Weigelas take center stage

Just when the spring bloomers are starting to wane, another beautiful plant takes center stage – Weigelas.

These early summer bloomers have beautiful pink or red tubular blooms.  Many new varieties have recently come on the market. These new varieties come in multiple sizes and have various leaf colors including green, burgundy, and yellow.  Weigelas grow best in full or part sun.

Here are a few varieties that we carry here at Natural Plus:

• Dark Horse- grows 3’, pink blooms, burgundy/bronze leaves

• Golden Jackpot – grows 4-6’, pink blooms, yellow leaves

• Minuet- grows 2-3’, pink blooms , green leaves with purple casts

• Pink Sonic Bloom – grows 4-5’, green leaves, bright pink blooms

• Rainbow Sensation- grows 4’, pink blooms, variegated leaves

• Red Prince – grow 5-6’, bright red blooms, deep green leaves

• Rumba – grow 3’, dark red flowers with a yellow throat, bronze-purple tinged leaves 

• Spilled Wine – 1-2’ tall, 2-3’ wide, magenta blooms, red wavy leaves

• Wine and Roses -  grow 4-5’, burgundy/bronze leaves, rosy pink blooms

Things You Might Not Know About the Renaissance Spirea

Things you might not know about the Renaissance Spirea

Blooming now – Renaissance Spirea (commonly known as Bridal Wreath Spirea)

These graceful spireas got their common name as they were the flower of choice for June brides a couple generations ago. At that time, other flower choices were limited or none - so this graceful plant became the bouquet of those June brides.

 Although not often a choice for brides now, we still enjoy these plants and their graceful cascading white blooms. They look especially beautiful – making a historical statement -when planted around Victorian type homes.

Photo from monrovia.com

Renaissance spireas typically grow 6-7’ tall and wide. Allow plenty of space for them to spread out. They prefer full or part sun but will even grow in nearly full shade.

If you do not have enough space for one of these beauties, smaller varieties have been developed and are now available. These newer “cousins” include:

·      Snowmound – a similar plant and bloom but grows 3-5’ tall

·      Birchleaf Spirea- these have a similar bloom, but leaves are blue green and resemble eucalyptus leaves – grow 2-3’

things to consider when planning your Perennial Gardening

Have you always wanted to plant a perennial garden but didn’t have the time or know-how? In these days of staying at home, this may be the perfect time to plan out your garden.

 What’s the difference between a perennial and an annual?

Perennials are plants/flowers that die down in the fall and come back year after year.  Once a perennial garden is established the yearly cost and time for planting are minimal. Annuals are plants/flowers that must be purchased and replanted every year.

 Another difference between annuals and perennials is that annuals mostly bloom all season long, while most perennials have a relatively short blooming season. So one key to planting a perennial garden is to choose plants that have different blooming times.

Things to Consider When Planning Your Perennial Garden:

1.    How big do you want the garden to be? (Usually smaller is a good way to start and/or plant in an area that you can expand later)

2.    Is the area sun or shade or a combination? Choose your plants accordingly.

3.    How big do you want the plants to grow? And will the garden be visible from all sides or from only one side? If visible from 1 side, taller plants should go in the back. If visible from all sides, taller plants should be in the middle. In general allow at least 3 feet as a minimum width.

4.    Plan out your garden on paper.  Study your top pick of plants. Determine their width, height, and bloom time and if they require sun or shade.  Make sure the plants are suitable for your plant zone. Northern Iowa is Zone 4. Choose plants zones 1-4.

5.    Prepare the soil by tilling if possible. Buy your plants.

6.    Before planting, place the plant pots where they will go and reassess your plan for spacing, etc. Then have fun planting! 

7.    Mulch the garden.  This will minimize weeding and help hold moisture.

8.    Water plants once or twice a week depending on rain and heat. (Do not water every day.)

9.    The first season, plants will need a little more attention with mulching, weeding, and watering. After 1 or 2 seasons, they become much less work.

 Want more information on our favorite perennials and when they bloom?

We’ve got a free guide just for you!

Mary's Top 5 Plants

What makes you LOVE a certain plant? Do you look for COLOR? Texture? The shape? Do certain plants have special meaning for you? Or maybe you have memories of plants that your grandparents had in their yard growing up?

All of us here at Natural Plus love helping you find the perfect plants for your yard that you will love for years to come. And, after being in business for 42 years, we have figured out what plants do well and are our favorites!

If you’re in the market for some new trees, shrubs, or perennials, you’re going to want to follow along with these blog posts, I’ll be sharing each of our top 5 favorite plants with all of you!

Next up is me (Mary), co-owner of Natural Plus. I am drawn to some of the more unique plants that people don’t always know about.

1. Sequestered Sunshine Yellow peony: We planted the yellow peony in memory of our first son David Holtan, and I love watching it come up and bloom each year. Read more about peonies HERE.

2. Coneflowers: I love all things coneflowers, the color varieties and that they are native and attract butterflies and bees. They are one of my favorite things to photograph too.

3. Weeping Caragana Tree: We have one planted on the east side of our front door, and it reminds me of a Dr. Seuss tree. I love the yellow buds in the early spring and it’s unique foliage.

photo from Bailey’s Nursery

4. Black eyed Susans: another native perennial that just makes me smile. The black eyes with the contrasting yellow are pleasing to my eye.

5. Globe thistle: this is such a unique and cool bloom. I don’t usually like anything with thorns, but this bloom makes up for it.

And, in case you missed them, here are owner Dave’s Top 5 Plant Picks and employee Mike Watson’s and Ree’s.