The Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival: 2024
It’s not just about Hydrangeas, although we love them dearly. This festival is a celebration of summer gardens…and our beautiful coastal region. Come for the flowers and gardens, but enjoy the beaches, museums, restaurants and woodlands as well. This year,...
I Love Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ aka Jelena Witch Hazel
Name: Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ aka ‘Jelena’ Witch Hazel Type of Plant: A large shrub that flowers in February. Why I Love This Plant: Like other varieties of witch hazel, ‘Jelena’ flowers in the winter. It’s especially beautiful when the flowers are lit by...
I Love Cypripedium acaule aka Lady Slipper Orchid
Name: Cypripedium acaule aka Lady Slipper Orchid Type of Plant: Native ground orchid that thrives in damp woodland and acidic soils Why I Love This Plant: The more you know about the lady slipper orchid, the more there is to wonder about and admire. First of all,...
I Love Spotted Wintergreen aka Chimaphila maculata
Name: Spotted Wintergreen aka Chimaphila maculata Type of Plant: First of all we need to sort through the common names which are Striped Prince’s Pine, Spotted Wintergreen, Pipsissewa, Spotted Pipsissewa, Ratsbane, Rheumatism Root, and Striped Wintergreen....
I Love Camellia Species and Hybrids
Name: Camellia species and hybrids Type of Plant: Evergreen shrubs that flower in the fall, winter or early spring. Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua are most common species and there are now many hybrids available. If you live in northern areas as I do, look...
I Love Jasminum Polyanthum aka Pink Jasmine, White Jasmine or Winter Jasmine
Name: Jasminum polyanthum aka pink jasmine, white jasmine or winter jasmine Type of Plant: A fast growing vine or climbing plant that flowers in December or January and is hardy in zones 8-10, but is sold as a greenhouse or seasonal houseplant in colder areas. Why I...
The Four Noble Truths of Gardening
I Love Tinantia pringlei aka Mexican Speck
Name: Tinantia pringlei aka Mexican Speck Type of Plant: Perennial groundcover for part-sun to light shade. Mexican speck is in the tradescantia family and is hardy in Zones 6-10. Why I Love This Plant: It’s amazing that a plant that is from Mexico makes a great...
I Love Ageratum Blue Horizon
Name: Ageratum ‘Blue Horizon’ Type of Plant: An annual, typically available in six-packs in the garden center, but also easy to grow from seed. This is the first F1 triploid Ageratum that was bred for cut flower cultivation. Why I Love This Plant: I love this because...