A Hardy Impatiens For Shade Gardens
Imagine: A perennial for shade that isn’t a hosta or a fern! Can you imagine? After growing this hardy impatiens, we can say that it isn’t necessary to be big and bold, and we’re in love… Name: Impatiens omeiana aka hardy impatiens Type of Plant: A perennial in zone 6...
The Pleasures of Pulling Weeds
All my GardenLine and Plantrama listeners would love an easy way to rid their gardens of weeds. And frankly, if there were a product, tool or magic potion that made weeds quickly disappear from my gardens you can be sure that I’d be using it too. Lacking such...
What Can I Plant For Fragrance?
Imagine: You walk through your landscape from late-June through mid-July and you’re greeted by sweet perfume. When you drink your morning coffee outside, or sip a cocktail in the evening, the air is filled with fragrance. It seems like your entire yard is scented, but...
I Love White Thyme
Imagine: You need a groundcover for a sunny slope or similar dry area. You want it to be very low, fast growing but not invasive. Impossible? Not at all! You need Thymus praecox ‘Albiflorus’ – white moss thyme Name: Thymus praecox ‘Albiflorus’ – white moss thyme Type...
A Weed Smothering, Elegant, Drought Tolerant Perennial for Shade
Imagine: I can’t do a consultation for someone with a shade garden without the following plant name coming out of my mouth: Epimedium. Followed closely by the words, “weed smothering” and “easy” or “elegant.” Name: Epimedium – various species including: x rubrum, x...
Top 10 Reasons To Come to Ithaca for the Solstice 2018
Top 10 Reasons for Garden Communicators to Celebrate The Solstice in Ithaca NY In reverse order, David Letterman style: #10 It’s the end of June! The mad planting rush is over and you can finally ease up a bit and enjoy the growing season. Time to celebrate by leaving...
An Easy, Tall Blue Flower For Late Spring: Camassia
Imagine: You say you want a cutting garden with plants that come up every year? You can grow that! But be sure to plant Camassia… Name: Camassia leichtlinii Pronounced kuh-MASS-ee-uh liked-LINN-ee-eye The variety called Blue Danube is widely available. Type of Plant:...
I Love The Kanzan (aka Kwanzan) Cherry Tree
Imagine: Pink clouds have descended from the heavens and upholstered the trees with flowers. Bubblegum pink. And the foliage, in celebration, takes on a reddish hue as it erupts from the stems to applaud the show. The Kanzan Cherry Trees are in bloom. Name: Prunus...
To The Person Who Stole Plants From My Yard
Here’s what I think: You are a person who likes plants and gardens. What you took from me has no resale value, so you undoubtedly stole these plants for yourself or for someone you are close to. You probably justified this theft by thinking something like, “She has so...