Welcome back to Bountiful Gardens! The heat is on, and Summer’s coming up fast! There’s no time to waste, so let’s get back on the road and see what’s blooming for Memorial Day weekend. Roses - 0:21 One of the surest signs of Summer has to be the opening of the Roses, and sure enough, they’ve just started to bloom! These legendary sun-loving garden classics need no introduction and come in an ever-expanding array of colors and growth habits. We’ll definitely be keeping an eye on these beauties throughout the season, so stay tuned! False Indigo - 0:41 This week we’re seeing our native Baptesia come into bloom. This sun-loving perennial is a member of the pea family, thriving in poor soils while actively improving them, and it’s even highly drought and deer resistant. Historically, Native Americans have used the pigments from Baptesia flowers as a substitute for Indigo, giving the plant the common name “False Indigo”. Its roots are also highly medicinal, frequently being used alongside Echinacea to boost immunity and treat respiratory infections, sores and more. Ragged Robin - 1:10 Looking to add vibrant wet meadow vibes to that sunny, boggy spot in the garden? Ragged Robin has you covered with its perky pink, deer-resistant blooms that reach up to 3 feet in height, standing out in the late Spring landscape. Bluestar - 1:24 While there are plenty of “stars” in the late Spring garden, few stand out like Bluestar, or Amsonia. Once established, this long-lived native perennial is able to thrive in both wet and droughty conditions in full sun and part shade. After these blue flowers fall in Summer, the plant provides flowing foliage in the garden before putting on their final show of the year—a brilliant display of red, yellow and orange Fall color. Thanks to their latex sap, they’re also near-impervious to deer, and that same sap has been used by Native Americans to help keep wounds sealed. Columbine - 1:58 For some of the most stunning, hummingbird-beloved blooms of the season, make sure to add Columbine to your garden palette. This native perennial does best in rich, well draining soils in partial shade, though it can tolerate full sun when given enough moisture. Red Columbine is our locally-native species, though you can also find Blue Columbine and some fancy cultivars in the landscape. Weigela - 2:35 If you want to call hummingbirds in from far and wide, you’ll want Weigela in the landscape. These hardy, deer-resistant deciduous shrubs feature the vibrant, tubular flowers that hummingbirds hunt for, and can reach up to ten feet tall and wide in time, depending on the variety. Weigela comes in multiple flower and foliage colors, and prefers full sun and rich, moist, well-draining soil. Its blooms are often used to symbolize deep, everlasting love, so if you’re trying to make a statement to someone, here’s your chance! Bloomerang Lilac - 3:06 Want the unmistakably sweet scent of Lilacs all the way through Fall? Plant a Bloomerang! By flowering on both new AND old growth, these incredible Lilac cultivars defy the laws of traditional “Old Fashioned” varieties, which only bloom for about two weeks in early Spring. You’ll want to plant in full sun, and make sure to give your Bloomerang a deep soak during Summer dry spells so it can keep on blooming through the first frost. Sweetshrub - 3:30 With some of the most unique flowers in the native landscape, Calycanthus is a showstopper. Thriving in full sun to part shade in moist, rich, well-draining soils, this shrub is a living relic from a time before bees existed, with its blossoms still primarily being pollinated by sap beetles. Its fragrant flowers, leaves and bark have been used in Appalachian history as both a perfume and as a cinnamon substitute for thousands of years, leading to one of its common names, “Carolina Allspice”. Rhododendrons & Azaleas - 4:01 Closing out this week’s field trip, we have a classic garden combo: Rhododendrons and Azaleas. Azaleas started blooming all the way back in April, and now that they’re starting to pass their peak, Rhododendrons are opening up to steal the show. Both shrubs require partial shade and do best in moist, acidic well-draining soil, and it’s best to plant them “up” a bit to keep their shallow roots out of any standing water. Rhododendrons are typically evergreen, while most Azaleas are deciduous, but as is common in nature, there are always exceptions. No matter what you choose, you’ll enjoy gorgeous blooms while butterflies and bumblebees sip on nectar. Come down to any of our three locations--Ewing, Lawrenceville or Hillsborough--and start Planting More today! Our Website: https://www.bountifulgardens.com/ Our Rewards Program: https://www.bountifulgardens.com/rewards For Landscape Design Inquiries: Email landscaping@bountifulgardens.com We hope to see you soon!

Welcome back to Bountiful Gardens! Can you believe it’s already the middle of May? Gardens all across the state are bursting with mid-Spring flowers, and you DON’T want to miss them, so let’s head back out into the field to take in all the beauty. Iris - 0:20 Glistening in sunny perennial gardens right now, you’ll find a stunning array of Irises. Because they’re so quick to hybridize with other Iris species, the diversity of colors and patterns you can encounter is insane. Unlike most flowering plants, Irises can actually photosynthesize with both sides of their tropical-looking leaves, giving them the energy they need to produce their huge, colorful flowers at a time when there’s SO much competition for pollinators in the garden. These bumblebee-loved perennials thrive in rich, well-drained soil and will form a colony over time. Ornamental Allium - 0:54 Often found alongside Irises is the Ornamental Allium. While it’s a member of the onion family, these bulbs aren’t for eatin’—they’re a floral firework display! Bees and butterflies flock to their globe-shaped blooms, and when bruised, their leaves give off an onion-y scent, which deer and rabbits can’t stand. These perennials are happiest in full sun in well-draining sandy or loamy soils. Historically, Alliums are one of the oldest cultivated plants on Earth, even appearing in ancient Egyptian art and inscriptions. Ornamental Alliums may not have gained popularity until the 1800’s, but when you plant them, you’re connecting to the legacy of horticulture itself. Peony - 1:37 If you’re a fan of floral fragrance, you’ll be floored by Peonies, and they’re just starting to open up! These sweet-smelling perennial powerhouses do best in full sun to part shade in rich, well draining soil. Their flowers are rich in pollen and nectar, making them a favorite for honeybees, bumblebees and beneficial ants. If you want to scent your whole house, just snip a few flowers and bring them inside! English Bluebells - 2:00 For delicate blue, pink and white flowers you and your pollinators can rely on Spring after Spring, you can plant English Bluebells. As you might have guessed from its appearance, this perennial is a member of the Hyacinth family, lending it high deer and rabbit resistance. In folklore, these flowers are commonly associated with dark fairy magic in their native Western Europe. It works best planted in swaths in partly shaded areas of the garden, like under Azaleas along a path, and prefers average to moist well-draining soils. Summer Snowflake - 2:32 Another plant that thrives in these conditions is Summer Snowflake, with its dainty, white drooping flowers. Thanks to being another member of the Onion family, these perennial bulbs enjoy excellent deer and rabbit resistance. Golden Alexander - 2:45 Glowing in a great variety of conditions is our native Golden Alexander. This perennial wildflower serves as a host plant for both Black and Ozark Swallowtail butterflies, and it’s incredibly adaptable. Epimedium - 3:09 Dry, shady spots are notoriously hard to plant, but they pose no obstacle for Epimedium! This is one of the toughest evergreen ground cover perennials you can plant, even boasting incredible deer resistance. It’s also known as Bishop’s Cap thanks to its whimsical, wacky flowers that often resemble the headwear of clergymen. Brunnera - 3:38 One of the most classic perennials for a shady spot has to be Brunnera, and it’s been sending out its bright blue blooms for a few weeks now. More often, it goes by the moniker of Siberian Bugloss, thanks to the shape of its lush, often highly decorated leaves. This plant thrives in rich, moist, well-draining soil and enjoys solid deer and rabbit resistance. Red Buckeye - 4:07 Looking for a focal point in the landscape? Check out Red Buckeye. This native deciduous tree is able to adapt to both full shade and full sun, as long as it’s planted in moist, well-draining soil. Hummingbirds and bees absolutely flock to these flowers, and once they go to seed, they’re a delicacy for squirrels, though sadly they’re not edible for us humans. However, in American folklore, carrying a Red Buckeye seed in your pocket will at least give you some good luck! Fringe Tree - 4:35 Last up, we have a native member of the Olive family, the Fringe Tree! This mid-story stand-out features fragrant, strap-like flowers that develop into berries that our native birds depend on. If you want more flowers, plant it in full sun. For lusher foliage, plant in part-shade. Either way, your Fringe Tree will want average to moist, well-draining soil. Come down to any of our three locations--Ewing, Lawrenceville or Hillsborough--and start Planting More today! Our Website: https://www.bountifulgardens.com/ Our Rewards Program: https://www.bountifulgardens.com/rewards For Landscape Design Inquiries: Email landscaping@bountifulgardens.com We hope to see you soon!

Welcome back to Bountiful Gardens! Ike and the team have their hands FULL right now, helping customers at our four locations bring their garden dreams to life, so this week, we’re heading out into the field to see what’s blooming here in New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. Foamflower (0:29) In the dappled shade of our Eastern forests, you’ll find our native Foamflower sending up its delicate spires of white flowers. This deer-resistant perennial is related to Heuchera, and thrives in part to full shade and moist, rich well draining soils. Foamflower tends to bloom from April through June, whereas Heuchera blooms from June through August, making them excellent companion plants for multi-season interest along borders and woodland garden paths. Mayapple (0:56) Forming an ephemeral carpet over rich, moist areas of the forest floor is another native perennial, the Mayapple. These prehistoric-looking leaves hide the plant’s best-kept secret: a single white flower that develops into a fruit relied on by our Eastern Box Turtles. In fact, it’s believed that box turtles are the number one distributor of Mayapple seeds. When ripe, the fruit is edible to us too, but the rest of the plant is highly toxic, so let’s just leave it for the turtles. Ferns (1:23) If you’re looking to add lush, jungle-like vibes to your shade garden, it doesn’t get better than a fern, and a full spectrum of species are currently unfurling in gardens and forests all over the Northeast. Woodland Phlox (1:35) We’ve covered Creeping Phlox, but take a look at its native forest-dwelling cousin, Woodland Phlox! This perennial wildflower thrives in part shade and rich, moist well-draining soil and reaches around 18 inches in height, letting it stand out in a mid-spring flower bed. Its pastel five-petaled, lightly fragrant flowers are beloved by bees, butterflies and moths, and are a fantastic addition to a Cottage Garden. Wild Geranium (2:00) Blooming right alongside Woodland Phlox is another native perennial wildflower, the Wild Geranium. These deer and rabbit-resistant plants form dense colonies that acts as blooming groundcover in both sunny and shady settings. The flowers are beloved by bees, and its seed capsules are feasted upon by birds. Medicinally, Native Americans have used Wild Geranium to treat a variety of mouth ailments and digestive issues. Shooting Star (2:26) For unique, downward-facing blooms in part shade to full sun, you can opt for our native Shooting Star, which is actually a member of the Primrose family and thrives in rocky, sandy well-draining soils. Candelabra Primrose (2:39) And speaking of Primrose, if you’d like to bring a burst of Spring color to that soggy spot in your garden, you can plant Candelabra Primrose! These water-loving perennial pollinator magnets need consistently moist soil, making them perfect for streambanks and rain gardens. Bleeding Hearts (2:54) May is primetime for Bleeding Hearts. These cottage garden classics love rich, moist soils and do best with morning sun and afternoon shade. They attract a wide variety of pollinators like bees, butterflies and even hummingbirds! Golden Groundsel (3:10) If you’re looking for a plant that will form a swath of glowing yellow blooms, look no further than Golden Groundsel. This native wildflower is known for quickly forming a dense colony that suppresses weeds in the garden, reducing the need for mulch. It does best in full sun to part shade in medium to wet soils, and stands out like a beacon for bees and butterflies. Dwarf Crested Iris (3:31) Finally, bring miniature magic to your landscape with our native Dwarf Crested Iris! This is a great choice for those tough-to-plant dry, shady spots, and will form a rhizomatous colony over time whose foliage will act as a low ground cover. These mini Irises are frequently visited by bees and hummingbirds. Come down to any of our three locations--Ewing, Lawrenceville or Hillsborough--and start Planting More today! Our Website: https://www.bountifulgardens.com/ Our Rewards Program: https://www.bountifulgardens.com/rewards For Landscape Design Inquiries: Email landscaping@bountifulgardens.com We hope to see you soon!

It’s hard to believe, but we’re already at the beginning of May! You know what that means: even more amazing plants have hit the tables at Bountiful Gardens! Let’s take a look at some of the best annuals and perennials you can get in the ground now for a full Summer of glorious blooms! Up first, we’ve got Nicotiana, with its delicate clusters of star-shaped flowers. These plants are absolute hummingbird magnets, especially if you go for the red and pink varieties. If you opt for white, you’ll still be attracting tons of butterflies, so there’s no losing with Flowering Tobacco. If you really want to draw tons of butterflies to your annual planters, look no further than Ageratum. These funky little clusters of blue, white or pink pom-pom shaped flowers are absolutely adored by butterflies and other pollinators. Up next is the sun-loving Jamesbrittenia, which is native to South Africa and can tolerate harsh Summer heat, making them perfect for planters in sun-scorched locations. If you’re looking for a great spiller for your container gardens, you can’t go wrong with Creeping Jenny. These chartreuse beauties will trail over your planters, expanding and enhancing your arrangements. For an eye-catching centerpiece for your planter, we’ve got Ptilotus. This is an Australian flower with attractive fuzzy pink blooms that will get pinker over the Summer before fading to a bright white, providing Fall interest. For tall plumes of showy tropical blooms, look no further than Alstroemeria or Peruvian Lily. These work best when planted in a container garden as a centerpiece, or you can plant them in the ground for a seasonal cut flower. With all the sunny days of Spring ahead, our tables are now a kaleidoscope of color, with new batches of never-before-seen annuals arriving each week! If you’re looking to add color to your porch or patio but you’re struggling with indecision, we’ve done the hard work for you. We’re carrying tons of new annual hanging baskets in so many different color and texture options. We’ve got options for sun, like our popular Geranium baskets, and options for shadier porches like Fuchsia, Begonia and Impatiens. Now it’s time for some perennials, starting with Ornamental Mullein. This plant is fantastic for cut flower gardens, and looks especially beautiful next to Irises and Catmint. For more of a mounding sweep of color, we have our Potentilla bushes. These are super drought resistant and cold-hardy, so they’re a great low-maintenance option for your yard. Blue Eyed Grass is a phenomenal flowering perennial whose blue blooms burst open under sunlight and close up at night. It’s actually not a grass at all—in fact it’s much more closely related to Irises. They’re best planted in groups so you can fully appreciate their beauty. Here at Bountiful Gardens, we’re frequently asked “what’s that amazing smell?!” This week, it’s Alabama Crimson Honeysuckle. This is a native cultivar, and as soon as a breeze hits its flowers, your whole yard will be filled with fragrance. Normally when you think of a ground cover, you picture something low-growing, but our Robin’s Plantain breaks that mold. These perennials grow to about 12-16 inches tall and then rocket up their daisy-like flowers in mid-Spring. They also have the added benefit of being a host plant to all sorts of moths and butterflies. Snow in Summer? It’s more likely than you think! This frost-colored, low-growing perennial spreads quickly, making it perfect for filling tough spots in your beds. Plus, they send up cute, delicate little white blooms in mid-Spring. If you’re looking for ground cover in a rock garden setting or trying to fill in gaps around a sunny patio, Sedum is a great option, and this year we have more varieties to choose from than ever before! You have to See-dum to believe-dum. We’ve been transfixed this week by our Indigo Flair Mahonia. This is an evergreen that works really well in a shaded area, and it has really delicate lacey leaves. As a bonus, it blooms in the Fall with dainty yellow blossoms. We’re overflowing with perennial Lavender this week, with over 6 different varieties to choose from. They’re not blooming just yet, so this is a great time to get them in the ground so you can enjoy a Summer full of natural perfume! And because our phone has been ringing off the hook lately, YES! We have tomatoes!! We have over 25 different varieties to pick from, including incredibly popular choices like Sungold and Black Cherry. We’ve also got our first batch of cucumbers, Summer squash, melons and more! Come down to any of our three locations--Ewing, Lawrenceville or Hillsborough--and start Planting More today! Our Website: https://www.bountifulgardens.com/ Our Rewards Program: https://www.bountifulgardens.com/rewards For Landscape Design Inquiries: Email landscaping@bountifulgardens.com We hope to see you soon!

The weather is warming up, and Bountiful Gardens is bursting with the most gorgeous blooms of the season. It’s time to set the stage for Summer, and we’ve got everything you need and more. Let’s dive into the best blooms of the week, starting with Geraniums! Geraniums have hairy leaves, making them unattractive to deer, so if you want a deer-resistant annual in your yard, look no further. This year, we’ve got more incredible varieties than ever before. We have the eye-catching Brocade Geranium, which is grown for its colorful, whimsical foliage. We’ve got ‘Willhelm Langguth’, ‘Vancouver Centennial’, and Ike’s favorite, ‘Mrs. Pollock’. Of course, we also have our huge selection of classic Zonal Geraniums in every hue you can imagine. Another classic deer-resistant bloom is Vinca. These work best when planted in groups to cover a large area of a planting bed, and they flower continuously throughout the Summer. This next flower is bananas: it’s Monkey Flower (Mimulus)! They come in some crazy colors with some really interesting patterns, and they’ll thrive in a sunny annual bed with good drainage. Another deer-resistant fan favorite is the Zinnia. These blooms are going to last all the way through October, so if you want full saturation in the garden all Summer long, get them in the ground now! Up next is Argyranthemum, or Marguerite Daisy. This is another annual that will keep blooming all Summer long, and they come in a variety of colors and textures. Perfect for the cottage garden! We also have some amazing Dahlias in stock right now, like ‘Starsister Scarlet & Yellow’, with its jaw-dropping firework-like blooms that’ll keep popping all Summer. If mom has been asking for a new bag, we’ve just gotten in our customer favorite Calceolaria, otherwise known as the Pocketbook Plant or Slipperwort. These plants have pillowy, pouch-shaped flowers that are sure to grab attention. If you have more of a shaded garden, our flowering Begonias have just arrived! These classics are beloved for their lush, dark foliage and dazzling blooms that come in a wide array of shapes and colors. For a more foliage-focused annual bed, we can’t recommend Coleus highly enough! We have a vast variety of incredibly colorful Coleus in any shade or shape you can imagine. Another fantastic foliage plant is the Polka Dot Plant, or Hypoestes. They grow best in a shaded area, and they can bush out as they grow, making them a fantastic “filler” plant. For a slice of the tropics in your own backyard, you can plant Colocasia, also known as Elephant’s Ear. If you start planting them now, their leaves can be absolutely massive by the end of the Summer! We’ve covered plenty of perennials for their attractive foliage, but it’s always better when you get a bloom, and that’s where Heuchera comes in with its brilliant leaf coloration and graceful spikes of puffy flowers. Our huge assortment of deer-resistant Dianthus is finally starting to bloom, allowing us to appreciate their Carnation-like flowers. They come in almost any color you can imagine, and they’re perfect for bud vases and arrangements. Another great deer-resistant perennial for cut flower arrangements is Avens, or Geum. Their delicate blooms dance above lush, green foliage, and they flower through the entire Summer. If you want a shade of blue that looks almost unreal, you should check out our Lithodora. It’s a sun-loving creeping ground cover that’s naturally deer-resistant and makes a perfect companion plant for Moss Phlox, Sedum and more. The next deer-resistant perennial is named just as cutely as it looks: Bergenia, or Pigsqueak. This is a really hardy perennial that works best as a ground cover in part shade, and it’s named because the leathery leaves produce a squeaky sound when you rub them between your fingers. One of Ike’s favorite deer-resistant perennials is the Iris, with its overwhelming and lightly fragrant blooms. They work beautifully in cut flower arrangements, and grow best in full sun. This is also the time of year when Azaleas explode with color! We have a full spectrum of colors for you to choose from—they’re sure to be a variety you’ll love. Our Aronia is blooming! Also known as Chokeberry, this native shrub produces berries that are crucial for our migrating birds! Finally, ornamental trees like Flowering Dogwoods and Redbuds are blooming up a storm right now. We even have some near-neon varieties like ‘Hearts A Fire’ and ‘Rising Sun’ that are leafing out alongside their flowers. Believe it or not, there’s even more to come! Stay tuned! Come down to any of our three locations--Ewing, Lawrenceville or Hillsborough--and start Planting More today! Our Website: https://www.bountifulgardens.com/ Our Rewards Program: https://www.bountifulgardens.com/rewards For Landscape Design Inquiries: Email landscaping@bountifulgardens.com We hope to see you soon!

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and everything is in bloom right now—it must be April at Bountiful Gardens! We have so many incredible plants to share this week, so let’s dive right in! Starting off in our annual section, now is the perfect time to start transitioning over from early Spring annuals like Pansies and Ranunculus into early Summer annuals like Lobelia, African Daisies and of course… Some gorgeous Wallflowers (0:18)! There’s nothing standoffish about these blooms, and they’re sure to add a perk to your planters. Moving right along, we’ve got our first batch of sweet, fragrant Nemesia (0:35) in. These colorful blooms are packed with a fragrant punch. This is also the time of year when we can say hello to plants like (0:45) Marigolds, Dahlias, Lantana, Verbena, Coleus, Calibrachoa, Bacopa, Begonias, Salvia, Sweet Alyssum and so many more. And of course, we’ve got our first “wave” of Petunias (0:55). Ike’s favorite is the ‘Cascadias Purple Ice’. If you know Bountiful, you know we’re known for our incredible perennial selection (1:01), and now is the time of year they’re all bursting into bloom, like deer-resistant Dianthus, clouds of Phlox, both creeping and woodland, Salvia, Ice Plant and so many more. Let’s go back to the Phlox (1:14) for a moment, because just look at how stunning it is! If you want a perennial ground cover that’s going to carpet your beds in flowers, Phlox is your answer. It’s deer resistant, drought tolerant, and a great way to add a carpet of color to any of your flower beds, and it’s so fluffy you almost want to nap right on it! But there’s no time for naps now, because we have so many more perennials to cover, like gorgeous Sea Pinks (1:33), with their pom-pom shaped flowers that are ready to dazzle you into Summer. Or Sweet Woodruff (1:42), with its attractive star shaped foliage and cottony clouds of white flowers. Or Leopards Bane (1:47), with its Summery—yellow hues, sure to get you ready for Summer. And before we move along, let’s stop and smell the Rock Cress (1:52), which is mildly fragrant and drought tolerant once established. It’s also finally time to celebrate blooms from things like (1:59) Sandwort, Speedwell, Lady’s Mantle, Perennial Verbena and Forget-Me-Nots! If you’re looking for a natural alternative to mulch, we’ve got you covered with things like (2:08) Scotch Moss, Irish Moss, Sedum, and or course, Creeping Thyme, which is naturally fragrant and smells fantastic. Let’s take a moment to appreciate some Spurge (2:19) dancing in the breeze. We have ‘Ascot Rainbow,’ which became a customer favorite last year, and the Euphorbia polychrome, which holds a secret! In Autumn, the foliage’s golden and green hues change to a brilliant red, perfect for a transitioning landscape. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention our gorgeous Cornflower (2:35). ‘Amethyst Dream’ blooms continuously through early Summer, making it a fantastic addition to your sun garden. If you’re planting in more shade than sun and are looking for hues of blue, look no further than Jacob’s Ladder ‘Heaven Scent’ (2:45), which is lightly fragrant. Ike’s favorite perennial for shade this time of year is Bugleweed, or Ajuga (2:53). This is a hardy ground cover that pollinators can’t get enough of. And if you want a bloom to reach up out of the shadows, look no further than Columbine (3:00), with its hypnotic star-shaped blooms. We’ve covered so many blooms it’s easy to feel dizzy, and it’s only the middle of April! As the days go on, we’re going to have so many more annuals, perennials, flowering shrubs, evergreens, herbs, fruits, vegetables, pottery and so much more to help you get planting this season! Come down to any of our three locations--Ewing, Lawrenceville or Hillsborough--and start Planting More today! Our Website: https://www.bountifulgardens.com/ Our Rewards Program: https://www.bountifulgardens.com/rewards For Landscape Design Inquiries: Email landscaping@bountifulgardens.com We hope to see you soon!

The weather is finally starting to warm up, and some of the best blooms of the year are bursting once again! Spring is a spectacular time to get out into the garden and take in the beauty of the natural world around us, and when it comes to beauty, it doesn’t get much better than flowering trees! In this post, we’ll be taking a look at three different kinds of trees you can plant NOW for early season splendor: Cherries, Magnolias and Redbud! Timestamps: Cherries - 0:35 Magnolias - 2:49 Redbud - 4:25 Ornamental cherries are beautiful specimen plants to have in your landscape in early Spring. They range in size from 15-30 feet tall at maturity, though some can be a bit bigger or smaller. They mostly come in shades of whites and pinks. They prefer full sun, though can handle a little shade, and they do best in average to moist well-draining soil. Cherries can be used as specimen, or standalone plants, or they can be planted in masses, like along driveways or roadways. In general, cherries bloom from late March through early May. Some of our early blooming varieties are ‘Yoshino’ and ‘Weeping Snow Fountain’. Later bloomers include ‘Kwanzan’ and ‘Flagpole’ cherries. One of our favorite cherry trees is the ‘Kwanzan,’ which is also known as ‘Kanzan’. These are the famous trees that you’ll see all around the basin in Washington DC and all over Central Park. Petals from flowering cherry trees are edible, and are commonly used to make a tea, traditionally called Sakura tea. The tea has calming, peaceful effects with a soft, delightful flavor. Go out to a cherry tree near you and brew up a cup! No matter what variety of flowering cherry you choose, you’ll be getting yearly bursts of Spring splendor for years to come. If you’re looking for cherry trees that actually produce fruit, you’re in luck! Bountiful Gardens has a full selection of fruiting cherry trees, featuring favorites like ‘Bing’ and ‘Montmorency’, as well as an enormous assortment of other fruits, veggies and herbs to fill out your food forest. Magnolias Magnolias come in a wide range of colors and sizes, including pinks, purples, whites and even yellows! There are some that are evergreen, like our native Southern Magnolia, and others that are deciduous and give you a big pop of color in the Fall, including Star and Saucer Magnolia. Similar to cherry trees, Magnolias prefer moist to average well-draining soil and get about 15-30 feet tall depending on the variety. They do best in full sunlight, but can still thrive in a little bit of shade. Magnolias make a great feature plant, working as an anchor in the landscape. Not only are Magnolias a great food source for pollinating beetles, the petals are actually edible to us as well! They have a flavor that’s comparable to ginger crossed with cardamom. Magnolias evolved on earth approximately 90 million years ago, predating the existence of bees, so these prehistoric beauties were originally pollinated exclusively by beetles. Up next is a native beauty—Eastern Redbud! Redbuds come in a wide variety of shapes and foliage colors, ranging from yellow to red, purple, green, orange and white leaves. They typically flower in mid-April, blooming for about a month, featuring uniquely beautiful purple-pink flowers that can emerge straight from the bark! The tree ranges in size from 8-20 feet tall and wide depending on the variety you choose, and they do best in full sun, but can handle partial sun or dappled shade. After planting your Redbud, you’ll need to make sure to water them frequently to help them establish, but after that, they’re highly drought tolerant. Here’s a Redbud fun fact: Redbuds are a member of the Pea family, meaning they take nitrogen from the air and fix it into the soil, improving the fertility of the ground around the tree and greening up grass. Their membership in the Pea family also means Redbud flowers are fully edible. You can pop them onto a salad for a rush of fresh flavor, or you can even pickle them and use them as a substitute for capers thanks to their similar texture. When the Redbud blooms in Spring, their edible blossoms are a great snack for humans, and in Fall, their seed pods are a crucial snack for birds. Another thing that makes Redbuds a great fit for New Jersey is that they tolerate our heavy clay soil exceedingly well. Come down to any of our three locations--Ewing, Lawrenceville or Hillsborough--and start Planting More today! Our Website: https://www.bountifulgardens.com/ Our Rewards Program: https://www.bountifulgardens.com/rewards For Landscape Design Inquiries: Email landscaping@bountifulgardens.com We hope to see you soon!

Welcome back to Bountiful Gardens! Spring is in the air! In this video, we're doing something special: taking a look at blooms out in the wild! Specifically, we're diving into some of our favorite Spring Ephemerals! But what's an Ephemeral? Like their name suggests, Spring Ephemerals are plants that come up in early Spring, while the trees are still bare and the forest floor gets more light and warmth. They have a spectacular bloom, and then they vanish until the following year. Despite their short appearance, their importance to early pollinators and insects is undeniable--they're some of the only food sources for those flower-friends. By planting Spring Ephemerals, you can have blooms in your garden as early as March! Some of the most classic examples of ephemerals are daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and crocus, but there are so many NATIVE ephemerals to choose from that can benefit local wildlife. Ike will introduce you to Dutchman's Breeches, Trillium, Trout Lily, Virginia Bluebells and Bloodroot--five of the finest native Spring Ephemerals you can add to your rich-soiled garden. And for those celebrating this Sunday, Happy Easter!! At our Lawrenceville location, you can find an incredible assortment of custom-planted Easter baskets full of Spring annuals and bulbs, as well as a whole forest of Easter Lilies to wander through--you have to smell it to believe it! And of course, our floral experts are always ready to craft up a fresh arrangement for you! Here are the timestamps: What's an Ephemeral? - 0:14 Dutchman's Breeches - 0:44 Trillium - 1:12 Trout Lily - 1:46 Virginia Bluebells - 2:07 Bloodroot - 2:31 Lawrenceville Easter Update - 3:12 Come down to any of our three locations--Ewing, Lawrenceville or Hillsborough--and start Planting More today! Our Website: https://www.bountifulgardens.com/ Our Rewards Program: https://www.bountifulgardens.com/rewards For Landscape Design Inquiries: Email landscaping@bountifulgardens.com We hope to see you soon!