I Love Iris Reticulata
Name: Iris reticulata Type of Plant: This is one of the first spring bulbs to bloom, often in flower at the same time as crocus but just before the daffodils. The flowers are about six inches tall, and the foliage goes dormant in early summer. This Iris is hardy in...
Getting Rid of Moss in The Lawn And Garden
In honor of Saint Patrick’s Day I’m going to post about one of the greenest plants in the landscape: moss. On both radio shows I get frequent calls from people who say that their lawn and gardens are being taken over by these plants. “What can I do to get rid of all...
An Election Year Garden Flowchart
I Love Gomphrena Pink Zazzle
Name: Gomphrena Pink Zazzle (aka: Gomphrena hybrid USPPAF) Type of Plant: This is an annual plant in colder climates that’s fairly new to the scene. The bright pink flowers are round and huge, but the plant is not. Why I love this: This is a sprawling plant, growing...
I Love Bidens ferulifolia Goldilocks Rocks
Name: Bidens ferulifolia Goldilocks Rocks Type of Plant: An annual in northern climates that does best in full sun. You’ll find this plant wherever Proven Winners annuals are sold. Why I love This: This plant is easy, easy, easy….a drought tolerant annual that is...
Hairy Balls and Pollinators…You Can Grow That!
Has anyone ever told you to “grow a pair?” Well…why stop at just two? When it comes to balls, you can grow several and they can be hairy! And at the same time, you’ll be growing great material for cut-flower bouquets, attracting pollinators to...
Like A New Box of Crayons
Every spring as I contemplate what will be planted in Annual Alley this season, it’s like getting a new box of crayons. Which colors to use? Should I go with just a few complimentary shades, or should I go wild and dip into every color in the box? The...
In Praise of Seasonal Flowers
In Northern America we live in a time when we so often can ignore the seasons. The grocery stores sell strawberries, apples and asparagus twelve months a year so when you’re in the produce section you have no idea what season it is. Flowers too are hot-house...
I Love Marble Queen Pothos
Name: In part of the world this plant is called Scindapsus aureus. In North America it’s either Epipremnum pinnatum or Epipremnum aureus. Most of us just call it pothos. Or golden pothos, taro vine or silver vine. No matter what you call it, this is an easy to grow...