Imagine: “We need some screening plants, so we’re buying Leyland cypress,” she said. “Why Leyland cypress?” I asked. “Because they grow quickly,”...
Chard: Many Reasons to Love
Imagine: “Spinach doesn’t grow well for me,” he said. “No matter,” she responded, “there’s a better vegetable we can grow." “Yes?” he asked,...
Must-See Garden Destinations
Going through my photo library recently I realized that I've gone to some absolutely thrilling garden destinations in the past few years, and want...
Calamondin Citrus Margarita
Yes, January 22 is indeed National Margarita day. So I decided to put a houseplant citrus spin on this drink and create a margarita using the...
I Love Our Native Clethra
Name: Clethra alnifolia aka summer sweet, sweet pepperbush, or just plain clethra. Type of Plant: A shrub that’s native to this area and grows well...
How Can You NOT Love A Plant Called Hearts a Bustin’
Name: Euonymus americanus aka Hearts a Bustin’ Type of Plant: A native Euonymus shrub appreciated for its open habit, drought tolerance and fall...
A November Thank You Note
Dear Autumn Plants, Our growing season celebration is winding down rapidly. Some of you quietly slipped out a couple of months ago without even so...
Great Garden Bloggers
Need reading material for a rainy or winter day? Want large amounts of inspiration and plant information? Have I got a blog for you...well, several...
I Love Variegated Spreading Salmon Sunpatiens
Name: Variegated Spreading Salmon Sunpatiens Type of Plant: This variety of Sunpatiens forms a nice rounded plant that grows about 18” high and 20”...
Fall Window Box Ideas
I don't have boxes under the windows of my house, but I did plant two boxes that were on the front porch for the summer. I had two identical metal...
What Should I Do With All These Leaves?
I've gotten a couple of emails recently from people who are already dreading the annual leaf drop on their property. One man was tired of paying to...
I Love Rosa rugosa…I Hate Rosa rugosa
Imagine: Talk about a love/hate relationship! Yes, I have one with this rose. Name: Rosa rugosa aka rugosa rose or beach rose Type of Plant: A...
Saving Dahlia Tubers
In the fall the dahlia's are the best flowers in the cutting garden. But even as they are in their glory, it's time to think about saving them...
Why Isn’t My Moonflower Blooming?
Like many others, I plant moonflower (Ipomoea alba) in the early summer to fill a small trellis with a quickly growing annual vine. I anticipate the...
Wonderful Sambucus aka Elderberry
Imagine: This week's story is true. Yesterday I went up to the large elderberry bush at the top of our cutting garden. This year's berry production...
My Open Gardens & The Hydrangea Festival
Updated 7/13/17 The Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival has three more days to go. This event is ten days when we celebrate lovely gardens, hydrangeas, and...
In My Gardens ~ Week of June 5
It was a cool and damp month of May at Poison Ivy Acres and the first four days of June continued in the same mode. This is fine with me, because...
I Hate Rhododendron ‘Blue Baron’
Imagine: Yes indeed. Imagine a plant that looks fantastic in the garden center when it's fresh from the grower. But that plant is out for just one...
















