Summertime planting requires special attention to ensuring that plants (and you) are stressed as little as possible. Dig a well-prepared hole, with lots of composted organic matter when temperatures are expected to be cooler and treat the root ball gently. Misting, if temperatures climb higher than expected can be helpful, especially if the plant is wilted or demonstrates other signs of stress (like brown leaf tips). To see if the plant is well-watered, push your finger into the dug area. If it's moist, it might be better to not over-water, and generally it is better to water infrequently and deeply than often and shallow.

‍There are many native plant species that we can plant that will benefit our native insects, birds and mammals: Milkweed, Joe Pye and aster for monarchs and other butterflies. Serviceberries, pawpaw, dogwoods and viburnums for fruit-eating birds and other creatures. Coral honeysuckles, cross vine and American wisteria for nectar-loving species. There are hundreds of species that can find their way into your gardens: Redbuds, oaks, hickories, elms and maples; Maryland golden aster, pipevine, yellow wood poppies, golden alexanders; Christmas, maidenhair and royal ferns; Rhododendrons, anise and other hyssops and black cohosh, bluebells, false indigo and coneflower, just to name a few. Peruse our species lists in each category to see which plants pique your interest.

We have many botanic delights from which to choose, many of which are not on our website! Come by to see, learn and enjoy. Ideally, you might like to plant a succession of blooms and plant forms to provide visual beauty, as well as nectar, seeds and fruits for those species which are dependent upon them, through each season.

Native wildflowers, trees and shrubs are in decline, but you can help them to recolonize your area by integrating them into your landscape.

Our address is 5200 West Heaps Road, Pylesville, MD 21132. (410)836-0500.

Stop by for a visit!

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