September 30, 2021
Mums
The name chrysanthemum is from the Greek word for gold “chrysos” and “anthos,” which means flower.
September 23, 2021
Wet Feet
Plants that can tolerate boggy, wet soil exist!
September 16, 2021
Autumn Checklist
It is easy to get a renewed sense of enthusiasm for gardening when the hottest weather has passed.
September 2, 2021
Rebuilding Amaryllis
Amaryllis bulbs can be rebuilt so that they can bloom well the following winter indoors.
August 26, 2021
What's Left?
My current garden is a shadow of its former self...thanks to the urban deer population. However, a few stalwart plants persist.
August 19, 2021
Amaranthus
Globe amaranth dries beautifully for winter bouquets.
August 5, 2021
Dry Gardens
During our hot Midwestern summers, it is good for pots to get some afternoon shade. Also, pots dry out more quickly, so it is best to plant annuals in the ground.
July 29, 2021
Surviving Heat
In very hot weather, remember to water your potted plants twice a day as the soil in pots dries out quickly.
July 21, 2021
A Mailbox Garden
Choose just a few plants that will need minimum attention, and plant something vigorous around the base of the post to soften it.
July 15, 2021
Types of Gardens
If I were to start over, and knowing what I now know, I would start with a plan and a clearer idea of the type of garden I wanted.
July 8, 2021
White Snakeroot
It was not until the 1920s that it was recognized that cattle that grazed on white snakeroot caused humans to die if they drank the cow’s milk.
July 1, 2021
Harmful Plants
The garden is full of plants that are poisonous. Most are not lethal, but a few are, so it is wise to err on the side of caution.
June 24, 2021
Beautiful But Noxious: Purple Loosestrife
Purple Loosestrife clogs wetlands and waterways, choking out other plants and eliminating food sources for native wildlife. The plant is classified as a federal noxious weed.
June 17, 2021
Native Perennials
Native plants are important to preserve native wildlife and the ecology of our landscape, but some natives will suit our particular climate and garden space better than others.
June 10, 2021
Pass-Along Plants
Some of the best plants in my garden were given to me by other gardeners or came from plant swaps held by garden clubs.
June 3, 2021
Lesser Calamint
Dainty and durable and deer resistant—just my kind of plant!
May 27, 2021
Cut Flower Favorite: Alstroemeria
There are bound to be some times of the year when there are no flowers in our gardens, and that is when we just have to buy some! A good reliable flower to buy is the South American native alstroemeria.
