September 26, 2024
Our Native Lobelia
The lobelia family is extremely diverse but there are two American natives that are hardy perennials: Lobelia cardinalis and Lobelia siphilitica.
September 18, 2024
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.
September 12, 2024
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.
September 5, 2024
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.
August 29, 2024
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.
August 22, 2024
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.
August 15, 2024
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
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
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
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
Native Coneflower
Coneflowers bloom from mid-summer to early fall and combine well with most other flowering perennials.
July 11, 2024
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
Flower Sex
Scientists are concerned that the use of toxic pesticides and the decreasing amount of wild habitat may be affecting flower pollination.
