plants

Plants that can accommodate outdoor living spaces

Plants add aesthetic appeal to any landscape. A pop of plant-produced color here and there can complement any landscape, but homeowners also can use plants to liven up hardscapes as well. Outdoor living spaces are more than just places to relax. A recent survey from Green Builder Media found that...

Plants that can deter insects and wildlife

Few things can upset an otherwise beautiful and relaxing day spent in an outdoor living space more quickly than insects and pests. Whether it's mosquitoes trying to bite homeowners and their guests, flies looking to land on food, or wildlife leaving trails of excrement throughout a yard, these...

Perennials to consider for your garden this year

Gardening is a rewarding hobby that provides a great reason to get outdoors. Getting one's hands dirty in the garden often pays off with a colorful, awe-inspiring and aesthetically appealing finished product. Perennials are plants that live multiple years. Even though perennials may die back above...

Native plants support wildlife and sustainability in Minnesota gardens

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Echinacea may reseed and produce young plants that usually wait to bloom till their second year. Native plants have naturally evolved in a specific region over thousands of years. They are well-adapted to the local climate and soil...

Drought-resistant plants and trees

A beautiful landscape adds considerable aesthetic appeal to a property and an awe-inspiring lawn and garden can greatly improve resale value. In fact, the American Society of Landscape Architects claims landscaping can increase a home's resale value by as much as 20 percent, a contention that...

Shielding woody perennials: protect your plants from winter woes

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Winter in Minnesota is tough—not just on us, but also on our trees and shrubs. Snow, ice, and road salt can really take a toll on woody perennials, leaving them bent, broken, or even dead by spring. But don’t worry! You can help your...

Reblooming plants reflect the growing season

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Lilacs blooming out of season are referred to as being "remontant." Photo: Allan Paul Eilen Lilacs usually bloom in spring, but many people are seeing them bloom again now. Why? Like so much in Minnesota, the weather has a lot to do...

How will this warm winter affect my plants?

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu How will this unusually warm winter affect my garden, lawn, trees and shrubs? Will pests be a bigger problem? Can I still prune my fruit trees? Plant dormancy is affected by day length and temperature. Plants slowly start moving into...

A new plant hardiness zone map from the USDA

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu With its higher resolution and more accurate zonal information, the new USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PHZM) can be helpful as you plan your garden or landscape. However, it's good to remember that while the PHZM is a helpful resource, it...

Exploring African plants

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu University of Minnesota collaboration on traditional plants broadens to include more farmers and gardeners from African nations. Most Minnesota gardeners and farmers have never heard of jute mallow. Nor kittley. Nor spider wisp. But there...