Thursday, July 16th, 2026
Disclaimer: Product stock, prices, and information are subject to change after the blog’s publish date.
These summer showstoppers are on sale!
Save 20% on all hydrangea shrubs and trees until Thursday, July 30th, 2026.
Let’s talk about ornamental grasses native to North America!
Planting native grasses is important, as they provide essential habitat and food sources for birds, pollinators, and other local wildlife.
Here are seven options to consider:
1. Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepsis) has fine, long, arching leaves that turn golden yellow in the fall. In late summer, light brown/pink fragrant flower heads appear. It prefers sun and will grow 1-3′ tall and wide.
2. Want some height? Plant Dream Catcher Lightning Bolt Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum) that reaches 6-7′ tall and 3-4′ wide when planted in full sun. This striking grass has green foliage topped with silvery plumes in midsummer to fall.
3. Prairie Dog Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum) is known for its compact, upright form, blue foliage, and pink panicles appearing in late summer. This grass has sturdy stems that can handle harsh winter snowfalls. Plant in full sun and watch it grow 3-4′ tall and 2-3′ wide.
4. Get a Blackhawks Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) for garden drama! Its foliage emerges deep green to dark purple and deepens to near black. It is sun-loving and drought-tolerant, growing 4-5′ tall and 2′ wide.
5. If you have a shady/damp spot, go with Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium), which has clusters of oat-like seedheads from June through September. It grows 3′ tall and 2′ wide.
6. The Little Red Fox Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) has unique blue-green foliage with red accents that appear in midsummer. When grown in full sun, its upright, wiry stems will grow 2-2.5′ tall and 1-2′ wide.
7. For seasonal colour, plant Dancing Wind Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii). Its foliage starts green, accented with some red, and in the fall, it turns to deep red and eventually scarlet. It thrives in full sun and grows 4-6′ tall and 2-3′ wide.
Your native garden transformation starts right here at Vermeer’s!
Bring on the butterflies!
If you want a summer garden full of colour and non-stop pollinators, you need a butterfly bush!
Stop by to see the gorgeous varieties we have in stock.
Look who pulled up to the garden centre last Thursday! We had a great time with the C.A.N.A.L. Cruiser, a mobile branch of the Welland Public Library. A big thank you to the Welland Public Library for stopping by, and to everyone who visited the bookmobile to browse and borrow books, attended storytime, and got creative with crafts for kids. Click to watch the video below for a recap!
