Outdoor Gardening Videos With Guru Sean

 

Hydrangea Paniculata

Sean, the garden guru here at The Gardener’s Center, talks about his favorite flowering shrub, Hydrangea paniculata.

You’ll hear these beauties called by a few different names — Hydrangea paniculata, Panicle Hydrangea and Pee Gee Hydrangea. However you refer to them, you should know they are Sean’s favorite hydrangea and favorite blooming shrub, and for good reasons!

Sean covers a little hydrangea history, a few of the over 100 varieties, where to plant them and how to prune to them. Find out why you’ll want to add them to your garden and landscape.

We Like Big Begonias and We Cannot Lie

Let’s talk about begonias and why you should be planting them! These incredibly versatile and easy-to-care-for bloomers are Sean’s favorite annual for a number of reasons. Begonias come in a variety of gorgeous colors but did you know they are one of the most forgiving annuals in terms of light requirements? They can really be placed anywhere outside. Watch the video to learn why begonias are going to be YOUR favorite annual, too!

Important Lavender Lessons for Lavender Lovers

Love lavender but it keeps letting you down? Unless you’re living right on the coast with its sandy soil, you’ve most likely struggled with keeping your lavender alive for more than a season or two. That’s partly due to our climate, but your soil composition has a huge amount of impact on your success. Give Sean’s video a watch to learn how to properly prepare your soil, and learn about how Phenomenal Lavender may be the hybrid answer you’ve been searching for.

The Buzz on Native Milkweeds: Asclepias Incarnata & Asclepias Tuberosa

Sean, the horticulture expert at The Gardener’s Center, is here to give us insightful information on two different types of native milkweed: Asclepias Incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) and Asclepias Tuberosa (Butterflyweed).

Native Hydrangea

You may not immediately think of a hydrangea when you think about native plants because most of the hydrangeas we typically grow are from Europe and Asia.

Introducing Hydrangea arborescens, commonly known as “smooth” hydrangea. According to Sean, our horticulture guru here at The Gardener’s Center, smooth hydrangeas are native to a large part of the eastern United States. The two Sean reviews in the video below are Pinky Pollen Ring Hydrangea and the more common Annabelle Hydrangea. 

Let's Talk Non-flopping, Compact Nepeta

Sean’s chatting up the virtues of nepeta, especially three non-flopping, compact varieties. These are a great addition to your perennial and pollinator garden! Also, if you love lavender but have had trouble growing lavender, nepeta is an alternative plant worth considering.

Plus, what to do if your nepeta starts donutting. 😉 Special guest appearance by Frankie. Enjoy!

Catmint (Nepeta) Will Have Your Pollinators Purring

Nepeta, or Catmint, comes in tall-to-compact varieties, are beautiful, long-bloomers, drought tolerant and adored by pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Who doesn’t love ‘em? Deer, rabbits and woodchucks, that’s who. Sean has pro tips for selection, placement, care and easy maintenance for keeping them tidy and getting them to re-bloom.

Vines, Climbers, Ramblers & Sprawlers

Sean has the lowdown on plants like clematis, mandevilla and diplodenia and how they climb. He explains the difference between tropical vs. hardy perennial climbers and what to expect of them, how to use them and where.

Cautions & Better Options for Ornamental Grasses

Oftentimes we have customers asking for “beach grass,” but they usually mean one or any of the ornamental grasses Sean is discussing with us here. As always, Sean is loaded with information, and shares how ornamental grasses were introduced to the American commercial and residential landscapes in the 1990s.

Learn about his cautions when using certain non-native grasses like Miscanthus (commonly known as Maiden Grass) or Pennisetum (commonly known as Fountain Grass). Miscanthus Sinensis (Sinensis, meaning of China or from China) is on the Connecticut invasive plant list, and he explains this is why he only brings in Miscanthus in small sizes that are better used in fall containers rather than the landscape. Sean also brings them in as immature varieties, and in the fall, which does not give them enough time to flower and spread ahead of the winter freeze. Mindful practices like this will greatly minimize the impact on our native spaces.

Finally, Sean shares with us some truly beautiful options in the ornamental grass family that are better choices for landscaping, such as Panicum and Andropogon.

PART 1: How to Successfully Grow Tomatoes in Containers

Sean here at The Gardener’s Center, is an expert at growing tomatoes in containers! Follow his proven rules and you’ll be harvesting tomatoes all summer long.

It starts with the right size pot, then the recommended soil, fertilizer and how they get mixed together. Then there’s the right way to stake your plant and container so it doesn’t topple over later. Follow Sean’s guidance, make sure you water properly and let the ‘mater makin’ begin! 

PART 2: How to Successfully Grow Tomatoes in Containers

We’re checking back in one month later to see how our cherry tomato is growing and go over some important pruning instructions. 

What's So Special About Agastache?

Sean professes that Agastache is his all-time favorite perennial!

There are loads of reasons to love agastache (also known as Hummingbird Mint and Giant Hyssop), including they are very long bloomers, they are critter and pest resistant, they don’t need supports or stakes to stay upright. And as you’ll see in the video, holy cow do the BEES LOVE THEM!

Sean addresses a few of the more common questions he gets asked about agastache… “Is this a native plant?” and “Am I doing something wrong? My plant only seems to live two or three years.” 

We Have a Whole Lotta Love for Spring-blooming Phlox Subulata

Whether you know it as Creeping Phlox, Moss Phlox, Mountain Phlox, Mountain Pinks, May Pinks… Phlox Subulata has soooo many great attributes and a garden addition you don’t want to overlook…

For one, it’s GORGEOUS! It’s also an eastern U.S. native perennial, pollinators love it — but — deer, rabbit and woodchucks don’t!

There’s a lot more to love — watch Sean’s video and see if you don’t fall in love with it as well! 

Spring Pruning Hardy Perennials: Itoh Peonies & Lavender

We know you love ‘em because we sell a ton of ‘em! But do you know why you should be waiting until spring to give your Itoh Peonies and Lavender a prune?

Hardy perennials, like Itoh peonies and lavender, behave differently than most herbaceous perennials (those that die back to the ground in the winter). And because of that, they need to be given special considerations when it comes the WHEN and HOW you prune them.

Sean goes into the particulars, including a special benefit for leaving your peony stems unclipped throughout the winter. Spoiler alert… They’re a condo for beneficial insects!

Proper Spring Care for Hydrangea Macrophylla, or Mophead Hydrangea

Every year in the spring we start getting tons of inquiries regarding everyone’s favorite hydrangea, the hydrangea macrophylla, also known as mophead hydrangeas or big leaf hydrangeas. And most of those questions and inquiries are about pruning.

Sean, our horticulture guru here at The Gardener’s Center, says, “Stop! Back away from your pruners!”

Sean has solutions to make sure your hydrangea macrophylla stays healthy and producing plenty of blooms all season long.

Say Howdy to Hellebores (Lenten Rose)

Sean, the horticulture guru at The Gardener’s Center discusses why you should have hellebores in your life, especially for our Zone 6/7 coastal Connecticut gardens. These beauties are shade-loving perennial with early winter to spring blooms; evergreen and live for decades; and works great as a spring container “thriller,” then into your garden for year-round interest. Watch Sean’s video for more details and learn why hellebores are a worthy investment. 

We're Pretty Smitten with Peonies

Even if you don’t know a lot about plants, you probably recognize the peony. Sean, our horticulture guru here at The Gardener’s Center, says peonies “are like roses” in that people are very familiar with them.

But are you familiar with the two different types of peonies? Sean discusses planting and care so you can enjoy these beauties in your coastal Connecticut garden. 

Spring Lawn Seeding, Fertilizing & Treating

Sean talks about which products to use and when to seed your lawns, when to fertilize, and when to treat weeds and crabgrass. Most importantly, he wants you to remember that TIMING IS EVERYTHING!

Proper Potting Tips for Growing Healthy Annuals in Containers

Sean, our horticulture expert, provides pro tips for potting your annuals in containers to ensure maximum growth and health for a long growing season. 

Hardy Succulents: Sempervivum & Sedum

Our selection of hardy succulents are visually stunning with their eye-catching texture, earthy color palette and intricate patterning. But as they say, looks aren’t everything…  

See why hardy succulents like sempervivums (AKA Hens and Chicks) and ground cover sedums check the “great personality” box as well.

A Rose Review by Any Other Name...

Sean reviews attributes and differences between our popular rose varieties: David Austin Roses (aka English Roses or Cabbage Roses), Shrub Roses, Drift Roses and Climbing Roses.