Evironmental Awareness Archives - Country Springs Wholesale Nursery

December 14, 2025December 14, 2025

Winter Landscapes: Make Yours Stand out

Winter Landscapes

Winter doesn’t have to be the season when outdoor spaces are abandoned until spring. With the right mix of plants, design, and seasonal accents, your winter landscapes can remain welcoming, functional, and even festive during the coldest months.

Add Warmth with Structure and Lighting

Garden Structures: Arbors, trellises, benches, and stone walls stand out more when leaves are gone. Highlighting them with evergreens adds balance and focus.

Outdoor Lighting: Soft, low-voltage lighting along paths or uplighting evergreens brings warmth and dimension to long winter nights.

Fire Elements: Fire pits or outdoor fireplaces create cozy gathering spots even in cold weather.

Seasonal Containers for Winter Landscapes

Don’t let planters sit empty all winter. Fill them with:

Evergreen boughs (pine, cedar, holly)

Red twig dogwood stems for color

Winterberry branches for festive berries

Pinecones for texture

A few accents can transform a front entrance or patio into a winter focal point.

Plants That Shine in Snow

Certain plants look even better dusted with frost or snow:

Ornamental Grasses – seed heads catch ice crystals beautifully.

Evergreens – hold structure under snow, creating a postcard look.

Birches and Dogwoods – bark and stems stand out dramatically against white backdrops.

Wildlife-Friendly Accents

Invite life into your winter landscapes by adding:

Bird Feeders & Houses: Support overwintering songbirds.

Berry Plants: Winterberry, holly, and crabapple provide natural food.

Water Sources: A heated birdbath prevents ice-over and attracts wildlife.

Practical Comfort Additions

Winter landscapes can be both inviting and functional with thoughtful design choices. Placing sturdy benches near evergreen hedges creates sheltered sitting areas that offer protection from cold winds while still allowing enjoyment of the season. Adding windbreak plantings such as Thuja ‘Green Giant’ or holly around patios helps block harsh winter gusts and adds year-round structure to the landscape. Incorporating hardscapes like stone paths or pavers ensures safe, clear access when grass is dormant, making outdoor spaces usable and visually appealing even in the colder months.

November 16, 2025November 17, 2025

Soil Matters: Choosing the Right Plants for Clay, Sand, or Loam

Healthy gardens start from the ground up. Type of soil matters as it plays a huge role in how well plants establish, grow, and thrive. By matching plants to your soil conditions, you’ll set your landscape up for long-term success with less maintenance.

Why Type of Soil Matters

Soil plays a critical role in plant health, with its unique characteristics shaping how well plants grow and thrive. Drainage varies widely—some soils hold water for long periods, while others dry out quickly, influencing moisture availability for roots. Nutrient levels also differ, as certain soils are naturally rich and fertile, while others require amendments to support vigorous growth. Finally, root development depends heavily on soil texture and structure, which determine how easily roots can spread, anchor, and access the resources they need. A clear understanding of these factors helps guide better planting and management decisions.

Clay Soil: Heavy but Nutrient-Rich

Clay soils are dense, slow-draining, and prone to compaction. While challenging, they’re often rich in minerals and nutrients. Plants with strong, adaptable root systems thrive here.

Best Plant Choices:

Redtwig Dogwood (Cornus sericea) – Loves moist soil and adds brilliant red winter stems.

River Birch (Betula nigra) – Thrives in heavy, damp soils; peeling bark adds winter interest.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) – Native grass tolerant of clay and wet conditions.

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) – Hardy, adaptable perennials that handle clay well.

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida) – Colorful, resilient, and unfazed by compact soil.

Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica) – A shrub that handles wet clay and provides fragrant summer flowers.

Tips: Add compost to improve structure, and avoid working clay when wet to reduce compaction.

Sandy Soil: Fast-Draining but Low in Nutrients

Sandy soils are light and easy to dig but dry out quickly and leach nutrients. Plants must tolerate drought and benefit from organic amendments to hold moisture.

Best Plant Choices:

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) – Thrives in hot, dry, sandy conditions; fragrant blooms attract pollinators.

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) – A drought-tolerant native critical for monarch butterflies.

Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) – Silvery foliage and airy purple blooms in sandy soils.

Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – Tough native perennial that tolerates dry, sandy beds.

Pine Trees (Pinus spp.) – Naturally adapted to sandy soils; excellent for windbreaks.

Sedum (Sedum spectabile) – Succulent foliage thrives in lean, well-drained sites.

Tips: Mulch generously to hold moisture, and add organic matter to boost fertility.

Loam Soil: The Gardener’s Dream

Loam is the ideal mix of sand, silt, and clay. It drains well but holds moisture, provides nutrients, and allows for strong root growth. Most landscape plants thrive here.

Best Plant Choices:

Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) – Loves the balance of moisture and nutrients loam provides.

Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – Long-lasting blooms in nutrient-rich loam.

Boxwood (Buxus spp.) – Dense evergreen structure works beautifully in loam soils.

Thuja ‘Green Giant’ (Thuja standishii × plicata) – Rapid growth and year-round screening in loamy ground.

Hostas (Hosta spp.) – Bold foliage thrives in evenly moist, fertile loam.

Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) – Prefers loamy, well-drained soil for best color and form.

Tips: Protect soil health by mulching, avoiding compaction, and rotating organic matter into garden beds.
How to Identify Your Soil

Squeeze Test: Clay feels sticky, sand feels gritty, loam feels smooth and crumbly.

Drainage Test: Dig a hole, fill it with water, and time how long it drains. Slow = clay; rapid = sand; moderate = loam.

Final Thoughts on Why Soil Matters

Every soil type has strengths and weaknesses — and the right plants to go with it. Clay, sandy, or loamy, your garden can thrive when you match plants to their preferred conditions. By working with your soil instead of against it, you’ll enjoy healthier, more resilient landscapes year-round.

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November 2, 2025November 3, 2025

Pollinator Friendly Perennials for a Garden with Real Buzz

Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds play a vital role inhealthy ecosystems — and in keeping your garden thriving. By planting the right pollinator friendly perennials, you can create a beautiful landscape that supports pollinator populations while adding color and texture to your yard.

Why Plant for Pollinators?

Planting for pollinators supports a thriving ecosystem by promoting biodiversity, ensuring that a wide variety of plants, insects, and wildlife can coexist and flourish. Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds play a crucial role in food production, helping fruits, vegetables, and flowering plants reproduce and yield abundantly. Beyond their ecological and agricultural benefits, pollinator-friendly gardens offer season-long beauty, with continuous blooms that attract vibrant life and color from spring through fall—creating landscapes that are both productive and visually stunning.

Pollinator Friendly Perennials that Grab the Attention of Pollinators

Echinacea (Coneflower)

A native garden favorite, coneflowers feature large daisy-like blooms in shades of purple, pink, and white. They’re drought-tolerant and attract bees and butterflies all summer long.

Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan)

With golden-yellow petals and dark centers, black-eyed susans provide long-lasting color from midsummer into fall, while feeding a variety of pollinators.

Monarda (Bee Balm)

As the name suggests, bee balm is a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Its tubular flowers come in shades of red, pink, and purple, thriving in sunny, moist spots.

Helenium (Sneezeweed)

Cheerful late-summer blooms in fiery reds, oranges, and yellows make helenium a favorite for bees. It’s an excellent way to extend nectar sources into fall.

Salvia (Meadow Sage)

Salvia’s spiky purple or blue flowers provide nectar for bees and hummingbirds. Many varieties rebloom if cut back after flowering.

Asclepias (Milkweed)

Essential for monarch butterflies, milkweed offers clusters of pink, orange, or white blooms and provides a critical host plant for monarch caterpillars.

Design Tips for Pollinator Gardens

Plant in Groups: Large swaths of the same flower make it easier for pollinators to forage.

Stagger Bloom Times: Choose plants that flower in spring, summer, and fall for season-long food sources.

Go Native: Native plants are often the most beneficial and well-adapted for local pollinators.

Skip Chemicals: Avoid pesticides and herbicides that can harm pollinator populations.

Final Thoughts for Pollinator Friendly Perennials

By incorporating perennials like coneflowers, bee balm, and milkweed, you can turn your garden into a vibrant habitat for pollinators. Not only will your landscape buzz with life, but you’ll also be helping to support the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds that keep our ecosystems flourishing.

October 20, 2025October 20, 2025

Interesting Winter Plants: Bringing Color and Texture to the Cold Months

A well-designed landscape shouldn’t fade into the background when temperatures drop. Winter is the perfect time to highlight structure, bark, berries, and evergreen foliage. By choosing interesting winter plants that shine in the colder months, you can keep your garden attractive year-round.

Why Focus on Winter Interest?

Interesting winter plants bring a unique dimension to the landscape, blending beauty with purpose. By combining vibrant color, distinctive structure, and ecological value, these plants ensure your garden remains engaging and alive even in the quiet months. They offer visual warmth, architectural appeal, and essential support for wildlife when nature’s palette is at its most subdued. A few main highlights include:

Seasonal Color: Bright berries and stems add contrast to snowy or bare backdrops.

Structure: Plants with striking bark or strong form bring beauty when leaves are gone.

Wildlife Value: Winter berries provide food for birds and pollinators benefit from early bloomers.

Top Interesting Winter Plants

Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Famed for its vivid red stems, this shrub stands out against snow or muted winter landscapes. Pruning older stems encourages fresh, brightest-colored growth.

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis)
One of the earliest bloomers, witch hazel produces fragrant yellow to copper flowers from late winter into early spring. It’s a standout when little else is in bloom.

Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata)
A deciduous holly that drops its leaves but leaves behind masses of bright red berries. Birds love the fruit, and it creates a festive display in the landscape.

Ornamental Grasses (Miscanthus, Panicum, Calamagrostis)
Tall grasses retain their seed heads and structure through winter, catching frost and snow for a dramatic effect.

Camellia (Zones 7–9)
Depending on the variety, camellias bloom in fall, winter, or early spring, offering glossy evergreen leaves and rose-like flowers when color is most needed.

Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum)
This small ornamental tree has rich cinnamon-colored, exfoliating bark that peels in curls, providing striking texture all winter long.

Evergreen Favorites (Holly, Boxwood, Cryptomeria, Thuja)
Broadleaf and conifer evergreens provide the backbone of winter structure, keeping landscapes green when everything else is bare.

Design Tips for Interesting Winter Plants

Contrast is Key: Place red-twig dogwood near evergreens to make the stems pop.

Think Layers: Combine tall evergreens with mid-height shrubs and ground covers for year-round depth.

Use Structure: Choose plants with unique forms or bark to anchor the landscape.

Plan for Wildlife: Select berry-producing shrubs to support birds in cold months.

Final Thoughts

Winter doesn’t have to be dull in the garden. With plants like witch hazel, red twig dogwood, and evergreen mainstays, you can design a landscape with interesting winter plants that’s full of color, structure, and life—even in the coldest months.

October 5, 2025October 6, 2025

Shade Garden Favorites: Plants That Thrive in Partial Sun

Shade Garden Basics

Not every corner of the landscape gets bright sunlight, but that doesn’t mean those spaces can’t be beautiful. A shade garden will create cool, calming retreats filled with texture, foliage color, and seasonal blooms. The key is choosing plants that are naturally adapted to lower light conditions.

Why Plant a Shade Garden?

- Cool & Refreshing: Shade garden spaces are comfortable for people and plants in summer.
- Low Maintenance: Many shade-loving plants require less watering than sun-lovers.
- Unique Beauty: Shade gardens highlight foliage textures, variegated leaves, and subtle blooms.

Top Shade-Loving Perennials and Shrubs

Helleborus (Lenten Rose)

Among the first perennials to bloom in late winter and early spring, hellebores feature nodding flowers in shades of pink, white, purple, and green. They thrive in part to full shade and offer evergreen foliage year-round.

Hakonechloa (Japanese Forest Grass)

This graceful grass adds movement and golden-green color to shaded beds. It pairs beautifully with hostas and ferns, creating texture contrast in woodland-style gardens.

Heuchera (Coral Bells)

Known for their colorful foliage, coral bells bring deep burgundy, lime green, or silver tones to shady borders and they also produce delicate flower spikes in summer.

Hostas

The classic shade perennial, hostas come in countless sizes and leaf patterns. From giant blue-green leaves to compact variegated types, they create bold foliage statements.

Camellia (for Mild Climates)

These broadleaf evergreens bloom in fall or winter, depending on the variety. With glossy foliage and showy flowers, they brighten shaded foundations and woodland edges.

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis)

A unique option for filtered-shade locations is witch hazel which provides fragrant yellow to red blooms in late winter when few other plants flower.

Design Tips for a Shade Garden

- Mix Textures: Pair bold hosta leaves with fine-textured ferns and grasses.
- Add Contrast: Use variegated foliage (like hostas or heuchera) to lighten dark corners.
- Layer Plants: Combine groundcovers, mid-sized perennials, and taller shrubs for depth.
- Mind Moisture: Many shade plants prefer evenly moist soil—mulch helps retain it.

Final Thoughts

Shade gardens don’t have to be dark or dull. With plants like hellebores, Japanese forest grass, coral bells, and witch hazel, you can create lush, vibrant spaces full of year-round interest. The right mix of textures and colors will transform low-light areas into some of the most inviting spots of your landscape projects.