"Pink Flirt" and "Tropical Blowout" are some of the annual-filled planters from the new HGTV Home Plant Collection introduced this spring at Otten Bros. Garden Center in Long Lake and Twin Cities Bachman's garden centers. The pots and hanging baskets hold a mix of complementary-colored annuals including verbena, petunias, euphorbia, calibrachoa and bacopa. Individual quart-sized containers of select plants are also available. To see examples and descriptions, go to www.HGTVhomeplants.com.
Peony field days Need a peony fix? Peony lovers can walk among hundreds of varieties of peonies in bloom at Swenson Gardens' growing range, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 25, 26 and 28 and June 1-2. Experts will be at the site to answer peony growing questions. You can also buy peony cut flowers or order bare-root peonies for pickup in the fall for planting. The peony fields are at 10958 70th St. SW. in Howard Lake, Minn. Go to www.swensongardens.com or call 763-350-2051.
Knitted plant pockets Use your green thumbs to knit a plant pocket, which is a hanging container that holds a three-inch plant and can be suspended from a fence, arbor or trellis. The Bachman's plant pocket workshop, which includes instruction, yarn and a sun or shade plant, is from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, 6010 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls. Cost is $40. Register at www.Bachmans.com or call 612-861-7311.
Planting party Buy or bring your own containers to Heidi's Lifestyle Gardens planter workshop from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 7241 County Road 116, Corcoran. Cost is $20 and includes expert help and potting soil. Plants available for purchase. Heidi's is also holding Healing With Horticulture workshops from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 25. Cost is $45 and includes a potted planter. To register, call 763-475-4960.
