North Creek's weekly blog featuring insights on the Landscape Plug™, gardening tips, design ideas, native plants, and garden ecology!
As winter settles in and the garden slips into dormancy, its true structure comes into focus. Without the distraction of blooms, we can finally see the bones, and begin the hard, necessary task of editing. In this week’s blog we reflect on what it really means to steward a landscape over time. Gardens are never “finished.” Winter is the perfect moment to pause, observe, and decide!
Perfectly clipped privet hedges once framed early American homes. It was practical, beautiful, and deeply rooted in tradition. Privet became a go-to plant for living fences across the country. But what was once considered dependable and adaptable has since spread far beyond the garden. In Pennsylvania, several species are now recognized as invasive and prohibited from sale. In our next installment of space invaders, find out how privet became a landscape staple and why its legacy is more complicated than we once thought!
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.
Bindweed, pretty on the outside, pure chaos on the inside. This late-season menace is creeping into gardens everywhere, and the story behind it is wilder than you’d think. Want to know how it got here… and why it won’t leave?
Landscape fabric promises a weed-free garden, but the reality couldn’t be further from the truth. Over time, it breaks down, tangles with roots, and creates an even bigger mess than before. In our newest blog, we break down why this so-called “weed barrier” is one of the most persistent garden myths, and what to do instead!
Want your garden to shine just as the leaves start to fall? Learn how timing your cutbacks (and choosing the right set of perennials) can push perennials to bloom later in the season — giving pollinators more to forage and landscapes more to admire!
Think the growing season’s over? Not so fast! Fall offers ideal planting conditions — moist soil, mild weather, and way less stress for your plants. See how planting now sets you up for next year’s success!
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!
From coastal dunes to riverbanks, sandy soils are everywhere. Learn how to make them bloom beautifully!
Most people just seed it with grass and mow, but for those who dream of turning every square inch into a pollinator paradise or colorful planting bed, this “hell strip” can be the final frontier.
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.
Create a garden that thrives from spring to fall with native plants: low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly, and eco-smart. Native plants, perfectly adapted to your region, thrive with little care, promote biodiversity, and showcase nature’s changing seasons. Discover four plant combinations you can use now!
Yellow nutsedge is the sneaky invader that keeps coming back, spreading underground with nutlets that survive for years. This week’s blog dives into why this glossy green menace is so hard to beat, and how to finally show it the door!
Even in the face of record heat, the signs are there, native plants are making a difference. Small efforts ripple outward. Together, we make waves!
Discover the beauty and benefits of native ornamental grasses in the landscape. From stunning seasonal colors and graceful movement to supporting wildlife and improving soil health, these adaptable plants bring both style and sustainability to your garden.
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!
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!
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 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!
