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September 26, 2024

 

Blue bloom of Lobelia siphilitica

Our Native Lobelia

The lobelia family is extremely diverse but there are two American natives that are hardy perennials: Lobelia cardinalis and Lobelia siphilitica.

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September 18, 2024

 

Wild petunia, Ruellia humilis

Wild Petunia

Many years ago, I bought a perennial plant at a nursery, and after I planted it, found that there was a ride-along plant in the pot. It was a wild petunia.

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September 12, 2024

 

Liatris in bloom

Our Native Liatris

There are few flowers like liatris in the flower world, as the blooms open on top of the stalks first, and the ones on the bottom open last.

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September 5, 2024

 

Red blossoms of Heuchera sanguinea, aka coral bells

Heuchera sanguinea

Coral bells flowers from spring into fall if it has moist, rich soil. Plant masses of coral bells in the front of your borders and water them well.

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August 29, 2024

 

Purple Eupatorium purpureum, aka Joe Pye weed

Eupatorium purpureum

Our native Eupatorium purpureum, commonly known as Joe Pye weed, flowers in late summer and fall, producing tall clusters of fluffy purple flowers.

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August 22, 2024

 

Scale-like green and purple leaves of creeping thyme

Groundcovers

Ground cover plants are a bit like area rugs in our homes, as we can mix and match them or plant many of the same type of plant to cover bare patches.

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August 15, 2024

 

Helenium in bloom

Helenium

In a cultivated garden, Helenium looks best with other yellow or bronze flowers that bloom in the fall, and they light up a flower bed as the growing season draws to a close.

August 8, 2024

 

Gaura in bloom

Gaura

If you especially enjoy delicate, airy types of flowers, then you should grow Gaura to enjoy in your garden and in flower arrangements.

August 1, 2024

 

Coreopsis tinctoria

Tickseed

The word Coreopsis is from the Greek word koris meaning bug and opsis meaning resemblance to. This is because the seeds of coreopsis took like small ticks.

July 23, 2024

 

A field of Queen Anne's lace in bloom.

Queen Anne's Lace

Farmers don't care for wild carrots that grow in their fields and on roadsides and produce thousands of seeds that produce more plants.

July 18, 2024

 

Purple and white coneflowers in a garden.

Native Coneflower

Coneflowers bloom from mid-summer to early fall and combine well with most other flowering perennials.

July 11, 2024

 

The White Garden at Sissinghurst Castle

Vita's White Garden

Vita Sackville West's white garden at Sissinghurst Castle in England is world famous. Here's a quotation, describing it in her own words.

July 3, 2024

 

Eastern Black Swallowtail on a purple coneflower

Butterflies in the Garden

Many butterflies that visit zone 6 gardens can also be found as far north as Canada and as far south as Mexico. It is amazing that a monarch butterfly, for example, looks so delicate but can fly from here to Mexico and back.

June 27, 2024

 

White and yellow flowers of Chrysanthemum parthenium, aka feverfew

Chrysanthemum parthenium

The botanical name for feverfew is Chrysanthemum parthenium because according to Plutarch a worker fell during the construction of the Greek parthenon, and his life was saved by this plant’s medicinal properties. The common name of feverfew is because it is used to reduce fevers.

June 20, 2024

 

Proven Winners’ tag for patented lantana plant

Patents

In 1995, the patents’ length of time was extended, so that now breeders can collect royalties on a plant for 20 years.

June 13, 2024

 

Purple flowers at Sissinghurst Gardens

Purple Plantings

Today, I am quoting from Vita Sackville West who is discussing planting a border with flowers ranging in color from pale mauve through rich purple.

June 6, 2024

 

Diorama of a calender book with flower growing out of it.

Looking Ahead

Spring is a wonderful season for gardeners. The weather is pleasant outdoors and visiting nurseries is such fun, but as well as popping into the ground plants that will give immediate gratification, also try to plant some fall bloomers.

May 29, 2024

 

Mihály Munkácsy’s painting “Woman Arranging Flowers,” 1881-1882

Making Bouquets

We have all been guilty of shoving flowers into any type of vase when we are in a hurry. However, we all know as well that just a little bit of effort on our part will make even a few flowers look really special.

May 23, 2024

 

Scientist in a field of yellow flowers.

Flower Sex

Scientists are concerned that the use of toxic pesticides and the decreasing amount of wild habitat may be affecting flower pollination.

May 16, 2024

 

Upright bright pink blossoms of Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan’s Variety’

Bevan

I am completely in love with bevan. No, he's not a human. He's a plant that has captured my heart...

May 9, 2024

 

Groundcover of tiny white blooms of sweet woodruff

Carpeting

Here is a long quote by Vita Sackville West about groundcovers.

May 2, 2024

 

A bouquet of dandelions held by a child

Spring Dandelions

Dandelions light up our lawns each spring with bright yellow flowers.

April 25, 2024

 

Stanhopea quadricornis by Sarah Ann Drake

Early Botanical Artists

Before the invention of photography, illustrations of uncommon plants were crucial. Women were thought to be especially well suited for drawing specimens accurately. They were seen as patient, careful, and willing to work for little pay.

April 18, 2024

 

Harvesting aleum from 14th-century manuscript Tacuinum sanitatis

The Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages in Britain, the monasteries were the places with the space and the knowledge to garden.

April 11, 2024

 

Impatiens walleriana, a.k.a. busy lizzies

Touch-Me-Nots

Most gardeners I know find it convenient to buy this easy-care annual for their pots and shade beds each spring, and delight in growing such undemanding annuals.

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