I Love Vernonia lettermanii ‘Iron Butterfly’ – aka ironweed
Name: Vernonia lettermanii ‘Iron Butterfly’ aka ironweed Type of Plant: A drought tolerant perennial for Zones 4-9, with grass-like foliage all summer and purple flowers in late fall. Why I Love/Hate this plant: When my gardens are open for fundraisers in the summer,...
I Love Cuphea hybrid ‘Cupver’, aka Cuphea Vermillionaire
Name: Cuphea hybrid ‘Cupver’ aka cigar plant, Cuphea Vermillionaire, firecracker plant Type of Plant: This Cuphea is an annual in northern climates but can be perennial in Zones 8-11 It grows 18 to 24 inches high and wide, and flowers all summer. Why I...
Advice for Garden Clubs Re: Virtual Meetings
Since the pandemic hit, we are gathering virtually; attending church services online, having cocktails with friends, and visiting with friends or family on various virtual platforms. Whether we like it or not, it’s an entirely new world and many groups that have...
I Love Pennisetum purpureum ‘Tift 8’ aka Vertigo Fountain Grass
Name: Pennisetum purpureum ‘Tift 8’ aka Vertigo fountain grass Type of Plant: An annual grass in colder climates (hardy in Zone 8-11) that’s tall (4 feet or more) and showy. Why I Love/Hate this plant: I love this grass because of the total drama it brings to the...
I Love Myrica pensylvanica aka bayberry
Name: Myrica pensylvanica aka bayberry Type of Plant: Native shrub or small tree for full sun and sandy soils Why I Love/Hate this plant: In dry summers, this is one of the plants that shows little sign of drought stress. This shrub is either male or female...
Why The Pandemic Might Save Your Organization
As a speaker and a plant geek, I present programs to garden clubs, horticultural societies, and assorted other groups. Many of these organizations have had trouble attracting new people in the past twenty years, and their memberships are shrinking. Some of this is due...
I Love Variegated New Guinea Impatiens
Name: Variegated forms of Impatiens hawkeri aka New Guinea Impatiens Type of Plant: Low-maintenance annual that grows to about 12 inches tall. Why I Love/Hate this plant: I’m loving the variegated form of this very useful annual because you get green and yellow...
I Love Pugster Dwarf Butterfly Bush
Name: Buddleja davidii ‘SMNBDBT’ aka Pugster dwarf butterfly bush. Type of Plant: A dwarf butterfly bush that blooms prolifically through the summer. Hardy in zones 5 – 9, and best planted in full sun. Grows 2 feet tall and 3 feet in diameter, tolerant of...
Love Silver Moon Hyacinth Vine
Name: Dolichos lablab ‘Silver Moon’ aka Lablab purpureus ‘Silver Moon’ Type of Plant: A fast growing annual vine that you can grow from seed. Why I Love/Hate this plant: If you need an annual vine to fill a trellis or other structure quickly, have I got a plant for...