Blogs by Year

NEW: LANAI TWISTER PINK VERBENA

If a stroll around your neighborhood this spring and summer and notice a pinker-than-usual palette -- don’t be too surprised. There’s a good chance that you’re witnessing the effects of “Pink Day!” Join McDonald Garden Center and Sentara, on Saturday, April 28, and help the fight against breast cancer. Visit any of the McDonald year-round or Garden Market locations and purchase from a variety of pink plants including pink Geraniums, Petunias, Azaleas and Knockout Roses and 15% of the proceeds will support breast cancer research and prevention.

Landscaping with water-wise plants, often referred to as Xeriscaping, is a great way to recognize Earth Day. Water-wise plants are adapted to local conditions and generally grow better. They also require less maintenance and ~ of course use less water! There are a wide variety of colorful, fragrant and beautiful plants that fit this description and most have long blooming seasons. By selecting plants that will thrive in dry conditions, you can save on your water bills – and help the environment, too. Here’s some of our top choices:

IMPATIENS

You don’t have to be a member of the Royal Family to have the precious gem in your garden. Gardenia ‘Crown Jewel’ offers many of the sought-after traits of it’s parents; the double-bloom and cold hardiness of ‘Chuck Hayes’ and the heavy bloom set of and prolific flowering of ‘Kleim’s Hardy'. Featuring medium-sized, double fragrant blooms and bright green foliage that blooms in early summer, this compact Gardenia reigns supreme over other varieties with improved cold-hardiness. Crown Jewel makes an excellent container plant or small foundation shrub.

SUNCATCHER PINK LEMONADE PETUNIA

Looking to heat things up in your garden this spring and summer? This hot, NEW ice plant variety pairs fiery purple with orange for a one of kind bi-color flower that covers shiny, apple green, succulent foliage.

Spring has sprung and so have the blooms! The dogwoods, cherry blossoms, daffodils, tulips and even geraniums are all blooming and surrounding us with beauty. These early spring bloomers offer a welcome relief and get the gardening season going. However, there are lots of plants that need those warmer days of summer to really get going.

We are so egg-cited about the arrival of spring and the upcoming Easter holiday! Our growers put together the perfect plant combination ideal for your holiday decorating. These combos also make a egg-cellent gift!The “Easter Parade” Urbanna planter is filled with a colorful combination of beautiful spring annuals and perennial plants. Each ready-made container features cascading Mexican Feather Grass, trailing Suncatcher Pink Lemonade Petunias, pink Dianthus and purple Alyssum. Perfect for any porch, patio, deck or entryway, this planter will last all season long!

Do you have an area that just needs a little green? Jeepers Creepers are just the thing for you! Characterized by a its low, slow creeping habit, Jeepers Creepers are perennials with colorful flowers or leaves, offering unique design possibilities. Durable, tough and tolerant, these plants not only look great but will prosper in the most difficult landscape spots. Ideal for use as a groundcover, lawn substitute, a pathway or even as an edging plant. And, cascading types are perfect in containers where they can spill over the edges or fill in between other plants.