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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.

Edible Gardening

A Snackable Garden: Edible Plants You Can Actually Get Excited About

If you’ve been thinking about growing your own food, now is the time to get into edible gardening. Here in USDA Zones 7-8, May is one of the best planting...

Plants

Flower Bomb Mom: The Ultimate Guide to Gifting with Plants

This Mother’s Day, skip the expected and go full bloom.A thoughtfully chosen plant isn’t just a gift, it’s something that grows, lasts, and reminds Mom of you long after the...

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...

Houseplants, Plants

Valentine’s Day Houseplants that Actually Bloom Indoors

Let’s be honest, Valentine’s cut flowers are beautiful…for about a week. Then they’re gone. If you’re looking for a gift that lasts longer than dinner reservations and chocolate, blooming houseplants...

Houseplants, Plants

The Surprisingly Simple Care of Orchids

Orchids have a reputation. Elegant, striking, and maybe even a little intimidating. Many label them as high‑maintenance houseplants best left to experts. But here’s the truth: orchids are far...

Plants

The Right Way to Plant Trees and Shrubs This Fall

Fall is one of the best times to plant trees and shrubs. With more mild temperatures, new plants can focus on developing strong roots before winter sets in....

Plants

Fall Planting Strategies for a Stunning Spring Garden

Just because the temperatures are dropping doesn’t mean your time in the garden is over. In fact, fall might be one of the best times to get your hands dirty....

Plants

Top 7 Shrubs to Plant This Autumn

Autumn offers one of the very best windows for planting, and it’s especially ideal for shrubs that anchor your landscape....

Plants

Planting for Fall: The Best Annuals & Perennials for Seasonal Color

As the summer heat begins to fade, fall offers gardeners a fresh opportunity to bring vibrant color and texture back into their landscapes....

Houseplants

Pothos 101: The Easiest Houseplant You’ll Ever Grow

Let us introduce you to the MVP of easy care houseplants: pothos! This trailing vine is practically indestructible, making it the perfect choice for beginners, busy plant parents, or anyone...

Houseplants

5 Indoor Ferns That Flourish in Winter

Winter is a great time to bring some greenery indoors, and ferns are an awesome way to do it. These ancient plants have been around forever (literally, they’re some of...

Houseplants

Multiply the Green: Easy Propagation Tips for Indoor Plants

Ever wished you could turn one plant into many? Propagation is like plant magic, allowing you to grow new greenery from what you already have....

Houseplants

Houseplant Hits: Our 5 Must-Have Picks This Month

If your indoor space needs a new life and a little greenery after the holidays, houseplants are the perfect solution. th, we’ve selected five houseplant superstars that are easy to...

Houseplants

Taylor’s Garden: Houseplant Picks Taylor-ed to Your Favorite Era

Welcome to your go to guide for houseplant picks Taylor ed to your favorite era! Inspired by Taylor Swift's iconic albums, we've curated a collection of houseplants that perfectly reflect...

Houseplants

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Bromeliads

Bromeliads are more than just pretty decorations; they are fascinating organisms with a plethora of secrets waiting to be uncovered....

Edible

How to Get Into Herb Gardening

As spring emerges into its full season, many gardening enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the opportunity to cultivate fresh herbs in their gardens....

Edible

Savor the Seasons: Chef Jeff’s Fresh Herb and Veggie Inspirations

Fresh Garden Salsa: A Fiesta for Your Taste Buds It's time to enjoy the tantalizing allure of garden fresh salsa with plump tomatoes mingling with fiery jalapenos, dancing alongside zesty...

Edible

3 Herb Cocktails Worth Celebrating

Welcome, cocktail enthusiasts and herb lovers alike, to a realm where taste buds are tantalized, senses are enchanted, and the beauty of herb gardening intertwines with the art of mixology....

Edible

From Garden to Table: Exploring the Sustainable Benefits of Tomatoes

Tomatoes are not only a delicious choice for your salads and sauces, but are also a smart choice for the environmentally conscious among us....

Edible

5 Tips for When You are Sowing Your Fall Veggies

Can you believe it’s already time to start thinking about fall? For veggie gardeners, now is the perfect time to start planning and sewing seeds for your fall veggie garden....

Edible

The Berry Best – Everything You Need to Know About Growing Berries

Fresh berries, ripe for the picking, are some of the best reasons to garden in the summer. Berries are one of our favorite edible plants to grow, and getting started...

Gardening Care

The Do’s and Don’ts of Winter Pruning

Winter is a time of rest for many plants, but for gardeners, it can be the best season to shape up the garden for the year ahead....

Gardening Care

Fall Mulching Myth Busters: What Not to Do and How to Do It Right

One key task for fall garden prep is mulching. Mulch not only helps protect your plants from frost but also enriches the soil, retains moisture, and prevents weeds....

Gardening Care

Our Top 5 Tips for a Better, Fuller Lawn

Dreaming of the perfect lawn, but just can’t quite get there? The secret to a better, fuller lawn lies in understanding the basics of seeding, feeding, and soil care....

Gardening Care

Which Mulch is Best for Your Landscape?

Mulch is like the icing on the cake for your garden beds , it not only adds a finishing touch to your landscape but also serves a multitude of purposes....

Gardening Care

Our Guide to Grass Plugs

Often overlooked in favor of seeds or sod, grass plugs offer a unique set of benefits that can transform lawns and landscapes in remarkable ways....

Gardening Care

Why Do You Need to Seed & Feed? The Secret to a Lush and Healthy Lawn

A well maintained lawn is not only a source of pride, but also a relaxing place for outdoor activities and social gatherings....

Seasons

Embracing 2024: Transitioning Your Houseplants into the New Year

The new year is soon approaching and as we bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, our houseplants join us on this journey of transition....

Seasons

5 Newest Holiday Houseplants in Stock

‘Tis the season to add a touch of greenery to your festive decor! As the holidays approach, what better way to spruce up your home than with some vibrant and...

Seasons

5 Tips for Planting Spring Bulbs

One of the most important aspects of fall gardening is the preparation for the upcoming spring season with spring blooming bulbs!...

Seasons

Blooming through the Heat: Essential Tips for Summer Plant Care

Summer is here, and so is the ! While you might be planning beach trips and ice cream indulgences, spare a thought for your leafy companions that bear the brunt...

Seasons

Valentine’s Day Prep

As Valentine’s day approaches, you may want to start thinking about the quick gifts you want to grab, whether that’s a heartfelt card, a box of chocolates, or a bottle...

Seasons

5 Ways to Keep Your Houseplants Happy in January

January has arrived and we are so thrilled for a new year of gardening indoors and out! Now is the perfect time to prepare your houseplants for the ths of...

Outdoor

Beyond the Porch: 7 Creative Ways to Use Hanging Baskets

Hanging baskets are a classic way to add a splash of color to your porch or patio, but they can do so much more than just hang by the front...

Outdoor

How to Prepare your Landscape for the Summer Months Ahead

Make a Plan: Summer is a great time for fast growth in trees, shrubs, and especially perennials. One way to ensure they have everything they need to take off, is...

Outdoor

Transform Your Yard with Hardscaping: Paver Patios, Walkways, Rock Gardens, and Natural Stones

Hardscaping is an essential aspect of landscaping that focuses on the non living elements of your yard. It involves the use of materials like natural stones, pavers, rocks and other...

Outdoor

The Best 5 Outdoor Plants for a Gorgeous Spring Garden

Spring is the season of renewal, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by filling your garden with vibrant blooms and lush greenery....

Outdoor

Why Add Landscape Lighting to Your Home?

Outdoor lighting is often seen as an extra touch, but it plays a much bigger role in transforming your space. The right lighting can highlight architectural details, illuminate pathways for...

Outdoor

Spruce Up Their Season: Giving Fresh-Cut Wreaths and Porch Pots for Christmas

There’s something magical about the scent of fresh cut evergreens during the holiday season. A whiff of pine, fir, or cedar has the power to instantly transport you to a...

Wildlife

Help Save the Monarch Butterfly

Some very sad news has crossed the world this rsday, July 21st, as our arch butterflies are officially on the “Red List”....

Wildlife

Top 10 Pollinator Friendly Plants

It’s a Pollinator Palooza at McDonald Garden Center! This week, June 20th 26th, 2022, is National Pollinator Week. This week is one of the most important of the year, as...

Wildlife

What Every Garden Needs for Hummingbirds, Bees, & Butterflies

We love seeing busy bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds flitting about the garden center as they pollinate our vast collection of plants....

Wildlife

Creating a Pollinator Paradise

McDonald Garden Center welcomes National Pollinator Week as one of the most anticipated events of the year! We are celebrating this week long event by dedicating it to the conservation...

Wildlife

Pollinator of the Week: Bees

National Pollinator Week is almost here! McDonald Garden Center, along with the rest of America, will be celebrating this week long event....

Wildlife

Pollinator of the Week: Butterflies

To celebrate the upcoming 2021 National Pollinator Week, June 21st 27th, we are celebrating our favorite pollinators and plants that help the world go round....

How to Make a Fresh Cut Wreath

Creating a beautiful wreath to adorn your home is an essential activity during the holiday season. With just a handful of materials and a dash of creativity, you can craft...

The Unbelievably Entertaining Journey of the Poinsettia: From Fever Fighter to Festive Decor

Ah, the poinsettia, those vibrant, red plants that seem to pop up everywhere during the holiday season. They grace many places around the United States from the halls of the...

How to Make A Scarecrow

Our Make A Scarecrow Event is coming up this weekend so we wanted to teach you how to make a scarecrow that'll not only protect your garden from pesky pests...

How to Make Houseplants Rebloom

Cattleya Hybrid Orchid Citrus Kalanchoe Anthurium Bromeliad If you're a houseplant enthusiast, you know that getting your plants to bloom can be a bit of a challenge....

How to Make a Holiday Butter Board

Dazzle your guests this holiday season with the one and only McDonald Garden Center butter board! You only need a few fantastic ingredients to get started: Your choice of spreadable...

How to Build a Scarecrow

Building scarecrows is an over 20 year tradition here at McDonald Garden Center. Every year at our Make A Scarecrow event, we partner with The King’s Daughters, the founding organization...

Community & Events

Top 5 Trends for Christmas. Holiday Open House Preview

Lights Simplux Candles Invisilites Lifelike Trees Coastal Pillows Coastal Handtowels The cider is simmering, lights are twinkling, and the greenhouse is shimmering....

Community & Events

Cusine de Jardin – Featured Confections from the Cooking with Herbs Seminar

Moelleux au Chocolat Pot de Crème a la Lavande Chef Manu Molion Craving a little sweetness is not unfamiliar to any of us and for those of you who were...

Community & Events

STAFF FAVORITE HOMESTEAD PURPLE” VERBENA”

Michelle, Assistant Store Manager, shares one of her favorite perennials. My pick is trailing ‘Homestead Purple’ verbena. Although we have a wide selection of annual verbenas in many colors, this...

Community & Events

STAFF PICK ‘EBONY FLAME’ AND ‘EBONY IVORY’ CREPE MYRTLES

Staff Pick: Mike Crepe myrtles “The Locals' Favorite” have two standouts “Ebony Flame,” a black leaved variety with brilliant red blossoms and “Ebony Ivory,” also with black leaves and pure...

Community & Events

STAFF FAVORITE ‘CHUCK HAYES’ GARDENIA

| Store Manager Even though the gardenia is famed for its intoxicatingly sweet, fragrant flowers, the Chuck Hayes Gardenia is my favorite plant for a variety of reasons....

Community & Events

Staff Fall Favorites Week

Meghan, Sunshine Ligustrum Steve, Pumpkins Rachael, Indoor Pottery JT, Ornamental Grasses Joann, Twisted Orange Celosia Andrea, Fall Decor Like many of you, our staff here at McDonald Garden Center loves...

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.