I Love Laurus nobilis aka Bay Laurel
Name: Laurus nobilis aka bay laurel Type of Plant: This evergreen tree, native to the Mediterranean, is most popular for the bay leaves that we use in cooking. Those who live in Zone 8 – 10 can grow this slow-growing tree in their gardens where they can get quite tall...
I Love Calocephalus brownii ‘Silver Sand’ aka Cushion Bush
Name: Calocephalus brownii ‘Silver Sand’ aka Cushion Bush Type of Plant: A silver-foliaged, finely textured plant typically sold as an annual in most of the US. This is also becoming a popular holiday plant at this time of year, however, because the...
I Love Bromeliads
Name: Bromeliads Type of Plant: Members of the Bromeliaceae family – a large group of plants mainly native to the tropical Americas. Why I Love This Plant: This group of plants are lovely, low-maintenance plants for indoor color and a tropical feel in...
I Love Philodendron pinnatifidum × melinonii hybrid aka Philodendron Golden Crocodile
Name: Philodendron pinnatifidum × melinonii hybrid aka Philodendron Golden Crocodile Type of Plant: A yellow-green variety of Philodendron that’s native to Columbia, South America, and a pretty easy-to-grow houseplant in the rest of the world. Why I Love This...
I Love The Buckskin Pumpkin From Ball Seed
Type of Plant: A medium size, eating pumpkin that was bred for a sweet, deep orange flesh. Why I Love This Plant: I was pleased when the good people at Ball Seed sent me this pumpkin plant to try. We planted it in a sunny garden where we were also growing butternut...
Christmas Merchandise so EARLY?
I work at a family owned, independent garden center, and yes, we start putting out Christmas merchandise in early October. I see posts on social media about how horrible it is that stores are displaying the holiday goods before Halloween, and I just wish that I could...
Dried Flower Fun
In September I was inspired by an article in BBC Gardener’s World Magazine about a woman who dried dahlias. On a whim, I picked some of my dahlias and zinnias, and hung them upside down to dry. I added a stem of golden rod and some of the smooth hydrangeas...
I Love Ginkgo Biloba
Name: Ginkgo biloba aka ginkgo tree Type of Plant: Ginkgos are ancient trees that are native to east Asia. There are many cultivars that range from small dwarfs to 50’ trees. Why I Love This Plant: I love the shape of the Ginkgo leaves, and appreciate that this plant...
I Love Staghorn Sumac aka Rhus typhina
Name: Staghorn Sumac aka Rhus typhina Type of Plant: A native tall shrub or small tree that can sucker to the sides to create thickets or clusters. This deciduous plant is hardy in zones 3 to 9. Why I Love This Plant: First, I love the almost tropical look these...