Utah Gardening

Differences between Perennials and Annuals – What’s Best for My Garden?

May 5, 2017 by Becky

WELCOME FRIENDS, Come learn with us!

image: Pixabay

As a novice gardener, I need to know what is the difference between perennials and annuals? Whenever I went to the nursery, I was confused by the terms “annuals” and “perennials.” When choosing plants for your garden it’s important to know the difference, so I thought I would share some of what has made it easier for me to remember.

Annuals

Annuals are plants that came from seeds earlier this spring. You can plant them as seeds or you can purchase them as seedlings or starts in flats and pots. Annuals usually bloom the entire summer until frost kills them. They don’t survive the winter. I remember the plants that are annuals because I have to buy them “annually.”

However there are exceptions, some tropical plants are perennial in a tropical climate, but in Utah’s colder climate, they are annuals. They die every winter and need to be replanted as a new plant. Geranium, Impatiens, and Bougainvillea are good examples of annuals.

Image: Pixabay

Image: Pixabay

Perennials

Perennials that do well in our climate are a different story. Perennials survive our Utah winters in the growing zone 5. They bloom again year after year. The tradeoff is that perennials have a definite blooming season and don’t bloom all summer long. Usually they bloom from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. There are many varieties from evergreen, to shade tolerant, or even drought tolerant. Most die to the ground in fall or winter and spend most of winter dormant. Most perennials like well-drained soil with plenty of organic material in it.

Image: Pixabay

Image: Pixabay

So basically, that’s the difference between perennials and annuals. How long they survive in the climate zone you live in. In the Salt Lake Valley, we are usually a zone 5, and sometimes can be a zone 6, so be sure and talk to one of our expert gardeners to make sure you get the perfect plants for your soil and landscape.

A Word about Placement

Placing a plant in a good site, in a place it will thrive, is one of the most important differences that will make your flower garden successful. In my yard I have hot, sunny sites, cool shady sites, and everything in between. I am always careful not to place a plant that prefers shade, like a Hosta, Fern, or Begonia in a hot sunny spot because it will do poorly. A hosta in the sun will show it’s displeasure with burned, scorched leaves. However, planting a peony, Petunia, or Sunflower in the shade will not produce good results either. Any of our gardeners can help you identify which plants do best in sun, shade, etc.

A Word about Soils

Most soils in Utah are either clay or sand based (like my garden) and will do very well with some organic amendments. For perennials create a 50/50 mix with existing soil. For annuals simply spread a 2-3″ layer of organic amendment evenly on top of the existing soil, then dig or till it in. The hole for perennials should be about twice as wide as the container and an inch or so less in depth. Place the plant in the hole after popping it out of the container. If it’s root bound (lots of white roots wrapping around the soil ball), use a short blade utility knife to make a few shallow, vertical cuts around the root ball to stimulate new root growth. Press the root mass into the hole to make sure there are no voids under the roots and water well using a root starter (we can help you with that at Western Gardens too).

Come see us!

Our garden experts at Western Gardens have a lot of great suggestions to help you get your flower garden blooming all summer long. From root starter to organic compost, we have everything you need. Be sure to visit us on Facebook for specials and daily tips.

What do some of you expert gardeners do to keep your flowers strong and healthy. Feel free to share your experiences here too.

Post revised by Wendy P 5/2017

Plant Summer Blooming bulbs, corms and tubers

May 4, 2017 by Heather Hammerschmidt

Welcome Gardening Friends! Good to see you again.

I love to plant summer blooming flowers and I’ve been dreaming of a cut flower garden all winter. My dream started last fall when I decided to add more spring bulbs to my garden so that I’d have plenty of flowers for cut arrangements. There is something wonderful about bringing your own beautiful blooms indoors and sharing them with friends and neighbors. As I contemplated spring additions to my flower garden, I decided I also needed to add some summer and fall blooms. Specifically, I wanted to add lilies, gladiolas, and dahlias. These summer flowers are usually not available in late fall, so I patiently waited for them to arrive at the store this spring. Now it’s time to plant and I’m so excited to share with you everything you need to know about planting these beauties!

Lilies (Lilium)

Lilies are such gorgeous flowers. Their sturdy stems and large flowers make them great for cutting. There are two main varieties of lilies that we carry at Western Garden Center: Asiatic and Oriental lilies. Asiatic lilies bloom in early summer. They come in a wide range of colors and heights. Oriental lilies tend to bloom later than Asiatic varieties. Oriental lilies like Casa Blanca and Stargazer are wonderfully fragrant. Western Gardens carries lily bulbs in early spring and potted lilies later in the season.

Asiatic and Oriental lilies are cold hardy perennials in Utah and will winter over. Lilies bulbs are scale bulbs and do best if planted as soon as possible. They prefer to be planted when the soil temperature is below 60 degrees. This helps their roots establish before it gets too hot. They need a sunny location with rich organic soil. I amend my soil with Bumper Crop® Soil Builder to give them the best possible start. I plant the bulbs 6- 8 inches deep and 6 inches apart. Plant them in groups of three to make a powerful statement. Make sure they had plenty of room, they don’t like competing for resources with other plants. The picture above gives you a visual of which end should be facing up and which end should be facing down.

Gladiolas (gladiolus)

How I love gladiolas! My grandfather would bring home gladiolas for my grandmother. Gorgeous stately blooms graced her dining room table throughout the summers. I’m planting them for two reasons; first in memory of my grandparents and second because I love how long gladiolas last as cut flowers. Their flowers fade from the bottom of the stem upward. You can continue to cut off the stem as the blossoms fade leaving the fresh blossoms for continued enjoyment. Gladiola corms are available in the spring for planting.

I suggest to plant summer blooming gladiolas each weekend for three consecutive weeks so blooms will last throughout the summer. Gladiolas should be planted after the danger of frost has passed. They need a sunny location. Unlike lilies, they don’t have a problem sharing space with neighboring plants. I will plant them 3-4 inches deep and about 6 inches apart. For a greater impact, I plant them in groups of three or more. Gladiolas are not cold hardy in Utah. In the fall, dig them up and store them over the winter until planting them again next spring. The picture above indicates which direction to plant gladiola corms.

Dahlias

Dahlias are my favorite cut flower. There are so many wonderful varieties in many heights and colors. Some of the shorter varieties bloom from spring until frost. The larger varieties start blooming in late summer and continue blooming into the fall. Western Garden Center carries dahlias in seeds, tubers, and in plant form. This year I’ve chosen to plant some Dinnerplate Dahlias from tubers. They have amazingly large blossoms, hence their name.Dahlias should be planted in rich organic soil, in a sunny spot, and after the last frost. I am planting mine in pots early so I can get them started. I use Gardener’s Gold Organic Potting Soil. They will remain in pots outdoors for awhile so that when I see that temperatures are going to drop I can bring them inside. After the last frost, I will plant them outside. When planting it is important to give them plenty of room. I make sure each tuberous root has space between itself and its neighbors and then I’ll cover them with soil. Last year’s stem (the eye) should just be barely below the surface. Like the gladiolas, dahlias are not cold hardy in Utah. I will dig up the tubers in the fall and store them indoors over the winter until I plant them again next spring. The picture above identifies the eye of the dahlia and its tuberous roots.

Once they’ve all been planted, I’ll feed them regularly with a Gardner & Bloom’s Bud and Bloom Fertilizer. This helps these summer bloomers develop strong roots and beautiful blossoms.

I can’t wait for my first bouquets! What are your favorite cut flowers? Please share in comments below.

May Gardening To-Do List

May 2, 2017 by Western Gardens

Hello Gardening Friends, thanks for stopping by!

If you’re excited to work in your yard or garden, but not sure where to begin, then you’ve come to the right place! We’ve put together a list of things to do throughout the month.

You may not need to do everything on this list. For example, if you don’t have bare patches to reseed or Spring bulb foliage to cut back, skip over those items on the list. Just pick what applies to your home and yard and plan out when you will do it all throughout the month!

May Gardening To-Do List

➺Train your Lawn – Turn Sprinklers On only when needed – Let the lawn tell you when it needs watering. Click here for more details.

➺Lawn Watering – Use a “moisture meter” probe to determine adequate moisture.

➺Water Conservation – Conserve water by watering before 10:00 am or after 6:00 pm.

➺Lawn Aeration – Its not too late if you haven’t already.

➺Set Lawnmower Height to 2½-3 inches. This allows the lawn to “shade” its soil making for a healthier lawn.

➺Lawn Broadleaf Weed Control (Liquid application) – for Dandelions, violets, etc. Weed-A-Lawn is a great product. Spot treat or apply to big areas of lawn where needed. Follow manufacturer’s instructions.

➺Lawn Crabgrass and Spurge – Second application of pre-emergent granular (6 weeks after the first application).

➺Fertilize Lawn with a weed-killing post-emergent granular fertilizer —do NOT water in—apply it to a moist lawn and let it sit for a day

➺Seed Bare Patches in Your Lawn unless you’ve already used a pre-emergent, in which case, wait until September to seed bare patches. Click here for more.

➺Weed, Thin Out & Mulch newly planted seedlings

➺Plant Your Favorite Annuals for beautiful color—most can be safely planted after frost danger has passed (some are hardy enough to be planted earlier, check with your local nursery)

➺Spring Bulbs – Remove Spent Flower Heads (aka dead-heading) and AFTER foliage fades and turns brown, cut back leaves.

➺Summer Blooming Bulbs – Plant dahlias, day lilies, and gladiolus. Click here for instructions.

➺Plant Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials – Early spring or late fall are great times to do this. Click here for tips.

➺Divide and/or Transplant Perennials – Summer bloomers: early in the month. Spring bloomers: after blooming is done.

➺Flowering Shrubs – Prune after they finish blooming.

➺Pest Control – Boxelder bugs are a nuisance. Grasshoppers are best controlled when they first hatch. Watch for Leaf roller on boxelder trees. Try to stay ahead of those slimy slugs and snails. Closely follow directions on labels when using insecticides as not to harm bees.

➺Plant Outside
Kohlrabi, parsley, parsnips, potatoes,
Until May 15th: onions & peas
After last frost until June 1st: dry beans, snap beans, eggplant, peppers
After last frost until June 10th: watermelon & winter squash
Until July 1st: cauliflower, parsley, swiss chard
Until July 15th: beets & broccoli
After last frost until July 20th: cucumbers and summer squash
Until Sept 1st: radishes

and so much more….

If you liked learning these tips from the experts, here is another good tip – come in and visit us!

Be sure to check out our June Gardening To-Do List too!

*This is not an exhaustive list. If we’ve overlooked something, feel free to let us know in a comment below!

Plant Peas – Our Favorite Varieties

April 26, 2017 by Marjorie Carter

Each year as we get to the last few weeks of winter, my husband and I watch for the first day when it is warm enough for us to work outside in our garden for a few hours so we can plant peas. We can’t wait to get them in the ground! Though along the Wasatch front, we typically don’t plant until March, we’ve planted them as early as mid-February (straight in the ground; no greenhouse) and still had great success. Peas are a cool weather plant that needs little attention beyond watering and harvesting. They tolerate snow and light frost so don’t be afraid to plant peas early.

KIDS & PEAS … Planting peas is a great activity to do with young children. The seeds are a real bonus to work with:

They are large enough that they are easy for small fingers to pick up.
They are also easy to find after the inevitable spill.
Planting is as simple as sticking your finger in to the ground, dropping in a seed, and covering with soil.

Again, the size of the seed made this something I could do with my 18 month old. She has helped plant every year since and even gets upset if she thinks she’s being left out of the planting process for the peas.

Peas and carrots on dinner plate - photo by CongerDesign - Pixabay CC0 license

Fun idea to see and eat the peas the children grow. That is if you can get any that far into the house from the garden!

FRESH PEAS IN THE GARDEN… My husband will only eat shelled peas that are freshly picked from the garden. If they’ve been cooked, frozen, canned, or otherwise tampered with, he will not touch them. (He’ll eat snap peas in stir fry). When our daughter was very young, we’d go out in the garden to pick peas and she’d eat as many as we’d give her. Her preferred method was eating them straight out of our hands. She will still eat as many as she can get her hands on, but she’s big enough to do the picking and shelling on her own now.

OUR FAVORITE VARIETIES…We’ve tried lots of varieties of peas over the past several years (Green Arrow, Alaska, Snap Peas, Little Marvel, Blue, and more) and have found that our favorites for flavor and abundance on the vine are Little Marvel (a shelling pea) and Snap Peas (edible pods, no shelling required). We also grow Blue shelling peas because their flower is so beautiful. If you’ve never seen a blue pea, the flowers are purple and white and the pea pods are a dark purple/blue color, making them easy to find on the vine. Buy quality seeds from your local garden center like Western Garden Centers in Salt Lake City and West Valley, Utah.

DID YOU KNOW… Peas are one of the oldest known vegetables. Archaeologists have found them in ancient tombs at Troy and Thebes. Dried peas keep indefinitely. This allowed them to survive the ocean voyage to become one of the first crops grown by English colonists coming to North America.

DID YOU KNOW… Peas are “nitrogen fixers”, meaning they take nitrogen from the atmosphere and convert it to ammonia (which is chemically comprised of nitrogen and hydrogen), thereby making the nitrogen available to other plants and organisms in the soil. This means peas are a great spring crop because they naturally help fertilize your soil prior to planting other garden fruits and vegetables that need nitrogen in order to thrive (think tomatoes!).

TIP: To maximize this benefit, at the end of the peas’ growing season, trim the plant off at the soil line instead of pulling them out, leaving the roots behind.

GROWING TIP … A friend suggested presoaking the peas prior to placing them in the soil. This will soften the seeds and allow them to germinate more quickly. Soak for around 12 hours, no more than 24, before planting. We tried it this year because we wish our peas would sprout sooner. It worked! Our peas were sprouted and broken through the soil less than 10 days after planting them, instead of 2 weeks or more. We look forward to eating our peas that much sooner this year!

FALL PLANTING … After the summer heat is gone (about Labor Day), plant peas again for a fall crop. Read the package of which variety will produce according to the time you have.

Hmm… Sounds like something new to try with our garden this fall.

Garden Advice Alert! 5 Reasons to Support Local Independent Garden Centers

April 17, 2017 by Wendy Pettit

Welcome Gardener Friend! We’re happy you are here.

The internet and the “mass merchants” can offer garden advice, but information and product specific to your area is a must if you want a thriving garden. Your local independent garden center, like Western Gardens in Utah, live in and are experienced in your specific climate zone and your certain soil conditions. These two crucial factors determine which plant varieties will do best in your yard and those that will simply die. If you don’t match the plant type with the correct area in your yard and with proper soil, you can easily find yourself exhausted and frustrated from all your efforts plus a lot of wasted money. Shopping your independent garden centers will help you successfully grow a beautiful garden.

Here are 5 reasons why:

#1 KNOWLEDGE

Local professionals – Local independent garden centers tend to hire more local knowledgeable plant gardeners and professionals. They’ll have a great passion for gardening. A plant enthusiast will help you find success rather than somebody from the window department. (True personal story!) If your local has a horticulturist by profession, like Western Gardens, even better.

garden center employee helping customers n the roses

Gardening professionals help you.

Up-to-date Information – Locals stay up-to-date on information regarding weather – both current and recent past conditions. They also will know of current pest infiltrations, and such. Someone in another part of the country doesn’t have a clue as to what is happening in Utah. Your local knows what you need to be successful, so their business can be successful.

Hard hat worker photo by Klaus Hausmann at Pixabay CC0 license

#2 PLANT MATERIAL –

Premium Quality – Local independent nurseries buy premium quality; they do not buy what is cheap. Your long term success is their success.

Timing & Choice – Locals buyers are making the purchases specific for your area, rather than a corporate worker ordering and sending material to their big stores across the country. For example, big box stores will bring in and try to sell you a watermelon seedling in March. (True story 4-8-2017) It won’t succeed in Utah planting that early; watermelons hate cold weather. Independents bring in the material for you at the right time. If it is a little early or their shipment just came in, they will warn you to harden off the plants before planting.

Unique Material – Independents tend to have a wider variety of unique plant material. They bring in the latest developed plants that should survive your climate.

Price – In general, independents tend to be a little more expensive because they don’t buy cheap, but rather quality. And many times the price difference is pennies. This quality saves you money in the long run.

Consider this when looking at the price: If you purchase a petunia from a mass merchant for 15 cents less than at the independent, but the plant doesn’t do well so you buy more plants to fill in, or you even have to completely replant, did you really save 15 cents? We all eventually learn that sometimes it is better to pay a little extra for a quality product. In the end, your effort, sweat, sore muscles, and your money won’t be wasted.

petunia covered with snow at a mass merchant store

A good independent doesn’t prematurely bring in plant material like petunias that are not cold hardy until much warmer weather. Independents save you money by not tempting you to plant certain products too early in the season.

OWN – And we’re not talking Oprah’s TV network. Independents own the plant material they sell, thus they usually take better care of their product. Remember their passion for gardening!

Many mass merchants sell on consignment, not actually owning the product. You may see vibrant plants when you walk in, but you take a gamble that the plant has been properly cared for. A stressed droopy plant can “bounce back” when finally watered, but after repeated neglect by the time you get it planted (giving it a natural shock to its system), your plant may never recover or struggle. Also, plants don’t like sitting on top of black asphalt in the parking lot.

To illustrate this point of owning and caring for product, see how plant material was cared for by a local mass merchant for three consecutive days (4-8-2017). Witness below recent care of rose bushes, vegetable seedlings, and lemon trees during an early spring April weekend sale. Draw your own conclusions about waste and quality of product. In all three cases, material was eventually thrown away and new product brought in. Independents conserve on waste by taking care of their plant material. Again, they own what they are selling to you.

Warm weather vegetables and herbs including tables of peppers, cantaloupe, basil, even watermelon.

Rose bushes that were definitely not hardened off for the cold weather and snow. The independent roses are bigger, healthier, hardened off, and begin at just $2 more than these.

Lemon/Citrus trees. If the roots being exposed and repotted didn’t kill the tree, the snow and cold did.

In short, reputable independents, like Western Gardens, purchase and tend the best plant material for you, their customer.

#3 SOIL – Local soils are different throughout your area. Just in the Salt Lake valley, soils drastically range from sandy to heavy clay. A quality independent will know what you can do to improve your specific soil structure so you can be more successful with your plant selections.

The Salt Lake Valley has a wide variety of soil types. Photo by TyGuy999 from Pixabay CC0 license

#4 PROBLEM SOLVERS – Locals are the “go to” people when you need advice. They give you personal attention to select proper plants for your yard, give advice for additives for your soil, plus tips and tricks to get your garden into tiptop shape. They are also the ones that people seek when there are problems and pests in the garden. Your locals are the plant doctors. Consider this, if you don’t buy your product from the experts, how can you expect them to help you with an inferior product you bought somewhere else? They are willing to help you with your inferior product when they are able, but why not save yourself heartache and money by purchasing from the independent in the first place?

Bring in samples of your problem. The plant doctor is in!

Plant enthusiasts are ready to help you be successful.

#5 LOCAL ECONOMY – Often shoppers don’t realize that when they purchase from a big national company, a lot of their money leaves the state and pays employees back in Georgia or some other state where the headquarters are located. When you buy local, you keep the funds within the local community and you keep your independent garden center thriving and open, ready to serve you for years to come.

Local independents also more often than not buy from local growers, who meet the quality standards.

Keep the independents in business so they will be there when you really need a “plant doctor”.

Support your neighbor; buy Utah!

utah gardening to-do list in April

April 2, 2017 by Wendy Pettit

Feeling overwhelmed with so much to do in your yard? Wondering where to start? lawn? vegetable garden? flower beds? Check out our helpful Utah Gardening To-Do List in April for the Wasatch Front in Utah. If you live in a similar growing season, this list can work for you too.

Realize that you may not need to do everything on this list; skip over those that do not apply to your yard.

Take the entire month to do the list. None of us can do it all in one day off. Enjoy the process of being out in your yard and digging in the soil. In other words, stop to smell the roses or other blooms this month.

If you need some inspiration, stop by your local independent garden center like Western Gardens in West Valley or Salt Lake City. We would love to show you our #1 quality material, expert knowledge, and friendly personal service to inspire and help you be a satisfied and successful gardener. Your success is our success.

Press HERE for the April Gardening To Do List.

Here are a few blooms at Western this last week.

Drop in and see more!

Red, White & Blue Patriotic Flower Pot

July 2, 2016 by Jenn Crookston

Hi friends, thanks for stopping by!

Do you love unique, patriotic outdoor decor? Especially when flowers are involved? Me too!

When I started my flower pots this year I knew I wanted a red, white & blue patriotic flower pot. I love how all the colors look together and I love how this variety of flowers blend in this container. The colors, the flower sizes & styles, and the greenery all just work perfectly.
I’m so happy with how my pots are doing this year! I know that learning the proper steps from the Garden Solution Experts at Western Gardens has really increased my success, and because of how well my plants are doing, I keep wanting to plant more and more!

For a perfect flower pot in Red, White and Blue, start with your choice of pot (make sure it has drainage holes in the bottom). Fill your pot 1/3 full with packing peanuts (this helps with drainage and takes up space without adding weight to the pot) and then fill another 1/3 full of fresh potting soil (I use Gardener’s Gold). Lay your plants out how you want them to look in the pot before removing them from their plastic containers and filling the rest of the way with potting soil.

Red, White & Blue Patriotic Flower Pot:

Red – Verbena Voodoo Red Star, Verbena Obsession Red, Zonal Geranium
Blue – Lobelia Dark Blue
White – Petuna and Bacopa Snowtopia White
Green – Cordyline Indivisa Spikes

Both the Cordyline Spikes and the Zonal Geranium are the thrillers for this pot. My spillers are the Bacopa Snowtopia White and the Lobelia Dark Blue. The fillers for this pot are White Petunia and Verbena Voodoo Red Star and Verbena Obsession Red.

I planted the Spikes and Geranium in the middle of the pot and then laid my other flowers out in a red/white/blue pattern around the outside. It has all filled in so perfectly, I just love it!

I’m excited to create a smaller table top version of this pot for my 4th of July decor. It’s hard not to create 20 of these pots to line the whole front of my house, they’re just perfect for the summer!

For more 4th of July fun check out these projects!
Hand Print Flag Shirt – United States of America Wood Sign – Patriotic Star String Art

Warm Weather Plants for Porch Pots

June 14, 2016 by Jenn Crookston

Hi there, I’m so glad you stopped by!

Did you start your porch pot or window boxes early in the Spring? Are you ready to refresh your plants that may look a little past their prime, and get some warm-weather flowers in there? Then you’ve come to the right place! I’m sharing some of my favorites flowers to freshen up my pots.

This year I started my flower pots and window boxes early (you can see how my window boxes started here and how my pots started here). I loved finding plants and flowers that brightened up my porch while we still had unpredictable weather with snow and cold snaps.

Now that we’re in to summer, it’s time to add warm-weather plants to my pots and window boxes…plants that will do well in the heat of Utah summers.

I’m sharing 10 gorgeous flowers that do well in the heat and will really make your pots and window boxes stand out this summer!

Warm-Weather Plants for Porch Pots:

Petunias
Hawaiian Mahalo
Bacopa Snowtopia White
Pentas
Lantana
Million Bells
Sweet Potato Vine (gorgeous for spilling over pots)
Lobelia
Bidens (usually just comes in yellow, this year Western Gardens has it in red and orange too!)
Portulaca

Click NEXT for photos of each of these flowers, so you can see what they look like before you go to the nursery!

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7 Plants A Black Thumb Can Keep Alive

May 24, 2016 by Sydney Anderson

Hi there, I’m so glad you stopped by!

Are you prone to killing innocent plants? Are you a self-proclaimed black thumb? Well, take a deep breath, I’m here to help!

I’m sharing 7 beautiful plants that will change your luck and grow your confidence (along with your plants!). Take it from a former black thumb, these plants are a breeze to take care of!

I’ve always admired beautiful gardens and flowers. Trying to have them in my home was another story. Part of the problem was forgetting to water them, and then overwatering when I did remember. The other part was buying the wrong plants and flowers for my area.

No matter what I did for years, every thing I planted died within a month. But not anymore! I am happy to say I have now kept three (four including the wine glass succulent in my office) houseplants alive for 2 months and a garden full of beautiful plants and flowers (that survived last month’s crazy warm/cold weather mix!).

House plants are easier to keep alive since you don’t have to worry about climate changes. If you’re a little nervous about keeping your plant babies alive, start here.

Click NEXT to see my favorite houseplants!

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7 Best Flowers for Beginning Gardeners

May 20, 2016 by Jennifer Day

Hi there! I’m so happy you’re here!

Are you just starting out in the gardening world and looking for a great list of flowers that are easy to grow AND beautiful? Then you’ve come to the right place!

But first, I come to you with a confession—I was a Black Thumb most of my life. What’s a Black Thumb you ask? If a Green Thumb is someone who can make a garden blossom and grow, a Black Thumb is the opposite—a plant killer.

Yes, it’s true.

I grew up with parents and grandparents who loved gardening, and who created beautiful yards and gardens every year. Their yards were curated beautifully and I loved spending time with the fragrant blooms, feeling a sense of tranquility and peace in their spaces.

When we bought our home several years ago, I thought for certain that I would have that same ability.

But, I was wrong. I should have known better. After all, I almost killed a nearly-unkillable plant while working for my Dad in college. I’d only remember to water it when it started wilting. And that was about once a month!

After a sad attempt at gardening the first Spring in our home, I basically gave up altogether. My husband takes care of our lawn and landscape, and we have never actually had flower beds—just beautiful trees and bushes. Things that are hard to kill!

This year, however, my black thumb has turned GREEN, and I hope you will join me on this journey!

Because I’m a beginner too, I am going to share with you 7 of the best plants for a beginning gardner. So grab those gardening gloves and shovels and let’s get to work!

Click NEXT for 5 TIPS before you start planting your flowers!

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