July rains
- Connor Evers
- Jul 29
- 3 min read
Hello friends,
As the height of summer unfolds, we’re pausing to reflect on just how much has taken root this season- we’re excited to bring you our July newsletter, filled with fresh updates and gardening tips to brighten your summer days.
You’ll find a little bit of everything that’s been keeping us inspired lately: vibrant summer blooms, a closer look at Clustered Mountain Mint, a quick reminder about mulch rings, and snapshots from recent planting projects.
We hope you find something in these pages that sparks your curiosity, encourages your next planting decision, or simply makes you feel more connected to the land we all share.
Thanks for being part of the Norm’s Greenhouse & Nursery family—we’re glad you’re here.
Horticulturally,
The Norm’s Greenhouse & Nursery Team
Summer shopping hours update!
Mulch rings
Why Mulch Rings Matter
A simple mulch ring around your trees can make a world of difference — for both tree health and garden appearance. Here’s why it’s worth the effort:
1. Prevents trunk damage
Mulch acts as a protective buffer against lawn mowers and string trimmers, which can harm young bark.
2. Reduces competition
No grass = less competition for water and nutrients. That means healthier, faster-growing trees.
3. Keeps it clean
Mulch rings give your planting beds a neat, intentional look that highlights the beauty of your trees.
Use 2–4 inches of mulch and always keep it away from the trunk. No mulch volcanoes! Let the root flare breathe and stay dry.
Plant feature: Clustered Mountain Mint
Smells like mint, acts like a meadow, and never asks for much
Looking for a powerhouse perennial that brings in pollinators, thrives in tough conditions, and smells amazing? Meet Clustered Mountain Mint, a native herb that deserves a spotlight in any garden focused on biodiversity and beauty. It happens to be the 2025 Perennial Plant of the year!
Why we love it:
This easy-going plant forms a dense clump of silvery-green foliage topped with soft clusters of pale pink to white flowers. The blooms appear from mid-to-late summer and attract a variety of bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
Garden benefits:
Fragrant foliage with a minty-citrus aroma
Supports pollinator diversity
Tolerant of drought and lean soils once established
Plant it with: Rudbeckia, Coreopsis, Allium, Echinacea, Little Bluestem, or other sunny natives for a meadow-style planting, or tuck it into a mixed border for structure and fragrance.
Growing tips:
Full sun to part shade
Average to dry soil
Height: 2–3 ft
Space 18–24” apart
Cut back in early spring to encourage fresh growth if desired, but not required
It spreads via short rhizomes and responds well to division every few years
A season of growth and planting progress
This month has been full of planting plans coming to life—and with it, a powerful reminder of what makes this work so meaningful.
At the heart of it all is our team at Norm’s Greenhouse & Nursery. We’re incredibly proud to work alongside such a hardworking, thoughtful team—people who come ready to learn, ready to get their hands dirty, and committed to creating landscapes that matter. Their care and craftsmanship are what bring these plans off the page and into the ground.
Together, we’re planting more than just gardens. We’re building spaces rooted in South Dakota’s native plant communities—spaces that support pollinators, nurture the soil, and offer beauty that lasts beyond a season.
To our customers and community: thank you for trusting us to help bring your vision to life. Every space we create is a shared effort—and one we’re grateful for.
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