The PLUGĀ©

North Creek's weekly blog featuring insights on the Landscape Plug™, gardening tips, design ideas, native plants, and garden ecology!

Maintenance Tips to Share

Maintenance Tips to Share

Great landscapes don’t succeed on plant quality alone, they succeed because of the decisions made after installation! 
Our latest blog shares maintenance insights that go beyond the basics, focusing on spacing, thinning, seasonal timing, and knowing when to step back and let plants do the work. Written for those who want plantings to perform long-term, not just look good on install day.

Real Talk: Milkweed

Real Talk: Milkweed

Asclepias tuberosa is a garden favorite for good reason: bold color, drought tolerance, and pollinator appeal. But when it comes to monarch caterpillars, some milkweeds do a little more of the heavy lifting. The best gardens use a mix: beauty and habitat.

Evergreen Foundations

Evergreen Foundations

Don’t let winter be the off-season. Evergreen and semi-evergreen basal foliage creates living groundcover, stabilizes soil, and supports overwintering insects while adding quiet beauty to the landscape. These plants prove that good design lasts all year!

Winter Interest With a Purpose

Winter Interest With a Purpose

Leaving seedheads in place isn’t messy, it’s intentional gardening. See how those spent blooms become natural bird feeders and add texture and movement to your winter landscape.

Fall & Winter Interest

Fall & Winter Interest

From golden grasses to seed heads dusted with frost, discover native plants that make the garden beautiful all year long!

Leave the Leaves

Leave the Leaves

Think those fallen leaves are just yard mess? Think again! Before you grab the rake, find out why leaving the leaves might be the best thing you can do for your garden this fall. Nature’s cleanup crew has it covered. 
P.S. Happy Halloween! 

Low Maintenance, High Impact

Low Maintenance, High Impact

Some plants ask for attention every day. Others just settle in, thrive, and quietly support pollinators. Looking for plants that thrive with minimal fuss? Guess which ones we’re talking about!

Naturalistic Planting Design Course

Naturalistic Planting Design Course

Starting September 29, join Dr. Noel Kingsbury, Nigel Dunnett, and Cassian Schmidt for a 10-part online course (and 3 Q&As) in naturalistic planting design!

No Dig Approach

No Dig Approach

Healthy soil is the foundation of every thriving landscape. Skip the chemicals and let your soil do the work. Discover how no dig gardening and native perennials create healthier, low-maintenance landscapes.

Year-Round Interest

Year-Round Interest

Create a garden that thrives from spring to fall with native plants: low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly, and eco-smart. Native plants, perfectly adapted to your region, thrive with little care, promote biodiversity, and showcase nature’s changing seasons. Discover four plant combinations you can use now!

Grasses Galore

Grasses Galore

Discover the beauty and benefits of native ornamental grasses in the landscape. From stunning seasonal colors and graceful movement to supporting wildlife and improving soil health, these adaptable plants bring both style and sustainability to your garden.

Shade Loving Plants

Shade Loving Plants

Shade gardens can be just as vibrant and dynamic as sunny spaces, with a wide range of plants that offer bold foliage, delicate blooms, and rich textures perfect for brightening low-light areas. Take a peek at the plants we love to use!

PHS Gold Medal Plants 2025

PHS Gold Medal Plants 2025

Discover the Gold Medal Plant Program—PHS’s top picks for stunning, resilient plants perfect for Mid-Atlantic gardens! Take a look to see what North Creek proudly offers from the award-winning list!

Happy Spring!

Happy Spring!

Spring is in full swing, and nature’s putting on a dazzling show! Early bloomers are stealing the spotlight, soaking up the sun, and filling the air with fresh floral vibes. As your garden comes to life, have you thought about what to plant next? A little planning now means an even more breathtaking display next year!

Transform Your Garden with Carex

Transform Your Garden with Carex

Amid blooming flowers and colorful landscapes, we see the value of a reliable ground cover or lawn alternative for balance. Today, we’ll take you through North Creek’s selection of sedges, providing inspiration to streamline your planning and help you discover the perfect option for your project!

Top 5 Plant Genera of 2024

Top 5 Plant Genera of 2024

As we anticipate what this year has in store, let’s take a quick rewind to 2024—plant edition! We’re highlighting our top 5 plant genera of 2024. Will any of these surprise you? Read on to find out!