Spring is here, and we’re ready to spend as much time outdoors as we can. Gardening is a great way to exercise while communing with nature. It can help reduce stress, and it’s fun for the whole family. Get inspired by these five picks found at local retailers and design your own gardening masterpiece.
1. Think Pink.
Grace your space with breathtaking pink flowers and pink-tinged stems and leaves. Molly Schroeder Viburnums grow to 8-feet wide by 5-feet high, perfect for adding a sense of enclosure near a patio. These viburnums are low maintenance, so you can spend more time relaxing and admiring this uncommon plant. Molly Schroeder Viburnum, $28, Ryeland Gardens, 37 Weiser Lane, Womelsdorf, 610.589.4917. ryelandgardens.com
2. Dig In.
Plant bulbs and banish weeds with this multipurpose digging and cutting tool. Used for centuries in Japan, the stainless steel blade is sharp on both sides with a semi-sharp point on the end. Inscribed measurements help gauge soil depth. It's so handy! The name “Hori hori” reflects the sound of digging in the soil. Hori Hori Knife, $39.99, Riverview Gardens & Gifts, 3049 Pricetown Rd., Temple, 610.929.5049. riverviewtree.com, gardensandgifts.com
3. Contain Your Enthusiasm.
Take your outdoor landscaping to the next level with gardening containers. Enjoy the flexibility and portability that containers offer. Enhance your front door or patio with this stunning arrangement of beautiful blooms. A grouping of canna lilies, geraniums, heliotrope and petunias adds brilliant color and a heavenly fragrance to your yard. Custom Container Planter, $159.99, Spayd's Outdoor Environments, 3225 Pricetown Rd., Fleetwood, 610.929.2026. spayds.com
4. Trumpets of Joy.
Get ready for an amazing summer with these showstoppers. Golden Brugmansia loves spending time in the bright sun. With its 12-inch-wide dazzling orange flowers, you can decorate your outdoor space with bursts of vibrant color. Bask in the glow of these trumpet-shaped blooms and create a tropical paradise in your own backyard. Golden Brugmansia, $24.95 for a 1-gallon pot, Sycamore Springs, 1182 Cross Keys Rd., Reading, 610.914.4983. underthesycamore.com
5. Plant a Seed.
Craft a garden that’s bursting with colorful blossoms and delicious eats. These flower and vegetable seed packets let you experience the excitement of watching growing process unfold right before your eyes. With 150+ varieties of vegetable plants, you’ll be able to grow your family’s favorites. Flower and Vegetable 4-Packs, $1.09 each, Esbenshade’s Garden Centers, 721 Park Rd., Fleetwood, 610.944.3000. 1749 Bowmansville Rd., Mohnton, 717.445.6055. esbenshades.com
