Robby 
Peonies have been bred and improved for thousands of years by the Chinese, the Japanese, and now the Americans. They are a classic flower for a country garden, but they can also look good in a more formal setting. We have both the classic “lactiflora” types and the more modern “intersectionals.” The latter have flowers … Read more
Today, more and more people are moving into condominiums or apartments. The one thing that people seem to miss, however, is no land for gardening. Still, it’s not hard to grow a vegetable garden on a balcony, and you can really have a successful balcony vegetable garden. Having a green thumb but limited outdoor space? … Read more
As far as herb gardens go, rosemary is a wonderful addition. It looks beautiful and has a huge variety of handy uses. Many people who garden at home start with a small rosemary plant or cuttings, but you can also grow rosemary from seeds. Although it may take some time and more than one try, … Read more
If you want to start, pick daffodil varieties that stay short and don’t make too much foliage. One of these is the very flexible Narcissus “Tête à Tête.” Others are “Jack Snipe,” “Hawera,” “Pipit,” “Ice Follies,” and “Carlton.” Daffodils are one of the most beloved flowers of spring. Their cheerful yellow and white blooms signal … Read more
We’re hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t enjoy the smell of fresh roses gracing their home or garden. Their delicate perfume and charming appearance will enrich any and every environment. Because of improvements in gardening and flower preservation, we can enjoy the sweet smell of roses almost all year long. But how exactly is this … Read more
The dappled willow (Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nishiki’) is a popular ornamental tree with a graceful weeping habit. It has lovely gray-green foliage streaked with pink and white. Since this tree grows quickly, pruning a dappled willow is always an important part of the maintenance. Read on for information on dappled willow pruning. The dappled willow also … Read more
Take a quick black garlic internet tour and it is quickly clear. A lot of people are talking about black garlic and much of the information is conflicting. But one thing everyone agrees on: the flavor is nearly indescribable and the culinary possibilities endless. Descriptions include tastes of dark caramel, chocolate, hints of balsamic vinegar, … Read more
Planting onions using seedlings is the only way to go in my humble opinion. Let’s talk about why! Onion transplants are a great way to get a head start on growing big, healthy onions. Buying transplants instead of seeds allows you to skip the indoor growing stage and go straight to planting outside. With the … Read more
Statice blooms are easy to grow, attract beneficial pollinators, and are known for their long-lasting and colorful blooms. If you live in a mild-winter area, it may even become a short-lived perennial. In addition, statice is on many florists’ lists of favorite filler flowers. In this blog, I’ll show you how to grow statice from … Read more
This carefully chosen border of bright Oriental Poppies (Papaver orientale), deep purple spikes of Sage, and architectural Ornamental Onions (Alliums) will make your late spring to midsummer garden look better. Bearded Irises (Iris germanica) add a touch of elegance to the group, making a border that is both visually and texturally interesting. Asian poppies are … Read more