The Grand Garden Show Rocked!

This epic garden show keeps getting better! This was the fifth year the Grand Garden Show was hosted at The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in northern Michigan. Over 500 gardeners representing 32 states were in attendance. This show is a bucket list MUST (at least in my opinion). The combination of great speakers, educational…

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Proven Winners Grand Garden Show

There truly is nothing like the Grand Garden Show at The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in northern Michigan. Combine a remarkable, first-rate garden symposium, with escorted tours of magnificent private gardens all taking place in an idyllic island setting with no cars (only horse-drawn carriages and bicycles) and POOF…. You have a one-of-a-kind experience.…

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Supertunia Lovie Dovie

Supertunia ‘Lovie Dovie’ I have found a new love. Supertunia ‘Lovie Dovie’ has exceeded my wildest dreams for non-stop, flashy color that needs little input from me. I potted it up in May, added some slow release organic fertilizer (Espoma Plant-tone) and went on with my business. Other than providing water as needed, (it is…

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Gorgeous Flowering Shrubs with No Deer Damage

I have the special honor and opportunity to evaluate plants that are either new to the retail market or will be released in the upcoming year. I was tickled pink last week when two huge boxes from Santa Clause (Proven Winners and Spring Meadow Nursery, a wholesale grower) landed on my front porch. Inside were…

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Ceanothus Marie Bleu

Ceanothus ‘Marie Bleu’ (New Jersey Tea) I recently discovered this mesmerizing spring flowering shrub. Caenothus ‘Marie Bleu’ has masses of soft blue flowers that are followed by glossy red seed heads in late summer. It grows to 24” to 36” tall and prefers sun to part sun. ‘Marie Bleu’ is drought tolerant and flowers on…

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Supertunia Really Red

Supertunia ‘Really Red’ This petunia is a showboat, and I love it! The bold, REALLY red flowers are large and numerous. This is a new Supertunia from Proven Winners. I first saw it last winter from across an exhibit hall at a green industry trade. I just planted a sweep of ‘Really Red’ in front…

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Outstanding No-Fuss Annual

Isotoma axillaris ‘Beth’s Blue Procrastination will cost you with this beauty. ‘Beth’s Blue’ starflower tends to fly out of a garden center as soon as it is unloaded from the delivery truck. The mesmerizing lavender flowers dance gracefully atop lacy foliage. Beth’s Blue requires full sun and grows to 12” – 14”. No deadheading required.…

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A Bucket-List Must – Proven Winners Grand Garden Show

I think it is fair to say that you have NEVER experienced anything like Proven Winners Grand Garden Show hosted at The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan (unless you have already attended a previous show). This unique garden program kicks off Sunday, August 27 with a lavish hot and cold hors d’oeuvres reception and…

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Proven Winners Embraces Neonic-Free Plants

For the past few years I’ve had the opportunity to work with Proven Winners, a premier plant company that is committed to offering gardeners high performing annuals, perennials and shrubs. Their plants have passed extensive trials from coast to coast in the U.S. as well as in Germany and Japan. No surprise that I use…

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