Viburnum x burkwoodii, commonly known as Burkwood Viburnum, is a multi-stemmed shrub that ranges from semi to full evergreen. The Burkwood Viburnum grows from 8 to 10 feet tall and has a 6 to 7 foot spread. The Viburnum requires full sunlight to part shade and an average amount of water. Burkwood Vi...

One of the biggest challenges to keeping a lush, healthy lawn is the dreaded summer heat wave. A prolonged heat wave is not only a concern to the health of your family but also your lawn. While it may seem daunting, with the right techniques your lawn will remain lush and green no matter the weather...

Monarda didyma 'Raspberry Wine', more commonly known as Raspberry Wine Bee Balm, is a perennial herbaceous flower native to North America. The tubular blooms sit on long green stalks that grow around 30 inches tall. The Raspberry Wine Bee Balm enjoys moist and fertile soil, doing best in environment...

Are plants in your garden having a difficult time, and aren’t thriving like you hope they would? The cause of many problems for plants is in the soil. Depending on the composition of your soil, it may be making it more difficult for your plants to grow well. Not all hope is lost though! There is a w...

The Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus', commonly known as the Magnus Purple Coneflower, is a perennial native to the Eastern United States. ‘Magnus’s flowers are renowned for their rosy hue which bloom throughout the entire summer. This native flower grows anywhere from 2.5 to 3 feet tall. The Magnus Purpl...

Looking for something to help your yard stand out from your neighbors? Exotic plants can give a unique, explosive pop to your garden or landscape installation. While it may not seem like it, many tropical plants are hardy enough to be grown right here in Rochester! Here a few of our favorite tropica...

Diseases aren’t the only thing that can wreak havoc on your lawn. New York State is home to a range of bugs, animals, and weeds that can pose a serious threat to your lawn’s health. If your lawn is struggling, it might be because of these: Insects There are a range of insects that can harm you...

Hydrangea macrophylla "Nikko Blue", commonly known as the Nikko blue Hydrangea, is a superb deciduous shrub desired for its clusters of showy blue blooms. Depending on the alkalinity of the soil, however, the Nikko Blue's blooms may appear anywhere from blue to pink. The Nikko Blue Hydrangea does be...

With this summer’s uncharacteristic rainfall, lawns across the area have had an especially hard time. One of the biggest problems that lawns are having is an increase in lawn diseases. While a lawn disease may not seem like a big deal, if not treated they can get terribly out of control, decimating...

Want to start a garden but don’t have the money or space to plant outside? Houseplants are the perfect alternative! Buying and taking care of houseplants is the perfect way to bring a bit of outside indoors and give your living space a splash of green. While being cheaper and easier to take care of...

Hibiscus syriacus, or Rose of Sharon, is a Hibiscus plant native to China and India. Growing up to 15 feet tall, the Rose of Sharon is covered with purple and pink flowers. Despite being an exotic plant, the Rose of Sharon thrives in a range of climate zone, including in Rochester’s climate zones. T...

As June comes to a close, mosquito season is here. With this year’s mild winter and wet spring, mosquito populations will be bigger than ever this year. While mosquitoes are typically just a nuisance, they can pose a severe threat to your and your family’s health. Mosquitoes are an extremely effe...

When deciding what to plant in your garden, you should consider including native trees and plants in your landscape installation. There are many ways that planting native plants will be beneficial for both you and the environment. Here are a few benefits: Habitat for Wild Animals Installing na...

The Purple Gem Dahlia is a cactus dahlia, most easily identified by its rich purple cactus shaped blossoms. The Purple Gem grows up to three feet in height, looking best when clustered together. The Purple Gem blooms nonstop throughout the summer, only ceasing to bloom at the first frost. In additio...

In the Rochester area, we’re approaching the best time of year for planting trees and shrubs. Here are a few tips to make sure your trees flourish! Pick the Right Trees Probably the most important step of the tree planting process is picking the right tree! It is necessary to pick trees that will...

One of the best parts of summer is the possibility of seeing a hummingbird flying around your garden. However, because of climate change, hummingbirds may become a rarer sight. The changing environment has altered what plants grow on migration routes, eliminating food resources. Help keep hummingbir...

Astilbe Chinensis “Veronica Klose”, or the Chinese Astilbe, is a perennial frequently used in garden beds. Growing up to 18 inches tall, the Chinese Astilbe is characterized best by its clump of deep rosy flowers over a mound of green leaves. The Chinese Astilbe is a marvelous choice for a garden, a...

As the seasons change, Giant Hogweed is starting to grow all over the Rochester area. While it may seem harmless, the invasive weed can pose as a severe threat to health. The weed ranges anywhere from 6 to 15 feet in height, characterized best by a thick bright green stalk covered with coarse...

The Emerald Ash Borer is one of the most common and most devastating invasive species in the Eastern United States. It is extremely prevalent in New York State, especially in the Rochester area. The Borer is a bright metallic green insect, about a half inch long with a flattened back and purple patc...

Lonicera x heckrotti, or the Gold Flame Honeysuckle, is a deciduous vine. This semi deciduous vine can grow up to 15 feet tall and spread to ten feet wide. Throughout the summer, the honeysuckle is covered with golden tubular flowers. The Gold Flame Honeysuckle is a marvelously versatile plant. It c...

Keeping your yard beautiful and healthy takes time and dedication. One important aspect of yard care is caring for your trees. At Ted Collins, we have solutions for every problem that may arise. Here are a few common tactics that we use to care for trees. Pruning Tree pruning is a key componen...

While they are beautiful creatures of nature, in Upstate New York Deer are often a nuisance. With no natural predators, deer are often left unchecked, causing problems for many homeowners. There isn’t a homeowner who hasn’t had a problem with deer eating their carefully tended plants. There are seve...

Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner. For many gardening enthusiasts, this weekend is the best weekend for getting their garden planted and ready for the summer. For new gardeners, it is also the best weekend to start up your new garden. No matter what your skill level and experience, the...

Brunnera Macrophylla , also known as Great Forget-Me-Not, Heartleaf, and Serbian Bugloss, is a flowering plant native to the Caucuses. Its “Jack Frost” cultivar is well known for its sky blue flowers nestled on silver overlay foliage. Its leaves are large and heart shaped. “Jack” is sure to brighten...

The Asian Longhorn Beetle is an invasive wood boring insect that feeds on a variety of hardwoods including maple, birch, elm, ash, poplar, horsechestnut, and willow. This beetle, native to China and Korea has been spotted in areas across the Northeastern US, in states from Massachusetts to Ohio. The...

Every year as it becomes warmer and the winter comes to a close, a new problem emerges: ticks. While previously a manageable problem, the tick population in Upstate New York, especially Rochester, has skyrocketed over the last few years. This has led to a spread in Lyme disease and other pathogens t...

The Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Altona’ is a deciduous plant that will typically grow three to four feet in height.  Beginning its bloom in June, this hydrangea produces a colorful foliage until the first frost. The color of the bloom varies depending on the acidity of the soil. In neutral to alka...

Native to the tropical regions of the world, the hibiscus plant has made its way into landscapes because of its popular, showy flowers. Often in a trumpet shape, with five or more petals, the red flowers bloom for one day; only to be replaced the next day. The plant can reach a height of fifteen...

The “Palace Purple Coral Bells”, or Heuchera Micrantha, is a uniquely colored plant that typically grows 1 to 2 feet in height. The purple foliage is harmonizing with the white flowers that bloom early to mid summer. With a medium growth rate, this perennial is perfect for containers and borders...

Winter is coming, and the Ted Collins Garden Store has the firewood you need to keep warm all winter long! Our seasoned hardwood is easy to light, produces more heat, burns cleanly and is available at our Garden Store or via delivery. Stop into the Ted Collins Garden Store, or call (585) 381-9000 to...