If you garden with children, bleeding heart is one of the plants for northern gardens that is an absolute must. What child would not be fascinated — even awed —…

Native columbine (Aquilegia canadenis) is a native wildflower of the eastern United States. It’s also known as wild columbine or Canada columbine and provides an early spot of color in…

Serviceberry (Amelanchier) is a very hardy Minnesota native plant that can be grown as a large shrub or a small tree. Sometimes called juneberry, this is one of the great…

Giant fleece flower (Persicaria polymorpha) is an underused perennial that is a real showstopper in the garden. Quick to establish, within two to three years of planting it sends shoots…

While many Minnesotans grow hybrid tea roses for their incomparable beauty, hardy shrub roses will grow well in almost any sunny yard and are one of the great plants for…

Trees and shrubs form the backbone of many gardens. Coming in a variety of sizes and often providing multiple season interest, shrubs work well in foundation plantings, perennial borders or…

Foamflower (Tiarella) makes a great addition to any shady garden. In the right place, this native of the forest floor will carpet an area with intriguing foliage and provide pretty…

Why don’t more northern gardeners plant martagon lilies? They are the first lily to bloom each year; they are rock-solid hardy in our area because they are natives of wide…