Welcome to Plant Exchange Blog on the Northern Plains. While hot and dry summer days challenge farmers and gardeners, we’re ready to celebrate a few garden first harvests. We’ll also consider a few ornamental shade plants that grow well here. Sunflowers are among personal favorites that grow tended and wild and free in this region. … Continue reading
Filed under Flowers …
Up Close in Our Gardens
Mid-season of this busy growing year is a moment to notice how our garden plants are progressing. Zinnias, smoke bush, wildflowers, and first look at sunflowers are featured today at Plant Exchange Blog. Soil warmed slowly this spring, and direct-seeded plants such as zinnias were noticeably behind greenhouse transplants in this region. Zinnias are now … Continue reading
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day July 15th
I am drawn to flowers because tending them is a chance to be outdoors. Warm seasons are short here in South Dakota. Colors and shapes of flowers and foliage are also enticing. Trying to grow a variety of plants beginning with seeds is a fun challenge. Seeing the results each growing season satisfies and also … Continue reading
A Mid-Summer Flower and Salad Greens
Annabelle Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’) or smooth hydrangea is in full bloom at Plant Exchange Blog. The six-inch round flower head (corymb) of flowers is vase-worthy and can be dried, suspended upside down in a garage for fall arrangements. White flowers pair with other flower colors of the season. This deciduous hydrangea (USDA Zone 3-9) … Continue reading
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day-June 15th
Welcome to Plant Exchange blog, USDA Zone 4-5a on the Northern Plains. After a cool spring, we are having temperatures climbing to 90 degrees F and dry conditions lately. We’re excited to show you plants in bloom today. Just in time for Pollinator Week, our Northern Catalpa is in full bloom, attracting various kinds of bees. A … Continue reading
Peonies for the Northern Plains
On a day more like summer than spring, peony blossoms are rescued from the heat for a few days for enjoyment indoors. The white flowers are lightly fragrant, a hint of spice. Peonies are long-lived perennials that have many magnificent flowers over a week or so in late spring. A characteristic is that the flowers … Continue reading
Gardening in the Moment
In the rush of spring planting, there’s so much available to see now that quickly changes. Maybe the elusive quality of peony flowers makes them even more beautiful as you admire them now and the wind plucks their petals. Moisture is a premium this spring at Plant Exchange and throughout South Dakota this spring. Thankfully, … Continue reading
Surprises in Spring Gardening
Spring gardening is fast-paced and a bit erratic at Plant Exchange blog. There are lots of surprises. Most are fun. What a surprise! Out the computer window, a favorite peony is in bloom. It dances in the breeze this mild spring day. Long-lived perennial peonies are bursts of color in spring. Below is a versatile … Continue reading
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day-May 15th
Welcome to Plant Exchange blog on the Northern Plains. Spring is here! Trees are in flower, such as this redbud, and are leafing out. The broad palette of green is everywhere. Our region is USDA Zone 4-5a. Today’s projected temperatures are 77 degrees F. with overnight low as 48 degrees F. We have had a … Continue reading
Unforgettable Lilacs
It’s a bouquet of lilac flowers, the lowest ones in reach, shades of lavender, the kind you bury your face in, to experience the fragrance of blossoms and sun-warmed leaves. Held with two hands with a drawing, signed in big letters, is an unforgettable Mothers’ Day. When driving by the rows of lilacs against evergreens … Continue reading
