Posted by Sarah on December 21st 2011 in blog
The Sunnyside gang would like to thank you all for another wonderful year. As we prepare to close down for the season we are already excited for the 2012 season – anticipating another great gardening year with some tantalizing new ideas. Happy Holidays! We look forward to seeing you come March.
Posted by Sarah on December 9th 2011 in blog
Globe ice lanterns are all the rage in Minneapolis thanks to Jennifer Hedberg and her now famous installations around town. Local businesses in proximity to us in the Linden Hills neighborhood have embraced the winter light displays for the warming, wonderful feeling they exhibit on chilly winter nights.
After making several here at the store we’ve concluded that ice lantern creation is really fun and suitable for folks of all ages. Enjoy!
Posted by Andy on October 10th 2011 in blog
A common question circulating around the garden center these days is “when, and how, do I prune my hydrangeas?” Luckily hydrangea care is pretty easy, as long as you follow hydrangea rule #1 – know your hydrangea.
There are three basic types of hydrangeas grown in our climate, and when and how you prune them is directly related to which hydrangea you are pruning:
Smooth hydrangeas (hydrangea aborescens), which include popular varieties such the ‘Annabelle’ and ‘Invincibelle’ Spirit hydrangeas should be pruned in early spring, right before new growth begins. Because flowers form on the new seasons growth you’ll want to prune them about ½” above the first pair of buds as they emerge in early spring.
Panicle Hydrangeas (hydrangea paniculata) is a large hydrangea family that encompasses such favorites like ‘Limelight,’ ‘Quickfire,’ ‘Tardiva,’ ‘Pink Diamond’ and the stellar new ‘Vanilla Strawberry’ hydrangea. With this family of hydrangea you will want to prune in the fall, after you hydrangea is done blooming. You also have the option of thinning out your hydrangea by pruning out some of the branches – this will result in fewer, but larger, flowers.
Big-leaf Hydrangea (hydrangea macrophylla) are known exclusively in this climate as the ‘Endless Summer’ series of hydrangeas. This group includes the blue/pink blooming classic, along with newer varieties like ‘Blushing Bride’ and ‘Twist n Shout.’ These hydrangeas bloom on old and new wood and rarely require any pruning, save removing some of the dead branches in spring.
Another common hydrangea question is a little trickier – ‘why isn’t my hydrangea blooming?”
There are several answers to this question, and a few are, frustratingly, beyond the gardener’s control. Almost all of the non-blooming hydrangeas people inquire about are Big-leaf Hydrangeas (hydrangea macrophylla). The first thing you should check for is sun. Hydrangeas (save the Annabelle) need a generous amount of sun to bloom. If your hydrangea is in the shade try moving it to a sunnier location. Another reason for a non-blooming hydrangea could be our unreasonable Old Man Winter. Because the flower buds for hydrangea macrophylla form in the fall, after the current season blooms are spent, these buds will have to tough out an entire winter. Sometimes they succumb to a harsh winter season and are unable to recoup for the season, resulting in what is basically a year off from flowering. And, since the flower buds emerge in fall they are susceptible to being pruned off by even the most well-intentioned gardener. Although the ‘Endless Summer’ series blooms on old and new wood they still should be treated as if the blooms come from old growth and fall pruning should be done carefully, if at all. If all else fails, try a hydrangea in another family that is known for blooming on new growth – these will result in less winter problems and are generally more prolific bloomers.
Posted by Sarah on September 21st 2011 in blog
The new bags are here! Aspen, Co inspired designs made from recycled yoga mats and colorful fabrics. Made to last and with a great story to boot!
www.olovesm.com
Posted by Sarah on July 28th 2011 in blog
Japanese Beetles are in town! Have you noticed some of your garden plants may look chewed and lacey? Or have you seen clusters of flying beetles settled on certain ornamentals? More than likely you have Japanese Beetles. They emerged from the ground in the last few weeks to wreck havoc in the garden.
Japanese Beetles, or Popillia Japonica, are metallic green beetles with bronze wing covers. They chew on shrubs, vines and many other ornamentals, skeletonizing or defoliating them completely. So, how do you get rid of them? The answer is two fold- control the adults, which you can see now and control the grubs, which you won’t see until next season. The adult beetles on your plants now are busy feeding and breeding. They lay eggs in the soil which grow into grubs that feed on the roots of your plants and grass. Treat your lawn and garden now or through early fall and you should see less beetles emerge from the ground in Summer 2012.
Stop by Sunnyside and our staff can recommend the right Japanese Beetle controls for you. We carry natural, organic and chemical controls that can save your plants from these pesky garden invaders.
Posted by Sarah on June 18th 2011 in blog
The coolest trend on the West coast has made it’s way to the mid-West, Woolly Pockets. For the last few years a couple of friends from Berkeley have been marketing the idea that you can hang plants like you would a piece of art, on the wall. Beautiful living art that anyone can create, everyone can appreciate and no one needs to fuss over. Have a wall? If you answered, yes, then you are the perfect candidate for a Woolly Pocket. Like clean air? Spider plants clean indoor air spaces better than any other houseplant. So, why not plant a spider plant in a pocket in your kids room? Or make a decorative wall of ferns in a dark office space. The possibilities are endless.
Stop in to see our sample Woollys today!
Posted by Sarah on June 7th 2011 in blog
Now is a great time to add that top dressing to your beautiful garden beds. We’ll help get you going by offering free local delivery of bags of mulch when you buy 10 bags or more.
Sunnyside has the following varieties of mulch available:
Cypress, Cedar, Cocoa Shell, Brown, Red, Mini Pine Bark, and Regular Pine Bark.
All mulch comes in 2 cubic feet bags.
Wondering how many bags you would need for your yard?
Here are some approximations:
Bag Volume= 2 cubic feet
1 cubic yard= 27 cubic feet
1/2 Yard @1″ Depth= 7 bags covers 160 square feet
1/2 Yard @2″ Depth= 7 bags covers 80 square feet
1 Yard @1″ Depth=14 bags covers 320 square feet
1 Yard @2″ Depth= 14 bags covers 160 square feet
Mulch will help keep the weeds down, retain moisture in the soil and give your garden the finished backdrop to make your plants POP!
Posted by Andy on May 21st 2011 in blog
“Trying to describe the many colors of Coleus is like trying to describe the Grand Canyon. You can’t do it justice in words alone, it is one of those things you really have to see for yourself.” – Chris
Looking for that perfect foliage plant for your container? Or a splash of serious color in your garden? Or an instant solution to that tired looking focal point in your garden? Think Sun Coleus. With our huge selection of Sun Coleus here at Sunnyside, we have a serious color solution for any gardener.
Discovered by Karl Blume in the 1820’s on the Dutch colonial island of Java, Coleus (Solenostemon) quickly became popular in Victorian English gardens – where excitement over new varieties led to exorbitant prices at plant auctions. Unfortunately the early Coleus trend waned as gardeners lost interest in the limited varieties, and Coleus became relegated to the shade garden, where the Wizard Series of Coleus has become a popular mainstay. That is until now!
Beginning in the early 1990’s the explosion of new varieties in the Sun Coleus family has grown exponentially and with the wide array of color choices available Coleus has once again assumed its rightful place as a versatile and sought after plant choice for gardeners. From the bright colored Coleus that electrify a border or containers to darker colors that add depth and contrast, Sun Coleus offers a little of everything for the gardener.
Coleus are easy to grow – they require well-drained soil and a semi-regular watering regimen, but beyond that work in a variety of situations – from the container to the border, as a single specimen plant that also looks great in mass plantings. Sun Coleus will grow in shady areas, but the colors become more enhanced and vibrant in the sun.
Come check out our huge selection of Coleus and find the right color choice for your unique gardening style. Fair warning though – it will be tough to leave with just one!
Pictured: Just a few of the varities Sunnyside is excited to carry.
Posted by Sarah on May 10th 2011 in blog
Keep the weeds from winning this season by applying a dose of Preen weed prevention. No, I don’t get paid to say that, but maybe I should! There are some easy ways to make gardening more enjoyable and/or to lower your garden maintenance bills, Preen is one of those inventions that I can’t do without in my garden.
Picture an imaginary saran wrap layer covering your plant beds. That’s what Preen and Corn Gluten can provide, a blanket of protection that keeps weeds down.
(Next: Stop Japanese Beatles before they get a chance to get going.)
