Nature had finally shed its woolen gray overcoat.  Redbuds were blushing in the cast of a fuchsia glow while Magnolias burst forth tufts of cotton candy blooms.  Spring bulbs imparted pops of color in a landscape that had languished too long in the mired and dreary Spring weather.  Things were about to change, wildly, as May bounded onto the scene, bringing sun, warmth, rain and hope.

With May’s prudence and benevolence, we are finally able to exhale as the warming temperatures mean we can now begin to plant.  May, after all, means Mother’s Day, and Mother’s Day means flowers, so what better way to honor Mom than with plants and flowers that are as unique and beautiful as she?  Think and shop outside the big box stores with some of these *readily available and amazing options:

David Austin Carding Mill Rose

Large, double-cupped fragrant flowers in shades of apricot, pink and soft yellow bloom amongst semi-glossy, medium green leaves from June – August.  Vase shaped shrub prefers sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 4-6′ tall and 4-6′ wide.  Great when used as a specimen plant, border or large container.

Ice Ballet Milkweed

Clouds of vanilla-scented white flowers bloom amongst slender willow-like foliage July – August.  Prefers sun to partial shade and moist soil.  Grows 3-4′ tall and 3-4′ wide.  Works well in perennial, rain, and cottage gardens.  Attracts butterflies, bees and other pollinators.  Deer resistant.

Happy Jack Purple Clematis

Clusters of large velvety-purple flowers with bright yellow stamens bloom June – September on graceful growing vine.  Prefers sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 6-8′ tall and 3-4′ wide.  Works well as a border, container or specimen plant.  Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.  Prolific climber.

Illumination Flame Tender Foxglove

Large, pinkish-orange tubular flowers with bright yellow throats bloom May – October on upright spires.  Prefers sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 24-36″ tall and 18-24″ wide.  Works well in borders or containers.  Great cut flower.  Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and bees.  Deer resistant.

Blue Mist Flower

Fuzzy blue flowers bloom atop reddish stems and dense, green foliage July – September.  Prefers sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 24-36″ tall and 24-36″ wide.  Works well as mass planting, container or general use.  Attracts butterflies and other pollinators.  Deer and rabbit resistant.

Let’s Dance Big Easy Hydrangea

Huge brightly colored mop head flowers bloom pinkish-green, to bright pink, and often back to green from June – September.  Prefers sun to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 2-3′ tall and 3-4′ wide.  Works well as a hedge, specimen, container or general use.  Attracts pollinators and makes a wonderful cut and even dried flower.

Star Tickseed

Cheery, bright yellow, daisy-like flowers with golden centers bloom on slender downy stems June – September.  Prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 12-18″ tall and 12-18″ wide.  Works well as border plant or in native or cottage gardens.  Attracts butterflies and bees.

Let’s face it.  Moms deserve the best!  Reach out to Sweeney’s today to purchase any one of these plants and so many more (*while supplies last).  Skip the ordinary.  Skip the lines at the big box stores, and make this Mother’s Day special and memorable with these unique and beautiful flowers!

Plant of the Week

Rose Cardinal Flower

Spikes of pinkish-violet flowers bloom atop sturdy, upright stems amongst glossy purple foliage July – October.  Prefers sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 24-36″ tall and 12-18″ wide.  Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.  Deer resistant.  Native wildflower.

“Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,

Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,

Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,

But only one mother the wide world over.”

-George Cooper

Best wishes,

Kim Sweeney