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How to Choose the Right Trees and Shrubs for Your Landscaping Projects

3/6/2025MNI Direct
When designing a landscape, selecting the right trees and shrubs is essential for creating a harmonious and sustainable environment. The right plants can enhance curb appeal, provide shade, attract wildlife, and even improve the air quality of your outdoor space. However, with so many options to choose from, knowing which trees and shrubs are the best fit for your project can be a daunting task. Here’s a detailed guide to help you make the best choices for your landscape, whether you're working on a residential or municipal project.

Why Trees Are Essential for Urban Environments

2/27/2025MNI Direct
In today’s rapidly growing cities, green spaces are more important than ever. Urban environments are often characterized by concrete, asphalt, and steel, but trees provide a natural balance that enhances both the aesthetics and functionality of these areas. From improving air quality to reducing heat islands, trees play a crucial role in making cities healthier and more livable for residents. 

Spring Landscaping Checklist: What You Need to do Now

2/19/2025MNI Direct
With warmer weather on the way, it’s time to get your client’s outdoor spaces ready for the season ahead. A well-prepped landscape not only looks great but also sets the foundation for healthy growth. Use this spring landscaping checklist to keep your projects running smoothly and efficiently. 

Attract Larger Landscape Projects with High-Impact Plant Solutions

8/2/2024MNI Direct

Some landscaping trends are not exactly “hot.” A common trend you may be seeing today is the cooling off of larger projects, as many property owners are only considering minor landscape upgrades. 


While there’s nothing wrong with smaller projects, especially for your loyal clients, bigger projects create more reliable revenue and higher profits for your company. So how do you secure high-value projects?


It’s not as hard as you may think. Big doors swing on small hinges and there are small but proven tactics that are helping companies like yours fill their schedules with large-scale landscaping jobs. The first step is facing the problem.

Summer Watering Guide: Newly Planted Trees and Shrubs in the Southeast

7/8/2024MNI Direct
Ensure your newly planted trees and shrubs thrive in the Southeast's scorching summers with MNI Direct's comprehensive watering guide. Learn effective strategies tailored to the hot, humid, and harsh climate, including soil moisture checks, smart watering techniques, and optimal tools like soaker hoses and drip irrigation. Avoid common watering mistakes and ensure long-term plant health with expert tips on proper care and maintenance. Partner with MNI Direct for high-quality plant materials and expert advice to keep your landscape vibrant and flourishing. Contact us for more information!

Designing with Color: Mastering the Summer Garden with Vibrant Perennials

6/3/2024MNI Direct

How could your landscaping clients not be impressed by the huge range of summer colors that perennials offer? Picasso himself would be blown away by today’s vibrant options.


Perennials are plants that live for two or more years, so they’re an ideal way to stretch a landscaping budget. Be sure to highlight this fact for your customers so they understand how much long-term value they’re getting from perennials.


Still, there are more layers of benefits and features these plants bring to landscapes. We’ll cover color aspects, texture opportunities, and best use cases for some of MNI Direct’s most popular perennials. 

Battling Bugs: Top 3 Plant Pests in the Southeast

5/1/2024MNI Direct

What are three costly and pesky problems for landscaping professionals in the Southeast? Japanese beetles, scale, and ambrosia beetles. 


These three little pests pack a big punch when it comes to the damage they cause in landscapes. But don’t worry. We’re giving you a battle plan to avoid that trouble, aggravation, and costly harm.


Let’s begin with the Japanese beetle, which plants to worry about, and when.

Shade Lovers: Top 5 Shade-Friendly Plants in the Southeast

4/1/2024MNI Direct
Discover the Top 5 Shade-Friendly Plants in the Southeast with MNI Direct. From vibrant Camellia japonica to graceful Cornus florida, find solutions for shady landscapes. Learn maintenance tips and styling suggestions to create stunning low-light gardens. Order now at exclusive contractor prices!

5 Drought-Tolerant Shrubs with Serious Survival Skills

3/8/2024MNI Direct
One of the biggest concerns for landscape contractors and designers is having to replace plants that die off. After all, no landscaping business wants unhappy clients. Plus, replacing plants can cost your business time and money and wreak havoc on your schedule.

To prevent those issues, we’re going to review five fantastic shrubs that are incredibly drought-tolerant. Being able to thrive in super-dry conditions is just the tip of the iceberg with these amazing plants, though.

Blog

How to Choose the Right Trees and Shrubs for Your Landscaping Projects

3/6/2025MNI Direct
When designing a landscape, selecting the right trees and shrubs is essential for creating a harmonious and sustainable environment. The right plants can enhance curb appeal, provide shade, attract wildlife, and even improve the air quality of your outdoor space. However, with so many options to choose from, knowing which trees and shrubs are the best fit for your project can be a daunting task. Here’s a detailed guide to help you make the best choices for your landscape, whether you're working on a residential or municipal project.

Why Trees Are Essential for Urban Environments

2/27/2025MNI Direct
In today’s rapidly growing cities, green spaces are more important than ever. Urban environments are often characterized by concrete, asphalt, and steel, but trees provide a natural balance that enhances both the aesthetics and functionality of these areas. From improving air quality to reducing heat islands, trees play a crucial role in making cities healthier and more livable for residents. 

Spring Landscaping Checklist: What You Need to do Now

2/19/2025MNI Direct
With warmer weather on the way, it’s time to get your client’s outdoor spaces ready for the season ahead. A well-prepped landscape not only looks great but also sets the foundation for healthy growth. Use this spring landscaping checklist to keep your projects running smoothly and efficiently. 

Attract Larger Landscape Projects with High-Impact Plant Solutions

8/2/2024MNI Direct

Some landscaping trends are not exactly “hot.” A common trend you may be seeing today is the cooling off of larger projects, as many property owners are only considering minor landscape upgrades. 


While there’s nothing wrong with smaller projects, especially for your loyal clients, bigger projects create more reliable revenue and higher profits for your company. So how do you secure high-value projects?


It’s not as hard as you may think. Big doors swing on small hinges and there are small but proven tactics that are helping companies like yours fill their schedules with large-scale landscaping jobs. The first step is facing the problem.

Summer Watering Guide: Newly Planted Trees and Shrubs in the Southeast

7/8/2024MNI Direct
Ensure your newly planted trees and shrubs thrive in the Southeast's scorching summers with MNI Direct's comprehensive watering guide. Learn effective strategies tailored to the hot, humid, and harsh climate, including soil moisture checks, smart watering techniques, and optimal tools like soaker hoses and drip irrigation. Avoid common watering mistakes and ensure long-term plant health with expert tips on proper care and maintenance. Partner with MNI Direct for high-quality plant materials and expert advice to keep your landscape vibrant and flourishing. Contact us for more information!

Designing with Color: Mastering the Summer Garden with Vibrant Perennials

6/3/2024MNI Direct

How could your landscaping clients not be impressed by the huge range of summer colors that perennials offer? Picasso himself would be blown away by today’s vibrant options.


Perennials are plants that live for two or more years, so they’re an ideal way to stretch a landscaping budget. Be sure to highlight this fact for your customers so they understand how much long-term value they’re getting from perennials.


Still, there are more layers of benefits and features these plants bring to landscapes. We’ll cover color aspects, texture opportunities, and best use cases for some of MNI Direct’s most popular perennials. 

Battling Bugs: Top 3 Plant Pests in the Southeast

5/1/2024MNI Direct

What are three costly and pesky problems for landscaping professionals in the Southeast? Japanese beetles, scale, and ambrosia beetles. 


These three little pests pack a big punch when it comes to the damage they cause in landscapes. But don’t worry. We’re giving you a battle plan to avoid that trouble, aggravation, and costly harm.


Let’s begin with the Japanese beetle, which plants to worry about, and when.

Shade Lovers: Top 5 Shade-Friendly Plants in the Southeast

4/1/2024MNI Direct
Discover the Top 5 Shade-Friendly Plants in the Southeast with MNI Direct. From vibrant Camellia japonica to graceful Cornus florida, find solutions for shady landscapes. Learn maintenance tips and styling suggestions to create stunning low-light gardens. Order now at exclusive contractor prices!

5 Drought-Tolerant Shrubs with Serious Survival Skills

3/8/2024MNI Direct
One of the biggest concerns for landscape contractors and designers is having to replace plants that die off. After all, no landscaping business wants unhappy clients. Plus, replacing plants can cost your business time and money and wreak havoc on your schedule.

To prevent those issues, we’re going to review five fantastic shrubs that are incredibly drought-tolerant. Being able to thrive in super-dry conditions is just the tip of the iceberg with these amazing plants, though.