Choosing the Right Mountain Mint for Your Virginia Garden

When selecting a Mountain Mint variety, consider your garden’s specific conditions and your overall design goals. Here are some top choices:

• Clustered Mountain Mint: Ideal for creating a stunning display that draws in pollinators, this variety is perfect for gardeners looking to add a striking visual element to their garden while supporting local ecosystems.

• Narrow-leafed Mountain Mint: If you have a dry, sunny spot in need of a hardy plant, Narrow-leafed Mountain Mint is a fantastic choice. It thrives in these conditions and will fill that space beautifully.

• Hairy Mountain Mint: Known for its unique texture and adaptability, Hairy Mountain Mint can thrive in various light and soil conditions. It’s an excellent option if you’re looking to add variety and resilience to your garden.

Regardless of the species you choose, all Mountain Mint varieties are excellent at supporting local pollinators and adding valuable biodiversity to your garden. With their low-maintenance nature and long-lasting appeal, these native plants are sure to become a staple in your perennial garden.

Mountain Mint Varieties Available at Meadows Farms

Remember, the mountain mint varieties listed below may be just a selection of what Meadows Farms carries. Please call your local Meadows Farms for other varieties or special requests.

The post 3 Native Mountain Mint Varieties to Grow in Virginia appeared first on Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping.

Some Considerations Before Buying Your Cut Christmas Tree

• Tree Height: Decide in advance what height tree you need. Remember, a taller tree can be cut off from the bottom and excess branches used for other decorations.
• Shape and Placement: If you’re placing your tree in a corner, remember that it doesn’t need to be perfectly symmetrical, as the back will be hidden from view. If you’re not placing your tree in a corner, consider its overall shape from all angles. A well-shaped tree with a balanced, uniform appearance will look its best when viewed from any direction. 
• Longevity: Consider how long your tree will be up, and the temperature the tree will be exposed to, and select the kind of tree with the needle retention you need.

Explore the variety of Christmas trees offered at Meadows Farms below for more information on needle retention.

How to Set Up a Christmas Tree

Storing Your Tree Before Set-Up

If you’re not ready to trim your tree immediately, store it outside in a sheltered area (a cold garage is ideal) to prevent it from drying out. Avoid placing it in direct wind, which can dry out the tree.

If it is going to be a week or more before you decorate, make a fresh, straight cut across the trunk about an inch up from the original cut to open the tree stem to take up water. Then plunge the trunk end immediately into freshwater.

If you’ve purchased your tree at Meadows Farms and have had us do the trunk cut for you, get your tree in water as quickly as possible to preserve the fresh cut.

Watering Pre Set-Up

Keep water above the fresh cut, or a new one will be necessary. If the water level drops below the cut, a seal will form, which does not permit the tree to take in more water. Water consumption is related to trunk diameter and not to height. An average tree will consume between two pints and one gallon of water per day.

Temperature Control

 If possible, bring the tree into a partially heated area (basement) the night before decorating to help it adjust gradually to the warmer temperature.

Place the tree as far away from heat sources as possible. These elements will dry your tree and cause it to drop its needles prematurely.

Tree Stand

Place the tree in a container or a stand that will hold water. Do not shave the sides of the tree trunk to fit the tree into your tree stand. Mix Tree Life tree preservative (sold in our garden centers) with the water as instructed on the package and water the tree daily. Proper use of tree preservatives and water will prolong the needle retention of your tree.

Ongoing Care

Once your tree is acclimated, set up, and decorated, the bulk of ongoing care focuses on preventing it from drying out and shedding needles. To keep your tree fresh and beautiful, follow these tips:

• Avoid Direct Heat Sources: Keep your tree away from direct heat sources such as radiators, fireplaces, and heat vents. These elements can dry out your tree quickly, causing it to lose needles prematurely.
• Maintain Room Humidity: Dry indoor air, especially in heated homes, can dry out your tree quickly. To help preserve its freshness, you can increase the humidity in the room by using a humidifier or placing a bowl of water near the tree.
• Use Tree Preservative: Use a tree preservative like Tree Life, which provides essential nutrients. Follow the directions on the package to mix the preservative with water and continue watering your tree daily.
• Avoid Shaking or Moving the Tree: Once your tree is in place, try to avoid shaking or moving it, as this can dislodge needles and affect its shape. If you need to adjust the tree, be gentle to avoid excessive needle loss.

By following these steps, you can keep your tree fresh, vibrant, and your home (relatively) needle-free throughout the holiday season.

Christmas Tree Varieties Available at Meadows Farms

At Meadows Farms, we offer a variety of Christmas tree options to suit your preferences. Whether you’re looking for a tree with great needle retention, a classic shape, or a festive fragrance, we have something for every home. Browse our selection to find the perfect tree for your holiday season.

Most importantly, have a happy holiday from the team at Meadows Farms!

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Fall Foliage Tree Varieties Available at Meadows Farms

Remember, the trees 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 Fall Foliage Tree Varieties That Offer Stunning Color appeared first on Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping.

As one of the most adaptable perennials, daylilies thrive in Virginia gardens. Once established, they’re highly drought-tolerant and can handle our intense summer sun while also enduring the Mid-Atlantic’s colder winters.

To keep your daylilies flourishing, remove dead flowers and trim back flower stalks throughout the season to encourage fresh growth and more blooms.

Daylily Varieties Available at Meadows Farms

Remember, the daylilies 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 10 Daylily Varieties to Grow in Virginia appeared first on Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping.

Creeping Phlox is a standout in the garden for its ability to provide stunning color and texture with minimal effort. It is best planted in spring, when it is at peak bloom, ensuring an effortless transition into your garden.

When to Plant Creeping Phlox

The ideal time to plant Creeping Phlox in Virginia is in early spring (March to April) when temperatures are cool, and the plant is actively blooming. Planting at this time gives the phlox plenty of time to establish its roots before the heat of summer.

How to Care for Creeping Phlox

The Mid-Atlantic’s hot summers and mild winters make Creeping Phlox an excellent choice for gardeners across the state. Follow these care tips to keep your plant thriving year-round:

• Watering needs: Once established, Creeping Phlox is a drought-tolerant plant that requires supplemental water only during warm, dry weather.
• How often to prune: A yearly pruning with a weed trimmer or garden clippers keeps Creeping Phlox looking neat and healthy year after year.
• When to prune: Prune creeping phlox after the blooms fade in late spring.

Creeping Phlox Varieties Available at Meadows Farms

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

The post A Virginia Gardener’s Guide to Creeping Phlox Varieties appeared first on Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping.

This list is just a glimpse of the many Heuchera and Heucherella varieties available throughout the season. While these are some of the most common, there are countless other varieties and color combinations to discover. Please call your local Meadows Farms for other varieties or special requests.

The post Heuchera and Heucherella Varieties for Shady Virginia Gardens appeared first on Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping.

Astilbe Varieties Available at Meadows Farms

Remember, the Astilbe 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 Colorful Astilbe Varieties to Bring Life to Your Shady Virginia Garden appeared first on Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping.

With so many hosta varieties to choose from, how do you pick the right one for your garden? The key lies in understanding the type of shade your garden offers. Shades can be categorized as deep shade (no direct sunlight), part shade (sun in the morning, shade in the afternoon), or bright shade (dappled sunlight under trees). Here’s a breakdown of which hostas thrive in each type of shade:

• Blue-green leaf varieties of hostas do best in deep shade.
• Variegated leaf varieties are versatile and do well in deep shade, part shade, or bright shade.
• Bright green and chartreuse varieties thrive in part shade to bright shade.

Caring for Hostas

While hostas are relatively easy to care for, they do have some common pests to watch out for. Slugs are a frequent problem—using slug bait or placing a saucer of beer near the plants can help. Voles may also be an issue, but you can combat them by using Permatill or Vole Bloc in the soil or planting in wire baskets. And, of course, deer can be a real challenge, so don’t forget to use deer deterrent sprays.

Hosta Varieties Available at Meadows Farms

With more than 100 beautiful varieties to choose from in our nursery, picking the perfect one can feel like a delightful but time-consuming task! To make it easier, we’ve listed some of our favorite shade-friendly hostas below. Remember, these 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 25 Hosta Varieties for Shady Virginia Gardens appeared first on Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping.

Growing to a couple of feet tall and wide, it creates a striking presence in perennial borders, herb gardens, or even alongside vegetable plots. Hardy varieties of lavender bloom for much of the summer, with flowers ranging from dark blue to soft lavender, which attract pollinators like honeybees and butterflies.

These flowers are not only beautiful in the garden but also make excellent cut flowers, retaining their color even when dried. Bringing a sprig indoors can fill your home with its calming scent, making it a popular choice for both gardens and home décor.

Lavender Plant Care Tips

• Sun Requirements: Lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an excellent choice for our region’s climate.
• Water Requirements: Lavender is highly drought-tolerant, requiring minimal watering once established.
• Soil pH: Lavender grows best in slightly alkaline soil, with a pH above 6.4.
• Pruning: Avoid pruning late in summer. Instead, trim back lavender to about 6 inches in early spring every 2-3 years to maintain a neat shape and prevent legginess.

Do Deer Eat Lavender?

For many of you, one of the best characteristics of lavender is that it is deer-resistant. Deer do not like the scent, making lavender an asset as a border planting, as the strong scent will help protect other plants from deer damage.

With its beauty, fragrance, and low-maintenance care, lavender truly earns its place as a garden favorite in our region.

Lavender Varieties Available at Meadows Farms

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

The post 6 Fragrant Lavender Varieties to Grow in Virginia appeared first on Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping.

While traditional salvias are known for their rich purple blossoms, newer varieties now include elegant white and pink options. Perfect as a colorful accent, salvias complement bright yellow perennials like coreopsis, creating a lively and dynamic garden display.

Perennial Salvia Varieties Available at Meadows Farms

Remember, the Perennial Salvia 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 7 Perennial Salvia Varieties to Grow in Virginia appeared first on Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscaping.