As more homeowners re-landscape gardens, there is an increasing desire for something out of the ordinary. This is a direct departure form the traditional foundation shrubs that came to be the standard look in most front yards of the 70's and 80's.

It's important to realize that an entryway garden is normally the first impression that your visitors will have of your home. Rather than blind them with multiple colors of blooms or boring them with a sea of plain green foliage, consider something more elegant, understated and inviting.

This can be accomplished by using shrubs and perennials with white flowers or that bloom in the neutral or pastel color range, such as pale blue or yellow, light pink or lavender shades. Sticking with these color options makes designing an entryway garden simple since one doesn't need to worry about clashing colors.

We have an excellent selection of plants that will make any front yard the talk of the neighborhood. Most of these plants will make a greater impact when planting in groups of three or more. As with all planting, make sure to add a soil amendment, such as Kellogg Amend, to the hole and add some plant food like E. B. Stone Starter Fertilizer to help get your plants off to a healthy start.

So come down and visit us today. Our staff of nursery experts is available to help you make a great first impression with all your friends and neighbors.

Click here to see our gallery of some ideas that will leave you with a lasting impression!

If you have a perpetually damp place in your garden that has always been a problem area for you, don't despair. Quite a few plants actually enjoy having wet (cooler) feet and will perform quite well in moist or flood prone areas with poor drainage or bordering a pond or stream.

Planted right, this area can actually become a highlight of your garden, creating a unique spot with intriguing foliage and flowers. It can also become a wonderful habitat for attracting wildlife to your garden. Make sure to include a footpath or elevated walkway through the garden to provide access for easy maintenance.

We stock a great selection of plants that perform well in boggy conditions. Some of our varieties can become a bit too happy in these conditions and may need to be pruned back some after a few growing seasons--but they will more than make up for their "enthusiasm" by providing loads of color throughout the year. Stop by the nursery today and turn your trouble area into a bodacious bog garden!

Click here to see our gallery of some ideas for your bog garden.

All the crazy weather we have had this summer across the country serves as a great reminder to make sure to address any slope erosion problems before they arise. And fall is a great time of year to plant shrubs and ground covers that can help to prevent a hillside from slipping away.

Consider that the upcoming cool months provide a time when plant roots grow fast and the need for water is less apparent for new plantings. You and your newly planted stock now have an advantage over the hot summer sun or cold winter nights.

To see if you have a potential hillside erosion problem, be alert for these tell-tale signs:

• Bare spots anywhere on your property
• Tree roots exposed above ground
• Small stones or rocks appearing on the ground surface
• Small rills or gullies beginning to form
• Build-up of silt in certain areas
• Soil splashed on windows and outside walls
• Soil washout along driveways

A number of excellent plant and groundcover choices not only thrive with the good drainage conditions of most hillsides but will also go a long way in providing protection from heavy rains. The key is to plant a mixture of plant types. You want to have layers of vegetation for rainfall to hit, so it will be diffused before it reaches the ground. Generally the larger the plant grows, the deeper its roots, so don't neglect the larger, slower-growing plants.

Click here to see our gallery of plant ideas.