What You Need to Know About Rhododendrons

If you notice a bush blooming now with bright lavender-purple blooms it is most likely a rhododendron. Even though blooms only last 1-2 weeks, these early spring bloomers add a touch of spring delight as we wait for the other spring bloomers to emerge.

Two varieties of rhododendron do well here in North Iowa. They are PJM and Ramapo.  PJM’s grow 3-5 feet tall, Ramapo’s  grow 2-3’.

 Another characteristic of rhododendrons is that they have “broad” leaves that do not drop in the fall. Leaves hold on and turn a mahogany brown/green during winter.

The ideal location for rhododendrons is on an east or north side of a building where it is more shaded from bright afternoon winter sun that can winter burn the broad leaves. However, this year we have noticed rhododendrons thriving on the south and west sides, and even in the middle of yards where there is no protection.

Care for rhododendrons is relatively easy. Water twice a week the first season. After the first season, water once a week if rain is inadequate. Fertilize with “Miracid” fertilizer 2 or 3 times in early and mid-summer. Trim or shape bushes early summer after blooming. (Blooms set on plants in the late summer and fall – so late trimming will simply trim off next spring’s blooms.) 

Ree's Top 5 Plants

What makes you LOVE a certain plant? Do you look for COLOR? Texture? The shape? Do certain plants have special meaning for you? Or maybe you have memories of plants that your grandparents had in their yard growing up?

All of us here at Natural Plus love helping you find the perfect plants for your yard that you will love for years to come. And, after being in business for 42 years, we have figured out what plants do well and are our favorites!

If you’re in the market for some new trees, shrubs, or perennials, you’re going to want to follow along with these blog posts, I’ll be sharing each of our top 5 favorite plants with all of you!

Next up is Ree, who has been employed at Natural Plus since we bought the nursery in 2014. Fun fact: she is my (Mary’s) aunt).

HERE ARE REE’S TOP 5 PLANT PICKS:

1 . Autumn Blaze Pear: It’s a medium sized tree and has a brilliant fall color (35 tall and 20 wide)

Photo from Baileys Nursery

2. Easy Elegance High Voltage Yellow Rose: I love the yellow color and it reminds me of the song my daughter Atty used to sing, “The Yellow Rose of Texas”

Photo from Baileys Nurseries

3. Bailey compact viburnum: I love it because of its compact size, and brilliant fall color

Photo by Mary Hopper

4. Siberian Iris: Because of the contrast in color, it’s purple and yellow for the Lake Mills Bulldogs, the Lakers and the Vikings. I also just love irises.

Photo from Walters Gardens

5. Marquee Moon Daylily: It has a soft creamy yellow color to it.

Photo from Walters Gardens

This was so hard to pick, Ree added, “and there are 8 million more!”

She also loves the purple sandcherry and the ivory halo dogwood because of the variegated leaf and red twigs in the winter.

And, in case you missed them, here are owner Dave’s Top 5 Plant Picks and employee Mike Watson’s

Mike's Top 5 Plants

What makes you LOVE a certain plant? Do you look for COLOR? Texture? The shape? Do certain plants have special meaning for you? Or maybe you have memories of plants that your grandparents had in their yard growing up?

All of us here at Natural Plus love helping you find the perfect plants for your yard that you will love for years to come. And, after being in business for 42 years, we have figured out what plants do well and are our favorites!

If you’re in the market for some new trees, shrubs, or perennials, you’re going to want to follow along with these blog posts, I’ll be sharing each of our top 5 favorite plants with all of you!

Next up is Mike Watson, who has been employed at Natural Plus for 36 years. He is drawn more towards trees because they are stately and he enjoys the longevity.

And now here are Mike’s top 5 plant picks:

1. Gingko: It’s one of the oldest trees known. It has few pests and problems. Nice yellow fall color and once you get a freeze the majority of the leaves drop within 24 hours.

   Fun fact: Mike’s license plate used to say GINGKO

Photo from Nature Hills Nursery

2. White Oak: because of the beautiful fall red color

image from Bailey’s Nursery

3. Weeping White Spruce: it’s very tall and narrow and unusual, takes up little space

photo from monrovia.com

4. Kentucky Coffeetree: Mike loves the picturesque branching habit that is highlighted in wintertime, native to parts of Iowa

Photo from The Morton Arboretum

5. Shagbark hickory because of the interesting bark

image from Illinois Wildflowers

And, in case you missed it, here are owner Dave’s Top 5 Plant Picks.

Three Reasons Why We Recommend a Gift Card Versus a Live Plant as a Memorial

Three reasons why we recommend a gift card versus a live plant as a memorial

Looking for a gift for someone who recently lost a loved one? I understand the feeling, you want to get the person something very special: to let them know you care, that you are there for them, and to help them keep the memory of their loved one alive.

Many people think a plant is just the thing. And while we completely agree, we think giving a gift card is BETTER than giving a live plant.. and here’s why.

Three reasons why we recommend a gift card vs a live plant:

1. They can pick out the perfect plant in memory of their loved one. While it’s very thoughtful of you to want to buy a maple tree for your friend after she lost her grandmother, perhaps a clematis would have more meaning, because maybe her grandma had one in her own yard. We recommend gift cards so the recipient can choose the plant that means the most to them.

2. They may not have the space for the plant you choose, or the right growing conditions... (sun, shade, etc) This one is very important. Plants are living things. If you buy them without really knowing much about the conditions of their new home, they may not thrive. And the last thing you want is to buy a plant as a memorial for someone, and then have the plant not live.

3. After losing a loved one, there are a lot of things to take care of, and lots of times, adding planting and caring for a plant to the list might feel overwhelming. With a gift card, they can come get a plant when they are ready. Planting a tree, shrub, or even perennial is a commitment, especially that first year. If the person is preoccupied with the details surrounding the death of their loved one, they may not be ready to water the plant 2-3 times a week for the entire season.

Once they are ready and come in with their gift card, we can help them find the PERFECT plant for their yard or space so they can enjoy the memorial for years to come!