This post has been sponsored by Monrovia, but all opinions are my own.
Why Monrovia plants? Because my Mom says so, and Mom is always right.
OK, so that’s not the only reason we’re Monrovia gardening fans (although Mom’s opinion is usually the one I trust.) I’m a lifetime garden lover and my husband is a master gardener through Penn State, but honestly, our green thumbs are really falling short this year. We have massive home repairs to do this season (with 2 little kids to boot) so not much is getting done around here. That doesn’t mean we’re willing to sacrifice curb appeal, though. That’s the real reason why we’re using Monrovia plants – they’re available at local garden centers and Lowe’s home centers across the country, and the experts at Monrovia inspire us to be “horticultural craftsmen” just like they are.
Monrovia’s website is truly a gardener’s treasure. It’s full of well-organized advice on what to plant in your specific hardiness zone (by zipcode) as well as growing specs, design tips and outdoor inspiration. You can also sign up for their newsletter, Plant Savvy™, and get gardening info delivered to your inbox each month. Topics like what kind of plants increase your home’s value, how to design a water-wise garden, curb appeal tips and ideas for planting edibles. Good stuff – and free!
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So when Monrovia asked me to pick up a few plants so I could show you, I was in the car before I could say, “You bet your aster!” 🙂
We visited our local Lowe’s (we found them by entering our ZIP in the Monrovia store locator.) Obviously, the kids were into it.
Each one picked out a plant of their own. They were so excited, you would have thought they were in a candy store.
And then, with the very little bit of time we had, we put our Top 3 EASY Tips for Increasing Curb Appeal to work!
1. First, we chose a compact groundcover. I love sedum because they grow so close together and crowd out all the weeds. We chose Monrovia’s Sunsparkler® Firecracker Sedum because it’s a low-maintenance perennnial groundcover, but also because it offers a pretty red/purple color to complement the bucket of hens and chicks we brought from our last house.
We’ll plant these along the side of our deck where weeds tend to get out of control. Once these babies fill in, we’ll barely have to weed at all! And the area will look clean, colorful and appealing from the road.
2. Next, we filled in with long-blooming annuals. My son’s Aloha Million Bells (technically, Aloha Kona Calibrachoa) were the perfect thing to fill in our big half-barrels, since their colorful blooms last all season and grow well in baskets and containers.
We teach the kids to pop off the spent blooms and water them, and there’s basically zero upkeep for us. Plus, these are great for quite a few different hardiness zones.
The hot pink and yellow look so bright and cheery from the road, and we plan to add a tall, spiky grass accent in the back for a little height.
My husband did the planting for me as a Mother’s Day gift. Nice, right? I visited with my Mom and by the time I got home, voila! (I think my baby girl approves.)
This step also included potting up my very favorite plant – the Corkscrew Rush. I pot them up to keep on the deck every year because they’re just so fun and whimsical (and also because they look great for the whole season and barely requre any care!)
I definitely need a pot that looks like a face, don’t you think? This would make great hair!
3. Finally, some show-stoppers.
Here’s the part we still have yet to do. I think every yard need a destination plant or two, and we’re missing those. We have one large area on the side of our house that will be losing shrubs during our home repairs, and we plan to replace them with some real breathtaking beauties (alongside our bleeding hearts, of course.)
My dream plants? Wisteria and Foxglove. My dad has a wisteria that he’s training into a tree, and it’s to die for, but I’m thinking I’d like a trellis or fence on the wall to keep things a little more low-maintenance. The foxglove bring in butterflies and hummingbirds, so I look forward to having them around. What a spectacular show we’ll have!
A great garden doesn’t have to be a ton of work, but it does take a little planning. Choosing the right plants for your zone and the level of maintenance you want will make all the difference in maintaining your curb appeal for years to come. Visit Monrovia online and get your garden off on the right foot this spring.
Don’t forget – you can shop Monrovia online and have plants shipped directly to a participating Monrovia garden center near you.
I always wanted to start my own little garden, but I didn’t know what plants would work best for a beginner & still look beautiful. The Aloha Million Bells are very lovely.
My yard needs some serious TLC this year. It really suffered after all the snow we got!
I love Stargazer Lilies. I do not have any gardening tips to share- I am known to have nothing survive in my gardens!!
AJ @ Roaming Family recently posted…Family, Food & Fun- Eat the Street Franklin TN Food Truck Festival
We started some serious clean up last year and I hope to continue this year! I love black eyed susans!
Milena recently posted…Sofia Vergara Stars in Hot Pursuit in Theaters Now #HotPursuit
I’m a novice gardener but I do find that Monrovia has great plants. I tend to buy those. These are great tips and your little gardeners are adorable.
IttyBittyFoodies recently posted…How to make the perfect boiled egg
One more weekend and then it’s “safe” to plant here in my neck of the woods. Normally we wait until after the may long weekend to plant so we don’t have to worry about frost killing everything.
Last spring we planted candy cane phlox, peonies, vanilla strawberry hydrangeas, numerous lilies, lavender and wave petunias. So far the lavender and the petunias has to be replanted as they died in the cold winter but everything else came back. I can’t wait to flood the front yard with color!
We are getting two Japanese lilacs planted this week so our backyard is going to look amazing!
Love playing in the dirt… :0)
Great advise. I am not good with flowers, it is so hot here and I forget to water them and they die. Green plants seem to hold up longer on my end.
Mama to 5 BLessings recently posted…So Many Amazing Things To See & Do At The Palm Beach Zoo
I love getting in the garden and planting. I love how plants can make a space look totally different.
Saidah Washington (@ApronsStilletos) recently posted…Blog Income Report for April 2015
My husband and daughter are the gardeners of the family but I’m happy to say I’ve made it a point to help this year. I can’t wait to get into planting!
My favorite flowers are sunflowers and pink roses. Oh, and lilacs!
Tamara recently posted…Why Don’t You Go Ask Your Sister!?
I LOVE lilacs! This year, I want to try to make lilac jam.
Wisteria is also a dream plant of mine. Someday I will have one!
Laura Funk recently posted…DIY Photo Vase with HP’s MyPrintly #CMYK
My dad’s wisteria just bloomed for the first time, and it’s just gorgeous! Even though it’s tiny. I’m determined to get one now, and I may even try to train it to be a tree like his. Not exactly low maintenance, but oh so pretty!
I think that site is so useful as just because we like the look of a flower does not mean it will succeed in our space. Love this brand.
maria @closetohome recently posted…How Much Sleep do we Need and How to Sleep Better #CommitToSleepSweeps
Great Post .. very informative. I know nothing about Gardening , but this certainly helped. You are so right “Mothers are always right’
Lorane recently posted…Colour Me Summer
Your kids are simply adorable! I love the plants you chose, I’m trying out my green thumb this spring as well!
Emerald recently posted…The Myth Of Natural Talent
I’m a terrible gardener. I totally kill plants.
becca recently posted…Music Monday with @Doll2Dame #Music
I kill the inside ones! (Quickly!) I think my outside ones do OK because I get a little help from Ma Nature. 🙂
Monrovia is a new brand to me, but they look really healthy and vibrant! I’ll have to keep an eye out for them, especially that Corkscrew Rush…I love the whimsy of it (and that it’s easy to care for)!
Jessica Harlow recently posted…Enter to win a Blossom Cup…and make Aunt Flo’s monthly visit easier!
Isn’t it great? I love the super curly pieces.
Man I needed this post! I am totally anti-green thumb.
Lindi Haws recently posted…Mini Marshmallow Ice Cream Cones
Mine is pretty green, but only for outside plants. Put them inside and I can kill them within a week!
I remember letting my daughter pick her own plants out when she was little. She loved it!
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All of these flowers are gorgeous. I haven’t gotten around to planting any this year.
Stacey- Travel Blogger recently posted…Rinse, Recycle, Reimagine With Unilever For A Brighter Future #ad #ReimagineThat
Having some plants along my driveway would be awesome. I’m definitely in need of low maintenance ones!
Liz Mays recently posted…Summer Fun: Set Up An Ice Cream Sundae Bar with #TurkeyHillGelato
Yes, you’re right that was a wonderful present from your hubby. I love your adorable daughters Oh Happy Day t-shirt. Great post!
Rhonda recently posted…Fairdale Pulls Together as a Community for Tornado Clean Up and Rebuilding
Looks like you have some pretty cute helpers! I can’t wait to get some new flowers at our house!
Amanda recently posted…Parenting Sanity Savers Making Beach Trips With Kids A Breeze
I’ll have to share this post with my mom, she loves gardening! I really like the colors of those annuals btw! I was actually bought my mom a hanging planter with annuals for mother’s day.
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Best Mother’s day gift ever! I really want to start making my own hanging planters, but the big, full ones in the stores around Mother’s Day are so easy and beautiful!
Now gardening I like – though we don’t have a lot of land because we have a large deck – I could get into this. Love your pics! Happy Gardening.
Carol Bryant recently posted…My Dog Deserves Better Than This #InspiredByCrafted
My favorite flower is the peony. I have a plant in my yard but somehow I can’t get it to bloom.
Melissa Vera recently posted…Unique Ways To Share A Coke
We had peonies at our last home, and they were just lovely. They smell great, too! It’s always such fun to watch the ants march through them.
I love Monrovia flowers. They’re always so hardy! My fave is the hydrangea 🙂
Kimberly Dickerson recently posted…DIY Mosaic Decorative Mirror!
This is wonderful! I love that you got the kids involved. My kid loves when we plant each spring and I love working in our garden because it does make our home so much prettier. I love your plant selection and thanks for including the great guide. I needed something like that 🙂
I have such a black thumb! You make it look so easy. I am definitely following your tips this weekend when we plant our flowers!
Steph recently posted…Free Printable Blank Countdown
I wish I was better at gardening! This would be a fun family activity.
Krystal recently posted…Grilled Sriracha Shrimp Recipe
I love using barrels and tubs. Your garden is great.
Debbie Denny recently posted…The Alpine Inn – A Sparkling Gem We Found in Hot Springs!
I love these tips! Monrovia sells really hardy plants. I have a total brown-thumb and we had a shrub from them that I couldn’t kill despite my best (neglectful) efforts!
Courtney recently posted…Caprese love.
We just got a Monrovia plant last weekend!
Charise Rohm Nulsen recently posted…This Mom of 2 Has Found Her Way Back to Her Pre-Marriage and Children Self
Curb appeal indeed! What beautiful blooms. Makes me want to get out there and upgrade our landscaping!
Kristin recently posted…The Perfect Cheat Sheet for Every Kitchen
Paying attention to curb appeal of the house always pays in the long run and to have a beautiful garden is a blessing and to upgade it with beautiful plants is not less than a prayer. I just loved those Monrovia flower pots, apart from their flowers and plants, they seem to be very professional and love their job.
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