cotinus ‘grace vs royal purple

The cotinus, or smoke bush, is an important shrub for the garden because it has bright fall colors and early flower plumes. Shrub expert Andy McIndoe advises on how to grow them. Photographs by Richard Bloom. Cotinus are big, hardy flowering shrubs that lose their leaves every year. They have pretty, round green, purple, or … Read more

Holes in Skip Laurel Leaves: Causes and Solutions for This Common Problem

Skip laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is a popular evergreen shrub used extensively in landscaping for its glossy foliage and fast growth habit. However, homeowners often notice holes developing in the leaves especially on lower branches. Known as shothole, this unsightly damage can diminish the ornamental value of skip laurel hedges and shrubs. In this article, we’ll … Read more

Are Butterfly Bushes Poisonous to Dogs?

Butterfly bushes are a popular ornamental plant known for their colorful, fragrant flowers that attract butterflies. Their blooms come in shades of pink purple blue, yellow, orange, red and white depending on the cultivar. Butterfly bushes are low-maintenance shrubs that thrive with minimal care in the right climate. But an important question for pet owners … Read more