Incorporating Mountain Mint into Your Garden Design

Mountain Mint is a versatile plant that can enhance a variety of garden styles! Below, we’ve outlined some of our favorite ways to incorporate this powerhouse plant into your garden design.

Create a Pollinator Paradise

Mountain Mint is a natural pollinator magnet, making it the perfect centerpiece for a buzzing, vibrant garden.

Design Tip: Plant a large swath of Mountain Mint as a backdrop, then layer in other native pollinator favorites like coneflowers (Echinacea), black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia), and bee balm (Monarda). This creates a colorful, dynamic garden always alive with activity.

Natural Meadow Look

For a more relaxed, naturalistic garden, Mountain Mint fits right in with the meadow-inspired design.

Design Tip: Combine Mountain Mint with native grasses like little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) or switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). Add pops of color with a blazing star (Liatris) and Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium). This combination creates a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant landscape that mimics natural ecosystems.

Edible and Medicinal Garden

Mountain Mint isn’t just pretty; it’s functional, too! Incorporate it into an edible or medicinal garden for both beauty and utility. This design is best for Narrow-leafed and Hairy Mountain Mint varieties.

Design Tip: Plant Mountain Mint near your vegetable garden to attract beneficial insects that help control pests. Pair it with other edible natives like wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana) and New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) for a multi-functional space.

Woodland Edge Garden

Many Mountain Mint varieties can tolerate partial shade, making them a unique choice for woodland edge gardens.

Design Tip: Use Mountain Mint to create a transition between sunnier areas and shade gardens. Pair it with shade-tolerant natives like columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), and foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) for a diverse and attractive border.

Rain Garden Hero

Some Mountain Mint varieties, like Clustered Mountain Mint, can tolerate periodically moist soil, making them great additions to rain gardens.

Design Tip: Plant Mountain Mint on the upper edges of your rain garden, where it will receive moisture without becoming waterlogged. Combine it with rain garden favorites like swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) and blue flag iris (Iris versicolor) for an attractive, functional water management solution.

Cut Flower Garden

Don’t forget that Mountain Mint makes an excellent cut flower arrangement. Its long-lasting blooms and aromatic foliage can add interest to any bouquet.

Design Tip: Plant Mountain Mint in your cutting garden alongside other native flowers like purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), and New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) for season-long bouquets.

Design Considerations

• Spread: Some Mountain Mint varieties can spread vigorously. Consider planting it in containers or using root barriers to contain its growth in smaller gardens.
• Height: Most Mountain Mint varieties can grow 2-3 feet tall. Depending on your design, plant them in the middle or back of borders.
• Texture: Mountain Mint’s fine foliage texture contrasts beautifully with plants with bolder leaves, like Joe Pye weed or black-eyed Susans.
• Color: Mountain mint’s silvery-green foliage and white to pale pink flowers provide a neutral backdrop that complements any color scheme.

Bring Your Garden to Life with Mountain Mint – Visit Meadows Farms Today!

Mountain Mint is a versatile, beautiful, and ecologically valuable plant that can enhance any garden design. By incorporating native plants like Mountain Mint into your garden, you’ll create a vibrant space, support local ecosystems, and bring a buzz of life to your backyard.

Ready to start designing with Mountain Mint? Head to your nearest Meadows Farms location and explore our selection of Mountain Mint and companion plants. Our knowledgeable staff is here to help you bring your garden dreams to life!

The post Using Native Mountain Mint in Your Virginia Landscape Design appeared first on Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping.

1. Keeps Weeds Under Control

In my opinion, the most unenjoyable and labor-intensive part of maintaining a garden is weeding. So many hot, humid days in the middle of summer trashing my knees and straining my back trying to pull the fifty-thousand varieties of weeds that invade the garden and rob precious moisture from my plants. Applying mulch is a great way to limit weed growth and save yourself a lot of time and effort later. Mulch blocks light and air from the soil surface, hindering weed growth. It won’t eliminate all weeds, but it will undoubtedly keep numbers under control.

If you’re looking for even more weed protection, apply a weed preventer such as Preen or Espoma Organic Corn Gluten. The pre-emergents will keep any new weeds from taking root, giving your mulched beds an extra layer of protection. You can apply these at the same time that you are mulching and several times throughout the season for best results.

2. Prevents Soil Erosion

Heavy rains can cause erosion in the topsoil of your gardens, which not only limits the amount of soil available but also leeches vital nutrients from the earth that your plants need. Applying mulch in the spring helps keep erosion in check and protects the health of your soil.

3. Regulates Soil Temperature

Mulch is excellent for controlling soil temperatures and protecting your plant’s root systems throughout the growing season. In the heat of the Virginia summers, mulch will help to keep the soil cool by retaining moisture and limiting harsh sunlight. During the dead of winter, mulch will help insulate plant roots from the cold so that they can continue growing strong even if your plants above ground have gone dormant.

4. Enriches the Soil

Throughout the spring, mulch will break down and degrade, which is great for your plants. This process will add nutrients to enhance not only the earth but also attract beneficial insects like earthworms which help improve the quality of the soil as well.

5. Keeps Plants Moist

I know, this has not been a big problem for the Virginia area throughout the last year. But in typical weather conditions, plants can quickly dry out, especially during our long, humid summer months. A fresh three-inch layer of mulch applied in the spring will help prevent water supplied by your watering efforts and from Mother Nature from rapidly evaporating, keeping moisture on the plant longer. This extra moisture will allow for less intensive watering demands each day.

Get Mulch From Your Local Meadows Farms

If you’re ready to start mulching, purchase some mulch from your local Meadows Farms in VA, MD, WV, or DC. You can also check if we have mulch in stock in our online store!

The post Top 5 Reasons to Mulch Your VA Garden This Spring appeared first on Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping.

Get Your Plants in the Ground Sooner

Our landscape design and installation service can be busy, especially in the prime growing seasons. By starting your landscaping process now, you can get a jump start before everyone else starts thinking about their landscape plans. This jump start will allow us to schedule your installation sooner so you can enjoy your new garden oasis more and avoid waiting times during the busier seasons.

Save Money

One of the biggest benefits of planning your landscape early in the season is the opportunity to save money. Each year, we offer exclusive discounts for customers who begin the design process in winter and sign their contracts in February. These savings typically include discounts on landscape design consultations, installed plants, and even hardscape projects—helping you bring your outdoor vision to life for less. Whether you’re dreaming of a new patio, outdoor kitchen, or lush garden, starting early ensures your project gets completed sooner while keeping more money in your pocket.

Less Workload for Designers

Our landscape designers work long hours to ensure that all Meadows Farms landscape designs are of the highest quality possible. This dedication means that they have a considerable workload throughout our busiest seasons. By getting a jump start on your plan, our designers have more time to work with you on your project, ensuring you have the best experience possible.

Make Informed Decisions

Finally, winter is a great time to plan out a new landscape because it allows you to take your time and make more informed decisions about plant selection. It’s good to plan early on and consider what plants work best for your specific space. Additionally, we’ll be stocking the highest quality plant material, including unique varieties, during the winter and early spring. You’ll pick from the best plants while everyone else is still planning.

Schedule a Consultation Today

Overall, it might seem crazy to start planning a new landscape in the winter. Still, you can get a jump start on your installation, save money, work with award-winning designers, and make informed decisions about your landscaping needs. Go ahead and schedule a consultation with one of our designers today, and let us Plant a Little Happiness this season.

Schedule a Design Consult Today

Learn More About Meadows Farms Landscaping Services

The post Why Winter Is the Best Time for Landscape Project Planning appeared first on Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping.

Trees

• Arborvitae
• Birch
• Cryptomeria
• Red Maple
• Autumn Blaze Maple
• Sweet Bay Magnolia
• Pin Oak
• Willow Oak
• White Oak
• Sweet Gum
• Black Gum
• Weeping Willow

Shrubs

• Aronia
• Blueberry
• Clethra
• Inkberry Holly
• Winterberry Holly
• Virginia Sweetspire
• Leucothoe
• Hydrangea
• Red Twig Dogwood
• Viburnum

Perennials

• Astilbe
• Asters
• Bee Balm
• Lobelia
• Ferns
• Forget-Me-Nots
• Iris
• Pennyroyal
• Sweet Flag

Purchase Wet-Area Plants at Your Local Meadows Farms

If any of the above plants sound like they’d be a good fit in your yard or garden, we likely have them in stock. Visit or contact your local Meadows Farms store today to get started!

The post Plants for Wet Areas in VA, WV, MD, and DC appeared first on Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping.

1. Water in the early morning

This is the best time to water because lower temperatures mean less evaporation. It is usually calm in the morning so water covers the lawn without blowing around. Watering in the morning allows your grass to dry out during the day which helps prevent fungus developing in your lawn. Automatic irrigation systems are the most convenient way to water but hoses and lawn sprinklers will do the job just fine.

2. For newly seeded lawns

It is important to keep the young grass plants well watered throughout the first summer. This allows the grass to send roots deep into the soil where water evaporates more slowly.

3. After fertilizing lawns

It is important to add some extra water which allows the fertilizer to release into the grass. It will also help prevent a “burning” effect from the nitrogen in the fertilizer.

4. Water heavily a day before mowing

By watering ahead of mowing it helps to reduce the browning on the tops of the blades of grass and helps your lawn recover quicker.

Using these tips you should be able to barefoot on your lush green lawn all summer!

Let Our Lawn Care Experts Help

Meadows Farms specializes in lawn care offering weekly mowing, edging, and trimming to residents in the D.C. metro area. We also handle aeration, over-seeding, slit-seeding, top dressing, pest control and more. Learn more about our lawn care services.

The post 4 Tips for Summertime Lawn Watering in Virginia appeared first on Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping.

Stepables and groundcovers are sturdy perennials designed to endure foot traffic and are ideal for walkways, narrow paths, and rock gardens. But don’t let the small size fool you — they are vigorous growers and have incredible versatility.

Benefits & Uses

Stepables and groundcovers are a low-maintenance landscaping solution that offers a beautiful and practical alternative to traditional lawns. Their compact size and trailing growth make them ideal for borders, pathways, and container plantings. With a diverse range of blooming colors and unique foliage textures, there’s a Stepable variety to suit any garden style and sun exposure. These durable perennials require minimal care, making them a sustainable choice for busy homeowners.

Explore Our Selection of Stepables and Groundcovers

See below for a listing of some of the varieties we carry in this line. Some varieties are not found at all stores so please call your local Meadows Farms location for pricing and availability.

• Ajuga ‘Chocolate Chip’
• Anacyclus ‘Silver Kisses’
• Arabis ‘Spring Charm’
• Cymbalaria muralis ‘Mini Kenliworth Ivy’
• Erysimum ‘Orange Flame’
• Erysimum ‘Apricot Twist’
• Glechoma hederacea ‘Variegata’
• Isotoma fluviatilis ‘Blue Star Creeper’
• Leptinella ‘Platt’s Black’
• Leptinella squilida ‘Brass Buttons’
• Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’
• Lysimachia nummularia ‘Goldilocks’
• Mazus reptans ‘Creeping Mazus’
• Mazus reptans ‘Alba’
• Mentha requienii ‘Corsican Mint’
• Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’
• Pratia angulata ‘Fragrant Carpet’
• Sagina Irish Moss
• Sagina Scotch Moss
• Sedum ‘Angelina’
• Sedum ‘John Creech’
• Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’
• Thymus ‘Doone Valley’
• Thymus ‘Elfin’
• Thymus ‘Pink Chintz’
• Thymus ‘Wooly’
• Thymus ‘Coccineus’
• Veronica ‘Georgia Blue’
• Veronica ‘Sunshine’
• Veronica ‘Waterperry Blue’

Shop Stepables and Groundcovers

Meadows Farms is your one-stop shop for premium stepables and groundcovers in Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. Our expert staff can help you choose the perfect groundcovers to enhance your garden, pathways, or container plantings. Visit one of our 17 locations today to discover the possibilities!

The post Sturdy Stepables and Groovy Groundcovers appeared first on Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping.

Overseed

A thick stand of grass helps to choke out un-wanted weeds in your lawn. Weeds rob moisture, nutrients and light from your grass.

Compost

Organic compost should be spread to help break down clay soils. This should help the soil retain moisture during times of drought.

Irrigate

Water your lawn in the morning. Morning watering helps to reduce evaporation and helps to prevent fungus from developing. Be sure to water deeply. Deep watering allows the roots to go deep which will protect them during our hot dry summers.

Set Your Mower High

Raise your mower setting to 3”. Fescues and bluegrasses will choke out crabgrass at this height. Make sure your mower blades are sharp. This will allow your grass to recover quickly after a mowing.

Mulch Your Clippings

A mulching blade on your mower allows you to leave the clipping on your lawn. Clippings will decompose and add nitrogen back into the lawn; the added nitrogen reduces the need for fertilizers.

Organic Fertilizers

Use organic fertilizers in the spring and fall. Organic fertilizers use slow release nitrogen. Be sure to follow the label when applying because even organic fertilizers can run off or burn your lawn.

Buy Products for Your Lawn Today

Getting your lawn on an organic plan will take some time and money at first, but the investment will pay for itself with knowledge that you are doing the right thing for our planet! Stop by your favorite Meadows Farms location or check out our online store!

The post Organic Lawn Care Tips for a Healthy Virginia Lawn appeared first on Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping.

Why Choose Fescue Sod?

Fescue is a resilient, cool-season grass ideal for lawns in the Mid-Atlantic region, including Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and DC. It offers:

• Drought resistance once established
• Lush green color year-round
• Tolerance to shade and varying soil conditions
• Low maintenance requirements

Preparing Your Soil for Sod Installation

Proper soil preparation ensures your sod establishes quickly and thrives long-term. Follow these steps:

• Clear the area: Remove all debris, weeds, and existing grass.
• Enrich the soil: Add 1-2 inches of Bloom Soil (one inch covers approximately 300 square feet).
• Mix it in: Rototill the Bloom Soil into the top 4-6 inches of existing soil.
• Level the surface: Rake the area smooth and level for a uniform sod installation.

How to Install Your New Sod

• Lay sod pieces tightly together to avoid gaps.
• Stagger seams like brickwork for a seamless look.
• On slopes, lay sod horizontally across the slope to prevent shifting.

Essential Sod Care Tips

• Water frequently: Keep sod moist until established (typically 2-3 weeks).
• Fertilize: Use Pennington Lawn Starter to encourage root growth.
• Mow carefully: Wait until sod grows to 2-3 inches before the first mow.
• Water weekly: Provide at least one inch of water each week during the first summer.

Sod Measurements and Ordering

Our sod is sold in convenient 10-square-foot rolls, making it easy to calculate your needs. Contact your nearest Meadows Farms location for assistance with measurements and orders.

Let’s Get Growing

A lush lawn doesn’t have to be a dream. At Meadows Farms, we offer professional lawn renovation services to evaluate your property, provide a custom quote, and handle the entire installation process.

Contact us today for a free estimate and let us help you create a beautiful, healthy lawn that enhances your landscape year-round!

The post How to Prepare Soil for Sod Installation in Virginia appeared first on Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping.

Plants are a versatile solution for creating natural screens and hedges in your landscape. Whether you need privacy from neighbors, a sound barrier from traffic, or simply want to hide unsightly views, the right plants can transform your outdoor space into a lush, secluded retreat. Below is a curated list of the best plants for hedging and screening, categorized by height to suit your specific needs.

Tall Hedge and Screening Plants (Over 10 Feet)

For areas where height is essential, these towering plants provide excellent coverage and a stately appearance:

• Arborvitae, Emerald Green
• Arborvitae, Excelsa
• Arborvitae, Green Giant
• Cedar, Deodora
• Cedar, Eastern Red
• Cryptomeria, Yoshina
• Cypress, Leyland
• Hemlock
• Holly, Blue Maid
• Holly, Dragon Lady
• Holly Variegated English
• Holly, Nellis Stevens
• Holly, Oakland
• Holly, Robin
• Juniper, Spartan
• Juniper, Witchia Blue
• Pine, White
• Spruce, Colorado
• Spruce, Norway

Short Hedge and Screening Plants (Under 10 Feet)

Perfect for smaller spaces, these plants provide dense coverage without overwhelming your landscape:

• Abelia varieties
• Arborvitae Globe
• Azaleas
• Barberry varieties
• Boxwood varieties
• Euonymus, Burning Bush
• Euonymus, Silver King
• Forsythia
• Holly, Blue Girl
• Holly, Blue Princess
• Holly, China Girl
• Holly, Dwarf Burford
• Holly, Inkberry varieties
• Holly, Japanese varieties
• Holly, Needle Point
• Juniper, Angelica Blue
• Juniper, Gold Lace
• Juniper, Old Gold
• Juniper, Sea Green
• Laurel, Otto Luykens
• Laurel, Schipkaensis
• Ligustrum, Curly Leaf
• Ligustrum, Swift Creek
• Nandina, Domestica
• Nandina, Gulfstream
• Purple Sand Cherry
• Rose, Knockout Varieties
• Spirea varieties
• Viburnum, Pragense
• Viburnum, Shasta
• Weigela, Wine and Roses
• Yews, Hicks

The post The Best Hedges and Screening Plants for Your Virginia Landscape appeared first on Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping.

Preparing to Plant Ground Covers

Proper site preparation is key to giving your plants the best possible start. Begin with a small area and gradually expand as you go. Loosen the soil with a tiller or spade, and mix in plenty of organic matter to enrich the soil. The good news is that most groundcovers are quite adaptable and can thrive in a range of soil pH levels. With a little prep, you’re setting the stage for healthy, vibrant plants!

When to Plant Ground Covers

Spring is the ideal time to plant, although you can plant in summer provided you supply adequate water. Plant early in the fall, giving the roots time to get established before winter sets in. Choose your plants according to the light and wind exposure. Proper spacing will ensure good coverage and erosion control for steep areas.

Watering & Care Requirements

Watering is essential to get your newly planted area established. Pull weeds as soon as they pop up and before they go to seed. You can fill in with colorful annuals the first year. Once established, the maintenance for groundcovers decreases.

Ground Cover Varieties Available at Meadows Farms

Remember, the varieties of ground cover listed below are just a selection of the varieties that Meadows Farms carries. Please call your local Meadows Farms for other varieties or special requests.

The post 13 Easy To Maintain Ground Cover Varieties to Plant in Virginia appeared first on Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping.