Gardening information from beginner to advanced. How to grow and care for annuals, perennials, shrubs, roses, evergreens and trees.https://www.midwestgardentips.comen-ushttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/potentillahttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/potentillaPotentilla has blurry lines between herbaceous perennial and woody shrub.Tue, 29 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMTshrub-index-1https://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/privet-1https://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/privet-1Privet shrubs are so commonly used as a hedging plant that they are referred to as privet hedge.Sat, 26 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMTshrub-index-1https://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/quincehttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/quinceTough and hardy flowering Quince are easy to grow.Tue, 22 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMTshrub-index-1https://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/rhododendronhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/rhododendronRhododendrons and Azaleas are so closely related there is little distinction between the two.Sun, 13 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMTshrub-index-1https://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/sandcherryhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/sandcherryPurple Leaf Sandcherry or Red Leaf plum are a cross between Cherry Plum and Sand Cherry.Thu, 10 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMTshrub-index-1https://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/serviceberryhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/serviceberryWhether you consider Serviceberry a shrub or a shrubby tree, it lend all season interest and wonderful color to the fall landscape.Sun, 06 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMTshrub-index-1https://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/snowberryhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/snowberryCommon Snowberry is a native deciduous shrub found across the United States and Canada.Fri, 04 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMTshrub-index-1https://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/smokebushhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/smokebushSmoke bush, or Smoke tree, is a very popular garden and landscape shrub with its’ unique blooms appearing as fluffy puffs of smoke.Wed, 02 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMTshrub-index-1https://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/spireahttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/spireaSpirea is one of the easiest flowering shrubs to grow, and many varieties offer many bloom and leaf colors.Fri, 18 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMTshrub-index-1https://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/sumachttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/sumacSumac display perhaps the most dramatic fall colors of deciduous shrubs.Wed, 16 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMTshrub-index-1https://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/summersweethttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/summersweetClethra alnifolia is commonly known as Summersweet or Sweet Pepperbush.Thu, 10 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMTshrub-index-1https://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/viburnumhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/viburnumThis reliably easy to grow species offers varieties large enough to screen out an undesirable view.Fri, 28 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMTshrub-index-1https://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/weigelahttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/weigelaThis long time favorite of the Midwest Garden is very adaptable.Tue, 25 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMTshrub-index-1https://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/willowhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/willowThe Salix genus includes over 400 species of trees and shrubs.Mon, 24 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMTshrub-index-1https://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/winterberryhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/winterberryWinterberry Ilex verticillata Winterberry HollySun, 23 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMTshrub-index-1https://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/witch-hazelhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/shrub-index-1/witch-hazelWitch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana ‘Common Witch Hazel’Sat, 22 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMTshrub-index-1https://www.midwestgardentips.com/landscape-planning-care/artificial-turfhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/landscape-planning-care/artificial-turfThe lists of both pros and cons of installing artificial grass are very long. It is important that you understand all of it to make the best decision.Mon, 26 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMTlandscape-planning-carehttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/pests-problems/nutrient-deficiencyhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/pests-problems/nutrient-deficiencyHow to identify and correct nutrient deficiencies in your plants.Tue, 29 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMTpests-problemshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/pests-problems/squash-bugshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/pests-problems/squash-bugsWhen adult squash bugs come out from their winter shelter in spring, as soon as the vines start to run, they quickly fly to running cucurbit plants to feed heavily and mate.Sat, 26 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMTpests-problemshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/new-blog/bitter-cucumbershttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/new-blog/bitter-cucumbersCucumbers are a staple of many gardens across the Midwest, but they can be a frustrating crop to grow.Wed, 09 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMTnew-bloghttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/spring-prep-chores/harden-off-seedlingshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/spring-prep-chores/harden-off-seedlingsHardening off your seedlings is not complicated, it just takes patience.Fri, 12 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMTspring-prep-choreshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/specialty-garden-types/create-a-hummingbird-gardenhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/specialty-garden-types/create-a-hummingbird-gardenIt is fascinating to watch hummingbirds dart from one nectar rich plant to another, hovering at each bloom as they feed.Tue, 23 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMTspecialty-garden-typeshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/specialty-garden-types/best-plants-for-wet-soilhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/specialty-garden-types/best-plants-for-wet-soilYou might be surprised to find that there are quite a few plants that will tolerate poorly drained soil and some that even thrive in standing water. Great plants to use in rain gardens, water features and wet soil areas.Mon, 15 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMTspecialty-garden-typeshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/garden-care-maintenance/soil-drainagehttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/garden-care-maintenance/soil-drainageHow to easily determine if you have well drained soil.Tue, 19 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMTgarden-care-maintenancehttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/to-do-in-winter/compost-indoors-in-winterhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/to-do-in-winter/compost-indoors-in-winterOutdoor composting in the North and Midwest is difficult at best.Fri, 08 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMTto-do-in-winterhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/garden-care-maintenance/midsummer-maintenancehttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/garden-care-maintenance/midsummer-maintenanceOur perennial gardens can turn to a mess quickly in late July or August if we ignore basic maintenance and clean up.Fri, 08 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMTgarden-care-maintenancehttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/garden-care-maintenance/flopping-plantshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/garden-care-maintenance/flopping-plantsIt can be very frustrating to see huge blooms bend a weak stem, or the whole plant splaying outward under the weight of summer growth and exposing a bare center. There are several things that may cause floppy plants but there are some things gardeners can do to prevent it or at least shore up weak stems.Tue, 05 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMTgarden-care-maintenancehttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/new-blog/unique-and-extraordinary-plantshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/new-blog/unique-and-extraordinary-plantsMake plans for some unique and extraordinary plants for your gardens.Tue, 29 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMTnew-bloghttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/to-do-in-winter/feed-the-birds-in-winterhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/to-do-in-winter/feed-the-birds-in-winterHow to keep birds in residence through winter. What to feed them and how to feed them.Fri, 11 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMTto-do-in-winterhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/garden-fresh-recipes/garden-fresh-green-beanshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/garden-fresh-recipes/garden-fresh-green-beansI usually get a bumper crop of green beans so I am always looking for delicious ways to prepare them.Wed, 02 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMTgarden-fresh-recipeshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/garden-fresh-recipes/garden-fresh-peppershttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/garden-fresh-recipes/garden-fresh-peppersEnjoy gardener's favorite pepper recipes and share yours!Wed, 02 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMTgarden-fresh-recipeshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/landscape-garden-design/plan-for-fall-colorhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/landscape-garden-design/plan-for-fall-colorBy late summer many of our blooming plants are fading and our landscape is left with a palette of green.Fri, 02 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMTlandscape-garden-designhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/to-do-in-winter/start-tubers-and-bulbshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/to-do-in-winter/start-tubers-and-bulbsStart summer blooming tropicals and tender perennials indoors to use in annual containers and plantings.Tue, 15 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMTto-do-in-winterhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/specialty-garden-types/a-healing-gardenhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/specialty-garden-types/a-healing-gardenThere are many natural herbs and plants with healing powers, some may be growing in your own backyard gardens. But natural does not necessarily mean safe, or effective for that matter.Wed, 19 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMTspecialty-garden-typeshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/feed-the-soil-feed-your-plants/chemical-fertilizerhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/feed-the-soil-feed-your-plants/chemical-fertilizerIs it ever appropriate to use chemical fertilizer? maybe, sometimes, yes?Thu, 13 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMTfeed-the-soil-feed-your-plantshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/plant-spotlights/peonieshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/plant-spotlights/peoniesPeonies produce enormous blooms and enormous fragrance, and are so very easy to grow.Mon, 10 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMTplant-spotlightshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/specialty-garden-types/growing-in-windy-areashttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/specialty-garden-types/growing-in-windy-areasWindy planting sites, strong storms and even high rise balconies exposed to wind can make growing beautiful flowers challenging. Discover strategies and plants to deal with windy sites.Wed, 15 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMTspecialty-garden-typeshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/landscape-planning-care/spring-landscape-cleanuphttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/landscape-planning-care/spring-landscape-cleanupAfter preparing your gardens for the growing season, it is time to also prepare your general landscape.Mon, 15 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMTlandscape-planning-carehttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/landscape-planning-care/clover-lawnshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/landscape-planning-care/clover-lawnsIs a Clover Lawn Maintenance Free? Not entirely, but you can have a beautiful clover lawn with substantially less work. Gorgeous photos of what you can expect from a clover lawn.Fri, 12 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMTlandscape-planning-carehttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/new-blog/peony-antshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/new-blog/peony-antsNo, you don’t need ants for peonies to bloom, but the ants do have a very important job.Mon, 08 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMTnew-bloghttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/pests-problems/naturals-ways-to-control-moles-and-voleshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/pests-problems/naturals-ways-to-control-moles-and-volesBefore you can resolve issues caused by burrowing and tunneling moles and voles, you need to understand their habitat and feeding habits to identify which critter is causing damage to your plants.Wed, 06 May 2020 00:00:00 GMTpests-problemshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/plant-spotlights/catmint-is-not-catniphttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/plant-spotlights/catmint-is-not-catnipCatnip and Catmint are in fact quite different plants with different characteristics.Wed, 22 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMTplant-spotlightshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/begginer-guide/cultivating-why-how-whenhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/begginer-guide/cultivating-why-how-whenCultivating the soil in your gardens is very important for your plants. And there is a difference between cultivating and tilling.Fri, 17 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMTbegginer-guidehttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/begginer-guide/digging-in-a-garden-bedhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/begginer-guide/digging-in-a-garden-bedDig your new garden in well the first time to save you lots of time later. Your plants will establish better and thrive.Fri, 17 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMTbegginer-guidehttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/begginer-guide/first-gardenhttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/begginer-guide/first-gardenIf you have never gardened before, start simple, start small, but do it right the first time. This basic information will get you started. Helpful and important hints for getting started.Fri, 17 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMTbegginer-guidehttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/begginer-guide/when-your-garden-needs-tillinghttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/begginer-guide/when-your-garden-needs-tillingWhat you need to know about tilling to select a garden tiller when your garden needs tilling. Find detailed descriptions of the best small tillers and how they function.Fri, 17 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMTbegginer-guidehttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/begginer-guide/essential-garden-toolshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/begginer-guide/essential-garden-toolsA few good garden tools will make your gardening easier, efficient and more enjoyable. Just don’t get caught up in having the latest, greatest, best, most expensive tools available.Thu, 16 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMTbegginer-guidehttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/begginer-guide/frost-heavehttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/begginer-guide/frost-heaveUnderstand and prevent frost heavingWed, 15 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMTbegginer-guidehttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/pests-problems/planting-under-mature-treeshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/pests-problems/planting-under-mature-treesGarden plants will need to compete with large trees and roots. Learn how to help plants get established under mature trees and create a lovely woodland garden.Wed, 15 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMTpests-problemshttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/begginer-guide/top-dressinghttps://www.midwestgardentips.com/begginer-guide/top-dressingThe what, why and how of top dressing and side dressingWed, 15 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMTbegginer-guide