Choosing Perennials for your Yard - Mickman Brothers Landscape Design

Perennials are herbaceous plants that tolerate the cold and will come back each spring.  Perennial plants can be used in a flower garden or they can be used to add seasonal interest to a shrub bed.

Planning out your bed before you purchase plants will help avoid a haphazard look and save you money in the long run.  Designing the bed on paper or consulting a designer will ensure that the bed will be successful.

Consider the characteristics of each plant and the site where the bed is located.  When selecting plants for your bed make a list of the following:

• When does it bloom and for how long?
• Mature height and width, (determines scale with other plants)
• Soil, moisture and light requirements

Group your plants with the same light and soil requirements together first. Then consider color combinations and blooming times. Doing this simple process will ensure the health of the plants, and a full season of blooms.

Contributed by the Mickman Brothers Landscape Design Team

Contact us at 763-434-3346 or
landscape.manager@mickman.com

www.mickman.com

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Choosing Shrubs - Mickman Brothers Landscape Design

Shrubs can provide many years of color and seasonal interest in your yard, but a wrong choice can become a problem over time. Determining the characteristics of a plant first, will help you narrow down the choices and avoid mistakes that will haunt you.

Bella Anna Hydrangea

 It is important that you select the right plant for the space and effect that you want.

 These are primary elements for choosing plants.

1.  Mature height and width
2.  Texture and Color (all seasons)
3.  The plants shape or form (consider the other plants near it)

 Secondary elements

1.  Lighting- full sun or shade
2.  Moisture requirements (drought or moisture tolerance)
3.  Soil adaptability (drainage, ph levels)

Contributed by the Mickman Brothers Landscape Design Team

Contact us at 763-434-3346 or
landscape.manager@mickman.com

www.mickman.com
Find us on Facebook!
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Pin us on Pinterest! 

Photo courtesy of Bailey Nurseries, Inc.

Must Have Tools for Gardeners - Mickman Brothers Garden Center

Hand Trowel & Cultivator

Hand Trowel - Great for planting annuals, perennials, and digging out tough weeds.  I always look for one with a sturdy handle-to-scoop connection.  I am a little rough on them and they tend to bend or break at that point.  I also like trowels with a ruled side on the scoop.  This comes in handy when planting fall bulbs at specific depths.  

Bypass Pruner

Watering Nozzle

Bypass Pruner - This type of pruner works like a pair of scissors where the blades pass each other to make a nice clean cut.  A bypass pruner can cut branches and stems up to ¾” in diameter.  They can vary in price a lot, but the most important aspect of a good hand pruner is keeping the blade sharp.  A dull blade may shred a stem and it will have a harder time healing.

Adjustable Watering Nozzle – These can come as Spray Guns or Watering Wands.  Watering Wands are great for reaching those hanging baskets without getting out the ladder or taking them down.  Spray Guns have an adjustable nozzle.  Some of the settings include:  Stream, Shower, Fan, Mist, Soaker, etc.  The one I use the most is Shower.  This setting gives a nice soft watering without “blasting” the tender plants.

You could certainly fill a whole potting shed with the amount of Garden Related Gadgets available. But if you have just these three, it will make your gardening experience much easier.

Plant what makes you smile!

Randy Brott

Mickman Brothers Garden Center Manager

14630 Hwy 65, Ham Lake, MN  55304  

763.413.3000

randall.brott@mickman.com

www.mickman.com

 

Other useful links:

www.homeandgardenideas.com

www.gardeningknowhow.com

www.todaysgardencenter.com