spring. How Tall are Asclepias Incarnata Milkweeds During Maturity? The Asclepias Incarnata Milkweed can grow to about five feet tall depending on how it is maintained and how much room the root system has to grow. When Should I Prune Asclepias Incarnata? The best time to prune this plant is in the Spring before it sprouts new growths. Pruning helps make the plant look more attractive and encourages the development of new leaves. However, it may not be necessary if the plant is already healthy. Do Monarchs Like Asclepias Incarnata? Absolutely. The females lay their eggs on them as they provide a food source for Monarch butterfly larvae. Adult monarch butterflies are also attracted to the nectar of the Milkweed flowers. Your Milkweeds Are Here. No matter what type of Milkweed plant you want, we have them available here at TN Nursery. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, making us a perfect choice for experienced and new gardening enthusiasts. Order now to paint your outdoor spaces with vibrant colors. It is a tall plant noted for its pink to purple flowers. It is one of 115 plants in the Asclepiadaceae family, named after Asklepios, the Greek god of medicine. This is appropriate because it is known for containing high levels of cardiac glycosides, which are used in some treatments for heart disease. This same substance also serves as the only source for Monarch butterfly larvae. Where Does Milkweed Grow It is native to the midwestern and eastern regions of the United States and Canada, but it can also be found further west. It is most commonly found in more open habitats, such as pastures, prairies, fields, and roadsides. It needs total sun to grow but can tolerate light shade as well. You’ll typically find it commonly clustered together into large patches, which are called colonies.  It can grow to be over five feet tall. The foliage can grow up to 8 inches, elongated nearly four inches wide, and is somewhat thick. The upper part of the oval-shaped leaves is usually darker greenish, while the underside is much lighter green and sometimes even white. When cut, both the leaves and the stems reveal a milky latex. The flowers can grow nearly an inch long and half an inch wide with a midrib that runs beneath them. They have a pink to purple coloring over them with a greenish tint and are very sweetly scented. Milkweed Plant Has Striking Pink-Purple Blooms The pink-to-purple colors contrast nicely against lush green fields and dry yellow prairies. Gardeners like it for its distinctive appearance and sweet, fragrant aromas. Find Milkweed and more at TN Nursery. Another reason why gardeners often like it is that it serves as the host plant for the beautiful monarch butterfly. These butterflies will lay their eggs on it, and as mentioned previously, the nectar also serves as the only food source for the Monarch larvae. Gardeners who like monarch butterflies or are otherwise concerned about their declining population can grow it to provide these butterflies with a natural habitat. The flowering perennial is named for its cardenolide-bearing latex, which benefits butterflies and insects. Monarch butterflies use and require specific species, including Asclepias syriaca and Asclepias incarnata, as host plants: their genus name, Asclepias, honors Asklepios, the Greek god of medicine.  Asclepias contains hundreds of species native to Africa, North America, and South America. Asclepias syriaca and Asclepias incarnata are native to the American continents and standard across the central and eastern United States. The sun-loving Asclepias syriaca grows naturally in fields, prairies, and pastures, while Asclepias incarnata grows along creeks, ponds, and bogs. Their flowers typically bloom from June through August. Asclepias produces complex blossoms that have similarities to orchids. Their large, spherical clusters of five-petaled blossoms are at the top of their thick stems. Each Asclepias growth usually carries two to five clusters of flowers. The individual blossoms are about three-quarters of an inch long and emit a strong, sweet fragrance. Asclepias syriaca has greenish-pink to rosy pink blooms, while Asclepias incarnata's flowers tend toward a brighter purplish-pink hue. It can grow up to five feet tall. Their thick, bright green leaves are six to eight inches long and two to three-and-one-half inches wide. The leaves' upper surfaces are darker than their whitish undersides. Asclepias plants form colonies in nature and landscapes and need room to spread out. Asclepias incarnata is highly ornamental and fairly quickly contained, making it well-suited to perennial, butterfly, and pollinator gardens. Asclepias syriaca works well in meadow gardens without defined borders. They increase from seed and spread as their rhizomes expand. They can be propagated in the late fall or early spring. Asclepias syriaca and Asclepias incarnata are the food sources for monarch butterflies, beetles, moths, and other insects that evolved to feed on their nectar. In the midwestern and northeastern regions of the United States, their leaves are the most crucial source of nourishment for monarch caterpillars, and their presence helps to fortify and increase monarch populations. Planting Milkweed Will Bring the Butterflies to Your Garden If you want to encourage monarch butterflies and other pollinators to make your garden home, you'll surely want to add Milkweed Plant to your landscape. Where can I plant milkweed Milkweed needs full sun and well-drained soil. - Grow somewhere where you're receiving 6-8 hours of full sunlight a day. The flower is a habitat for monarch butterflies.  Where can I find the most milkweed?  North American milkweed grows on the prairie, meadow, and roadside. It is best established in the brightest places.  What are the features of the milkweed plant Milkweed is an herbaceous perennial that grows tall and has wide leaves and sweet-smelling flowers. It has seed pods that pop open and shed seeds containing silky hairs.  What does milkweed look like?  Milkweed resembles common plantain and has wide-eared green leaves and flowers of pink, orange, or white, depending on the variety. It blooms in oblong spikes, and it's good for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.  How long does a milkweed plant live Milkweed can last for years in most cases. Annual plants are annual, that is, they seed to flower in a year, but they also self-sow.

wild geranium - TN Nursery

Wild Geranium

Wild Geranium is a native perennial plant with deeply lobed, palmate leaves and delicate, pink to lavender flowers that resemble small crane's bills. It is often found in woodlands and meadows and offers several positive landscaping uses. Its natural beauty, adaptability, and ecological benefits make it a valuable addition to gardens and naturalistic landscapes. Wild geranium is proof that great things can come in small packages. Its flowers may only be about an inch, but their delightful display always wins smiles. Interestingly, this plant offers showy leaves and blooms. Characteristics Of Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) Formally known as the geranium maculatum, these woodland perennials produce hairy, unbranched stems that can stretch up to 24 inches in height. They are generally either green or reddish. The visually compelling leaves are vibrant green, toothed, and deeply palmately lobed. Most feature five lobes, but some have seven. These leaves measure between three and six inches in length and width. The leaves at the bottom are larger and have coarse hairs. Those at the top of the plant are more delicate and have finer hair. What Do the Flowers of Wild Geranium Look Like They bloom in late spring or early summer. Each upright stem produces a cluster of two to five blooms. The saucer-shaped flowers generally measure one inch in size but can reach up to three inches. They are composed of five petals. In addition, they have ten yellow stamens and five green sepals that encircle their pistils. What Color Blooms Does Wild Geranium Produce They are in shades of pink or lavender. However, whites, blues, reds, and burgundies are also possible. While the flowers may appear solid at first glance, a closer look will often reveal that darker lines run from the bloom's center to the edge of the petal. Many popular flowers have multiple names, and these gorgeous gems are no exception. Why are they called cranesbills? The explanation may seem hard to spot, but a look at their picturesque seed pods can be revealing. Wild Geranium Is A Great Option For Underplanting  After Wild Geraniums bloom, they produce a charming fruit capsule. It has a long, central column, which imaginative people say resembles a crane's bill. Five basal cells with seeds form the rest of the crane's head. Colorful and full of cheer, wild geraniums are fantastic additions to any garden. They work well in mass plantings and borders and attract pollinators, butterflies, and songbirds. Does Wild Geranium Like Sun Or Shade Wild geraniums prefer partial shade but are well adapted to full sun when provided with adequate moisture. They grow well in woodland environments.  Is wild geranium aggressive?  Wild geraniums are not invasive and can grow well with other plants. They grow and spread in such a way as not to overpower other species.  Are Wild Geraniums Fast-Growing  Wild geranium is moderately fast-growing and will root itself within one season. Once established, they develop dense clumps that expand through rhizomes.  What is the lifespan of a wild geranium?  Wild geraniums return year after year with proper care. Under suitable conditions, they can live for many years.  What Fertilizer Do Wild Geraniums Like  Wild geraniums require the application of a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer in early spring. Remember, do not over-fertilize.

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