Sometimes the overuse of perfectly good plants starts to sour our impression of them (kind of like when great songs are used in awful TV ads). Such is beginning to be the case with variegated Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa “Aureola”). However, just as people are growing used to swaths of this great plant, a new sport is becoming available that possesses the same elegant form combined with a gold/maroon color scheme tailored for Gopher fans. “Sunflare” is an attention-grabbing offspring of “All Gold” that lends autumnal flair to the garden throughout the growing season. Multicolored foliage streaks onto the scene in spring, largely ages to gold in summer, and then reprises its spring show come fall. Like “All Gold”, it is less bulky and aggressive than “Aureola” once established.

Though it does not seem like the time of year for gardening, I’d like to plant a seed in the minds of those hardy souls who are determined to not just survive but to thrive in the Minnesotan climate. And that seed is….

Here is a great plant for the Seussian gardener in our cold climate. “Trost’s Dwarf” cutleaf birch forms an irregularly mounding shrubby form that resembles milfoil suspended in watery animation. Hardy to zone 3, this is a safer bet than dwarf threadleaf Japanese maples if you’re looking for this form/texture combination. Available for the 2018 season at Green Value Nursery.

For mid and late season elegance, few perennials provide the nuanced, restrained beauty of Calamint. Calamintha “White Cloud” provides a continuous display of effervescent bloom from late June until frost. Planted in sunny locations, this herb matures to 18″ high with a two foot spread. Unlike catmint, the wiry stems rebound nicely after storms and retain their buoyancy throughout the season.

Late Summer and early Fall is the best time to seed your yard in Minnesota, generally around Labor Day or the few weeks that follow because the weather is starting to cool down and there is a nice dew present most mornings. Another big reason is because the Spring pre-emergents have had a chance to work their way out of the soil.

Di-Hydrogen Monoxide. A chemical that can be dangerous in certain situations and can be found everywhere around us. This dangerous chemical is better known as H20, or water. Adding water, or a water feature to the landscape can have numerous benefits. From promoting good health and wellness, to helping with environmental conservation, here are some reasons why adding water features can be beneficial to you as a homeowner.