Minneapolis gardening services
Gardening in Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota may be known for its lakes, but it has many other natural wonders, too. The state has over 90,000 miles of shoreline, which is more than the states of Hawaii, California, and Florida have combined. Its interior, which consists of forests and open space, provides year-round recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. Agriculture, a traditional economic activity in Minnesota, is still an essential part of the state's revenue today. If you live in Minneapolis, you can enjoy a bit of Minnesota's scenic beauty right in your own backyard. Despite the state's northern location, there are many delightful native plants and flowers that you can plant on your property to add color, attract passing pollinators, and even control erosion.
Gardening in Minneapolis
With more than 2,100 documented native flowers throughout the state, there is no shortage of fine choices to spruce up a garden. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources points out that native plants are increasingly used for residential and commercial landscaping purposes. Overall, they are a great choice because they are attractive and more cost-effective than non-native species, which typically require more care, attention, and maintenance than native plants. Furthermore, native plants also provide essential habitat for wildlife. In addition to contacting Lawn Love, you can visit one of the many natural areas and parks in the greater Minneapolis metropolitan area to see a large selection of native flowers. In turn, this can give you some thoughts as to what species will grow in your yard and what kind of natural habitat they prefer.
The Best Flowers for Minnesota
Regardless of what kind of flowers you plant in Minnesota, you'll want to make sure they are suited to a Zone 4 growing climate as classified by the USDA. Plants and flowers in this zone can survive temperatures down to -20ºF or -30ºF. Proper yard care, such as watering, fertilizing, weeding, and mulching, can extend the lifespan of your flowers even more.
Experts recommend over a dozen native flowers for establishing a beautiful Minneapolis garden. They include:
- Aster
- Begonia
- Chrysanthemum
- Dahlia
- Day Lily
- Geranium
- Marigold
- Peony
- Petunia
Aster is a perennial flower. This means it lives for at least two years. It returns to life each year during its prime growing season. Aster thrives in shaded areas. It blooms from mid-summer through fall. This flower has a beautiful fresh hue that ranges from white to lavender and darker purple.
Begonia is an annual species. This means that it lives for one year or growing season. During that time, however, it produces new seeds to enable the growth of more flowers in subsequent years. Begonia is another shade-loving plant. It comes in many different colors, including yellow, orange, pink, red, and white. This color variety makes it a popular choice for those who want a visually appealing and colorful garden.
Chrysanthemum, also simply called "mum," is another colorful flower. Chrysanthemum comes in a palette of color options that range from white and pale yellow to purple, red, and orange.
Dahlia, which ranges from white to yellow and deep red, is a beautiful flower with rounded flower heads. This flower is a bit higher-maintenance than other species, making it a good choice for a more experienced gardener. It requires full sun and regular watering to look its best.
The Day Lily is one of the most popular flowers for gardeners. It comes in many beautiful, striking colors, and it is one of the lower-maintenance species of flowers to put in a garden. Furthermore, it grows equally well in sun and shade.
Geranium is a popular annual for a Minnesota garden. It prefers full sun and comes in many different colors. Geranium is another higher-maintenance plant. It needs frequent watering and dead-heading to look its best.
Marigold stands out for its stunning shades of yellow and orange. This plant does equally well in moist and dry soils. It will bloom throughout the spring and summer growing season, regardless of the sunlight it gets.
For those who are new to gardening, or who simply don't enjoy the maintenance it requires, the peony is a great choice. This flower is considered to be one of the hardiest plant species. It is both fragrant and colorful, which makes it a very appealing option for your garden.
Petunia is an annual flower. It grows from spring through fall. It needs full sun exposure to thrive and moderate watering. Petunia produces sweet nectar that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
After you've planted your garden, you'll need to give the flowers some time to establish and grow. Meanwhile, there is no shortage of great sites and attractions to see in Minnesota's capital city.
Minnesota's Attractions
From spending the day outside, to shopping 'til you drop, there are many places to explore in Minneapolis.
Minnehaha Park
Outdoor recreation is virtually in your backyard at Minnehaha Park. A beautiful natural setting, complete with wooded areas and streams, creates the perfect backdrop for recreational endeavors like walking and cycling. Wading pools provide seasonal relief from the heat.
Mall of America
On a nasty day, or if you have shopping that needs to get done, a trip to the Mall of America is in order. This mall covers four stories. It's easy to spend a day here enjoying the theme park, cinema, and aquarium. There are many restaurants available for dining, too. Hundreds of retail stores are housed in the world-famous mall.
Mill City Museum
At one time, the flour industry was a major economic driver for Minneapolis. That's not the case today, but you can see the industry's history at the Mill City Museum, where exhibits highlight the industry's peak days inside a restored old mill building.
If you live in Minneapolis, you're probably proud of your state's unmatched natural beauty. Planting a garden with native flowers only enriches the city's landscape even more. If you have questions about starting a garden or need assistance selecting the best plants, don't hesitate to contact Lawn Love, your local gardening and lawn care experts, for assistance.
