August 3, 2021

Bailey’s Plant Picks of the Week – Aug 3 2021

Every week we’re publishing a NEW Plant Picks of the Week story, showcasing our Plant Specialists’ top plant picks. Get ready to be inspired!

We recently asked Bailey Lackey to share her top plant picks. Here’s what she had to say:

Bailey Lackey, Office Support

London Planetree

Platanus x acerifolia

A popular, durable and attractive shade and street tree, very tolerant of adverse conditions and road salt; interestingly shaped leaves and beautiful white and brown mottled bark; best in larger landscapes; somewhat susceptible to disease


Horse Chestnut 

Aesculus hippocastanum

One of the most popular landscape and street trees in Europe, valued for its upright panicles of showy spring flowers and good growth habit; for large landscapes only; spiny seeds may necessitate some maintenance


Bluecrop Blueberry

Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Bluecrop’

A popular shrub prized for its reliable yields of large, tasty fruit in mid summer and pretty bell-shaped flowers, bushy and upright; blueberries need highly acidic soil, perfect drainage and mulch, plant with peat moss


Berried Treasure™ Red Strawberry 

Fragaria ananassa ‘Berried Treasure Red’

This everbearing selection is both ornamental and edible; pretty semi-double red flowers are followed by small, sweet red fruit; great for containers, but also does well in the landscape


Quick Fire® Hydrangea 

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bulk’

As its name implies, this variety blooms a full month ahead of other panicle hydrangeas for about the longest season of bloom a shrub can have; features large conical flower heads that start white and fade through pink to a rich rose lasting into fall

You might also be interested in:

Plant Spotlights: Redbuds (Forest Pansy vs. Eastern Redbud)

When the gray of a Michigan winter finally begins to lift, there is one tree that signals the arrival of spring louder than any other: the Redbud. Before the leaves even emerge, these trees explode in a cloud of vivid, pea-like magenta blooms that seem to glow against the dark bark. Because they...

Plant Spotlights: Weigela & Viburnum

If you’re looking to add layers of color and texture to your West Michigan landscape, there are two shrubs that belong in every garden plan: Viburnum and Weigela. These aren't just one-hit wonders that bloom and then fade into the background. They are the anchors of a great garden bed. At...

Plant Spotlights: Spirea

If you are looking for a shrub that is essentially "set it and forget it" for your West Michigan garden, look no further than the Spirea. Spirea has long been a staple in West Michigan landscapes because it’s tough as nails, drought-tolerant once established, and provides a massive punch of color....

“Amazing selection and knowledgeable staff to answer questions. A must go to for any landscaping needs.”

—Janelle Coyne