North Creek's weekly blog featuring insights on the Landscape Plug™, gardening tips, design ideas, native plants, and garden ecology!
Is every open space in the landscape destined to become lawn? Not really. From sedges and groundcovers to meadows and diverse plantings, more professionals are reconsidering where turf makes sense, and what could take its place!
It hasn't rained in three weeks… until it rains three inches in an afternoon. If that sounds familiar, this is for you! We're talking drought, downpours, runoff, root systems, and how to choose plants for landscapes that can't seem to make up their minds.
Some of the hardest working plants are just getting started in August, bringing fresh color, texture, and pollinator power right into fall. From These late season stars keep landscapes looking their best when many others begin to fade. See which perennials deserve a spot in your next project!
Gold always looks good! Two of our favorite plants have earned 2026 PHS Gold Medal Plant honors from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society! Chosen for their beauty, reliability, value, and outstanding landscape performance, these standouts are ready to shine in gardens across the Mid-Atlantic and beyond...
At North Creek Nurseries, we use 100% bio-based, compostable cellulose netting as an alternative to traditional plastic mesh. It's one of the many small changes we're making to help reduce plastic use while continuing to deliver the quality our customers expect!
What does your garden need right now? Maybe a little deadheading... maybe a deep drink... maybe just someone to stop calling everything a weed. Read our latest blog for practical midsummer gardening tips!
Dry shade. Flooding. Compacted soils. Roadside conditions. Every landscape has challenging areas, but the right plant selection can make all the difference! Want to find out more? Dive into this week's blog!
A butterfly sipping nectar is only part of the story. Pollinator plants and host plants are often discussed as if they're the same thing, but they serve very different roles in the landscape. Learn why both are essential for supporting healthy insect populations in our latest blog!
Not all plants grow the same, and not all crops require the same starting material. From vigorous perennials to deep-rooted native grasses, understanding growth habits can help guide plug selection!
Not all tough plants are tough for the same reasons. Learn how root systems, crown resilience, spreading habits, and adaptability contribute to long-term landscape success in our latest blog!
Native plant design is shifting. More landscape professionals are moving beyond flower-heavy borders and using sedges, rushes, and native grasses to create layered, resilient plantings with year-round structure! Join us as we explore the growing role of graminoids in modern landscape design and why matrix planting continues to gain momentum in the industry.
Mulch does a lot for the landscape, but groundcovers can do even more. From weed suppression and erosion control to seasonal interest and habitat, these living layers bring long-term function to planting designs while reducing open soil spaces. Some spread steadily, some stay tidy, and a few quietly solve tough site challenges along the way.
Rain gardens are easy to specify but harder to get right. From infiltration to plant zoning to long-term maintenance, we’re digging into what actually makes these systems perform over time!
The best landscapes aren’t just planted; they’re built to function. Layers, density, and a little room for natural processes can turn even a small space into something that supports real life. It doesn’t take a full redesign to make an impact. Start with one shift. Add a layer. Rethink a space. Let it work a little harder! Earth day is every day.
Meadows are having a moment but they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution. When they’re done right, they can outperform traditional landscapes in both function and long-term value. When they’re not, they can miss the mark quickly. We’re taking an honest look at where managed meadows actually work, where they don’t, and what it really takes to make them successful in the field!
That plant may look ready, but is it actually? Dormant vs. actively growing transplants behave very differently once they hit the landscape. Understanding the tradeoffs can mean the difference between smooth establishment and early-season stress. Take a closer look before you plant!
Spacing plants for install day? Smart planting density can reduce weeds, lower maintenance, and create stronger, more resilient landscapes over time. It’s not just about how it looks now; it’s about how it performs in year three.
Spring may look ready above ground, but below the surface, it’s a different story. Soil temperature, root activity, and nutrient availability don’t always line up with what you see. Before you plant or fertilize, make sure the root zone is actually ready.
Climate shifts aren’t just about warmer temperatures, they’re about unpredictability. Sudden freezes, extended drought, and intense rainfall are reshaping how plants perform in landscapes. We explore how adaptive native species can help professionals design plantings that remain resilient, functional, and ecologically beneficial despite changing conditions in this week’s blog!
Asclepias tuberosa is a garden favorite for good reason: bold color, drought tolerance, and pollinator appeal. But when it comes to monarch caterpillars, some milkweeds do a little more of the heavy lifting. The best gardens use a mix: beauty and habitat.
Leaving seedheads in place isn’t messy, it’s intentional gardening. See how those spent blooms become natural bird feeders and add texture and movement to your winter landscape.
Some plants ask for attention every day. Others just settle in, thrive, and quietly support pollinators. Looking for plants that thrive with minimal fuss? Guess which ones we’re talking about!
Starting September 29, join Dr. Noel Kingsbury, Nigel Dunnett, and Cassian Schmidt for a 10-part online course (and 3 Q&As) in naturalistic planting design!
Healthy soil is the foundation of every thriving landscape. Skip the chemicals and let your soil do the work. Discover how no dig gardening and native perennials create healthier, low-maintenance landscapes.
