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Our Blog

From plant care tips to seasonal inspiration, our blog is packed with expert advice, creative ideas, and practical solutions to help your garden thrive year-round.

Perennials, Seasonal

The Best Perennials to Plant Right Now in Coastal Virginia

Early May is one of the best times to plant perennials in Coastal Virginia. The soil has warmed up, nights are comfortable, and plants can establish quickly before the real...

DIY, Plants, Seasonal

How to Make Low-Maintenance Spring Containers for Busy Schedules

Spring color doesn’t have to come with a long to-do list. If your schedule is packed but you still want a front porch, patio, or deck that feels fresh and...

Plants, Seasonal

How to Grow Million Bells & Petunias for Nonstop Spring Color

If you want nonstop spring-to-fall color in hanging baskets, containers, and sunny garden beds, few plants deliver quite like Calibrachoa (Million Bells) and Petunias. These fast-growing annuals are favorites for...

Plants, Seasonal

5 Must-Have Annual Blooms in Stock Right Now for Your Spring Garden

Spring planting season is happening now in Hampton Roads, and if you’re looking to refresh your garden with reliable color, we’ve got your dream lineup. These blooms are easy to...

Plants, Seasonal

Table to Porch: Decorating with Easter Plants

Easter decorating starts with the plants themselves. Choosing classic Easter plants not only brings beauty into your home, but also adds deeper seasonal meaning through symbolism, color, and tradition. If...

Birding, Outdoor, Trees & Shrubs

Top 5 Spring-Blooming Shrubs That Attract Birds

Spring is one of the most exciting times to welcome birds back into the garden and the right shrubs can turn your space into a lively, colorful habitat almost overnight....

Plants

How to Help Your Hydrangeas Thrive All Summer Long

Hydrangeas are (in our opinion) one of the undisputed queens of the summer garden. They are reliable bloomers that brighten borders, foundation plantings, and containers alike....

Plants

Best Heat-Tolerant Perennials for Low-Maintenance Summer Color

Looking for a long lasting color that can handle the summer heat without constant care? These heat tolerant perennials are your best bet....

Plants

Top 10 Natives & Nativars for a Low-Maintenance Garden Hampton Roads

Natives are getting a lot of attention these days, and for good reason. They can be better adapted to our hot humid summers, generally drought tolerant once established, and attract...

Plants

Don’t Make These 7 Mistakes if You’re Container Gardening

Container gardening is one of the most flexible and rewarding ways to grow plants, but even the simplest pots can lead to frustration if you’re not careful!...

Plants

Gifts That Grow: Our Top Picks for the Gardening Mom

Mother’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate the moms who’ve nurtured us with love, wisdom, and a little bit of dirt under their fingernails....

Plants

Top 10 Shrubs That Shine in Spring

Now that it’s April (and almost May!), now is the moment when some of our favorite spring blooming shrubs begin to show off their best features....

Houseplants

3 Ways to Optimize Your Weekends with Indoor Gardening

Are you looking for a way to add some life and creativity to your weekends? Indoor gardening can not only provide you with a fun hobby but a way for...

Houseplants

7 Things You Need to Know about Dendrobium Orchids

Dendrobium orchids are a true sight to behold, with their delicate petals and striking hues. These tropical flowers seem to fit gracefully into any space, their ethereal beauty captivating all...

Houseplants

Our Top 5 Spooky Succulents & Cacti of the Season

Mums, pansies, and pumpkins line the doorways of homes all across Hampton Roads, especially for this upcoming weekend of tricks and treats....

Houseplants

Solutions for the Top 5 Most Common Houseplant Pests

Part of loving and caring for our houseplants is also keeping an eye out for things that may hurt them. Pests are a part of life, but there are a...

Houseplants

Catch the Wave on this New and Unique Succulent, String of Dolphins

There’s a new succulent on the scene , String of Dolphins. This playful, succulent variety, otherwise known as Flying Dolphins, the Dolphin Necklace, or by its scientific name Senecio Peregrinus,...

Houseplants

How to Care for Monstera by Espoma

07: stera Monstera From large, sculptural plants to charming succulence, there's a place for houseplants in every home. Green plants add textural interest, fill in drab corners, and soften architectural...

Edible

What’s the Difference Between a Fruit and a Vegetable?

If you’re here to settle a produce aisle bet on matters of semantics where edible plant varieties are concerned 'What is the difference between a fruit and a vegetable?” you...

Edible

Clusters of Cool-Season-Color, Ornamental Kale

Ornamental Kale Glamour Red Ornamental Kal Peacock Series, White Peacock Series, Red Looks aren’t everything, but there really isn’t any other cool weather annual that can provide the foliage texture...

Edible

Unbeatable Flower Power – Coneflower PowWow® Wild Berry

Acclaimed for their cheery, brightly colored flowers, coneflowers (echinacea) are a mainstay in summer garden. These long blooming perennials are easy to grow and maintain, and make a great addition...

Edible

Plum Crazy for Alternanthera Plum Dandy

Alternanthera is delightful foliage plant that is both easy to grow and care for. Although these plants don’t have interesting blooms, they more than make up for it with their...

Edible

Good Things Come in Small Packages, Compact Short Snack Cucumbers & Mascotte’ Dwarf Bush Beans

Chef Jeff Veggies, McDonald Garden Center Chef Jeff Veggies, McDonald Garden Center Cucumber Short Snack & Mascotte' Dwarf Bush Bean In the world of gardening, bigger is not always better....

Edible

Double Mint Gardenia, for Double the Blooms and More

It's easy to fall in love with gardenias, the belle of the southern garden, and the queen of fragrant flowers. With their lush, evergreen leaves, snow white blossoms, intoxicating scent...

Gardening Care

5 Best Mulching Practices for Spring

One of the most important aspects of spring that is often overlooked is mulch! Keeping your garden beds mulched not only looks good but helps your plants and trees from...

Gardening Care

Fescue – The Grass of Fall

As we approach the end of the summer season, the heat makes us forget the cool weather to come. Along with the mums, ornamental peppers, pumpkins, and so much more...

Gardening Care

Top 10 Watering Tips for the Summer

Summertime is the highlight of the year for bursting blooms and new growth in your garden. During these especially ths, watering becomes the most essential element to keeping your plants...

Gardening Care

Watering Tips During Drought Conditions

We've been lucky to have such amazing, sunny weather here recently, but our plants haven't been getting much rainwater. This recent dry spell in addition to the periods of heavy...

Gardening Care

How to Feed Plants in the Landscape

How to Feed the Plants in the Landscape McDonald Green Leaf, Traditional and Organic All plants require specific nutrients from the soil....

Gardening Care

Waterwise, A Guide to Summer Watering

Hampton Roads' summers are long, hot and humid, and we're approaching that time of year when water becomes the essential elixir in your garden....

Seasons

Fraser Fir, the Tried & True Christmas Tree

Fresh Cut Fraser Fir Fraser Firs Fresh off the Truck Beautiful Blue Green Needles with Great Needle Retention 'The Christmas tree is a symbol of love, ey....

Seasons

The Holiday Lookbook for 2019 is Here!

The McDonald Christmas Shoppe Gingerbread Houses Ornaments in all shapes, sizes and styles Baby it's Cold Outside Theme McDonald Gift Cards Perfect for the gardener who has everything!...

Seasons

What to Sow and Grow in May

Zinnias Beans Cilantro Butterfly Weed (Asclepias Tuberosa) Basil Marigolds Starting plants from seed is one of the most exciting and rewarding gardening activities, and careful plant selection allows gardeners to...

Seasons

Beyond Bouquets, Romantic Plants for Valentine’s Day

Loropetalum, Ever Red® Fringe Flower Viburnum, Snowball Rose, Sweet Mademoiselle™ Rose, Plum Perfect™ Sunbelt® Pink Double Knock Out® Rose Blueberry, Sunshine Blue by Kate Karam, rovia The here today, gone...

Seasons

Holiday Wreaths, Not Just for the Front Door

On the Front Door As a Centerpiece In a Bedroom In the Kitchen On a Mirror When it comes to holiday decorating, wreath, fresh or faux, are a timeless symbol...

Seasons

Celebrate National Poinsettia Day

National Poinsettia Day 2018 Red Gltter Winter Rose Picasso Ice Punch Traditional Red It's December 12th, and that means it's National Poinsettia Day!...

Outdoor

Landscape Blog Series: Winter Birding

The McDonald Garden Center Landscape Design and Installation division is one of the cornerstones of our organization. Landscapes are a way for gardeners to express themselves, and their space, while...

Outdoor

The Most Haunted Porch on the Block

It’s finally here...the spookiest time of the year! Halloween is almost upon us and it is time to prepare for all the little ghouls and goblins that come to your...

Outdoor

A Real Gem in the Landscape, Baby Gem Boxwood

Boxwoods have been the backbone of Southern gardens for centuries and are one of the most popular shrubs in landscape design....

Outdoor

Get Your Landscape Hurricane Ready

As the threat of Isaias approaches, we’ve prepared a checklist to prepare your landscape for the winds and flooding Hampton Roads may experience....

Outdoor

LUSCIOUS® Marmalade Lantana, A Sweet Addition to Your Landscape

Luscious® Marmalade Lantana Luscious® Marmalade Lantana Luscious® Marmalade Lantana Few plants supply as much long lasting, reliable color as lantana....

Outdoor

Hot Color to Light Up the Landscape, Heuchera Fire Alarm

Set your landscape ablaze with this spectacular flaming red heuchera variety, Fire Alarm. A real show stopper in any season, this heuchera features big, glossy foliage that is bright red...

Wildlife

We’re Over-the-Moon for this One, Asian Moon Butterfly Bush

As fragrant as it is beautiful, the butterfly bush (buddleja) is a must have for ny spot in your garden. The long flower spikes of colorful, nectar rich blooms appear...

Wildlife

Nectar Gardening for Butterflies, Honey Bees & Native Bees

07: arch Butterly Bees Butterflies & arch Butterfly By Michelle Peterson, St. Lucie County Master Gardener Plants produce nectar as a means of attracting insects, birds and other potential pollinators....

Wildlife

Tips on Creating a Successful Butterfly Garden

Butterfly Gardens Host and Nectar Plants Milkweed Lantana We’re pretty sure when Jeffery Osborne wrote “On the Wings of Love,” in 1982, he was not belting out romanticisms to his...

Wildlife

Plant a Pollinator-Friendly Garden

Create a pollinator friendly garden with nectar rich blooms, host plants, and simple habitat upgrades that support bees and butterflies....

Wildlife

ALL THAT FLUTTERS…THE TALE OF CHUNK THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY

Chunk is FINALLY arch Butterfly!...

Wildlife

It’s National Pollinator Week

Pollinators positively affect all our lives let's SAVE them and CELEBRATE them. How do pollinators affect your life? Well, if you’ve ever eaten a blueberry, chocolate bar or tomato, then...

GET THIS LOOK!

DO IT YOURSELF STRING GARDENS Some call it string art, some call it Kokedama and some just call it unique. Whatever you call it, these interesting moss covered gardens held...

GET THIS LOOK!

DO IT YOURSELF LIVING VALENTINE This year, give your Valentine a living gift made by your own two hands. All you need are just a few materials and some beautiful...

Get this look!

DO IT YOURSELF CONTAINER GARDENS From succulents to blooms, create container combinations with a blend of the season's hottest plants....

Get this look!

DO IT YOURSELF SUCCULENT CONTAINER This drought tolerant container will offer non stop interest all season long and for seasons to come....

Get this look!

DO IT YOURSELF LIVING WREATH A living wreath is fresh and easy way to decorate for spring. Try a blooming wreath on a fence panel, front porch or even use...

GET THIS LOOK!

DO IT YOURSELF CHRISTMAS CONTAINER Creating an outdoor arrangement of fresh greens in an urn or other container is a wonderful way to add holiday cheer and life to your...

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Laxmi Jayaraj (Lux)

Jul 2025

McDonald Garden Center feels like a second home. Plants are always healthy and well cared for. Staff are warm, patient, and generous with their wisdom.

K. F.

Feb 2025

Had a great time at Plantopia HousePlant Adoption Day. Plants are top notch, great selection. Staff are awesome, friendly and knowledgeable, and give great tips.

John Vaquerano

Jan 2023

Marissa and Erin treated us like long lost nursery mates. I got great advice, and will definitely be back. I highly recommend this place.

Elizabeth Cannon

Jun 2025

Associate helped me pick the right planter, fertilized him, and topped with decorative rocks. All for an incredibly reasonable price and caring smiles.

Sebastian Mot

Jan 2020

This place is MASSIVE and has anything you could ever want. The succulent selection is huge, and the staff is very helpful.

Joyce Drakeford

Jan 2019

So knowledgeable. Friendly service each and every time. Find the perfect plant for every spot in your yard. Been a customer for years.