With their spiky floral spikes in shades of purple blue, pink red, and white, salvias bring unique beauty to gardens. These hardy perennials also attract pollinators and bloom profusely from summer to fall. But salvias look even better when paired with complementary companion plants. The vertical form and bountiful blossoms of salvias allow them to … Read more
You can grow gooseberries in your garden, but how do you know when they’re ready to pick? The good news is that there are no hard and fast rules about when you pick your gooseberries. Although it can be hard to tell when to pick fully ripe gooseberries, it’s also possible to get very useful … Read more
With their fun, cascading foliage, spider plants are popular indoor houseplants But what are the ideal lighting conditions for these plants to thrive? Understanding the light requirements for spider plants will ensure your plant stays healthy and grows well How Much Light Do Spider Plants Need? Spider plants do best in bright indirect light. The … Read more
As an avid crossword puzzle fan I frequently encounter intriguing and sometimes very challenging clues. One that has stumped many solvers over the years is “The Jetsons’ dog.” At first glance it seems simple but fitting the answer into the grid can prove tricky. As a fan of Hanna-Barbera cartoons like The Jetsons, I decided … Read more
Ceanothus ‘Dark Star’ is an award-winning variety of California lilac cherished for its stunning floral display. In spring, this compact evergreen shrub becomes smothered in clusters of fragrant royal blue flowers. ‘Dark Star’ makes an excellent addition to coastal gardens, borders, slopes and more. In this growing guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know … Read more
Lemongrass is a tropical plant that is popularly used in Asian cuisine. Its citrusy, lemony flavor adds a refreshing zing to soups, curries, and teas. While lemongrass is commonly grown as an annual in temperate climates, it is actually a perennial grass. With a little care and effort, it can be propagated indoors year round. … Read more
I have been thinking so much about horse manure lately. It smells so good that you might not believe it, but it’s really fun to work with! In the past, I only used a bag here and there and only used it all in my hotbeds. But things are going to be different now!. Im … Read more
A friend was amazed as she looked at my perennial bed in late October of two years ago and said, “That flower looks just like an iris!” And indeed, it was Iris St. It was a beautiful tall bearded hybrid with violet-tinged white standards and falls. It bloomed in the spring, like most garden irises … Read more
The Fagus sylvatica ‘Red Obelisk’ is an exciting cultivar of the classic European beech tree that brings distinctive color and form to landscapes. With its narrow columnar shape and deep reddish-purple leaves that last all season, it makes a dramatic vertical accent in gardens. Here is an in-depth look at the ornamental qualities and care … Read more
Dahlias are easy to grow and bring life to your garden. They have bright colors, are strong, and can flower until the first frost. Dahlias like well-balanced and composted soil, and full sun. With 42 different species and thousands of cultivars, dahlias offer plenty of variety. Variations in color, flower form, size, and foliage make … Read more