For evergreen plants, it's all about water retention, protection from sun-scald, and fluctuating temperatures. Some plants have shiny foliage, while others have scale-like structures that protect the plant from...
Name: Phseolus vulgaris Maxibel – aka the Maxibel green bean Type of Plant: A bush bean that produces haricot vert style beans, thin and tender....
I've had several queries by email recently from gardeners who have forgotten what they planted. Some of these are from people who are new to veggie...
You say you live where it's cold, so the blue hydrangeas you plant never flower? Do you want to grow mophead or lacecap hydrangeas but you're just a...
This is the most frequent question I'm asked on my radio programs, and lately I've been getting several emails a day as well. We love the blue...
Name: Rosa x ‘Noasplash’ aka Flower Carpet Pink Splash Type of Plant: A shrub rose that’s hardy in Zones 5-10 for growing in full sun. Why I love...
I grow several annual poppies that self-seed around the garden. Since I want them to return each year, I leave the pods in place so that the seeds...
Name: Hydrangea arborescens ‘Invincibelle Spirit II’ Type of Plant: A shrub for sun or part-shade that produces pink hydrangea flowers from...
On Friday the second annual Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival opens. This year there are over 80 gardens on tour Cape Wide, for the benefit of local...
Name: Nepeta racemosa ‘Walkers Low aka walkers low catmint Type of Plant: A perennial for full sun that flowers from late-May into July in the...
Last week I returned home after being with my mother at the end of her life. It was, of course, a time of great sadness and reflection. Once home,...
Name: Hemerocallis ‘South Seas’ aka the South Seas daylily Type of Plant: A perennial for full sun that flowers from mid-July into August. Hardy in...
The area under a bird feeder is a heavily traveled zone. Birds, squirrels, chipmunks, fox and wild turkeys are routinely seen under my feeder and...
Last May I had the pleasure of being in P. Allen Smith's gardens at Moss Mountain. (Bucket list advice: attend a workshop or go on one of his open...
This is the time of year when many of my callers/clients are asking "What's wrong with my_______?" Fill in the blank with the vegetable plant of...
Name: Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Center Glow’ aka the center glow ninebark. Type of Plant: A large, fountain shaped shrub that’s hardy in zones 2–8....
Here are the plants that are catching my eye at Poison Ivy Acres the first week of June. In June a garden...
I cook spaghetti squash in the microwave. And I think it's especially tasty (and easy!) when served with mushrooms, some sort of onion, olive oil...
As perennial plant gardeners, one of the things we learn over time is how each plant behaves. There are perennials that look great before and after...