Enhance your landscape with the beauty and structure of trees, shrubs, and grasses. Our blog category provides guidance on selection, planting, and maintenance to help you grow a thriving outdoor environment.
Trees, Shrubs & Grasses
The Earl May Tree Story: From Our Roots to Your Home
At Earl May Garden Center, we don't just sell trees - we grow the trees that will thrive in your landscape! Our trees have deep roots in the Midwest, beginning their journey at our farm in Shenandoah, Iowa. Here, our tree experts carefully pot, train, space, and hand prune each tree as it matures, ensuring it receives the care it needs to flourish in our customers' yards. We take pride in our process, so you can take pride in your purchase.
Preparing Your Garden for Winter: Essential Tips and Tricks
Maintaining the garden year-round is dear to a gardener's heart, and year-end upkeep is an essential part of the cycle. When the shadows lengthen, and the air grows cooler, it's time to prepare your garden for winter.
Fall Planting Guide for the Midwest
In the Midwest, the months of September, October and November offer the perfect conditions for planting a wide variety of plants. As the temperatures cool above ground (reducing stress through the leaves) the soil remains warm, allowing the roots of plants to keep growing until the ground freezes. This is important because plants will then head into spring with a much more established root system and will have a higher survival rate as you try to get them through the first critical summer.
Low-Maintenance Bushes and Shrubs: Your Guide to an Effortless Garden
Low-maintenance bushes and shrubs are the unsung heroes of the gardening world, offering vibrant beauty with minimal effort. They are best utilized in beds, borders, entrances, and foundation plantings, providing structure and year-round interest. Their drought tolerance, pest resistance, and adaptability to various soil types mean they can flourish in many environments, from sunny to partially shaded areas.
Hydrangeas 101
We see them. We love them. Hydrangeas. Gorgeous blooms in varying hues of white, pink, and blue. Not to mention the big leaves in a deep shade of green. But what's the difference? How do you know which one to choose? There are several different types of Hydrangeas:
Emerald Ash Borer
It’s time to talk about a silent but deadly threat lurking in our midst: the Emerald Ash Borer. This tiny but mighty pest has been wreaking havoc on millions of ash trees across the Midwest, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. But fear not, for knowledge is power!
Plants for Screening
A natural solution to block a view is doing so with plants. Greenery provides a soft look without the harshness of a fence or other structure.
Deer-Resistant Plants
Nothing is more frustrating than having the plants in your landscape being eaten by hungry deer. Bear in mind that no plant is completely deer-proof. If deer are hungry and they’ve exhausted all the desirable food in the area, they may look to your yard.
How to Care for Roses
Roses can bring you many years of beautiful blooms with a little care and maintenance.
Hardy Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental Grasses are HOT, as people recognize their beauty in the landscape. Most ornamental grasses are very tolerant of heat and drought and will grow in areas where other plants fail.
Fall Planting is the Best
In our Midwest climate, mid-August to mid-October is ideal for planting a variety of plants. We love this time of year as the weather cools above ground while the soil stays warm below ground. This is especially important to promote good roots for a hardier plant next spring.
Water Wiser: Keep Your Plants Thriving
All plants need water, but how much? How often? What time during the day? Don't worry! We're here to help answer those questions.
Color Your Landscape Early!
This warm weather sure gets us in the mood to get out and get planting! Midwest winters can be tough on shrubs, plants, and trees. Things can look a little drab and colorless this time of year.
Our Top Tree Picks for Beautiful Fall Color
We all love that classic fall look, with bright red, orange and yellow leaves in the sunshine. And the fun memories of raking them into big piles to jump in as kids. Or even sipping some cider on the front porch or backyard deck on a calm autumn day while watching the leaves float in the breeze.
Japanese Beetle Solutions
Be prepared! The Japanese Beetle have been spotted in the Midwest.
Trees & Shrubs: Our Top Picks
Planting trees, shrubs, flowers and other plants has a positive impact not only us, but on the environment too!
Choosing the Right Rose
Hybrid Tea…Floribunda…Miniature… Climbing… Shrub…what does it all mean? How do you choose? Here is a simple guide and brief explanation of each rose type.
Mulch 101
Mulch is as important to your trees, plants, and shrubs as sunlight, fertilizer and water. Think of it as a security blanket covering and protecting the plants root system.
Protect Your Trees & Shrubs from Winter Burn
Did you know trees and shrubs can become dehydrated just like you?
Plant Start: Life Insurance for Your Plants
Ever stop to think what plants go through when you take them out of their pot and plant them in the ground or different container? Well, it isn’t as easy on them as you might think.