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New plants. Gear. New zones (yikes!) The trends th

New plants. Gear. New zones (yikes!) The trends that are driving what you’ll see at nurseries in 2024 is my topic next Tuesday, Dec. 5, in a webinar hosted by my friends at @mnhort.

It’s free for hort members, and only $5 for nonmembers. Sign up at northerngardener.org!
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#gardentrends #newplants #mnhort #mngarden #cutflowergarden #homesteading #gothgardening #barbieplants #northerngardener

The desert landscape could not be more different t

The desert landscape could not be more different than Minnesota’s but so interesting to visit. Here it’s all about texture, size and drama. If you are ever in the Phoenix area, the Desert Botanical Garden is a must-see.

#gardentravel #thanksgiving #desertgardens #cacti #sonomavalley

What’s your new plant zone? Be sure to check you

What’s your new plant zone? Be sure to check your zip code over at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov because there are some portions of the Twin Cities and a whole lot of Minnesota that is still in zone 4 or zone 3. I have more on my blog. Find the link in bio or stories.
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#hardinesszones #zone5a #zone4b #zone5 #zone5 #mngardening

Lots of zone 5 in MN in this new USDA map. #hard

Lots of zone 5 in MN in this new USDA map.

#hardinesszones #needsmoreresearch #mngardening

RIP, Lola. First photo, 2013, when I was taking he

RIP, Lola. First photo, 2013, when I was taking headshots of @resawithoutherspoon and Lola decided to pose, too. Second photo, August 2023, snoozing in the sunroom as an old dog should. She was 15 and spent 13.5 years of her life with us. We will miss you, old girl.

Northern gardeners love their daylilies, and none

Northern gardeners love their daylilies, and none more than Wayne and Bonnie Johnson. I had a chance to visit their garden in Alexandria and Wayne shared his 40+ favorite daylilies for the north. Check out the blog post and video over at @mnhort or read the article in the latest issue of Northern Gardener. 📷: Wayne Johnson & me. Link in bio and stories.

#daylilygarden #mngarden #coldclimateplants #dayliliesofinstagram

Both Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumberg

Both Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera) bloom in response to lengthening periods of darkness. Street lights, lights in the house and other artificial light can interfere with bloom, so move them to a spot where they will get 12 to14 hours of darkness.

As to which is which, it’s in the leaves. The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) has a rounded tip on its leaves. The Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) has a pointed tip. The Thanksgiving cactus blooms sooner though I have had mine bloom in November, December and April!

They are not desert plants but are native to the rainforests of Brazil. Water them when the potting mix is dry to the touch. Fertilize monthly from April to October for best growth and bloom, and let them get slightly pot-bound before even thinking about re-potting.

#Christmascactus #thanksgivingcactus #Schlumbergera #holidayplants #indoorplants #mynortherngarden

Most flowering plants sold in grocery stores and f

Most flowering plants sold in grocery stores and florists are like bouquets. They’re beautiful but fade. But some of them can be kept growing in the garden.

I believe this was a daisy mum (Chrysanthemum x morifolium) which is USDA Zone 5 hardy. It probably would not come back next year in zone 4, but it sure thrived in a container. Plants are forced into bloom to be sold as gifts — and I think this one was even dyed to give the bloom that more pure purple color it has in the before image. But, I love the magenta color of the second flush of blooms.

To get this to rebloom, I removed it from its original pot, cut off the blooms and put it in a larger container on my deck with fresh soil and occasional fertilizer. (A salvia grew in the same pot.) It didn’t start setting buds until October, so I knew it was touch and go on whether it would bloom before frost. I ended up putting the pot in the sunroom so it can finish its bloom and we can enjoy those amazing magenta flowers.

What’s next? I may take a cutting of the plant to see if it will bloom again next year!

Are you a bonsai person? They’re not easy but I

Are you a bonsai person? They’re not easy but I picked up a few tips from the bonsai curator at @longwoodgardens this fall. Link to blog post in bio and stories. #bonsai #gardentips #indoorgarden #mngardener

Why grow mint in a pot? To prevent it from taking

Why grow mint in a pot? To prevent it from taking over your garden! Check out the roots one plant produced in one dry season in USDA Zone 4. If this had been in the ground, it would be mint everywhere. #mint #howtogrow #herbgarden #containergardening #mngardening

Rocks over black plastic — the worst. Here I rip

Rocks over black plastic — the worst. Here I rip out four hostas by cutting the plastic in order to plant hydrangeas. The roots of the hostas were both above and below the plastic because when you give a plant a tough situation, it’s going to find away. The rocks are part of my HOA’s design aesthetic so I can only work around the edges to make things healthier for the plants around my townhouse. Wish me luck!

#rockmulch #justsaynotorockmulch #replanting #hydrangeas #provenwinnerscolorchoiceshrubs #letsdancehydrangeas

Too many blooms weighing down your hydrangea? Clip

Too many blooms weighing down your hydrangea? Clip a few off for dried arrangements. I follow the method from Laura of @GardenAnswer. Cut the branches at an angle between two nodes and put them in a vase with just 2 inches of water. That’s it! Don’t add more water. Just let them dry in the vase. You can leave them there for winter decor or use them in fall and winter decorating projects. Easy!

#gardendecor #falldecorating #hydrangeas #FirstEditionsVanillaStrawberryHydrangea #driedflowers #easyproject

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