Whether you're dreaming up new container combos, rethinking your garden design, or just trying to keep the deer from treating your hydrangeas like a salad bar—we've got you! From easy-care perennials that love life in a container to smart ways to outwit hungry grazers, this issue is full of tips to keep your garden space looking good all season long.
We’re also talking four-season design in our next webinar, spotlighting a pollinator favorite (hi, Firefly Red Pop™), and sharing a new Doug Tallamy book that’ll inspire you to make a difference—starting right in your own yard.
20 Best Perennials for Containers:
Long-Lasting Color in Every Pot!
Container gardening isn’t just for annuals! Whether you’re gardening on a balcony, deck, porch, or in a large backyard, perennials bring beauty and versatility to every corner. From pollinator magnets like agastache and salvia, to shade-loving showstoppers like hosta and ferns, you’ll find a wide range of choices perfect for containers. Plus, many are pollinator-friendly and easy to care for! Win-win!
Found your favorites? Here’s your next step: How to plant, care for, and design with perennials in pots.
Speaking of growing plants in pots... See how one gardener transformed her balcony with plants in pots and raised beds. Bethany Bey had resigned herself to the belief that she wouldn’t have a “real” garden until she moved into a place with a backyard. But when she and her husband moved into their place with a rooftop patio, her thinking changed: Even though she didn’t have a backyard, she could put a raised bed up there and grow a few things. See how "a few things" turned into much, much more—and how she sweetly shares her passion with others.
Want a Garden That Looks Great All Year?
Join garden designer Rebecca Sweet for our next webinar filled with practical tips and fresh ideas for designing a four-season garden. Whether you're starting from scratch or giving your current space a makeover, you'll learn how to create structure, choose the right mix of plants, and adapt your design to changing conditions—so your garden shines in every season.
From Plan to Planting:
Designing a Garden for Every Season
Webinar with Rebecca Sweet
Thursday, May 15 @ 6PM EDT*
*Can't join us live? All registrants will receive the recording.
Protect Your Hydrangeas from Hungry Deer
If you’re planting hydrangeas this spring—or protecting ones already in your garden—this expert guide is a must-read. Find out which hydrangeas are most vulnerable, how to recognize deer damage, and the best ways to protect your shrubs before hungry deer do their worst. Includes plant-specific advice, repellents, and alternatives for deer-prone gardens.
Garden Inspiration, Napa Style
Design secrets, good company, and garden views for days
Treat yourself to a two-day creative escape in Freeland & Sabrina Tanner’s private garden, right in the heart of beautiful Napa Valley, CA. Hosted by Rebecca Sweet, this hands-on design retreat offers guided sessions taught in the garden itself—where you’ll see the principles of good design in action.
You’ll learn how to create structure, blend plants for seasonal impact, and tackle challenges like privacy and flow—all while connecting with fellow garden lovers in a small-group setting. This isn’t a lecture—it’s a garden design retreat.
See the itinerary, get more info, and reserve your spot today!
Limited spots available:
May 8-9 | June 5-6
There’s nothing like seeing it for yourself...take a look at this short video to get a feel for the garden and the overall experience.
Plant of the Week:
'Firefly Red Pop' Yarrow
Need a tough, colorful perennial that deer tend to leave alone—and thrives in a pot or the ground? Firefly Red Pop™ yarrow checks all the boxes. Its bright cherry red blooms with sunny yellow centers rise above soft, silvery foliage, lighting up sunny spots all summer long. Pollinators love it, deer usually don’t, and it’s happy in a container or well-drained garden bed.
Prefer a pinker palette? Firefly Red Pop™ also has a vibrant companion in 'Firefly Fuchsia', with deep fuchsia flowers that age to light pink.
NEW RELEASE:
How Can I Help? Saving Nature with Your Yard
by Douglas W. Tallamy
What if helping the planet started just outside your door? In his latest book, How Can I Help?, bestselling author and wildlife ecologist Doug Tallamy is back with practical, inspiring advice for anyone who wants to make a difference—starting in their own backyard. From choosing native plants to supporting local wildlife, How Can I Help? is a powerful guide for turning everyday gardening into ecological action.
Want to win a copy? Just click here to share this newsletter with a friend and you'll be entered!
I really enjoy hearing the stories behind your gardens—how they came to be, what they mean to you, and seeing the little details that make them uniquely yours. Gardens are such personal spaces, and every one has a story worth telling.
If you’ve created a space you love—whether it’s a full transformation or something that’s been slowly evolving over the years—I’d love for you to share it with us (click here to see how). Some of these stories will be featured on our website alongside other inspiring reader gardens. Looking forward to seeing your gardens!
Happy gardening!
—Linda
Don't forget to forward this newsletter to a friend to be entered to win a copy of Doug Tallamy's new book!
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