Sharing Gardening With Children

by Tammy Sons – December 11, 2024

I started gardening when I was seven.  My dad let me “help” him plant his onion starts.  I have been gardening ever since.  Many gardeners can recount similar stories.  Getting kids off the screen and in the garden can improve their health and start a lifelong hobby.  Gardening teaches science, math, and the satisfaction of a job well done.

Gardening Outfit

Giving your child a designated outfit they wear when gardening can help build excitement for going outside.  A cool long-sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves, hat, and close toed shoes will reduce the potential for bug bites, sunburn, or stubbed toes.  You can rub in sunscreen and spray on bug spray designed for children as part of your family’s gardening rituals.

Start Small

child starting seeds

Kids, especially small kids, have small attention spans.  Start them off with a small plant inside.  Let them plant something from seed in a small pot.  Place it in the kitchen so they can check it frequently.  Pick something like cherry tomatoes or a squash seed.  Let them water the pot and watch it grow.  Let them decide what to do with any produce the plant has.

Assign A Job

Outside, give your child a small job they can do without much help.  This could be emptying the kitchen waste into the compost bin, adding mulch or soil to an area, or pulling a few weeds.  Make sure the job is done quickly so it doesn’t become a dreaded chore.  Talk to your child about the importance of what they are doing and show them how it helps the plants in your garden grow.

Give Them Space

After your child expresses interest in the garden, assign them a small area to grow what they want.  A 2 X 2 foot square divided into four parts makes a good starting garden.  Go through gardening catalogs with your child and let them pick what four things they want to grow there.  Guide the child through planting the seeds, watering, and pulling any weeds that come up.  Let them eat any produce they grow.  Kids are more likely to eat vegetables they grow than store bought vegetables.

Picture This

Picture books can be a fun way to teach your child the principles of gardening.  Read the books with your children to show them what they need to do to grow a plant.  Ask your librarian what some good, age-appropriate picture books are.

Expect Distraction

Children have small attention spans, so switch tasks frequently so they do not get bored.  Gardening can involve considerable exercise but take care not to exhaust the child.  Stop while they are still having fun, so they want to garden again.

Safety First

Safety in the garden is very important.  Never leave buckets of water around young children.  Make sure any tools the child handles are safe.  Do not let children handle chemicals such as fertilizer or pesticides.  Make sure these chemicals are locked out of the reach of the child.  Do not grow poisonous plants because children tend to put things in their mouth. 

Avoid gardening during the hottest part of the day.  Make sure children drink plenty of water and come inside before getting too hot.  Teach your child to wash produce before eating it.  Most importantly, supervise the child carefully.  That means you may not get much done, but you can catch up when your child is inside.

Difference In Scale

Remember that children are much smaller than adults and see the world differently.  Crouch down when designing a garden for your child to see what they will see.  Plant smaller plants so they do not block the child’s view.  Unique textures and scents will engage the child’s senses and mind.  Plant a wide variety of plants of different sizes and growth habits.

Child Gardening Kit

Child in garden

Invest in some child sized tools like a garden trowel, hoe, rake, and bucket.  A rain gauge in the garden down low enough for the child to read can be used to help them decide whether a plant needs watering that week.  A small, plastic magnifying glass will let the child examine bugs, leaves, flowers, and other small things in the garden.  A small ruler helps them measure the distance between plants or the size of a wiggling earthworm.

Choose A Theme

One way to organize the garden your child has is to choose a theme for the garden.  Present your child with several options and let them choose the most appealing.  Help the child choose plants that fit that theme.

Animal Garden

Most children like animals.  Lots of plants have names that include an animal.  Choose something like bird of paradise, lamb’s ear, snap dragons, tiger lily, or catmint.  Let the child see how many animal names they can find in a gardening catalog, then choose a few to grow in their area of the garden.

Alphabet Garden

Gardening relies heavily on math and science.  You can bring in reading and the alphabet by letting the child choose plants that begin with each letter of the alphabet. A is for aloe vera, b is for basil, etc.

Color Garden

Teaching a child their colors using plant can be fun.  Choose plants that have flowers in a rainbow of colors, such as cardinal flower for red, bugleweed for blue, purple coneflower for purple, etc.  Another idea is to choose plants with flowers of different shades of one color, like white, pink, red, burgundy, etc.

Heritage Garden

Growing a plant that has been passed down through your family can be a way to teach your child about their ancestors.  Alternatively, you can find plants from the countries your ancestors came from and plant them.  Teach your child about the culture, history, and food from that country.

Child Appropriate Tasks

Keep in mind the developmental age of your child when assigning tasks in the garden.  Toddlers can dig in the soil, make mudpies, or move soil with toy excavators and dump trucks.  Young children can water plants, harvest produce, and plant seeds.  Older children can help you do most garden tasks but remember to keep things fun.  Lugging wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow of mulch isn’t fun.  Be prepared to help out in the background, especially with very young children.

Quick Rewards

Starting children off with quickly maturing flowers and vegetables gives them a rapid reward for their work.  Radishes and lettuce grow quickly and are easy to grow.  Some annuals grow quickly and flower after only a few weeks.  Strawberries are another good choice.  Older kids can raise plants that take longer to flower or produce vegetables. 

Starting with bare root perennials can be rewarding for children, too.  Pick ones that can be planted in early spring and will bear flowers the first year. 

Child and tomatoes

Tomato transplants are also a good choice because they quickly have flowers that turn into tasty, sweet tomatoes quickly.

Any Questions?

The staff at TN Nursery can answer questions you may have about gardening or specific plants.  Call us at 931.692.7325 today.

Products from the article

Tiger Lily - TN Nursery

Tiger Lily

Tiger Lily is a striking perennial plant with bold orange, spotted Turk's cap-shaped flowers and whorled, lance-shaped leaves. It is often grown for its vibrant and exotic appearance in gardens. It offers many benefits when incorporated into landscaping. Its captivating appearance, resilience, and ease of cultivation make it a favored choice among gardeners and landscape enthusiasts. Without delving into its applications in herbalism, let's explore how it enhances outdoor spaces through its aesthetic appeal, ecosystem contributions, and adaptability. Upgrade Your Landscape With TN Nursery Tiger Lily produces showy orange blossoms and tall, leafy stalks, making it a very impactful addition to any garden. This flower works well in lush beds of flowers since it can stand out from the rest of the plants. It grows in dense clusters that work well for things like tree borders and sidewalk accents. Any time you want to create a landscape with a combination of consistency and colors, this flower is the ideal choice. This plant is a favorite of gardeners everywhere for its stunning blossoms. Each flower is a six-petaled bloom with long, narrow petals that curve backward from the center. The flowers are bright orange with speckles of black running along the top of each petal, and the center contains a spray of long, dark orange stamens. The heavy blossoms tend to cause the supporting stalk to bend slightly, so they hang upside down with a beautiful bell-like appearance. The Appeal of Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium) This plant has many other perks beyond its beautiful blossoms. The rest of the plant consists of a tall, narrow stalk with blade-like leaves that fan in regular rows around the stalk. Each stalk is relatively narrow and is usually only around 10 inches wide. These fascinating plants have a unique, vertical shape that helps them stand out from most traditional shrubs. The stalks grow in clumps, creating a vibrant, dramatic look for your landscape. Enjoy Tiger Lily Throughout 3 Seasons Tiger Lily keeps growing during every part of the year. Each spring, delicate green shoots peak through the soil. These stems keep growing upwards until they reach the plant's full height of around five feet. Starting in late summer, the signature orange blossoms of the plant begin to appear. Long after most other garden flowers have left, this plant keeps blooming. After finishing its blooming season in fall, leaves start to lighten and fall. The plants remain dormant bulbs over the winter before returning to their full glory in spring. Tiger Lilies Prefer Full Sun To Partial Shade How do I care for a tiger lily plant? Tiger lilies are hardy and easy-to-grow garden flowers that prefer well-draining soil and full to partial sun exposure. Water the plant, especially during dry periods, and deadhead old flowers to keep the plant healthy and vibrant. When do tiger lilies bloom Tiger lilies usually flower in mid to late summer and provide the gardens with some bright orange flowers. The flowers can take weeks to wilt which makes them ideal when one needs to set flowers for display for a long period of time. Can tiger lilies grow in containers? Tiger lilies may do equally well in containers if the pots chosen have drainage openings and enough room for the plant's roots. When well taken care of, these tiger lilies can brighten patios and balconies. Do tiger lilies attract pollinators Tiger lilies are particularly popular with butterflies and bees, which improve the biodiversity of your garden. This makes them rather attractive for people who like to enjoy the beauty of nature and have pretty flowers with sweet-smelling nectar blossoming in their gardens. Are tiger lilies easy to propagate Absolutely! Tiger lilies can be propagated via bulbils, small sections arising from their stems that can grow into new plants. Collecting and planting these bulbils is relatively easy.
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Cardinal Flower - TN Nursery

Cardinal Flower

The Red Cardinal Flower has vibrant red blooms and tall, erect stalks. It adds color and elegance to gardens, parks, and various outdoor spaces. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it offers several advantages, making it a popular choice for landscapers and gardeners. The scarlet-hued Lobelia cardinalis is a perennial in the bellflower family. Its tall, nectar-filled bloom spikes attract hummingbirds and create a beautiful display in your garden. The plant's common name refers to the red robes a Roman Catholic cardinal wears.      Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a Powerful Pollinator Perennial Lobelia is native to the North and South American continents and blooms from July through September. This moisture-loving plant grows on stream banks and in low woods, marshes, and meadows across the United States. If you want to create a handsome show in your garden, Lobelia will surely delight. The plant's fiery spires yield brilliant red blooms that open gradually from the bottom to the top of their racemes. Each long, narrow, tube-shaped blossom has two flat upper petals and three lower petals at the tips. The delicate plant crown leafy 2’-4' stems, covered with shiny, lance-shaped, bright green leaves that sometimes have a bronze or reddish tint. The leaves alternate as they climb the stems, enhancing the blooms to create a lively riot of color. Add Color To Your Water Garden With Cardinal Flowers  Cardinal Flower is a favorite of gardeners who love adding bold splashes of crimson. This plant is perfect for shady woodland plots, wet meadow plantings, water gardens, pollinator gardens, and rain gardens. Its long stems can add height to borders and create depth when placed in the back sections of your landscape. The blossoms are most spectacular from midsummer into fall and make excellent cut blooms. Ecology Of The Cardinal Flower Some people say Lobelia will bring hummingbirds in from the sky. The plant's blooming period coincides with the late-summer migration of ruby-throated hummingbirds traveling south to Mexico. The birds pollinate the plant by dipping their beaks into the plants' long, red tubes. The blossoms are also beautiful to swallowtail butterflies and bees, making them a wonderful centerpiece in a pollinator garden. Cardinal Flower Is A Bold Statement In Any Garden  When you want to make a bold, beautiful statement in your garden, include the Cardinal Flower in your plan and celebrate the summer season. Where Do Cardinal Flowers Grow Best  Cardinal flower grows best in soil that is moist and full of nutrients and partly shaded to fully sunny areas. It typically grows along the edge of streams, at marsh, and in borders of gardens with frequent irrigation.  How do you propagate cardinal flowers?  They can be propagated from seeds, division, or even by the basal shoots. Take seeds from the plant in midsummer or clump in early spring to propagate new plants, which a moist soil should provide for root development.  How do you care for cardinal flowers?  The soil must be moist with plenty of organic content. Deadhead to foster continued flowering and add much to maintain the moisture of the soil as well as protect the roots throughout the winter.  Can You Grow Cardinal Flowers From Cuttings  It is actually possible to propagate cardinal flowers by cuttings. Buddings should be taken from a softwood during spring, put in a moist medium, and in high humidity to promote rooting.  Is the cardinal flower easy to grow?  Yes, cardinal flowers are relatively easy to cultivate. They need moisture in the soil, and grow them in partial shade; once planted in the right habitat, there is very little required care.
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Bugleweed Plant - TN Nursery

Bugleweed Plant

Bugleweed is a ground-covering perennial plant known for its low-growing, spreading nature and attractive foliage. It is often used in landscaping for its vibrant leaves and small spikes of blue, purple, or pink flowers. It will quickly fill empty spaces, making it an excellent choice for areas with poor soil or where other types struggle to thrive. It is a versatile and attractive perennial with numerous landscaping benefits. Its unique characteristics and adaptability make it popular in various garden settings and design schemes. Bugleweed Plant (Ajuga) Has Deep Violet Blooms Bugleweed, called carpet bugle, ground pine, bugle, or ajuga, includes 60 related species of flowering perennials. The different species are found in the wild in Australia, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Because of their impressive attributes, they are also introduced in yards and gardens outside these areas. With a closer look at the many benefits of introducing bugle to your space, it is the perfect new addition to your landscaping. Bugleweed Plant Is A Fast-Growing Ground Cover This creeping type grows up to 20 inches tall, although some species are as short as two inches. It proliferates by shooting runners on top of the soil. These runners create a fascinating look, and they quickly sprout new stems. In the wild, it blankets meadows and other open spaces, so it is well-suited for putting in areas of your yard that need ground cover. Notably, the plant is often used to prevent soil loss from erosion because of its ability to spread rapidly across steep slopes. Weeds are a nuisance that inevitably requires frequent attention. They can overtake your yard and leave it unkempt when not tended to regularly. As a fast-moving ground cover, bugles crowd out the weeds. As a result, their growth could be improved, and they will quickly become less of a nuisance in your space. You can start enjoying your yard more rather than worrying about keeping up with the weeds.  Bugleweed Plant Has Stunning Blooms The Bugleweed Plant is a fascinating species with dark, shiny leaves that grow in an opposite pattern. During the flowering season, usually in the middle or end of the spring months, spikes shoot up that may be as tall as 10 inches above its base. These spikes produce purple, violet, or blue flowers. The flowers have long, flowing petals that some people describe as looking like a woman’s skirt. Bugleweed Is Deer and Rabbit Resistant  Most rodents and mammals do not like the morsel of it and stay away from it. As a result, it is ideal for yards where deer and other animals forage and cause damage. At the same time, insects are attracted to its pollen. You may spot moths, butterflies, and bees on the blooms during the flowering season. As essential pollinators, these insects are crucial to maintaining a healthy ecosystem in your yard. What is Bugleweed and how does it get its name  Ajuga reptans or Bugleweed is a low growing, easy to grow evergreen perennial with lovely green leaves and dark purple to blue flowers. It is tolerant of many soil types and is usually cultivated in shade, which will give you an overlying layer of leaves that will keep weeds at bay.  Is Bugleweed simple to grow?  Bugleweed is also one of the easiest plants to maintain because it will do just about anything. It adapts to almost any soil and doesn't require a lot of water once planted.  Is Bugleweed a groundcover  Bugleweed works very well as a ground cover because it forms a carpet and spreads quickly. It helps in the weeds as the plant has thick leaves throughout the season.  Will Bugleweed attract pollinators?  The purple or blue flower spikes of Bugleweed are particularly interesting to bees and butterflies. Bugleweed is an attractive addition to your garden and certainly beneficial if you want to encourage local wildlife.  Can Bugleweed be grown in containers Bugleweed can be easily propagated in containers; therefore, it would make a good addition to a patio or balcony. The pots or containers should be well drained.
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Coneflower Plant - TN Nursery

Coneflower Plant

The coneflower plant, or echinacea, is known for its distinctive daisy-like, purple flowers with a prominent cone-shaped center. These flowers attract pollinators and add color to gardens.   Coneflower Perennial (Echinacea) Coneflowers, which resemble daisies, typically bloom in the middle to end of summer. Certain types may begin blooming earlier or continue into the autumn. They are available in a rainbow of hues, from yellow to deep pink, and with both single and double blooms that are incredibly vibrant. Magnus Superior variants bloom from the end of spring until the end of summer with rosy-violet rays that can reach a diameter of seven inches. These plants respond exceptionally well to deadheading. They spread gracefully like wildflowers thanks to their abundant seed production and self-sowing capabilities. Their delicate branches and colorful flowers make them perfect for gardens, where they provide visual interest without drawing attention to themselves. This naturalizing effect makes the plant look better and works well to fill in gaps between flower beds. Add Uniqueness to Your Garden With It Because of their unusual shape and composition, cones are a great way to add variety to your landscape. Their unique cone shapes also make them eye-catching accents among other garden plants. They provide textural variety to a garden by growing erect, contrasting wonderfully with trailing or mounding plants. In expansion, they can adjust to a broad range of soil types and light levels, giving you more alternatives for planting them. Invite Pollinators to Your Yard With It Since Coneflower Plants produce both nectar and pollen, many pollinators rely on these flowers for sustenance. Each 250 to 500 blooms that make up its black, cone-shaped flower head serves as a little cup of nectar for the pollinators. Bees and hummingbirds are just a few of the pollinators that love it. This variant can grow up to three feet tall and typically blooms between the middle of summer and the beginning of September each year because they produce seeds and are a popular nectar source for birds. They are of the same genus as the daisy, which you could guess by looking at. They bear stunning purplish-pink petals and are naturally drought-tolerant. As a native plant, they provide professionals and gardening enthusiasts with a low-maintenance option for adding complexion to outdoor spaces. What Do They Look Like?  The Coneflower (also called Echinacea) may be well-known for its petals' deep to pastel purple tinge. However, a closer look will reveal one of the most intricate and alluring central disks of all flowering plants. This flower gets its name from this striking and unique central disk.  It has received this moniker thanks to the spiny central hub. The spines are spread out in an almost exact order of distance, giving the cone a symmetrical shape and order that is truly stunning when observed closely.  In full bloom, their petals may splay out parallel to the ground or stretch downward. This positioning puts the central cone on full display and accentuates its bulbous shape. The spines on the cone can adopt a rust, red, orange, or yellow pigmentation throughout the blooming season.  Of course, the petals are nothing to sneeze at. Being a daisy gendaisieshe, the petals are lance-shaped and can grow to about 1.5 inches long. The flower is mostly an intense purple, where it connects with the stem and washes out gradually towards the tip. In some lights, this creates a pastel effect that is perfect for pairing with other flowers without drawing too much attention.  The stem grows erect and can reach heights between 2 and 4 feet. This makes this plant a great contrast to creeping or bunching plants. The leaves are basal and arranged alternately. They are a deep, cool green reminiscent of forest floors.  What Should You Plant Coneflowers If their chromatic and structural traits aren't enough to entice you, check out some of the more practical benefits of adding this flower to your landscape:  Planting Options: They are very versatile when it comes to planting. Once established, they are highly adaptable and can live with varying degrees of light and soil types. So, no matter what soil you have or what kind of space you have to work with, you can still enjoy these flowers. They Attract Pollinators. Hummingbirds and bees love the pollen and nectar they produce. The cone can house 250-500 spines, which are filled with food for a wide variety of pollinators.  Easy to Maintain - While they will require regular watering after planting, they only need a little maintenance after they are established. They respond well to deadheading, which can also help control seeding if you want them to spread only a little. They can handle several types of soil as long as it is well-drained.  They're Drought Tolerant - Want to contribute to the palette of your garden without spending a fortune on water? The plant is drought-tolerant. Once the roots have been established, maintaining them takes very little water. They Come in a Variety of Colors-They come in a bouquet of colors, from the typical purplish-pink to yellow shades. This makes them a popular choice for gardeners who want their landscapes to explode with color while maintaining strong uniformity.  Frequently Asked  Are you ready to start planting them in your lawn or garden? The following answers to commonly asked questions may prepare you.  When Do They Bloom?  The blooming season for them is typically between mid-summer and later summer. Some variants can bloom into autumn.  Do They Like Sun or Shade?  Like most flowers in the daisy family, daisies love sunshine. Planting them in an area with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily would help.  Do They Come Back Every Year? They are perennials, which means they come back every year. This makes them a good choice if you want to add consistent color and variety to your outdoor spaces.  How Tall Are They?  They can stretch to 2-4 feet tall. The stem holds the flower clear above the basal leaves, allowing it to be the show's star, even on the shorter end.  How Do You Plant Them?  Start by digging a hole twice the width of the root ball's diameter. The root ball should be set to level with the soil line. To help retain moisture, add a small amount of compost and mulch to the plant site. After planting, they will need regular watering until the plant has established.  Will They Bloom Again If Deadheaded?  Coneflower respond well to deadheading. They will bloom again if you deadhead them. There are particular advantages to deadheading. Firstly, it will keep them from overtaking other plants in your garden (deadheading prevents seeding). Secondly, it may prolong the bloom time.  How Do You Deadhead A Coneflower It will help if you always deadhead (prune) yours with shears, as the stems can be very hardy and rugged to snap by hand. Deadhead after the flower has faded, cutting it down to a leaf close to new growth.  TN Nursery Provides Year-round Beauty for Your  Whether you want the whole gamut of colors or lush greenery to add to your garden, TN Nursery has you covered. We offer many ferns, flowers, plants, mosses, shrubs, perennials, vines, trees, and more. Your order is backed up by a full, year-long, 100% satisfaction guarantee. Our prime specimens make planting and maintaining easy and allow you to enjoy the fulfillment of gardening. Place an order now and beautify your outdoor spaces. Where Does Coneflower Plant Grow Best  They grow well in soil that has good drainage and total sun exposure, meaning the plant requires at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. They are perennials and resistant to different environments; therefore successful in most climates but thrive well in a sunny garden with moderate watering.  How long do coneflowers take to grow  Coneflowers take 3-4 months to grow from seeds to flowering. When planted in early spring, they flower in mid-summer, and during early fall, they are on their third round of blooming.  What Does Coneflower Plant Attract  The flower is surrounded by tiny petals that attract bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds.  Can you grow coneflower from cuttings?  Coneflowers are reproduced by seeds or by division, although it has been established that the plant can be propagated by cuttings. Propagation can be performed using softwood cuttings in spring or early summer and it is sown in a rooting medium and under constant humidity.  Can I Grow Coneflower Plant In Pots  Yes, coneflowers can be grown in containers so long as the pot has a drainage hole and sufficient size for root development. Select a high-quality nutrient-packed growing mix and put the pot in a well-lit area.
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Tiger Lily - TN Nursery

Tiger Lily

Tiger Lily is a striking perennial plant with bold orange, spotted Turk's cap-shaped flowers and whorled, lance-shaped leaves. It is often grown for its vibrant and exotic appearance in gardens. It offers many benefits when incorporated into landscaping. Its captivating appearance, resilience, and ease of cultivation make it a favored choice among gardeners and landscape enthusiasts. Without delving into its applications in herbalism, let's explore how it enhances outdoor spaces through its aesthetic appeal, ecosystem contributions, and adaptability. Upgrade Your Landscape With TN Nursery Tiger Lily produces showy orange blossoms and tall, leafy stalks, making it a very impactful addition to any garden. This flower works well in lush beds of flowers since it can stand out from the rest of the plants. It grows in dense clusters that work well for things like tree borders and sidewalk accents. Any time you want to create a landscape with a combination of consistency and colors, this flower is the ideal choice. This plant is a favorite of gardeners everywhere for its stunning blossoms. Each flower is a six-petaled bloom with long, narrow petals that curve backward from the center. The flowers are bright orange with speckles of black running along the top of each petal, and the center contains a spray of long, dark orange stamens. The heavy blossoms tend to cause the supporting stalk to bend slightly, so they hang upside down with a beautiful bell-like appearance. The Appeal of Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium) This plant has many other perks beyond its beautiful blossoms. The rest of the plant consists of a tall, narrow stalk with blade-like leaves that fan in regular rows around the stalk. Each stalk is relatively narrow and is usually only around 10 inches wide. These fascinating plants have a unique, vertical shape that helps them stand out from most traditional shrubs. The stalks grow in clumps, creating a vibrant, dramatic look for your landscape. Enjoy Tiger Lily Throughout 3 Seasons Tiger Lily keeps growing during every part of the year. Each spring, delicate green shoots peak through the soil. These stems keep growing upwards until they reach the plant's full height of around five feet. Starting in late summer, the signature orange blossoms of the plant begin to appear. Long after most other garden flowers have left, this plant keeps blooming. After finishing its blooming season in fall, leaves start to lighten and fall. The plants remain dormant bulbs over the winter before returning to their full glory in spring. Tiger Lilies Prefer Full Sun To Partial Shade How do I care for a tiger lily plant? Tiger lilies are hardy and easy-to-grow garden flowers that prefer well-draining soil and full to partial sun exposure. Water the plant, especially during dry periods, and deadhead old flowers to keep the plant healthy and vibrant. When do tiger lilies bloom Tiger lilies usually flower in mid to late summer and provide the gardens with some bright orange flowers. The flowers can take weeks to wilt which makes them ideal when one needs to set flowers for display for a long period of time. Can tiger lilies grow in containers? Tiger lilies may do equally well in containers if the pots chosen have drainage openings and enough room for the plant's roots. When well taken care of, these tiger lilies can brighten patios and balconies. Do tiger lilies attract pollinators Tiger lilies are particularly popular with butterflies and bees, which improve the biodiversity of your garden. This makes them rather attractive for people who like to enjoy the beauty of nature and have pretty flowers with sweet-smelling nectar blossoming in their gardens. Are tiger lilies easy to propagate Absolutely! Tiger lilies can be propagated via bulbils, small sections arising from their stems that can grow into new plants. Collecting and planting these bulbils is relatively easy.
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Cardinal Flower - TN Nursery

Cardinal Flower

The Red Cardinal Flower has vibrant red blooms and tall, erect stalks. It adds color and elegance to gardens, parks, and various outdoor spaces. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it offers several advantages, making it a popular choice for landscapers and gardeners. The scarlet-hued Lobelia cardinalis is a perennial in the bellflower family. Its tall, nectar-filled bloom spikes attract hummingbirds and create a beautiful display in your garden. The plant's common name refers to the red robes a Roman Catholic cardinal wears.      Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a Powerful Pollinator Perennial Lobelia is native to the North and South American continents and blooms from July through September. This moisture-loving plant grows on stream banks and in low woods, marshes, and meadows across the United States. If you want to create a handsome show in your garden, Lobelia will surely delight. The plant's fiery spires yield brilliant red blooms that open gradually from the bottom to the top of their racemes. Each long, narrow, tube-shaped blossom has two flat upper petals and three lower petals at the tips. The delicate plant crown leafy 2’-4' stems, covered with shiny, lance-shaped, bright green leaves that sometimes have a bronze or reddish tint. The leaves alternate as they climb the stems, enhancing the blooms to create a lively riot of color. Add Color To Your Water Garden With Cardinal Flowers  Cardinal Flower is a favorite of gardeners who love adding bold splashes of crimson. This plant is perfect for shady woodland plots, wet meadow plantings, water gardens, pollinator gardens, and rain gardens. Its long stems can add height to borders and create depth when placed in the back sections of your landscape. The blossoms are most spectacular from midsummer into fall and make excellent cut blooms. Ecology Of The Cardinal Flower Some people say Lobelia will bring hummingbirds in from the sky. The plant's blooming period coincides with the late-summer migration of ruby-throated hummingbirds traveling south to Mexico. The birds pollinate the plant by dipping their beaks into the plants' long, red tubes. The blossoms are also beautiful to swallowtail butterflies and bees, making them a wonderful centerpiece in a pollinator garden. Cardinal Flower Is A Bold Statement In Any Garden  When you want to make a bold, beautiful statement in your garden, include the Cardinal Flower in your plan and celebrate the summer season. Where Do Cardinal Flowers Grow Best  Cardinal flower grows best in soil that is moist and full of nutrients and partly shaded to fully sunny areas. It typically grows along the edge of streams, at marsh, and in borders of gardens with frequent irrigation.  How do you propagate cardinal flowers?  They can be propagated from seeds, division, or even by the basal shoots. Take seeds from the plant in midsummer or clump in early spring to propagate new plants, which a moist soil should provide for root development.  How do you care for cardinal flowers?  The soil must be moist with plenty of organic content. Deadhead to foster continued flowering and add much to maintain the moisture of the soil as well as protect the roots throughout the winter.  Can You Grow Cardinal Flowers From Cuttings  It is actually possible to propagate cardinal flowers by cuttings. Buddings should be taken from a softwood during spring, put in a moist medium, and in high humidity to promote rooting.  Is the cardinal flower easy to grow?  Yes, cardinal flowers are relatively easy to cultivate. They need moisture in the soil, and grow them in partial shade; once planted in the right habitat, there is very little required care.
$8.99
$8.99
Bugleweed Plant - TN Nursery

Bugleweed Plant

Bugleweed is a ground-covering perennial plant known for its low-growing, spreading nature and attractive foliage. It is often used in landscaping for its vibrant leaves and small spikes of blue, purple, or pink flowers. It will quickly fill empty spaces, making it an excellent choice for areas with poor soil or where other types struggle to thrive. It is a versatile and attractive perennial with numerous landscaping benefits. Its unique characteristics and adaptability make it popular in various garden settings and design schemes. Bugleweed Plant (Ajuga) Has Deep Violet Blooms Bugleweed, called carpet bugle, ground pine, bugle, or ajuga, includes 60 related species of flowering perennials. The different species are found in the wild in Australia, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Because of their impressive attributes, they are also introduced in yards and gardens outside these areas. With a closer look at the many benefits of introducing bugle to your space, it is the perfect new addition to your landscaping. Bugleweed Plant Is A Fast-Growing Ground Cover This creeping type grows up to 20 inches tall, although some species are as short as two inches. It proliferates by shooting runners on top of the soil. These runners create a fascinating look, and they quickly sprout new stems. In the wild, it blankets meadows and other open spaces, so it is well-suited for putting in areas of your yard that need ground cover. Notably, the plant is often used to prevent soil loss from erosion because of its ability to spread rapidly across steep slopes. Weeds are a nuisance that inevitably requires frequent attention. They can overtake your yard and leave it unkempt when not tended to regularly. As a fast-moving ground cover, bugles crowd out the weeds. As a result, their growth could be improved, and they will quickly become less of a nuisance in your space. You can start enjoying your yard more rather than worrying about keeping up with the weeds.  Bugleweed Plant Has Stunning Blooms The Bugleweed Plant is a fascinating species with dark, shiny leaves that grow in an opposite pattern. During the flowering season, usually in the middle or end of the spring months, spikes shoot up that may be as tall as 10 inches above its base. These spikes produce purple, violet, or blue flowers. The flowers have long, flowing petals that some people describe as looking like a woman’s skirt. Bugleweed Is Deer and Rabbit Resistant  Most rodents and mammals do not like the morsel of it and stay away from it. As a result, it is ideal for yards where deer and other animals forage and cause damage. At the same time, insects are attracted to its pollen. You may spot moths, butterflies, and bees on the blooms during the flowering season. As essential pollinators, these insects are crucial to maintaining a healthy ecosystem in your yard. What is Bugleweed and how does it get its name  Ajuga reptans or Bugleweed is a low growing, easy to grow evergreen perennial with lovely green leaves and dark purple to blue flowers. It is tolerant of many soil types and is usually cultivated in shade, which will give you an overlying layer of leaves that will keep weeds at bay.  Is Bugleweed simple to grow?  Bugleweed is also one of the easiest plants to maintain because it will do just about anything. It adapts to almost any soil and doesn't require a lot of water once planted.  Is Bugleweed a groundcover  Bugleweed works very well as a ground cover because it forms a carpet and spreads quickly. It helps in the weeds as the plant has thick leaves throughout the season.  Will Bugleweed attract pollinators?  The purple or blue flower spikes of Bugleweed are particularly interesting to bees and butterflies. Bugleweed is an attractive addition to your garden and certainly beneficial if you want to encourage local wildlife.  Can Bugleweed be grown in containers Bugleweed can be easily propagated in containers; therefore, it would make a good addition to a patio or balcony. The pots or containers should be well drained.
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Coneflower Plant - TN Nursery

Coneflower Plant

The coneflower plant, or echinacea, is known for its distinctive daisy-like, purple flowers with a prominent cone-shaped center. These flowers attract pollinators and add color to gardens.   Coneflower Perennial (Echinacea) Coneflowers, which resemble daisies, typically bloom in the middle to end of summer. Certain types may begin blooming earlier or continue into the autumn. They are available in a rainbow of hues, from yellow to deep pink, and with both single and double blooms that are incredibly vibrant. Magnus Superior variants bloom from the end of spring until the end of summer with rosy-violet rays that can reach a diameter of seven inches. These plants respond exceptionally well to deadheading. They spread gracefully like wildflowers thanks to their abundant seed production and self-sowing capabilities. Their delicate branches and colorful flowers make them perfect for gardens, where they provide visual interest without drawing attention to themselves. This naturalizing effect makes the plant look better and works well to fill in gaps between flower beds. Add Uniqueness to Your Garden With It Because of their unusual shape and composition, cones are a great way to add variety to your landscape. Their unique cone shapes also make them eye-catching accents among other garden plants. They provide textural variety to a garden by growing erect, contrasting wonderfully with trailing or mounding plants. In expansion, they can adjust to a broad range of soil types and light levels, giving you more alternatives for planting them. Invite Pollinators to Your Yard With It Since Coneflower Plants produce both nectar and pollen, many pollinators rely on these flowers for sustenance. Each 250 to 500 blooms that make up its black, cone-shaped flower head serves as a little cup of nectar for the pollinators. Bees and hummingbirds are just a few of the pollinators that love it. This variant can grow up to three feet tall and typically blooms between the middle of summer and the beginning of September each year because they produce seeds and are a popular nectar source for birds. They are of the same genus as the daisy, which you could guess by looking at. They bear stunning purplish-pink petals and are naturally drought-tolerant. As a native plant, they provide professionals and gardening enthusiasts with a low-maintenance option for adding complexion to outdoor spaces. What Do They Look Like?  The Coneflower (also called Echinacea) may be well-known for its petals' deep to pastel purple tinge. However, a closer look will reveal one of the most intricate and alluring central disks of all flowering plants. This flower gets its name from this striking and unique central disk.  It has received this moniker thanks to the spiny central hub. The spines are spread out in an almost exact order of distance, giving the cone a symmetrical shape and order that is truly stunning when observed closely.  In full bloom, their petals may splay out parallel to the ground or stretch downward. This positioning puts the central cone on full display and accentuates its bulbous shape. The spines on the cone can adopt a rust, red, orange, or yellow pigmentation throughout the blooming season.  Of course, the petals are nothing to sneeze at. Being a daisy gendaisieshe, the petals are lance-shaped and can grow to about 1.5 inches long. The flower is mostly an intense purple, where it connects with the stem and washes out gradually towards the tip. In some lights, this creates a pastel effect that is perfect for pairing with other flowers without drawing too much attention.  The stem grows erect and can reach heights between 2 and 4 feet. This makes this plant a great contrast to creeping or bunching plants. The leaves are basal and arranged alternately. They are a deep, cool green reminiscent of forest floors.  What Should You Plant Coneflowers If their chromatic and structural traits aren't enough to entice you, check out some of the more practical benefits of adding this flower to your landscape:  Planting Options: They are very versatile when it comes to planting. Once established, they are highly adaptable and can live with varying degrees of light and soil types. So, no matter what soil you have or what kind of space you have to work with, you can still enjoy these flowers. They Attract Pollinators. Hummingbirds and bees love the pollen and nectar they produce. The cone can house 250-500 spines, which are filled with food for a wide variety of pollinators.  Easy to Maintain - While they will require regular watering after planting, they only need a little maintenance after they are established. They respond well to deadheading, which can also help control seeding if you want them to spread only a little. They can handle several types of soil as long as it is well-drained.  They're Drought Tolerant - Want to contribute to the palette of your garden without spending a fortune on water? The plant is drought-tolerant. Once the roots have been established, maintaining them takes very little water. They Come in a Variety of Colors-They come in a bouquet of colors, from the typical purplish-pink to yellow shades. This makes them a popular choice for gardeners who want their landscapes to explode with color while maintaining strong uniformity.  Frequently Asked  Are you ready to start planting them in your lawn or garden? The following answers to commonly asked questions may prepare you.  When Do They Bloom?  The blooming season for them is typically between mid-summer and later summer. Some variants can bloom into autumn.  Do They Like Sun or Shade?  Like most flowers in the daisy family, daisies love sunshine. Planting them in an area with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily would help.  Do They Come Back Every Year? They are perennials, which means they come back every year. This makes them a good choice if you want to add consistent color and variety to your outdoor spaces.  How Tall Are They?  They can stretch to 2-4 feet tall. The stem holds the flower clear above the basal leaves, allowing it to be the show's star, even on the shorter end.  How Do You Plant Them?  Start by digging a hole twice the width of the root ball's diameter. The root ball should be set to level with the soil line. To help retain moisture, add a small amount of compost and mulch to the plant site. After planting, they will need regular watering until the plant has established.  Will They Bloom Again If Deadheaded?  Coneflower respond well to deadheading. They will bloom again if you deadhead them. There are particular advantages to deadheading. Firstly, it will keep them from overtaking other plants in your garden (deadheading prevents seeding). Secondly, it may prolong the bloom time.  How Do You Deadhead A Coneflower It will help if you always deadhead (prune) yours with shears, as the stems can be very hardy and rugged to snap by hand. Deadhead after the flower has faded, cutting it down to a leaf close to new growth.  TN Nursery Provides Year-round Beauty for Your  Whether you want the whole gamut of colors or lush greenery to add to your garden, TN Nursery has you covered. We offer many ferns, flowers, plants, mosses, shrubs, perennials, vines, trees, and more. Your order is backed up by a full, year-long, 100% satisfaction guarantee. Our prime specimens make planting and maintaining easy and allow you to enjoy the fulfillment of gardening. Place an order now and beautify your outdoor spaces. Where Does Coneflower Plant Grow Best  They grow well in soil that has good drainage and total sun exposure, meaning the plant requires at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. They are perennials and resistant to different environments; therefore successful in most climates but thrive well in a sunny garden with moderate watering.  How long do coneflowers take to grow  Coneflowers take 3-4 months to grow from seeds to flowering. When planted in early spring, they flower in mid-summer, and during early fall, they are on their third round of blooming.  What Does Coneflower Plant Attract  The flower is surrounded by tiny petals that attract bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds.  Can you grow coneflower from cuttings?  Coneflowers are reproduced by seeds or by division, although it has been established that the plant can be propagated by cuttings. Propagation can be performed using softwood cuttings in spring or early summer and it is sown in a rooting medium and under constant humidity.  Can I Grow Coneflower Plant In Pots  Yes, coneflowers can be grown in containers so long as the pot has a drainage hole and sufficient size for root development. Select a high-quality nutrient-packed growing mix and put the pot in a well-lit area.
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