Dennis’ 7 Dees Blog Articles
A Hydrangea for Every Garden
Hydrangeas are among some of the longest-blooming, hardiest, low-maintenance shrubs for Pacific Northwest gardens. With a long list of species and cultivars,...
Gardening to Attract Hummingbirds
A well-planned hummingbird garden will fulfill a bird's basic needs (food, water, shelter, space) and in turn, provide you with hours of enjoyment,...
Creating a Pollinator Garden for Bees
In the intricate tapestry of Earth's ecosystem, one tiny creature emerges as a true hero: the humble bee. While their small size may deceive the untrained...
Creating a Habitat for Solitary Bees in Your Garden
Create a bee habitat in your backyard and raise solitary bees! Often overlooked in favor of their more famous counterparts like honey bees, solitary bees play...
Supporting Beneficial Insects in Your Garden
In any well-balanced ecosystem, there are pests and there are natural enemies, or beneficial insects. For this reason, some pests must be present in the...
Homegrown Herbs for Cooking & Cocktails
Sip and savor the essence of your garden by harvesting fresh herbs for beverages and light snacks, perfect for your next date night or backyard BBQ. Get ideas...
How to Prepare Your Garden for a Heatwave
When a heatwave is on the horizon, it’s important to do some prep work in the garden to help your plants survive and thrive. The most important steps include...
The Ornamental Edible Garden
Weave edible plants into your garden beds and borders to create a landscape that is both beautiful and useful! If a utilitarian, farm-like approach to growing...
Growing Bouquet-Worthy Peonies
Peonies bloom at the peak of spring and provide stunning floral displays in the garden and fresh cut flowers when brought indoors. They are long-lived,...
May in the Garden
May brings us an abundance of beautiful flowers and fresh, vigorous growth—the garden is really starting to hit its stride! Our early Spring work is finally...
7 Unique Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
Moms deserve the world and we love taking a moment to celebrate them every year. For many of you, it just wouldn’t be Mother’s Day without a trip to the...
How to Grow the Best Tomatoes
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Ways to Celebrate Earth Day
Over 50 years ago in 1970, the first-ever Earth Day was organized. The years leading up to 1970 saw America producing large amounts of fossil fuels, sludge,...
How to Design, Plant & Care for a Container Garden in Spring & Summer
Spring is in full bloom and now is the perfect time to refresh your entryway, porch, or patio with colorful container plantings! By sprucing up your pots with...
Classic Flowering Shrubs for a Modern Garden
Familiar garden favorites get a new lease on life as modern plant breeders introduce dwarf and easy-care varieties along with improved color options of...
April in the Garden
April offers us some of the best gardening days of the entire year right alongside some of the most disheartening weather. Progress made during a warm weekend...
All About Air Plants
Air plants are eye-catchingly adorable and are low-maintenance and pet-safe—perfect for anyone looking for a unique yet forgiving houseplant that does not...
Spring Bulbs for Summer Blooms
Fresh plants and flowers start to fill the tables at our Garden Centers in Spring, but don’t forget to take a walk inside to browse our gorgeous range of...
The Whys & Hows of Mulch
Mulching over the tops of new or existing beds in your landscape is one of the best investments you can make for the health of your garden. Find out more...
How to Repot Your Indoor Plants
In Spring everything starts to wake up, including indoor plants! The emergence of plants and new leaves outdoors means that the time to repot houseplants has...
A Guide to Spring Flowering Trees
Countless flowers appear at once, exploding out of thin, bare branches. The grey lines of dormant limbs that crisscross the cloudy sky suddenly release...
Growing the Best Backyard Berries in the PNW
Picking and eating your own homegrown berries, still warm from the sun, is one of the greatest pleasures a gardener can know. The flavor and quality of...
All About Roses: Selection, Planting & Care
Looking for roses? Well, you've come to the right place! We have dozens of varieties for you to choose from at each of our Portland garden center locations,...
March in the Garden
March is the first month of Spring and the last month of Winter, often shifting between these two seasons at the drop of a hat. As new life emerges from the...
Amazing Scent & Winter Blooms of the Daphne odora Plant
The fragrance of Daphne odora, or Winter Daphne, is iconic and signifies the start of Spring in a way that few other plants can match. It is a shrub that...
The Whys & Hows of Dormant Winter Pruning
Pruning in the winter months before plants are actively growing is essential for plant health—it allows for the removal of old, tired growth, creating space...
Starting Seeds Indoors
Starting plants from seed is an immensely rewarding experience and an economical way to grow a garden. There are several clear advantages to growing plants...
Anniversary & Valentine’s Day Gifts Inspired by Your Love Story
Love is a many-splendored thing and worth marking with intention. Whether you want to demonstrate your love for your partner, your closest friend, or a dear...
7 Romantic Plants for Garden Lovers
Soft, blousy blooms in shades of white and pink. Fragrance that lights up the garden. Names that evoke love and longing. Glossy, heart-shaped leaves... All...
A Rose for Every Garden
Roses are the quintessential garden plant, captivating us with their luscious petals and their intoxicating fragrance. Roses available today have a wealth of...
February in the Garden
The month of February delivers unpredictable weather, but fortunately there are always plenty of sun breaks! Be ready to jump in the garden when conditions...
Growing Citrus in the Pacific Northwest
Growing citrus in the Pacific Northwest may be somewhat challenging, but it’s totally worth it! Citrus plants have shiny, evergreen leaves, fragrant flowers,...
Hello Hellebores: Flowers of Winter
Hellebores, from the genus Helleborus, are low-growing, shade-tolerant, evergreen perennials that bloom in a range of colors in late winter or early spring...
Dennis’ 7 Dees in the News
Throughout the years, many of our talented employees have been featured in the news for their outstanding achievements and contributions to our community and...
Success With Statement Houseplants
A large, specimen houseplant can reinvigorate a whole room. By adding greenery and height next to a chair, near a window, or in a blank corner, a space...
Tips for Sustainable Gardening
January is the time when we revisit our practices, set intentions for the new year, and resolve to improve. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to be...
January in the Garden
January in the Pacific Northwest is the first full month of winter and is a time of rest and dormancy. Houseplants take center stage this month by providing...
Winter Storm Recovery Tips for the Garden
After winter storms and cold spells strike, we head out to look at the garden to assess what has survived and determine how to go about recovering from...
Preparing Plants for Winter Weather
As daylight diminishes and evenings grow darker, temperatures inevitably dip. Seasoned gardeners will appreciate that freezing temperatures are a part of the...
How to Refresh Your Porch Pots With Holiday Greenery
The tree is lit, the paperwhites are potted, and the wreath and garlands are hung, but before your guests arrive, don’t forget to address the containers on...
Indoor Holiday Plants from Amaryllis to Zygocactus: Everything You Need to Know
When it comes to decorating your home or grabbing a quick gift, flowering indoor plants provide long-lasting color and convenience with a wide selection to...
Living Christmas Tree Selection & Care
Living Christmas trees are a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season. Unlike fresh-cut trees, living Christmas trees come potted with their roots still...
December in the Garden
Our temperate climate and generally mild winter allows us to plant practically year-round (we’re so lucky)! December is still a good time to plant deciduous...
DIY Winter Wreath Instructions
Are you looking for a fun seasonal DIY project to do with family or friends? Add this homemade wreath craft to your yearly holiday party, or pull out your...
Sasanqua Camellias for Fall & Winter Color
Native to Japan and slightly lesser-known than Camellia japonica, Sasanqua Camellias are fall and winter-blooming (October through January, depending on the...
2022 Holiday Gift Guide for Gardeners
Looking for the perfect gifts for gardeners in your life? The 2022 Holiday Gift Guide from Dennis' 7 Dees is here! We've hand-selected unique, garden-related...
Our Favorite Festive Gift Ideas for Hosts
Gathering together during the winter months has always been a way to bring cheer into our darker days. The distance of the last few years meant that as the...
Supporting Pollinators in Fall & Winter
A well-planned pollinator garden can help support native bees and other pollinators by providing critical food and habitat during the winter. Many pollinators...
Growing Amaryllis Bulbs for Holiday Blooms
Nothing makes a statement quite like the timeless beauty of an Amaryllis in bloom. While the Holidays bring some lovely bulbs and flowering indoor plants like...
Landscape Lighting: See Your Yard in a Whole New Light
With Daylight Savings coming to an end, the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer… cue Lydia Deetz: “My whole life is a dark room. One....
November in the Garden
For Fresh Color Refresh summer container plantings with winter combinations for evergreen color and seasonal interest. Plant pansies and violas soon so they...
Winter Houseplant Care
As fall gradually transitions to winter, we bundle up against the crisp air while soaking up every last minute of daylight. In a similar fashion, indoor...
The Best Dwarf Conifers for Every Garden
Dwarf conifers provide a beautiful and interesting way to introduce year-round texture to any landscape, regardless of its size. While they are appealing in...
7 Common Houseplant Problems
Tiny gnats in your coffee, yellowing or dropping leaves, crispy or distorted growth… these may all be symptoms of common houseplant problems that are easily...
NALP Award Winning Projects for Landscaping & Interior Plant Design
We’re proud to announce that we’ve won awards from the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) for the 28th year in a row! This year, we won...
“To Rake or Not to Rake” and Other Fall Gardening Tasks
What should gardeners be doing (or not doing) this fall to help plants survive the winter and thrive next spring? How does one protect bird nesting and...
The Best Houseplants for Low Light
Raise your hand if all of your plants are currently squished into the one spot in your house with bright light... 🖐️ We understand the feeling! But...
Fall Bulbs for Spring Flowers
Planting bulbs in the Fall is one of the greatest investments you can make for your future happiness. When early Spring weather is grey and miserable and...
October in the Garden
Celebrate the changing seasons—fall is for planting! Our year-round garden centers are well stocked with great plant selections. For Fresh Color Replant...
DIY Succulent Pumpkins
Succulent pumpkins are all the rage this season—they take everything wonderful about fall and distill it into the perfect, long-lasting arrangement. The only...
Create a DIY Fall Wreath
Believe it or not, fall is just around the corner! Here, we will show you our step-by-step process on how to create your own handmade autumn wreath using...
Fall Is for Planting!
Fall is a great time to evaluate your garden and determine what should be corrected, moved, or added. Based on this season’s performance, you can assess the...
Our Favorite Trees, Shrubs & Vines for Fall Color in the Landscape
What's the best part about fall? Some may say it's the pumpkin lattes and comfort food, the cozy scarves and boots, or the crisp air and refreshing rain...
Fall Color & Container Combos
As summer annuals begin to wane and container plantings start to lose their luster, it's time for a change! Planting fall containers is best done by...
Pruning 101: Tools, Techniques & Timing
When a plant needs pruning, some gardeners blindly whack while others timidly snip, but once you gain the knowledge and confidence, you'll be a proficient...
Attract Hummingbirds With Hardy Fuchsias
Check any list of the best flowers for hummingbirds, and you will see fuchsia near the top. Their brightly colored, dangling flowers have the perfect shape...
September in the Garden
As summer fades, we welcome the changes autumn brings in our stores and in our gardens. Brilliant fall colors are beginning to fill our benches, putting on a...
Living Arrangements With Indoor Plants
Find new ways to feature your favorite houseplants by creating beautiful indoor arrangements. Assembled for a special occasion or as temporary décor, plants...
Tips for Budgeting Your Landscape Project
Investing in a new landscape for your home is a smart decision. Not only does it boost curb appeal and give you and your family a beautiful and functional...
Ornamental Grasses & Late-Season Bloomers
Tune up your garden with some late-season pizzazz! Ornamental grasses can provide color, texture, structure, and movement in your landscape with minimal...
Summer Harvest & Fall/Winter Vegetable Gardening
At this point in the season, it can be tough to know whether or not you can keep certain crops productive or when to call it quits and plant something new....
Plant the Rainbow With Echinacea
Native to North American prairies and still commonly found growing wild, Echinacea (also known as Coneflower) has also become a wildly popular flower in home...
Growing Succulents Indoors & Outside
Succulents come in all shapes and sizes and are generally grouped into two categories: winter hardy and annual (NOT winter hardy). The world of hardy...
August in the Garden
There is still a lot of summer left to enjoy! For Fresh Color If flower pots and hanging baskets from earlier in the season look haggard or have dried out,...
20 Questions & Answers for Extreme Heat Recovery
Looking to help your garden with heat recovery for plants? We've received quite a few questions during the recent heatwave about how to revive stressed...
Watering 101 & Extreme Heat Protection
That intense summer heat has really been sneaking up on us during the past couple years here in the Pacific Northwest! So, chances are, you've spent a lot of...
Growing Cacti & Succulents Indoors
Is there a difference between cacti and succulents? Cacti are fleshy plants that store water—therefore, all cacti are succulents. On the other hand, in order...
Summer Houseplant Care & Vacation Tips
During summer months, our houseplants need specific care and attention to stay lush and healthy. With more intense sunlight, a few plants may need to be...
Solutions for Landscape Drainage Problems
Even though drainage may not be the first thing that comes to mind as your next stunning landscape improvement, perhaps it should be. With an average of 36...
What Makes a Plant Drought Tolerant?
Designing a garden with drought resistance begins with proper plant selection. Plants that are tolerant of drought conditions have various adaptations to help...
July in the Garden
Long, hot days and warm nights make July a great time for outdoor living, but remember to water! Hanging baskets, containers, vegetable gardens, flower beds,...
Summer Hanging Basket & Mixed Container Maintenance
Keeping flowerpots and hanging baskets looking fresh and floriferous all season is something many gardeners struggle with. "Hang" in there—we've got you...
Easy Water Gardens & Basic Fountain Care
As spring turns to summer, our minds often shift to thoughts of outdoor gatherings with friends and family. Blooming containers, flowering hanging baskets,...
Gardening With Nandina (Heavenly Bamboo)
Heavenly Bamboo, a.k.a. Nandina, is a commonly used evergreen shrub for northwest landscapes. It has earned its reputation as low maintenance by being...
How to Grow Edible Plants in Containers
If you’re an urban gardener, container-grown edibles may be your best chance to raise food crops at home. Growing food in containers requires less weeding and...
June in the Garden
This month, vibrant colors and abundant growth set the stage for a delightful outdoor experience. With longer days and warmer temperatures, June invites us to...
All About Boxwood
Boxwoods have been used for centuries in European gardens and are now commonly planted in American landscapes coast to coast. Grown as traditional hedges or...
Xeriscaping: Gardening with Less Water
Xeriscaping is a landscaping method designed for water conservation in hot, sunny areas. “Xeros” is Greek for “dry”—xeriscape literally translates to “dry...
How to Grow & Harvest Herbs in the Garden
Fresh, homegrown herbs are easy to grow and an economical way to add a little gourmet to your every day. Learn about selection, care, and growing of herbs,...
How to Care for a Hanging Basket
Hanging baskets of flowers are just the right thing to add to your porch for instant pizzazz! If properly maintained, they can offer months of color and...
Elevate Your Landscape With Raised Garden Beds
With visual appeal, convenience, and controlled soil conditions, it’s no surprise that raised garden beds are popular among novice and seasoned gardeners...
Gardening With Native Plants
Oregon has over 3,600 species of native plants, while Washington State has over 2,300. From flowering blooms to creeping greenery, Pacific Northwest natives...
Beginning an Organic Veggie Garden
Ultimately, you are just going to have to dig in and get a little dirty, but reading books and taking classes is a great way to learn the basics of gardening!...
Ground Covers, Creepers & Cascading Perennials
Dress up your retaining wall, adorn a pathway, or plant living mulch with these low-growing or mounding perennials. We have featured some of our favorite...
Big Landscaping Ideas for Small Backyards
For those of us who live in the city or on a smaller plot of land, we don’t have much room for an extensive landscape design and we're constantly looking for...
Plant Nutrition: Fertilizing Basics
Plants "eat" sunlight to create energy through a process called photosynthesis—the roots take up water from the soil, the leaves absorb carbon dioxide from...
How to Refresh a Tired Container Planting
After a few years, most container plantings begin to show signs of decline. The plants start to lose their vigor, while the soil appears hard and compacted,...
Our Favorite Spring Flowering Shrubs in the Northwest
Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and Pieris are considered classic Northwest landscape plants. Mostly evergreen and spring blooming, they thrive in our acidic soil and...
New & Noteworthy Plants for 2022
Each year the National Garden Bureau selects an annual, perennial, bulb crop, edible, and shrub as "Year of " plants, plus a houseplant for this year. Plants...
Pet-Safe (Non-Toxic) Indoor Plants
As our lives become more urban, tech-based, and harried, we have come to embrace plants and nature as selfless companions to help us relax and beautify our...