One of our favorite things about the summer here is simply the flowers. It’s watching people slow down long enough to really enjoy them. Days seem softer, quieter, and more serene. Shortened business hours mean summer’s officially here. As a whole, it makes for a more relaxing shopping atmosphere- visitors are slowing down a little this time of year. Instead of rushing in with a shopping list, they wander the aisles, compare flower colors, watch the bees at work, and imagine where each plant might fit in their own garden. The greenhouses are emptying out, and instead, all of the color is stocked in outdoor displays. Hanging baskets are overflowing onto the walkways, the perennial tables are teeming with pollinators, and our staff is out watering- almost constantly as the heat ramps up.

It’s not the plant shopping season coming to an end… It’s a changed plant shopping outlook. Instead of planting urgency… It’s customers returning to show photos and ask questions. It’s “what can I fill this spot in my garden with?”

It’s “How often should I fertilize my hanging baskets?” and “Why are my leaves turning yellow?”

And yes, even though summer’s just begun, it’s “Is it too early to book a fall field trip?”

Often, you’ll find knowledgeable staff meeting customers in the store to talk in person about troubleshooting with their flowers and plants. Not sure why your hanging baskets look a little leggy or are not blooming as well? Our grow team will know!

The annual section is bursting with color right now. Heat- and sun-lovers take the stage: vinca, petunias, and more. Every bench is packed with flowers waiting to brighten porches, patios, and garden beds- and give any summer garden the “color spruce up” it needs! The hanging baskets have filled out beautifully, overflowing with a rainbow of blooms. In this department, it’s hard to leave with just one plant!

The perennial department is buzzing with life- the flowers are alive with pollinators and shoppers milling between the tables. Shade perennials under the arbor create a lush, green, and cooler space for shoppers, complete with soothing water plants in one corner and hearty veggies and aromatic herbs in another. It’s exciting to watch the garden change as one perennial finishes and another takes center stage.

Behind all those colorful displays is a busy and dedicated grow team keeping everything healthy through the summer heat. Priority is keeping all those babies happily hydrated! Throughout the day, you’ll spot hoses in hand, checking baskets, containers and benches to make sure everything stays comfortably moist. During summer, caring for the plants becomes just as important as growing them.

Houseplants still await their perfect home in the Sweet Onion Mercantile, and the Fieldhouse is frequently stocked with fresh color for the 4^th of July and midsummer annual gardens. You’ll still find unique garden décor on our store patio to brighten up your summer displays!

Parents arrive with their kiddos and stay a while- they relax and spend a morning in Kid’s Village. Here, the young ones get creative with play in the miniature houses or get a little dusty in the sandbox! They can engage in a mini scavenger hunt after grabbing a sheet from Kid’s Korner and get educated with the gardening books found there! The atmosphere makes for a beautiful morning filled with little blessings that the whole family will enjoy.

Summer at Ebert’s Greenhouse has a rhythm all its own. The flowers are fuller, the pollinators are busier, and every day brings a little more color than the last. If you’ve only visited during the spring rush, you won’t regret experiencing firsthand what the ‘slow summer feel’ is all about! Whether you’re searching for the perfect plant to fill in a garden space or simply craving a peaceful stroll among the blooms, we highly encourage you to stop by and enjoy this beautiful season with us!