FAQ

help - Frequently Asked Questions

What is another name for a crape myrtle?
Crepe myrtles are susceptible to powdery mildew, aphids, and require regular pruning to maintain shape, plus they drop flowers and seed pods creating cleanup needs.
Crape myrtle is also spelled “crepe myrtle” and is scientifically known as Lagerstroemia.
Crepe myrtles struggle in the UK’s cool, wet climate and are only suitable for the warmest southern regions with winter protection, as they prefer hot summers and are hardy to USDA zones 7-9.
Crepe myrtles thrive in warm, humid climates with hot summers, full sun, and well-drained soil—particularly in USDA hardiness zones 7-9 across the southern United States.
Crepe myrtles can live 50-150+ years with proper care, making them long-lived ornamental trees.

Crepe myrtles need regular watering during their first growing season to establish roots, but once established they are drought-tolerant and require minimal supplemental watering.

The main downsides are susceptibility to powdery mildew and aphids, messy flower and seed pod drop, and the need for annual pruning to maintain attractive form.

Crepe myrtles are fast growers, typically adding 1-2 feet per year once established, with some varieties reaching maturity in 3-5 years.

Dwarf myrtles typically reach 3-5 feet in height and width at maturity, staying compact compared to standard varieties that can grow 15-25 feet.
Dwarf myrtles thrive in full sun (6-8 hours daily) and produce the best flowering and fall color with maximum sunlight exposure.
Yes, crepe myrtles can be kept small through selective pruning in late winter, or by choosing naturally dwarf or miniature varieties that stay compact without heavy pruning.
Crape myrtles are prone to powdery mildew and aphids, require annual pruning, create seasonal mess from falling blooms and seed pods, and need hot summers to perform their best.
True blue is the rarest crepe myrtle color and doesn’t exist naturally, though deep purples and certain bi-color varieties are uncommon and highly sought after by collectors.

Yes, crepe myrtles come in stunning purple shades ranging from light lavender to deep violet, with popular varieties like ‘Catawba’ (dark purple) and ‘Muskogee’ (lavender-purple).

Creeping phlox and creeping thyme are among the fastest growing flowering ground covers, spreading 1-2 feet per year with vibrant spring blooms that create colorful carpets in full sun.

The best ground covers include creeping thyme, ajuga, hostas, pachysandra, sedum, vinca, creeping Jenny, and lamium—chosen based on sun exposure, foot traffic tolerance, and desired texture or bloom.
Pachysandra is one of the most low-maintenance ground covers, thriving in deep shade, requiring no mowing, minimal watering once established, and staying evergreen with virtually no care needed.
White clover is the cheapest ground cover option as a lawn alternative, requiring minimal seed cost, self-seeding annually, and needing no fertilizer while attracting pollinators and staying green with little water.

Orchids are widely considered the most elegant flowers with their exotic, symmetrical blooms, graceful stems, and timeless sophistication that suits formal occasions and refined spaces.

Peonies are often regarded as the most luxurious flowers due to their large, lush, ruffled blooms, intoxicating fragrance, limited seasonal availability, and association with romance and prosperity.

How do you take care of a cat's Pajamas plant?
Cat’s Pajamas thrives in full sun with well-drained soil, needs regular watering when young (drought-tolerant once established), and benefits from light pruning in late winter to maintain shape and encourage blooming.
Norway spruce trees prefer full sun (at least 6 hours daily) but can tolerate partial shade, though they grow more densely and maintain better form in full sunlight.

Norway spruce can be messy with needle and cone drop, is susceptible to several pests and diseases, has shallow roots that compete with nearby plants, and lower branches die off as the tree matures creating a bare trunk.

A 5-year-old Norway spruce is typically 5-8 feet tall, growing approximately 1-2 feet per year depending on growing conditions and whether it’s a standard or dwarf variety.
Michigan is known for white pine (state tree), apple orchards, wild blueberries, trilliums, native ferns, sugar maples for fall color, and diverse wetland plants like pitcher plants and lady’s slippers.
The rarest plant in Michigan is the dwarf lake iris (Iris lacustris), a federally threatened species found only along the Great Lakes shorelines, along with other rare species like the lakeside daisy and Pitcher’s thistle.
No, lavender is native to the Mediterranean region, not Michigan, but it can be successfully grown in Michigan gardens in well-drained soil and full sun, though it may need winter protection in colder zones.
The sugar maple is often considered Michigan’s most beautiful tree for its spectacular fall foliage in brilliant oranges and reds, though the flowering dogwood, white birch, and redbud are also stunning ornamental choices.

A perennial plant is one that lives for more than two years, returning season after season, dying back in winter (in cold climates) and regrowing from the same root system each spring.

Daylilies are often considered the easiest perennials to grow due to their extreme hardiness, drought tolerance, pest resistance, and ability to thrive in various soil types with minimal care.
Hostas are among the most hardy perennials, thriving in zones 3-9, tolerating deep shade to partial sun, deer browsing (some varieties), poor soil, and neglect while returning reliably year after year.
Royal Raindrop crabapple grows 15-20 feet tall and 12-15 feet wide at maturity, with a distinctive narrow, upright form that fits well in smaller landscapes.

Crabapple trees can be messy with fruit drop, attract wasps and wildlife, are susceptible to apple scab and fire blight, require regular pruning, and some varieties produce sharp thorns.

Royal Raindrop is less messy than many crabapples because it produces very small, persistent fruits (about pea-sized) that often stay on the tree through winter and are quickly eaten by birds.
Royal Raindrop stands out with its stunning deep purple cutleaf foliage, bright magenta-pink spring flowers, compact columnar shape, excellent disease resistance, and tiny ornamental fruits that persist into winter.
The best birthday flower is the recipient’s birth month flower—each month has a designated bloom (like roses for June or daisies for April) that carries special meaning and personal significance.
Classic, classy flowers include roses, calla lilies, gardenias, tulips, hydrangeas, and lilies—timeless blooms with clean lines, sophisticated colors, and elegant forms that never go out of style.
Yes, Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida) is an excellent ground cover in warm climates (zones 7-11), spreading quickly with striking purple foliage, pink flowers, and thriving in sun or part shade with minimal care.
Creeping phlox and creeping thyme are among the fastest growing flowering ground covers, spreading 1-2 feet per year with vibrant spring blooms that create colorful carpets in full sun.
Periwinkle (Vinca minor or Vinca major) is an evergreen ground cover with glossy dark green leaves and delicate purple-blue flowers in spring, spreading vigorously in shade to partial sun and thriving with minimal maintenance.
Pachysandra is one of the most low-maintenance ground covers, thriving in deep shade with no mowing required, minimal watering once established, staying evergreen year-round, and tolerating neglect exceptionally well.