Spires & Towers
Nature doesn’t plant in rows, so why should we? Explore how Vita Sackville-West’s wild and generous garden style mirrors the richness of natural ecosystems!
The PLUG©
North Creek's weekly blog featuring insights on the Landscape Plug™, gardening tips, design ideas, native plants, and garden ecology!
Prospect-Refuge Theory
Ever wonder why certain garden spaces just feel right? There’s a reason, and it might be older than you think! Dive in with us as we explore Prospect-Refuge Theory, a fascinating concept from environmental psychology that explains why people are drawn to spaces that offer both shelter and a view. Discover how one overlooked corner of our trial garden led us to rethink design, and how you can use these principles to craft inviting, instinctively comforting landscapes!
Real Talk: Space Invaders
For our Space Invaders series, we usually focus on one invasive plant at a time. This week, it's a real talk. We're looking at a whole group of invaders. They overrun woods, ditches, and fields. Let's shed some light on 'sterile' cultivars of invasive nonnatives!
The Waiting Canopy
Spring projects are in full swing! Plants in the ground, mulch down, visions coming to life. But what about those tricky early years when young trees haven’t yet cast their shade? How do you design a planting that works now and in the future?
Shade Loving Plants
Shade gardens can be just as vibrant and dynamic as sunny spaces, with a wide range of plants that offer bold foliage, delicate blooms, and rich textures perfect for brightening low-light areas. Take a peek at the plants we love to use!
Spring Blooms or Invaders?
While admiring the early spring bloomers, we spot cheerful yellow flowers atop lush green leaves—refreshing signs of life! But soon, we realize it's everywhere. Uh oh... another invader? Two similar-looking spring bloomers often cause confusion: native marsh marigold and the invasive lesser celandine...
PHS Gold Medal Plants 2025
Discover the Gold Medal Plant Program—PHS’s top picks for stunning, resilient plants perfect for Mid-Atlantic gardens! Take a look to see what North Creek proudly offers from the award-winning list!
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
A powerful storm front recently swept across the eastern U.S., delivering heavy rains throughout the Midwest and East Coast. Events like this serve as critical reminders of the growing intensity and frequency of stormwater challenges. For landscape professionals and property managers, it's a key moment to assess how systems are performing under pressure—and where improvements may be needed to adapt to a changing climate.
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.
Happy Spring!
Spring is in full swing, and nature’s putting on a dazzling show! Early bloomers are stealing the spotlight, soaking up the sun, and filling the air with fresh floral vibes. As your garden comes to life, have you thought about what to plant next? A little planning now means an even more breathtaking display next year!
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
If you're ready to break away from the typical tulips, daffodils, and pansies combo, why not explore our native perennials? Take the road less traveled and show everyone there's a fresh way to welcome the season!
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.
Mugwort Unmasked
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is a stealthy invader, quietly taking over landscapes across North America. Mugwort's ability to invade through both seeds and underground rhizomes poses a serious challenge to gardeners and landscapers. But don’t worry! In this blog, we’ll explore practical tips for controlling this invasive “space invader” and keeping your garden safe.
Transform Your Garden with Carex
Amid blooming flowers and colorful landscapes, we see the value of a reliable ground cover or lawn alternative for balance. Today, we’ll take you through North Creek’s selection of sedges, providing inspiration to streamline your planning and help you discover the perfect option for your project!
Top 5 Plant Genera of 2024
As we anticipate what this year has in store, let’s take a quick rewind to 2024—plant edition! We’re highlighting our top 5 plant genera of 2024. Will any of these surprise you? Read on to find out!