From Al's Experts




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From Al's Experts
butterfly visits a Yarrow plant

All of our perennials are at their height of beauty. No wonder that June is Perennial Gardening Month! Right now Al's has the biggest selection and most varieties of perennials than any other time of year. This week we wanted to share with you perennials that are particularly good at attracting our beautiful pollinator friends - the butterflies.

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From Al's Experts
Star Jasmine on a trellis

While we tend to think of blooming annuals and perennials that attract pollinators to your yard, there are many trees, shrubs, and vines that can also draw their attention (and many benefits). Here are some of our favorite shrubs and vines that we encourage you to mix in to your Pollinator Preferred garden.

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From Al's Experts
Bees visiting lavender plants

When it comes to doing our part to sustain our environment, understanding and accommodating bees and other pollinators is an easy way to get involved. While there are many flowering trees and shrubs that also attract bees, June is historically known for perennials. In fact, June is Perennial Gardening Month and perennials that attract pollinators to your garden will be our focus all month long. To begin, here are some helpful tips for inviting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds into your garden.

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From Al's Experts
people enjoying a garden party

Memorial Day is the unofficial kick-off to summer entertaining. Whether you are throwing a BBQ this weekend, celebrating a recent grad, or simply enjoying the sunny weather with friends, you'll want to make sure your outdoor living area is up to the task and looking great! In order to make sure your deck or patio is ready for a good time, here's a few helpful tips from Al's Experts on how to entertain like a pro!

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From Al's Experts
a bright hanging basket full of blooms

We think our Grown by Al's Hanging Baskets are pretty special. Maybe it's because we grow them at The Farm in Hubbard, taking care with each step of the process. Maybe it's the thoughtful flower combinations, which we have tweaked and perfected over the years. Perhaps it's just the look on your mom's face when you arrive with a basket just for her. Regardless, there are a few things to know about our Hanging Baskets, so you can choose just the right one and ensure its success!

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From Al's Experts
an array of harvested vegetables

It's planting season! Now is the time to get your vegetables planted. Here at Al's, we want to help ensure a successful harvest in the future, so here is a basic guide for what you need to know about growing the most popular veggies at home.

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From Al's Experts
Walkway full of colorful annuals

Last summer, I had the pleasure of visiting the Pamplin Family Winery in Sherwood. It's an extensive property that includes the winery, but also boasts a theater, art museum, the family chapel, and even a Japanese garden. With an estate like that, you can bet they take care in their landscaping, and it really shows!

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From Al's Experts
gardening

Flowering trees, stone walkways, blooming flowers and shrubs...we all remember seeing a particular property at one time or another that absolutely took our breath away. What made it so spectacular? The answer is gardening. It looks beautiful, but great results can happen even if you are a novice gardener and don’t think you have a green thumb. Here are three great reasons to take up gardening as a hobby.

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From Al's Experts
Scented Geraniums in bloom

Fragrant plants help add another element to the garden experience beyond being just visually appealing, often evoking strong memories associated with each smell, and encouraging people to interact with and touch the plants. While most of us think of things like roses, honeysuckle, and jasmine as fragrant, with their heavily scented blooms, there are also many plants out there that have highly fragrant foliage instead of flowers. One such plant, an old-fashioned favorite that’s making a comeback, is the scented geranium.

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From Al's Experts
People planting containers in a garden center

It's that time of year to add color to your outdoor environment by potting up your spring containers! We love the sense of satisfaction that comes once you step back and admire the combination of flowers and foliage that you have created. At Al's D.I.Y. Container Days, we make it fun and easy to create your perfect look.