Plant Picks from Our Dads for Yours
Father’s Day is fast approaching! It’s time to decide how we want to show dad our appreciation this year. Whether your dad is a master gardener, a novice, or just likes his yard to look nice, our very own Merrifield dads are giving us a roundup of their favorites this year.
The plants our dads are asking for are as varied as their personalities! Trees, shrubs, flowers, and even grass seed made our list this year, with father’s looking for everything from elegant finishing touches to add to their landscaping to foundation plants for their new home.
Crape Myrtle
For the dad with a non-stop schedule, crape myrtles make a great specimen tree. They bloom in a range of flower colors—shades of red, pink and lavender—boast beautiful fall color and provide interesting winter bark. Like all plants, they need regular watering for the first couple of years after planting. But once their roots become established, crape myrtles are surprisingly drought tolerant.
Fargesia Bamboo
This clumping variety of bamboo is a great non-invasive option for any father who loves bamboo and is looking for a hardier alternative to ornamental grass. It makes a great screening or specimen plant. We love this variety for its wonderful color and texture.
Grass Seed
If your dads are anything like ours, they strive to maintain a beautiful lawn. For fathers who enjoy spending time in their yards with their children or are constantly working to perfect their lawn, consider gifting grass seed—and helping dad put it down!
Blueberry Bush
For dads who enjoy delicious fruit, consider blueberries. Besides the berries we know and love, these native shrubs produce white blooms in the spring and vibrant fall foliage. This is a Father’s Day gift the whole family can enjoy.
Gulf Stream Nandina
This hardy shrub has the ability to withstand all kinds of circumstances and mishaps—an important feature for a father with young children and pets. If you are looking for a long lasting and durable shrub with beautiful foliage throughout the year, this is your pick.
Iris
This show stopping perennial is an easy to care for option for any dad who appreciates a dramatic garden but doesn’t have a lot of time to maintain it. With over 300 species, irises come in a variety of colors and provide entertainment in the garden with their ability to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Photo by Bryn Wallace