News Archives
Posted by Sarah on April 4th 2018 in blog, News
Introducing trill-– true & real It is with great pleasure that we get to introduce to you a lifestyle boutique that has sprouted within the walls of Sunnyside Gardens. Featuring unique home goods and personal care items, we hope to impress our guests with special pieces you can use to accent your style. Support a worthy cause, find local MN items, or invest in a piece of jewelry that will…
Posted by Sarah on March 7th 2018 in blog, News
Tips on caring for houseplants: I wanted to share some tips on houseplant care with everyone. This is the time of year when we get a lot of questions about houseplants at Sunnyside. We Minnesotans are coming out of a dark, cold, dry winter season and your plants may be showing signs of distress. Plants drop leaves over winter. They just don’t have the solar energy resources to keep all…
Posted by Sarah on November 28th 2017 in blog, News
Christmas Tree Holiday decorating at it’s best! The Christmas tree can be a unique expression of you and your family. Sentimental items hung from every branch. Your signature lights wrapped, dangled or clipped to the branches. Memories from Christmases past ignite story telling sessions with loved ones. What’s the best type of tree to choose? It’s different for everyone. Some families like to choose the same size and variety tree…
Posted by Sarah on October 11th 2017 in blog, News
Come one, come all! The 9th Annual Sunnyside Gardens Pumpkin Derby is this coming Saturday, October 14th. Join us in celebrating the fun of fall with food, candy, crafts for the kids, and, of course, the big event, which starts at 11:00 am. There will be three one-of-a-kind trophies awarded: Most Creative Derby Pumpkin, Furthest Distance Derby Run, and Shortest Distance Derby Run. Anyone can watch the Derby, but here’s…
Posted by Sarah on October 3rd 2017 in News
Like all living things that overwinter in MN, fall is the time to start preparing to be isolated from warmth and sun. Squirrels are busy as can be packing away acorns and building winter shelters. Evergreens are slurping in as much water as you can give them so that they can photosynthesize all winter long. Perennial plants will take up oodles of nutrients to ensure strong viable roots to start…
Posted by Sarah on July 22nd 2017 in blog, News
Houseplant 101- A Cane Dracaena is a common, tall houseplant that is easy to grow and striking to behold. A Dracaena can tolerate sun to part sun and require watering every week or two. The “Cane” versions of dracaena have long trunks with lush foliage topping their ends. Fertilize when the sun is the strongest in the sky (May-July) and wipe off leaves every month or so as they will…
Posted by Sarah on May 9th 2017 in News
Always a favorite, this combo is sure to impress and it’s easy to care for. The main ingredients are a colorful croton, a red leaf big begonia, trailing lysmachia, tall straight blue juncus, and a yellow edged coleus (we used trusty rusty). If you’re looking for a major statement piece and your pot is larger than 12″, consider using the lemon lace elderberry as the background plant. Plant in fresh…
Posted by Sarah on November 21st 2016 in blog, News
I would like to introduce you to one of our favorite little doodads, a kissing ball! Kissing balls are made of fir bough branches tucked into a sturdy core of floral foam. They are intended for the outdoors and make lovely hanging porch decorations. Some are decorated with cones and berries and some are just fluffy green. The boughs of choice for these unique pieces come from Nobel trees and…
Posted by Sarah on October 4th 2016 in blog, News
Fun for all, trophies for some. Do you have what it takes to be a Derby winner? Anyone could be the 2016 winner for MOST CREATIVE, FURTHEST DISTANCE, or SHORTEST DISTANCE. Gear up and give your pumpkin the thrill ride of it’s life this Saturday at Sunnyside Gardens. For starters, you need a pumpkin and dose of creativity to get that thing rolling on wheels. Name your pumpkin, give it a…
Posted by Sarah on September 14th 2016 in blog, News
You have a yard, I have a yard. I like flowers and fruit just like you, while my family prefers we have more turf grass to play kick ball on. Being a homeowner means making compromises with your housemates whether they be 6 years old or 46 years old. For those of you who need to address some yard and garden issues, I have to tell you that fall is…
Posted by Sarah on September 7th 2016 in blog, News
Our feature fall planting bulb is a Tulip called ‘Purple Prince’. Tulips are a gardener’s first sign of spring. Consider this a friendly reminder to plant all your spring blooming bulbs this fall! You’ll thank yourself in the early Spring as you take in the joy of this self made flower statement. **Our best new tip is to add repellex granular tablets to the planting hole to ward off hungry Spring rabbits. Tulipa…
Posted by Sarah on September 1st 2016 in blog, News
We’re regularly looking to enhance our garden style repertoire, with the latest crop of up-and-coming perennials we can do just that. Here are five rising stars to get on your radar NOW for blooms into September and beyond. Anemone Robustissma- Grape Leaf Anemone Fall Perennial Asters- Purples, blues and pinks. The flowers are fresh until Halloween! tall upright Sedums-Autumn Joy & Autumn Fire to name two of many! Fall grasses-again, so many to choose…
Posted by Sarah on August 28th 2016 in Ask the Expert, News
Here’s a simple boulevard design to help you get started transforming your long grass patch into a practical, salt tolerant, weed proof garden. Start with a sod-free, clear area. Turn the soil and amend with compost. Set out your plants, per the design. Take a pre planting pause to make sure you like the look of things and that you think the spacing is appropriate for plant growth. Dig…
Posted by Sarah on August 26th 2016 in blog, Featured, News
The easiest plants to care for in the human world are often the ones we remember seeing all through our childhood in friends’ homes, in businesses and doctor’s offices. Easy care house plants have quietly been a part of our existence for so long partly because things haven’t changed a whole lot from the 1900s to now as far as ease of plant care. We’ve selected one plant to…
Posted by Sarah on August 7th 2016 in blog, News
Just arrived at sunnyside is a tasty blueberry that isn’t anything BLUE but is everything you want in a berry. Sweet. Hardy. Self-Pollinating. Pink and plump. Great fall color. The Pink Popcorn Blueberry will make your mouth come alive with each little chomp. Creamy white/pink berries mature after a flush of spring white blossoms cover the plant. Unlike other blueberries, this one doesn’t need to cross pollinate and will thrive…
Posted by Sarah on August 3rd 2016 in blog, News
Sneak a peek at some of the great gardens in your neighborhood, keep in mind it might be your garden, and take note of the August bloomers. Things we are seeing around town are hazy purple Smokebush, gazillions of Hydrangeas of all shapes and sizes, Rudbeckia blossoms big and small, white sprays of Baby’s Breath and orange pillows of Butterfly Weed. The ornamental grasses are growing tall, wide and thinking…
Posted by Sarah on July 20th 2016 in News
Theyyyy’re Baaaack! Japanese beetles took a break the last few years from most gardens after suffering great decline in numbers from the COLD 2013-2014 winter. These shimmery, shiny garden pests love to hang onto your vines, roses, apple trees and other garden tasty treats. With a shake of a branch or a spray of a hose, Japanese beetles will drop to the ground, play dead and then go right back…
Posted by Sarah on July 11th 2016 in blog, News
It’s time to check in on your container plants and newly planted perennials and shrubs. I feel bad when I see people/plant relationships go bad. Here’s a solution for you to try on your own. It seems that not just your children need attention, but your plants do too. Fertilizer and water are on the menu for the day and NO ONE’s complaining. So often you pick out a…
Posted by Sarah on June 23rd 2016 in blog, News
Recognize pollinators this week by planting something you know they’re going to enjoy. Butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy the color and fragrance of lantana plants. In the tropical summer climate of Minnesota these delightful flowers are used in containers and hanging baskets for reliable color. Lantana draw the attention of people, hummingbirds and butterflies alike. Lantana are available in a variety of colors, grow well in full sun and enjoy regular,…
Posted by Sarah on May 9th 2016 in News
A note from Monrovia Growers about Itoh Peonies. Named for Toichi Itoh, the first hybridizer to successfully cross a tree Peony with an herbaceous Peony in the 1940’s, these popular gems are in high demand, prized for their huge, beautiful blooms and lush green foliage. Historically, Itohs were challenging to grow and thus hard to find and rather expensive. But that’s all changed. We are proud to partner with leading…