Garden Blogs

Gardening in the Mid-Atlantic region presents a unique set of challenges, notably the prevalent issue of deer, which can wreak havoc on residential landscapes and gardens. These animals are particularly problematic because of their adaptable nature and tendency to feed on various plants. As suburban areas continue to expand into…

Here are some effective tips for conserving water in your garden during late summer, along with a list of the top 20 best water-wise perennials for gardeners in Maryland and Virginia.

This article explores the importance of planting native plants in the home landscape, highlights examples of common native plants by season, and provides cultural requirements for each to help you make informed choices for a vibrant, sustainable garden.

In this blog, we will explore the importance of native shrubs for pollinators, provide a short list of shrubs categorized by sun exposure requirements, offer landscaping ideas, and share tips on attracting pollinators to your garden.

In this blog, we explore the fascinating world of Carex, from its native habitats to its cultivation and ecological significance.

The season for blooming perennials is just beginning! Start your early spring garden off right with native plants that deer tend to avoid. While there is an overwhelming amount of options to choose from, we have compiled a list of our top 5 early spring blooming native perennials that are deer-resistant.

Let’s explore the importance of spring-flowering native trees and why they deserve a special place in our hearts and gardens!

Invasive plants, often introduced unintentionally, have taken root and flourished, disrupting the delicate balance of local flora and fauna. The state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) classifies these invasive plants into different tiers, reflecting the level of concern they pose to Maryland’s environment. This article will explore the tiers of invasive plants in Maryland, highlighting specific varieties and their impact on the local ecosystem.

So, you bought your first home, and you’re ready to ready to transform your outdoor space into the thriving oasis of color and beauty you’ve been dreaming of. Planting shrubs and perennials is an excellent way to start, and this beginner’s guide will walk you through the steps to create a garden that flourishes year after year. Even if you’ve never picked up a shovel, these tips will help you plant with confidence and watch your landscape bloom.

This blog post will explain why fall is the ideal time to plant in the Mid-Atlantic area. Additionally, it will provide advice on how to care for your new plants during the winter months.

One year ago, we lost beloved staff member Martha Ann Champion. To commemorate her memory and love of native perennials, we planted her a garden. Learn more about these native plants and how we created her garden.

Ornamental grasses are a low-maintenance addition that add texture, dimension, movement, and color to your garden. These underrated plants come in many varieties and even change color with the seasons, particularly in late summer and early autumn. Read more…

The following 5 trees will provide an explosion of interesting textures and pops of color to your landscape all year long. While designing your dream landscape, make sure to include the trees listed in this blog!

Implementing a well-designed rain garden is a rewarding way to promote sustainable water management practices and create a greener and more resilient landscape. Start building yours today!

In the Mid-Atlantic Region, where hot and dry summers are common, incorporating native plants into xeriscape designs offers numerous benefits. This comprehensive guide explores a selection of native, drought-tolerant plants for xeriscaping in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States, highlighting their unique characteristics, adaptability, and the ecological advantages they bring to the landscape.

Native perennials are perfect for establishing a habitat that welcomes these important pollinators. In this blog, we will explore the wonders of native pollinator-friendly perennials and their benefits to your garden ecosystem.

The days of summer heat are in full swing, which is actually the time for many plants to thrive. We have all of the tips you need for how and what to plant this summer for a successful landscape!

When it comes to creating the outdoor landscape of your dreams, there are a few key things to keep in mind that will help you bring it all together. While a great deal of attention is paid to selecting beautiful flowering perennials, shrubs, and annuals, many people fail to realize that they will be way better off choosing their ornamental trees first!

Did you know that you can help save the bay from your own garden? If you live here in the Chesapeake watershed, water runs from your home all the way to the third-largest estuary in the world. Learn how you can make a difference and help save the bay!

The warm weather may be gone, but that does not mean that the gardening season is over. You can continue to plant in this hardiness zone until the ground is frozen solid. Frost and cold temperatures do not mean the ground is frozen. Check soil temperatures in your area, as long as soil temperatures are above 32 degrees Fahrenheit, you are good to grow!

Nothing makes a landscape look better than a nice fresh coat of mulch. That may be why most people mulch, but there are many reasons to mulch, and most involve plant health. As a rule, many people mulch in the spring, and cosmetically that is fine, but if your plants could speak, they would say, “Please mulch me in the winter.”

Boxwood is one of the easier plants to grow and care for, and it makes perfect plants for new gardeners because of its easygoing nature. Maryland’s climate provides one of the best climates for Boxwoods. We can grow a wide variety of the boxwood family in our gardens!

One of the worst natural phenomena is erosion. Wind, water, and man-made erosion all degrade land quality. Erosion also reduces water quality by pulling pollution into waterways. This causes unhealthy living conditions for aquatic life. Follow the tips below to slow erosion in your area and help your local wildlife!

Having a garden is a joy; having a cohesive garden that inspires you every time you look at it is simply the best. Create an immersive experience and express your unique style with these garden themes, trending now.

Combination planters and mixed hanging baskets are perfect ways to add color, texture, and joy to your outdoor living spaces. Check out these ten stunning planter recipes for a kickstart into spring. Just add a planter and some soil, water, and sun – instant color!

What are the building blocks of well-designed gardens and backyard landscapes? Well, they are very similar to the building blocks of a poem, a song, or a painting. Garden design is an art form, and it benefits from the same ideas and structures that other art forms use every day. Read on to learn a few key basics that will help you unlock your inner garden designer.

Sometimes it’s best to stick to the classics, and these six plants are perfect for creating privacy. Read on to learn why a living privacy wall can help create lasting privacy, and which plants we know will get the job done.

Raised Bed Gardens are all the rage these days. What are they and why are they so great? Read on to learn why we love raised bed gardens and how you can make your own!

Maryland weather can get weird, and it can be stressful for trees. Learn why an early bud and a late frost stress trees out so much, and what you can do if it happens.

Snow can be a hassle, but did you know all the benefits it brings to the garden? While freeze-thaw cycles can be deadly for plants, snow can actually protect your plants in the winter. Learn why snow helps gardens thrive come spring.

The biggest themes for 2022 we’ve seen repeated are a renewed focus on mental health, more demand for sustainability, and a blurring of lines between indoor and outdoor design. We think these ten trends are the ones that will make the biggest impact in gardening and horticulture in the new year.

To incorporate winter interest into your home landscaping, try this technique: make sure your garden has good anchors and that your home has good foundation plants. These two principles of landscaping are great ways to bring evergreen foliage and winter interest into your garden designs. Read on to learn the difference between anchors and foundation plants, and why early winter can help you choose the right ones!

If you have an apartment with a balcony and want to attract pollinators to your home, Patuxent Nursery has what you need. Here are some tools, tips, and plants that will get your perfect container pollinator garden started. 

Feeding birds in your yard can be crucial to their survival. Here’s our guide to learning how to feed birds during the winter.

In 2007, the US Senate dedicated one week in June as National Pollinator Week. This effort raised awareness of the declining pollinator populations and helped to educate people internationally about the importance of pollinators in the ecosystem.

When it’s time for some perennials to go dormant it’s time for others to come out in all their glory, and now is the time for fall perennials to shine. Make sure you incorporate a seasonal interest in your yard, blending bloom times so you will have continuous color and appeal throughout the seasons with little effort.

Whether you need foliage or flower, have sun or shade, dry soil or clay; there is a plant for you.  Fall perennials massed together make a statement by adding a border or interspersing splashes of color to keep your yard alive with color as it transitions into cooler weather.

Warmer seasons we most associate with gardens and gardening, but fall and winter are just as crucial to making your garden beautiful. Check out our tips for prepping your garden for a successful fall.

In our plastic-taxed world today we need to find a way to shrink our man-made footprint! At Patuxent Nursery, this has been on our minds for several years. We have been working towards a biodegradable pot that can be planted in the ground and will break down in the soil leaving the soil in better condition.

Looking to add annuals to your garden this year? Use these tips on how to plant annuals to find the best ways to make your annuals thrive.