Lewis’ Mockorange (Philadelphus lewisii) blooming is one of the first signs of spring for many. Boasting the title of Idaho’s state flower, Lewis’ Mockorange can be found from British Columbia south to central California and east to Montana. Considered an upland riparian (stream or river-side) shrub in the wild, Lewis’ Mockorange can serve as a hedgerow or border shrub to any home garden. White flowers begin blooming in March and continue to produce delicate, orange-scented blooms through...

Nettleleaf Giant Hyssop (Agastache urticifolia) is a widely distributed pollinator haven. You can find this mint-scented sub-shrub from Southeastern British Columbia down to southern California and east through Colorado and Montana. In the heat of summer, July-August, this native plant produces bountiful pale pink-lavender blooms. These flowers are attractive to many pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. When planting along the migration route of monarch butterflies,...

Plants in Actions Series If you aren’t already familiar, Gardenwerks is a powerhouse garden center, landscaping, and community hub in Helena, MT. Operated by a small team of plant professionals, Gardenwerks has been one of our primary retail centers since Great Bear began expanding our offerings to include retail and landscape materials. The landscape design team is led by Caroline Wallace, who strives to take her degree in Landscape Architecture and certification in permaculture design and...