The PLUG©

Geraniums for Your Needs

As we hop out of early spring—where tulips, daffodils, spring phlox, fleabane, and Virginia bluebells have had their moment to shine—we might find ourselves in a bit of a planting pause. Gardeners of yore called this the “spring gap,” a brief and peaceful egg-stra intermission between the cool-season bloomers and the peep-ing onset of summer color. But don’t let your clients’ gardens put all their eggs in one seasonal basket! If they're hunting for a pop of color during this lull, may we crack open a suggestion: the hardy geranium—truly the unsung workhorse of the shade garden!

Assessing Stormwater Damage

North Creek's Legacy Plants

Thirty years ago, North Creek’s first catalog was a simple, hand-illustrated creation. While much has changed, our heart remains the same. Today, we’re revisiting the classics—North Creek Legacy Plants—timeless favorites from our debut catalog that have thrived for over three decades!

A History of North Creek

Have you ever been curious about the story behind North Creek? From our humble beginnings to the challenges we've overcome, the triumphs we've celebrated, and the legacy we're building, our journey is one of passion and perseverance. Explore how we got started, our commitment to fostering sustainable environments, and our dedication to continuous learning—all while providing top-quality plant products to our valued customers.

Real Talk: Cutbacks

For many, the thought of eliminating an invasive plant simply by cutting it back—without the hassle of heavy labor or herbicide exposure—sounds like a dream come true. Just keep trimming it, and the problem disappears? Sign me up! But does this method actually work? Let's dive in!

Unexpected Spring Bloomers

Native "Weeds"

Many native "weeds" get an unfair bad rap—brushed off as unruly, undesirable, or just too ordinary. But what if we told you these overlooked plants are actually garden superheroes in disguise? It’s time to rethink what we dismiss and discover the hidden gems right under our noses!

Color Theory

From warm hues to cool undertones, white is anything but basic—it’s the wild card of the garden, tricky to master but oh-so-rewarding. Crafting a bouquet of white-blooming beauties, accented with lush greens, takes more heart than we first imagined. Eight years ago, we in the trial garden fell head over heels for the idea of a “white native plant garden,” and, like any love story, there were plenty of lessons learned along the way.

Color Change in Plant Displays

If you planted a garden expecting vibrant flower colors but noticed a dull appearance during this drought year, don't blame yourself or the catalog photos. The issue may lie in the environment's impact on your plants. Let’s explore this phenomenon and uncover what’s happening!

Timing Cutbacks

Are you in the middle of winter season cutbacks? Haven’t started? Already done? How do you and your team determine when is the right time to perform cutting back the previous season’s growth? In January, we’d like to make the case for waiting patiently on your winter cutbacks. We’ve all heard about maintaining interest in the garden during the bleak winter months, but there’s more going on than first glance.