Dennis’ 7 Dees Blog Articles
Tips for Sustainable Gardening
Any gardener can take simple steps to improve the sustainability of their outdoor space. Being a sustainable gardener is an ongoing process, not a final...
How to Create a Terrarium
A terrarium is a beautiful miniature landscape with a climate of its own, like a tiny greenhouse! Terrariums encapsulate the beauty and balance of nature by...
Growing Bouquet-Worthy Peonies
Peonies have gorgeous blooms at the peak of Spring, provide a stunning floral display in the garden, and make fantastic fresh cut flowers when brought...
The Best Cut Flowers for Backyard Bouquets
A bouquet of fresh-cut flowers can brighten up any room in the house. Growing your own flowers for cutting is budget-friendly, sustainable, and extremely...
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...
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...
How to Design a Traditional Landscape
Traditional landscapes are ordered and respectable. In the Dennis’ 7 Dees Traditional Landscape Design Guide, we detail the principles of traditional design,...
A Guide to Growing Hedges
Hedges, with their timeless charm and practical advantages, have long been esteemed features in landscape design. These verdant barriers not only delineate...
7 Underappreciated Flowering Trees & Shrubs
Nothing reenergizes the spirit in Spring like a big, blooming plant! While Camellias, Dogwoods, and Magnolias all take center stage, there are some fantastic...
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...
Classic Flowering Shrubs for a Contemporary 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...
7 Reasons to Add Fruit to Your Garden
Fruit trees and berries are available at each of our Portland-area nurseries. Plant them in late Winter and early Spring when the selection is best and early...
The Best Roses of 2024
Enjoy a curated list of our favorite new and long-standing roses for fragrance, color, cut flowers, pollinators, and low-maintenance gardening!The best roses...
Hellebores: Winter-Blooming Evergreen Perennials
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...
Growing Citrus in the Pacific Northwest
Growing citrus is an incredibly rewarding way to add flavor, fragrance, and year-round interest to your container gardens, porches, and indoor areas during...
Winter Storm Recovery Tips for the Garden
Winter storms can wreak havoc on gardens and on the morale of gardeners who are eagerly waiting for Spring. Ice storms and cold temperatures can damage new...
7 Underappreciated Houseplants
Thanks to their meteoric rise in popularity in recent years, everyone now knows that bringing plants into your house is the perfect way to reinvigorate an...
Houseplant Trends of 2024
As the calendar turns over to a fresh year, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the past and look to the future for something new. When it comes to indoor...
Preparing Plants for Winter Weather
While cold temperatures are to be expected, even welcomed, there are a few key strategies that gardeners can employ to make sure cold temperatures don’t do...
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...
Gardening Trends of 2024
A new year of gardening is upon us! We couldn’t be more excited to watch the gardening trends of 2024 come alive in landscapes, gardens, and balconies across...
Winter-Blooming Camellia for Effortless, Brilliant Color
Introduce abundant blooms to your garden even in the cold, dark season with Sasanqua or Winter-blooming Camellias. Camellia sasanqua is a fantastic...
How to Gift a Plant
The best gifts are the ones that are selected with care, which is why giving someone a plant as a gift for the holidays is the hallmark of thoughtfulness!...
Holiday Gift Guide for Gardeners
Looking for the perfect last-minute gifts for gardeners in your life? The 2023 Holiday Gift Guide from Dennis' 7 Dees is here! We've hand-selected unique,...
Decorating With a Living Christmas Tree
Bring some extra magic to your Holiday décor by incorporating a living Christmas tree! Not only do living trees let you enjoy a new plant in your home before...
The Best Houseplants for Low Light
Are all of your indoor plants currently squished into the one spot in your house with bright light? Thankfully, there are many houseplants available at our...
December in the Garden
Even as attention shifts to holiday happenings and indoor events, our generally mild December weather means that we can still enjoy time outside tending to...
3 Ways to Refresh Your Porch Pots With Holiday Greenery
The Christmas 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...
Perfect Plant & Pot Pairings for Holiday Gifts
We love nothing more than sharing the gift of growing with our friends and family.By thoughtfully pairing the right plant with a pot that highlights all of...
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 are conifers that come potted with...
Our Favorite Festive Gift Ideas for Hosts
Gathering together in the Winter months is one of the best ways to bring cheer into the darker days. Share your gratitude to your host for opening their home...
Bringing the Outdoors In: Holiday Home Decorating Tips from a Floral Designer
Seventh Stem floral designer Brooke Snodgrass shares her approach to creating stunning tablescapes using materials from her own garden. We sat down with...
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...
November in the Garden
In November the pace slows down and we start to put our gardens to bed in preparation for Winter. Don’t neglect important tasks like pruning, planting Fall...
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...
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...
Porchscaping Ideas for Fall Curb Appeal
Crisp mornings and golden evenings herald the arrival of Fall as foliage colors turn warmer and the days grow shorter. Liberate your inner decorator, enhance...
DIY Succulent Pumpkins
Succulent pumpkins add sophistication and bring a touch of whimsy to Fall displays. By combining sturdy succulent cuttings with fancy heirloom pumpkins,...
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
October is the month to fully and unabashedly embrace Fall! Celebrate the changing of seasons by bringing some Fall color to your pots, pumpkins to your...
Designer Tips for Stunning Modern Landscapes
Known for his novel approach of blending contemporary aesthetics with natural elements, Residential Landscape Designer Eric Hagberg shares some of his insider...
Fall Is for Planting!
Fall is the perfect time for planting! After a full Spring and Summer of growth, Fall provides the time and space to evaluate your garden and determine which...
September in the Garden
As Summer fades, we welcome the changes that September brings to our stores and in our gardens. Late-season Summer blooms and brilliant, fresh Fall colors are...
Fall & Winter Container Garden Ideas
As Summer annuals begin to wane and seasonal container plantings start to lose their luster, it’s time for a change! Fall container plantings help herald the...
12 Fantastic Trees Under 20 Feet Tall
By providing structure and acting as the tallest point in most landscapes, trees undeniably "make" a space. While most trees grow to towering heights, there...
7 Underappreciated Sun Plants for the Garden
Sunny gardens can grow and accommodate a truly vast range of plants. Every year new and exciting varieties of full sun plants are introduced to gardeners,...
Ornamental Grasses: Care Tips & Favorite Varieties
Ornamental grasses are the perfect plants to bridge the gap between Summer and Fall. Grasses provide color, texture, structure, and movement to the landscape...
7 Underappreciated Shade Plants for the Garden
Shady gardens can pose a challenge to even the most creative gardeners. With limited light, sun-loving plants that make buckets of blooms or delicious fruits...
August in the Garden
Whether you leave town in August or have a stay-cation planned at home, there is still a lot of Summer left to enjoy! Add fresh color to give early-season...
A Guide to Drought-Tolerant Plants
Designing a garden that can withstand periods of heat and drought begins with proper plant selection. By choosing plants that have adapted to low-water...
Xeriscaping: Gardening with Less Water
With increasingly hot weather becoming a staple of Pacific Northwest Summers, there’s never been a better time to explore landscaping styles, like...
How to Prepare Your Garden for a Heatwave & Drought
Intense Summer heat has become a new fixture in the Pacific Northwest and it's important to know how to prepare your garden for a heatwave and drought....
How to Water Your Garden Effectively
Water is foundational to the growth and success of any and all plants. While it may seem either obvious or difficult to understand how much water to provide...
July in the Garden
Hot days and warm nights make July a great time for outdoor living, so spend some quality time outside and don’t forget to water! Hanging baskets, containers,...
Enhance Your Landscape With a Water Feature
From small-space bubblers and fountains to large-scale ponds, streams, and waterfalls, custom water features can become the focal point of any yard. Along...
How to Get the Best Blooms All Summer
Summertime is all about MORE! More heat, more fun, and more flowers... Summer brings blooms in abundance—warm weather and longer days cue a host of plants to...
Echinacea: Summer-Long Blooms in Every Color
Echinacea, commonly called Coneflower, is a wildly popular flower available in a multitude of colors. Native to North American prairies and now bred to shine...
How to Create a Water Garden
Interested in adding a new focal point to your outdoor living space this season? Try a water garden! Water gardens bring a fresh, relaxing element to outdoor...
How to Determine a Commercial Landscaping Budget
Determining the appropriate budget for landscaping your commercial property is a crucial decision. Experts generally recommend allocating between 25 and 35...
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...
A Hydrangea for Every Garden
Hydrangeas offer masses of blooms all summer long and are among some of the hardiest low-maintenance shrubs for Pacific Northwest gardens. With many species...
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...
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...
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--especially with these unique Mother's Day gift ideas. For many of you, it...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
5 Gardening Tasks to Do This Fall
What should you be doing (or not doing) in the garden this Fall to help your plants survive the Winter and thrive next Spring? How do you protect bird nesting...
Create a DIY Fall Wreath
Filled with dried flowers, foliage, and seeds from the Summer garden, Autumnal wreaths help capture the season’s change. Hang a Fall wreath on your front door...
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...
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...
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...