Soar with Your Butterfly Garden
While I love to design perennial gardens to provide constant color from spring until fall, you can add even more interest, color and activity to your garden by selecting perennials that attract butterflies. Not only will you have the joy of watching them flit around your garden, you’ll be creating a habitat to preserve these winged beauties.
The keys to success is designing a butterfly garden with perennial and annual flowers that will provide blooms all season for nectar and leaves for the larval caterpillars to feed on. Also, include plants and structures to provide shelter and water.
Butterfly Attracting Plants
Butterflies are mostly attracted to bright colors such as red, orange, yellow and purple. Select full-sun loving perennials that have varieties featuring these bright colors and will bloom throughout the growing season to give your butterflies a good nectar source. For early season bloomers, Coreopsis ‘Creme Brulee’ with its large, bright yellow flowers on 20-inch tall plants, and Coreopsis ‘Route 66′ with its yellow flowers with a bright red center, are two good choices. For mid-summer bloomers, try Echinacea ‘After Midnight’ with its striking magenta-colored flowers on only 14-inch tall plants. Gaillardia ‘Trumpet Red’ has bright red flowers with a yellow center and Gaillardia ‘Commotion Moxie’ has unique tube-shaped, yellow flowers and bright orange center. Butterflies are sure not to miss these.
For late summer and fall flowers, grow some butterfly bushes. These shrubs are hardy to USDA zone 5 and consistently produce 3- to 5-foot tall and wide shrubs with flowers that butterflies adore. Regardless of the flower color, butterflies flock to these fragrant shrubs. ‘Flutterby Grande Peach Cobbler’ , ‘Flutterby Grande Blueberry Cobbler’ and ‘Flutterby Grande Vanilla’ are three new selections that add color, fragrance and, potentially, lots of adult butterflies, to your garden. Tall garden phlox are also a late summer/fall butterfly favorite. ‘Coral Flame’ and ‘Red Super’ are sure to catch your eye, and the butterflies’ attention as they soar by.
To insure constant color and food for your butterflies, plant some annual flowers such as zinnias, lantana, and French marigolds in amongst your perennial flowers.
It’s not just about growing flowers with blooms and nectar for the adults to feed. The larvae (caterpillar-stage) need food, too. Grow caterpillar-loving plants nearby such as willow, black cherry, parsley, and fennel for adults to lay eggs on and the caterpillar young to feed. I even leave some milkweed growing in my meadow for the monarch butterflies to use. Don’t spray any pesticides in your butterfly garden or on host plants. In this case you want to see leaf damage. It means you have larval butterflies and the adults are not too far behind.
Butterfly Habitat
Your butterflies will need other features in your yard to stay around and be happy. Plant evergreen shrubs or deciduous shrubs such as lilacs close to the butterfly garden . They will use the shrubs as protection from wind and weather, a hiding place from predators, and a place to rest between feedings. Have a water source, such as a bird bath, or even a small bucket sunk in the ground filled with pebbles, sand and water, for the adults to drink from.
With a little planning and choosing colorful perennials, you’ll create a butterfly garden that will be filled with color and activity all summer long.
Happy Gardening
January 26, 2012
· 
Charlie Nardozzi · 
No Comments
Tags: Butterfly Bushes, Butterfly Garden, Coreopsis, Echinacea, Lilac, phlox · Posted in: Gardening in Spring and Summer, How-Tos, Perennials
Think Spring: Butterfly Bushes
Many gardeners’ minds immediately go to “shrubs” when they think of planting bushes. Shrubs provide shade, privacy, and protection for the garden. Yet, Butterfly Bushes are a spectacular alternative to the classic shrub and will provide the same benefits for the garden, with added delights!
Butterfly Bushes emit a sweet fragrance that isn’t just heavenly for our noses, but attracts beautiful butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. We planted one right outside our window at American 
Meadows and were amazed at the multitude of wildlife that it brought for us to enjoy. We are carrying three new Butterfly Bushes this year that I am excited to try, not only for their looks but for their yummy-sounding names! Try the Butterfly Bushes Flutterby Peach Cobbler, Grande Vanilla, or Blueberry Cobbler.
These bushes can also provide privacy, shade, and protection for the garden. The Butterfly Bushes Black Night and Bi-Color will spread to be about 5-6 feet tall and wide, providing gorgeous privacy and shade. Miss Ruby is famous for attracting Hummingbirds and will mature to about 4’ wide and 4-5 feet tall. If you are looking for the wonderful fragrance and wildlife that Butterfly Bushes bring to the garden, but don’t have as much space, try The Lo and Behold Blue Chip. This gorgeous blue variety only grows to be about 3’ tall and wide, making it perfect for that small spot in the garden.
Butterfly Bushes are not only fragrant, beautiful, and attract wildlife, but can also be a funky statement in the garden. Try pairing three varieties together for a multi-color statement in the summer months. This spring, instead of planting a normal shrub, try a Butterfly Bush – they are one of the most rewarding plants to grow in the garden.
Happy Gardening!
January 24, 2012
· Amanda Shepard · No Comments
Tags: Bushes, Butterfly Bushes, fragrant plants, Shrubs · Posted in: Gardening in Fall, Gardening in Spring and Summer, How-Tos, Perennials
Growing Up with Clematis
There is no more dramatic climbing flower in the garden than clematis. The vigorous vines produce colorful blooms either in spring, summer or fall depending on the species you’re growing. While the large-flowered varieties that bloom in spring and summer are most widely known, there are a number of other clematis species that produce smaller, unique flowers in spring and fall.
However, clematis has gotten a bad reputation as being hard to grow. The key to a happy clematis vine soaring into the sky is the right sun, moisture, and fertility conditions. Clematis grow best when their tops are sunny and the roots are cool and shaded. Plant your vine where the shoots will grow in full sun and be supported on a strong trellis. However, the soil around the roots must be well-drained, yet moist. Mulch around the roots to keep them cool and healthy.
Proper Pruning
Another confusion is pruning. Pruning is critical to keep the vine healthy and flowers within sight. You can remove dead or weak vines almost any time. The remaining pruning cuts are based on the type of clematis you’re growing. If you’re growing the early flowering clematis that produce small flowers in spring, such as Clematis montana, prune the vines after flowering, mostly to shape the vine and keep the plant in bounds. If you’re growing the large-flowered varieties that bloom in late spring, such as ‘Nelly Moser’, prune each vine in late winter to just above two healthy, green buds. The vine may end up being only a few feet off the ground, but it will produce healthy shoots with better flowers, If you’re growing the flowering clematis that bloom in mid summer to fall, such as ‘Jackmanii’ and ‘Sweet Autumn’ clematis, prune each vine in late winter to 2- to 3 feet tall. They will flower on the new growth that emerges in spring.
Once you have the growing and pruning set, then it’s time to experiment with varieties. While single-colored, large-flowered varieties such as ‘The President’ (purple), ‘Henryi’ (white), and ‘Niobe’ (red) are beautiful and stunning to look at, consider unusual clematis varieties, too. ‘My Angel’ features bell-shaped, orange and pink flowers that bloom in late summer. It also has intriguing purple-colored foliage.
Once settled in a place they love to grow, clematis will give you years of enjoyment.
Happy Gardening
January 19, 2012
· Charlie Nardozzi · No Comments
Tags: clematis, easy gardening, garden planning, Gardening tips, how-to · Posted in: Gardening in Spring and Summer, How-Tos, Perennials
Raise it up?
While planning my vegetable garden for the spring, I have been debating about whether or not to build a raised bed. I decided to weigh out the benefits and drawbacks, and make a logical decision (the best kind of decision, right?). For your benefit, as I’m sure there are other gardeners trying to make this same decision, the pros and cons of raised beds can be found below, along with my decision.
Benefits
Ensures soil quality. I live in the city and am not quite sure what could be in my soil (i.e. lead). Planting my vegetables in a raised garden bed will help to ensure that my soil is healthy and chemical-free.
Provides better drainage. A raised garden bed provides better drainage for your plants, which will make your plants happier and prevent rot.
Helps keep pests away. Having a structure around an elevated bed can help to protect 
your plants from pests such as slugs and snails.
Easier on the back. A higher garden means less bending down to weed!
Aesthetically pleasing. There is something eye-catching about a raised garden bed with a wooden border. It is neat, self-contained, and can be a great statement in your garden.
Drawbacks
Added costs. Raised beds can be purchased from garden centers or built from material – either way, it could mean less money towards your plants for the season!
Building it. For those trying to cut costs and build their own raised bed, this could result in hours of planning, nailing, re-doing…
The Decision
When making my list of pros and cons, the first pro, “Ensuring soil quality,” was a deal-breaker. Living in a city, I don’t think I would feel comfortable planting my vegetables directly in the ground. The other benefits are appealing as well, especially keeping slugs away from my veggies! As for the drawbacks, I am definitely going to build my own raised bed and have a couple of friends who will be happy to help – it will be a fun project for one of the first sunny weekends in early spring!
Do you use raised beds? Feel free to comment below, with your reasons why or why not.
Happy Gardening!
January 16, 2012
· Amanda Shepard · 2 Comments
Tags: garden planning, growing vegetables, vegetable gardening, vegetables · Posted in: Gardening in Spring and Summer, Gardening in the Winter, How-Tos, Vegetable Seeds
All about Tropical Bulbs
Charlie Nardozzi is a nationally recognized garden writer, speaker, radio, and television personality. He has worked for more than 20 years bringing expert gardening information to home gardeners. He speaks around the country at flower shows, master gardener groups and horticultural trade shows on gardening topics from roses to tomatoes.
You don’t have to visit the subtropics this year to get a taste of the lush foliage and beautiful flowers. Bring the tropics into your yard this summer by planting some unique tropical bulbs. My favorites are what I call the three Cs; calla lilies, canna lilies and caladium. Each adds not only beautiful flowers to the landscape, but attractive foliage as well.
Canna Lilies
Gardeners in warm summer and mild winter climates know these tropical bulbs well, but even gardeners in cold climates can enjoy them, too, planted in warm spot in your yard or in a container. Canna lilies are fast growing bulbs that produce up to 5- to 6-foot tall plants with large, banana-like leaves and stalks of colorful flowers. ‘Black Night’ has stunning, dark red flowers that contrast well with their black foliage. ‘Corsica’ features delicate, salmon colored flowers with yellow edging. ‘Pacific Beauty’ jumps out at you with its bright orange colored flowers. If you don’t have room in your garden for a tall canna, try some dwarfs. They only grow 2- to 3-feet tall, so fit well in your flower garden or container. ‘Golden Lucifer’ features yellow flowers with red spots. ‘Rhodos’ has bright pink flowers that are show stoppers in the garden. ‘Madeira’ has red flowers with yellow edging.
Calla Lilies
If you’re looking for the tropical feel, but want a low growing plant, try the calla lilies. Calla lily bulbs only grow 1- to 2-feet tall, have attractive spotted foliage, grow well in part shade and produce colorful, cone-shaped flowers for cutting, containers or the perennial border. If you can’t decide on the color calla to buy, check out the ‘Purple Rain Mix’. This calla lily variety features purple, white, and pink flowering bulbs all in one mix.
Caladiums
If you have a real shady spot, but still want to jump on the tropical bulb bandwagon, think caladiums. These bulbs are grown primarily for their colorful foliage. The plants grow 12- to 18 inches tall and are well-suited to growing under large shrubs, in a shady spot, or in a container. When growing varieties such as ‘Rose Bud’, that features bright red leaves with green edging and pink centers, you can brighten up even the darkest spot in your flower garden.
Because cannas, callas, and caladiums are all tropical bulbs, wait until the soil has warmed and all danger of frost has passed before planting in spring. Find a spot that’s protected from cool winds. For canna lilies, full sun is best. Calla lilies can grow in sun or part shade, while caladiums prefer the shade. Keep the plants well watered and fertilized all summer. In cold climates, cannas and callas may not flower until late summer, but the show is worth the wait. Also, you can enjoy the colorful foliage in spring and summer. In fall, before a frost, dig up and store the bulbs indoors for replanting the following spring.
Happy Gardening
January 12, 2012
· Charlie Nardozzi · Comments Closed
Tags: caladium, calla lilies, canna lilies, planting, spring bulbs, tropical bulbs · Posted in: Flower Bulbs, Gardening in Spring and Summer, How-Tos
Don’t Pass on Grass!
It is easy to be allured by the glamour of planting things that will burst with colorful blooms in your garden. Yet, what is a star without her backdrop? Ornamental Grasses provide texture, uniqueness, and beauty that will set off your favorite blooming flowers. Not only a dynamic element to your garden, Ornamental Grasses are extremely easy to grow, maintain, and will provide additional interest by evolving in seasons while the rest of your garden may be resting.
When most gardeners think of Ornamental Grasses, the word “plumes” come to mind. Grasses are a great addition to the garden because they produce full, green foliage all season and then wow in the summer to fall with their interesting, feathery plumes. We have quite a few grasses that will do just this. For white plumes, try the Hardy Pampas Grass Erianthus or Pampas Grass White Feather. Those looking for pink plumes should plant Pampas Grass Pink Feather, Purple Fountain Grass Rubrum, or Fountain Grass Karley Rose. Other grasses that boast unique plumes are Fountain Grass Hameln, Feather Reed Grass Karl Foerster, or Maiden Grass Malepartus.
Ornamental Grasses not only work to fill in bare spots in the garden, but can even steal the show with brightly colored, unique foliage. The Variegated Purple Fountain Grass Fireworks is named for its burst of pink color, exploding from upright-growing foliage. This grass will not only add texture to the garden, but will impress with its beautiful show. Maiden Grass Gold Bars is another grass that brings interesting, unique foliage to the garden with its bi-color gold and green leaves.
One of the most appealing traits of Ornamental Grasses is their unique evolution throughout the seasons. In early spring they could bring striking foliage, then elegant plumes, followed by a different look when they prepare themselves for winter. A lovely example of this is the Japanese Forest Grass Nicholas; its foliage is a striking green in spring to summer, then in the fall the leaves change to orange/red for a completely different look. Another grass that evolves throughout the seasons is the Hardy Pampas Grass Erianthus. It boasts lovely, white plums and green foliage in mid-summer. Come fall, its leaves turn to a lovely bronze/red color.
Ornamental Grasses are a hidden gem in the garden; they provide a lovely, full backdrop to set off your garden beauties. Yet, their elegant plumes and unique foliage create their own show when the rest of your garden has retired for the winter. This spring, try planting an Ornamental Grass – you will be surprised at how such little work will provide great texture and dimension to your garden.
January 11, 2012
· Amanda Shepard · Comments Closed
Tags: garden design, grasses, ornamental grasses, perennial · Posted in: Gardening in Fall, Gardening in Spring and Summer, Gardening in the Winter, Perennials
Some Shady Characters in Your Yard
Charlie Nardozzi is a nationally recognized garden writer, speaker, radio, and television personality. He has worked for more than 20 years bringing expert gardening information to home gardeners. He speaks around the country at flower shows, master gardener groups and horticultural trade shows on gardening topics from roses to tomatoes.
The shadows are moving in! That’s what it feels like in many urban and suburban gardens. As houses are built on smaller lots and closer together and trees grow, shade becomes the dominant factor in many gardens. Luckily for us, there are many great, colorful, shade-loving plants that thrive under part sun or even full shade conditions. The challenge is choosing the right ones for your yard and growing them so they stay healthy. Here are 5 shade lovers you shouldn’t do without in your yard.
Astilbe breaks the notion that perennials in shade can’t have bright, knock out colored flowers. There is an astilbe variety that will fit in any shade garden situation. Astilbe has varieties that can grow a diminutive 1 foot tall to a striking 4 feet tall plant. Some bold colored varieties to grow include ‘Rise and Shine’s‘ with hot pink flowers that are good for drying, ‘Glow‘ with its 2 foot tall, bright red flowers on bronze-red colored foliage, and the 4 foot tall ‘Mighty Pip‘, with it’s bold, pink flowering blooms.
Dicentra or bleeding hearts are a mainstay in my garden. They are one of the first perennials to bloom in spring with their heart-shaped flowers in red, pink, or purple colors. Short on space? While most bleeding hearts grow 2- to 3-feet tall, ‘Burning Hearts‘ grows only 12 inches tall and blooms all summer in cool areas. If you’re looking for a bleeding heart variety that’s truly unique try ‘Fire Island’. It has ferny foliage and deep purple colored flowers on a plant that only grows 18-inches tall. For a more bold appearance, try ‘Gold Heart‘ with it’s yellow-colored foliage and pink flowers. Since most bleeding heart varieties die back in mid-summer, plant them next to summer blooming perennials that will cover their dying foliage, such as hosta.
Speaking of hosta, how can you have a shade garden without these beauties. There are so many varieties with different foliage and leaf sizes and colors, you’re sure to find one that fits your location. Plus, some produce fragrant flowers in summer too. Try ‘Lakeside Cupcake‘ with its cup-shaped, corrugated textured, white leaves with a blue-green margin. It only grows 1 foot tall. ‘First Frost‘ is a larger hosta (2 feet tall), producing blue-green leaves with a yellow margins and lavender colored flowers in summer. First frost contrast well with ‘Dream Queen’. ‘Dream Queen‘ features blue-green leaves with yellow centers on 1- to 2-foot tall plants. To keep hosta slug-free, cultivate around the plants frequently and apply iron phosphate-based baits that are safe for the environment.
I love the airiness of coral bells (Heuchera). Not only are the dainty flowers in a variety of colors, the foliage is attractive even when the plants aren’t blooming. These low growing plants do well in part shade. For varieties with unique colored foliage, try ‘Citronelle‘ with yellow leaves, ‘Vulcano‘ with it’s amber-colored leaves, and ‘Palace Purple‘ with its bronzy-purple colored leaves. Coral bells make great container plants as well as garden plants.
For a final, low growing shade lover, think Pulmonaria or lungwort. Although the name isn’t attractive, the plants sure are and deer seem to avoid them. Lungwort only grow 1-foot tall and thrive in shade. The foliage is mottled and newer varieties have bright colored flowers. ‘Raspberry Splash‘ features silver spotted leaves with cheery, raspberry colored flowers in spring. ‘Redstart‘ is a very early bloomer and has coral-red flowers on mottled leaves.
Happy Gardening.
January 5, 2012
· Charlie Nardozzi · Comments Closed
Tags: astilbes, bleeding hearts, coral bells, dicentra, heuchera, hosta, lungwort, pulmonaria, shade · Posted in: Gardening in Spring and Summer, How-Tos, Perennials
Lavender: A Treat for the Senses
Who doesn’t love the fresh, comforting scent of lavender? Either freshly picked from the garden, or dried to make potpourri, lavender is a wonderful flower that is extremely easy to grow. Whether you have an expansive garden, or are gardening in containers on your balcony, most can grow lavender for heavenly fragrance in the summer months.
A Field of Lavender
Lavender Hidcote
Pots of Lavender
Lavender Anouk
Lavender’s elegance and fragrance in the garden, as well as its many uses once cut, makes it a classic garden favorite. If you don’t grow lavender already, try it this spring. If you have existing lavender in your garden, plant one of our new varieties or simply expand the heavenly scent in your garden. You will thank yourself in the summer months, when your senses are overcome with beautiful blooms and fragrance.
Happy Gardening!
January 3, 2012
· Amanda Shepard · Comments Closed
Tags: container gardening, container gardens, containers, fragrant plants, lavender · Posted in: Gardening in Spring and Summer, How-Tos, Perennials
Looking Back at 2011 – Thank You
As another year passes, we would like to take a few moments to reflect and say “Thank You” to all our loyal customers for continuing to drive American Meadows’ growth and success. We serve tens of thousands of customers all over the country and have come to know many of your personally over the years. We cannot thank you enough for your support.
Good Riddance to 2011’s Weather!
Customer Photo: Allysa, New Jersey
It certainly was one for the record books this year. Depending on where you live, 2011 brought record snows, floods, tornadoes, wildfires, droughts, hurricanes and even unseasonably mild temperatures. Mother Nature is truly unpredictable and as gardeners, we must do our best to be prepared for whatever she throws our way. This year surely tested those skills! If the weather caused you to struggle in 2011, either personally or in the garden, we wish you better luck in the new year.
Thanks for your help with our new website!
Customer Photo: Amy, Colorado
We appreciate your Business!
"Thank You" from Ethan & Mike
To a happy and prosperous New Year…and Garden too!
Thank You,
Mike, Ethan & The Team at American Meadows
December 30, 2011
· Mike Lizotte · One Comment
Posted in: Wildflowers
Planning for Spring: Think Pink!
The color pink represents so many wonderful causes and feelings, I thought I would take the time to highlight and celebrate it as one of my favorite colors in the garden. Pink blooms, depending on the shade, can create an endless variety of statements in your garden. When the weather gets cold, I start planning ahead for spring and thought I would help you do the same with some of my favorite pink flowers.
Elegant
Peony Sorbet
Electric!
Gladiolus Windsong
Bee Balm Pink Lace
Happy Gardening!
December 28, 2011
· Amanda Shepard · Comments Closed
Tags: bearded iris, bee balm, belladonna lilies, garden planning, gladiolus, hollyhocks, lily, peonies, phlox, Pink, planting · Posted in: Gardening in Spring and Summer, Perennials
