Disclaimer: I received a free flat of Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ from Twixwood Nursery as a prize through the GardenComm 2025 Virtual Event Plant-Nerd Trivia Night. Twixwood Nursery also invited me to visit their facility for a private tour. I was not paid to write this post, and all opinions and experiences shared here are entirely my own.
My Twixwood Nursery haul was one of those moments that remind me why I love gardening - the excitement, the inspiration, and that irresistible feeling of coming home with something truly special.
It all began when I won a flat of Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ during the GardenComm 2025 Virtual Event Plant-Nerd Trivia Night.
That surprise win led me on a road trip to Twixwood Nursery in Michigan, where rows of mature perennials swayed gently in the breeze.
From bold ornamental grasses to cheerful pollinator favorites, I was surrounded by color and life everywhere I turned.
By the end of the visit, my car was packed with treasures, and my heart was full of ideas for expanding the pollinator gardens here at Exotic Gardening Farm.
Touring Twixwood Nursery
The drive up was peaceful, and I felt that familiar mix of anticipation and curiosity that only a gardener truly understands.
As soon as I arrived, I was greeted by Homer Trecartin Jr., the manager at Twixwood Nursery.
Homer started working there when he was just fifteen, took time to explore other adventures, and eventually returned to lead the nursery he’d grown up in.
You can tell his roots run deep - literally and figuratively.
As we walked through the greenhouses, and drove through the fields, his genuine pride in the plants was contagious.
It’s always inspiring to meet someone who not only knows the science behind what they grow but also clearly loves every leaf and bloom.
Twixwood Nursery stretches across rolling fields filled with vibrant, healthy plants.
Everywhere I looked, there was something new to admire - strong root systems, glossy foliage, and flowers gently swaying in the sunlight.
For a plant lover, it’s a dream come true to see perennials thriving in such a well-tended space.
It’s worth noting that Twixwood Nursery is a wholesale grower, not a retail garden center.
Their fields and greenhouses are dedicated to supplying high-quality plants to the nursery trade, landscapers, and garden professionals across the region.
They do maintain a sales yard for local landscapers and others in the trade who need specific plants, but it’s not open to the general public for retail shopping.
Those in the horticultural industry can place online orders directly through Twixwood’s website.
If you’re a home gardener inspired by these plants, many independent garden centers source their perennials from Twixwood - so chances are, you’ve already admired their work without even realizing it.
My Twixwood Nursery Haul
Of course, I didn’t stop with just my Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ prize.
The nursery had so many irresistible varieties that I couldn’t help filling my car with even more beauty.
Here’s what came home with me:
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Achillea ‘Peter Cottontail’ – Soft, white blooms that look like tiny puffs of cotton; an airy yarrow perfect for brightening up borders.
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Asclepias ‘Gay Butterflies’ – A vibrant mix of orange and yellow milkweed that draws Monarchs from miles around.
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Lavandula ‘Phenomenal’ – True to its name, hardy and fragrant, thriving even in Indiana’s unpredictable weather.
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Liatris ‘Kobold’ – Compact purple spikes that add vertical charm without overpowering smaller companions.
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Monarda Bee-You Bee Happy – Bold red bee balm with a chocolate-colored center that brings in hummingbirds, bees, and a smile every time you see it bloom.
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Rodgersia ‘Bronze Peacock’ – Dramatic, metallic foliage that loves shade and adds instant elegance.
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Actaea ‘Queen of Sheba’ – Dark leaves and fragrant white blooms that command attention in late summer.
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Andropogon ‘Blackhawks’ – A breathtaking grass that deepens to purple-black hues as the season cools.
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Andropogon ‘Holy Smoke’ – Silvery-blue blades with soft movement that add texture and calm.
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Schizachyrium ‘Blue Heaven’ – Sky-blue grass that transitions to reddish bronze in fall - absolutely stunning in morning light.
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Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ – The rainbow of my dreams! Each plant blooms a different shade - orange, pink, yellow, or red - making the bed feel like a painter’s palette.
By the time I loaded the last tray, my car looked like a traveling nursery.
Back Home at Exotic Gardening Farm
When I returned home, I set the plants out in a semi-shaded spot to rest after the long trip.
I haven’t planted them yet, but I did arrange them in an almost-empty flower bed to start visualizing how they’ll all fit together.
I always like to do this kind of “mock layout” before committing anything to the ground - it helps me balance colors, heights, and textures before pulling out the shovel.
Right now, we’re in the middle of adding new mulch and removing several rogue trees that have popped up where they don’t belong.
It’s a bit of a project, but clearing the space is giving me a fresh canvas to work with.
The Lavandula ‘Phenomenal’ plants are destined for the hill at the far back of the property, where they’ll get plenty of sun and the good drainage they love.
The grasses will be planted on the front corner of the property to create a natural privacy screen, and I plan to mix in several of the flowering perennials there for a riot of color that can be enjoyed from the road.
Some of the other plants will find a home in my native plant garden, which unfortunately had to be completely redone after the recent sewer line replacement destroyed most of that area.
It’s been a challenge, but also an opportunity to rethink the layout and bring in a stronger mix of pollinator-friendly and native species.
It’s not quite planting time yet, but arranging the plants and dreaming about what’s next has already been rewarding.
Sometimes, the planning stage is just as exciting as the planting itself.
Why Twixwood Stands Out
What impressed me most about Twixwood Nursery was the evident care in every plant.
The roots were robust, the foliage lush, and not a hint of stress anywhere.
Even after the drive home, they looked fresh and full of life.
Seeing mature plants in the field gives such perspective.
You instantly understand how tall a plant will get, how it spreads, and how colors blend together in a natural setting.
That kind of experience is invaluable when planning your own garden.
My Pollinator Garden Vision
instThis coming year, my goal is to expand biodiversity in my pollinator beds.
I’m aiming for a continuous bloom cycle from early spring through frost.
Plants like Asclepias, Echinacea, Liatris, and Monarda provide nectar and habitat for everything from native bees to butterflies and hummingbirds.
The ornamental grasses add structure and serve as shelter for overwintering insects - a reminder that beauty and ecological value often go hand in hand.
If you’d like to learn more about this approach, check out my article on attracting beneficial insects.
Tools and Supplies I Used
Every successful planting day starts with the right tools:
- CobraHead Weeder and Cultivator - Perfect for loosening compacted soil and digging in transplants. Use code EXOTICGARDENING for 10% off.
- Garden Planning Worksheets - Handy for mapping beds and recording plant details.
- Organic Amendments - Compost, leaf mold, and worm castings to build soil life and structure naturally.
Looking Ahead
I can’t wait to see how these plants settle in and transform the garden over time.
By spring, I’ll have color explosions from Cheyenne Spirit and soft movement from the grasses.
It’s going to be a beautiful mix of textures, pollinator activity, and fragrance.
Gardening is more than planting - it’s storytelling.
Each plant, each trip, each new connection adds another page.
Meeting Homer and exploring Twixwood reminded me that passion for growing runs deep in the gardening community, and I’m grateful to be part of it.
If you’d like to follow along as these new additions grow, join me on Instagram, Facebook, or subscribe to my Exotic Gardening Newsletter for behind-the-scenes updates and seasonal tips.
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