Welcome to our Blooming Blog, Your Garden Pathway!
Paperwhites Made Simple: Tips, Tricks, and the Best Variety to Grow
Looking to add a touch of elegance to your winter décor?Paperwhites are the perfect choice! With their mild scent and charming clusters of white blooms, they bring beauty to your home without overpowering your senses. Learn how to grow these delightful bulbs indoors, keep them from growing too tall, and discover why they make the ultimate teacher or hostess gift when paired with our handmade pots from 580 Pottery. Ready to brighten your winter days? Let’s get planting!
Fall Garden Gold! How to Shred Fallen Leaves for Mulch
As the leaves start falling, don’t just rake them away—turn them into garden gold! Shredding your autumn leaves is an easy and eco-friendly way to create organic mulch that improves soil health, retains moisture, and protects your garden beds. Whether you're using a lawn mower, a leaf shredder, or a mulching mower, you can transform those leaves into a valuable resource for your vegetable gardens, flower beds, and more. Plus, discover how to make leaf mold, a slow-composting secret that can boost your soil's structure. Ready to put those fall leaves to work? Let’s get shredding!
Fall Gardening Clean Up Do’s and Don’ts
Fall may signal the end of the growing season, but it’s also the perfect time to prepare your garden for next year’s success! From planting trees and perennials to stockpiling leaves for mulch, a little effort now can make a big difference come spring. In this post, I’ll share my favorite fall gardening tips, and you can download my free printable checklist for easy-to-follow do’s and don’ts of fall cleanup. Let’s get your garden ready for a beautiful new beginning!
October 2024: Farm & Life Update
A reminder to slow down and a little farm and life update.
Planting Native Azaleas Successfully in Clay Soil
Native azaleas are not only stunning additions to any landscape, but they also offer significant ecological benefits. From supporting pollinators like bees and butterflies to providing habitat for small wildlife, native azaleas enhance biodiversity in the garden. However, growing them in heavy clay soil can pose challenges, including poor drainage and the risk of root rot. By properly preparing the soil with organic materials like pine bark and coco coir, and ensuring good drainage, you can create an environment where these beautiful, acid-loving plants will thrive. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls and nurture your native azaleas into vibrant, healthy specimens that support both your garden’s beauty and its ecosystem.
Do Peonies like Coffee Grounds for Fertilizer?
Best Trees to Plant This Fall for a Strong Spring Start
Fall is the perfect time to plant trees, giving them a head start for strong growth in the spring. Whether you have a large yard or a small space, there's a native tree that can fit your landscape. In this guide, we’ll explore the best trees to plant this fall, from towering Sugar Maples to compact Serviceberry trees that thrive in containers. Learn how native trees can boost your eco-system’s value, the benefits of evergreens, and get practical tips for planting and caring for your new trees. Ready to enhance your yard’s beauty and health? Let’s dig in!
You Should Not Cut These Perennials Back in the Fall
As fall approaches, many gardeners rush to cut back their plants, but some perennials are best left standing through the winter. Plants like purple coneflowers and black-eyed susans offer seed heads for birds, while bee balm’s hollow stems provide shelter for beneficial insects. However, peonies are an exception. At Breemar Flower Farm, where we grow over 150 peonies, we cut them back in the fall to prevent fungal diseases and ensure healthy blooms the following spring. Learn more about which perennials to leave standing for a thriving garden next year.
How to Deadhead Marigolds to Keep Blooms Coming
Marigolds are not only garden favorites due to their vibrant colors, but they are also resilient bloomers that can keep your beds alive with color deep into the fall. The secret to this constant display of beauty? Deadheading! By simply removing spent blooms, your marigolds will redirect their energy into producing even more flowers. Whether you're using them to add cheer to your garden, for cultural celebrations like Dia de los Muertos, or bringing them inside as cut flowers, marigolds are a must-have. And here's a tip: if their distinct scent isn't for you, stripping the foliage before bringing them inside will keep that smell out of your home while still allowing you to enjoy their beauty!
Best Deer Resistant Plants for Your Shade Garden
Looking to create a beautiful, deer-resistant shade garden? Discover the best shade perennials and shrubs that thrive in part shade to full shade, even in challenging conditions like moist or well-drained soil. From early spring bloomers like Virginia Blue Bells to evergreen plants like Leatherleaf Mahonia, these deer-resistant plant species will help protect your garden from hungry deer. Whether you're dealing with dry shade or wet soils, these resilient plants are perfect for keeping deer browsing at bay. Let me help you design the perfect garden with personalized consulting services tailored to your needs.
Best Low Maintenance Perennials for Busy Gardeners
Creating a Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Perennial Garden
Transform your garden into a stunning, low-maintenance oasis that thrives from early spring to late winter with the right selection of easy-care perennials. Whether you’re looking to fill flower beds with vibrant blooms, add texture with ornamental grasses, or enjoy the fragrance of hardy plants, this guide highlights perennials that require minimal care while delivering maximum beauty. Discover how to craft a garden that fits your busy lifestyle and supports local wildlife—all without the stress of constant upkeep.
Bambi-Proof Blooms: Deer-Resistant Perennial Flowers
Learn how to protect your garden from hungry deer with our top picks for deer-resistant perennials. From the vibrant blooms of peonies in spring to the festive holly branches in winter, these plants will keep your garden beautiful and intact year-round. Discover the best perennial choices for a flourishing, deer-free landscape.
Bambi-Proof Blooms: Deer Resistant Annual Flowers
Finding deer-resistant flowers can be a challenge, but with the right strategies, you can cultivate a garden that thrives despite the presence of hungry deer. By selecting plants with strong scents, unusual textures, and natural defenses, you can create a vibrant, low-maintenance garden. Remember, success often comes from trial and error, so start small and build on what works. With patience and planning, your garden can flourish, bringing beauty and tranquility without the worry of deer damage.
Effortless Full Sun Perennials For Your Garden
Looking for the best full sun perennials to enhance your southern garden? Discover easy-to-grow perennials like Sedum, Lantana, Hardy Hibiscus, and more. These heat-tolerant plants thrive in full sun, adding vibrant color and unique foliage to your landscape. Learn how to create a beautiful, sustainable garden with expert tips and garden consulting services. From ground covers to stunning flowers, find the perfect perennials for your yard. Transform your outdoor space with these resilient, low-maintenance plants that support local wildlife and add year-round beauty. Reach out for personalized garden advice and start blooming today!
Celebrating American Grown Flowers: A Look at the Past, Present, and Future
In honor of American Grown Flowers Month, this blog post explores the history and revival of the American cut flower industry. It traces the industry's flourishing past, the decline due to reduced tariffs on imported flowers, and the recent resurgence driven by consumer awareness and movements like Slow Flowers. The post highlights the benefits of buying locally grown flowers. By choosing American grown flowers, we contribute to a sustainable and vibrant future for the industry. Watch the embedded video to learn more about the journey of American Grown Flowers.
Enhancing Your Garden with Expert Consulting Services
Are you eager to bring new life to your garden? As a dedicated flower farmer in Ashland, VA, I’m excited to offer my garden consulting services to help you create a stunning and sustainable garden. Recently, a client sought advice on adding color to their garden and considered removing a trio of trees to make room for perennials and shrubs. Instead of removing these valuable trees, I recommended limbing them up to allow more light and space for new plantings. This approach preserved the trees' ecological benefits while enhancing the garden’s beauty with vibrant peonies and other flowers. Visit Breemar Flower Farm's Garden Consulting page to discover how my personalized services can transform your garden into a flourishing oasis.
Top Fast-Growing Evergreen Shrubs for your Landscape
Looking to enhance your garden with fast-growing evergreen shrubs that offer year-round beauty and low maintenance? Discover top picks like Winterberry, Inkberry, Southern Wax Myrtle, and Eastern Red Cedar. These shrubs not only grow quickly but also provide unique features that can elevate your landscape. From vibrant berries to dense foliage, these evergreens are perfect for hedges, privacy screens, and more. Read on to find the perfect fit for your garden and enjoy the benefits of these resilient and attractive plants!
Perennial Power: Five Flowers for Year-Round Garden Appeal
Discover the beauty and resilience of these 5 long-lasting perennials. These hardy plants offer vibrant blooms and minimal maintenance, making them perfect for a garden that thrives year after year. Embrace the elegance and endurance of these perennials to create a stunning, ever-blooming garden oasis.
Top Fast-Growing Berries for Your Garden: Easy and Productive Varieties
Discover the best fast-growing berries to add to your garden for quick and rewarding harvests. Learn about the top easy-to-grow varieties like 'Seascape' strawberries, 'Joan J' raspberries, and Bushel and Berry blueberries. These berries not only produce delicious fruit quickly but also enhance the beauty and biodiversity of your garden. Perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners, these tips will help you enjoy bountiful harvests all season long.
Top 5 Low-Maintenance Perennials for Clay, Slightly Acidic Soils in Richmond, VA
Transform your Richmond, VA garden with these top 5 low-maintenance perennials perfect for clay, slightly acidic soils. Discover easy-care flowers that thrive in our local conditions. Our guide includes specific varietal suggestions ensuring a stunning and sustainable bloom season with minimal effort. Perfect for busy home gardeners looking for beautiful, hardy plants.