Boulevard Gardens

Gardening is a passion for many Minnesotans. And with such a short growing season, they can't wait to get started. Finally—finally!—planting season is here. None too soon, either. It seemed to take almost until the official start of summer for spring warmth to arrive. And we're so glad it did—better late than never, right?

It was wonderful to watch color return and then see it change as early growers were replaced by summer staples. The lilacs lasted much later into the season than usual.

And have you noticed the boulevards? Many have come to life with all sorts of vegetation. People don't plant only pots, flower boxes, and yards. Some extend their love of gardening to their boulevards.

At Brown & Greene, we take full advantage of our boulevard plot. This year, Nancy lovingly filled it with bleeding heart, coleus, dusty miller, hosta, hydrangea, and more. 

Unfortunately, an as-yet-to-be-identified woman plucked some of our little lovelies within days of planting, hitting several neighbors as well. Her behavior is maddening and discouraging, but it is not enough to keep us from tending our patch. Nancy got right back out there and filled in the spaces where her first plantings had been.

While our boulevard garden beautifies our outdoors, it also pretties up our indoors. Small coleus cuttings go in vases of water, where they quickly root and can be planted. Other times, coleus ends up in arrangements, as do hosta leaves.

The fiery hues of some coleus make the plant a wonderful addition to bouquets.

We enjoy our boulevard garden. And we're pleased to share it with you, whether you're simply passing by or get a sampling of its bounty in one of our arrangements.

Sweet, delicate bleeding heart—a harbinger of spring.

Ah, the pretty contrast of green and red

We look forward to watching the dirt disappear beneath the ever-expanding leaves of our plants. Such experiences make waiting so long for spring worth it.

So many shapes and sizes

Dusty miller snuggles up to a few rocks.