At Plant Exchange blog, let’s celebrate a relaxing weekend together in early fall with nature’s paintbrush of yellow and red on October 12th, Native American Day in South Dakota. Fall Moment On our rare Monday morning walk, deep blue asters salute orange flames of Indian grass along the Missouri River breaks deer path. Parting big … Continue reading
Filed under Perennials and Grasses …
Transition to Fall
Today, let’s look at plants in transition on the Northern Plains, here at Plant Exchange blog. Trees are beginning to turn fall colors. Sunflowers are still in bloom at the edge of fields, in flowerbeds, and containers. Pollinators enjoy Agastache and other flowers in bloom. We begin to bring in plants that overwinter indoors about … Continue reading
Watch for Fall Color
Welcome to the beginning of Fall, arriving now in our region. In this view of the breaks along the Missouri River, deciduous trees and shrubs are beginning to change color. The thing is, this happens whether we notice or not. Trees and shrubs that lose their leaves in preparation for winter, have leaves with green pigment … Continue reading
On the Way to “After”
Unlike yard renovation on reality TV, some projects at home take a long time. Garden bloggers see many others’ beautiful results. As of mid-summer at Plant Exchange blog, we have a little progress here! The vision for this area of the yard came from a previous owner who installed cement steps and a wall of … Continue reading
Front Entrance–Aim for attractive and functional
By mid-July, the annual and perennial plantings are established and provide texture and color to the front entrance area. The north-facing entrance and small patio area have late afternoon shade complemented by a nearby Japanese maple tree. A bit of green space under the tree, foundation plantings, especially near the entrance, and movable planters add … Continue reading
Gardener Benefits of Staying Home
Staying home allows us the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of yardwork. It’s a pleasant morning to enjoy nature here at Plant Exchange blog and a second cup of coffee on the deck. The feel and result of the prairie breeze is a feature that second nature in this region. Grasses move in harmony with … Continue reading
Wildflower Garden Thoughts
Lots to consider when growing wildflower seeds so that the plants are suitable for your setting. After thinking about seed mixtures of the region or USDA Zone, what are some other options? Monarch City U.S.A. sign marks a Yankton butterfly plot on a walking trail east of the community gardens and dog park in the … Continue reading
June Garden Party
For a late June garden party, we’d be sure to invite some of these easy-to-grow annuals and perennials of this region. Planters overflowing with Supertunias draw our party guests with color to the front entrance. Annabelle hydrangeas radiate excitement after rain overnight. The Catalpa tree in bloom is abuzz with pollinators. Fragrant lanky milkweed stand … Continue reading
Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day June 15th
Welcome to spring fast approaching summer at our USDA Zone 4-5a Northern Plains location. Perennials are now about on season schedule after an unsettled, somewhat cool spring. We depend on the skills of our local nursery for early annuals such as petunias to add color while perennials wake up. Breeze and often wind is a … Continue reading
Peonies of Spring
Peony flowers are eye-catching in bloom in the yard and as cut flowers. The perennial is long-lived in this region if given adequate growing conditions and requires minimal care. Some pay respects to relatives that have passed with a visit to the cemetery about this time of year. Growing on a gentle slope by a … Continue reading
