Perennials are the floral backbone of my garden because they develop over time and last. I look for exciting new ones each year. Whenever a newly introduced perennial exceeds expectations and gets rave reviews, the plant will almost certainly find itself included on my spring shopping list. I…
Many Salvia species and varieties, whether annual or perennial, are tall, bold, and bloom continuously throughout summer or fall. Their flowers are favored by most pollinators, especially hummingbirds. An additional inviting fact: quite a few species are North American natives. I have grown salvias in my garden for…
Stylish and serviceable herb gardens are a delight through the growing season when they appeal to the eye and senses and provide fresh herbs. In winter, stores of dried and frozen herbs make cooking a pleasure. If you don’t already have a culinary herb garden,…
Shaded porches and patios are prime spots for hanging baskets. We spend most of our outdoor leisure time in the shade where their beauty is most welcome, but only certain garden flowers will flower and thrive in less light. Planting the right flowers is essential…
“My Emerald Green arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’) trees were planted by a professional landscaper along the outside of our screened-in porch in February 2019. In the first 3 years, they were lush and full. In the past 2 years, they have lost all of their needles in the side…
The old saying goes, “Call me anything you like, but don’t call me late for dinner.” For a long time, plant taxonomists and botanists have moved Coleus from genus to genus; the colorful plants have been botanically tagged as Coleus scutellarioiodes, Solensostemon scutellarioides, Coleus x hybrid, and Plectranthus scutellarioides. …
“The summer has been hotter than it’s ever. How can I protect my plants from the severe heat?” Angie of Atlanta, Georgia Answer: Georgia summers are notoriously hot. Being faced with temperatures…
“I would love advice on saving seeds off of heirloom bell peppers.” Question from Amy of Lewiston, Idaho Dear Any, I have good news! Peppers are some of the easiest seeds…
“I have full sun in the front of my home, and I want to put up large containers in the front of my house, but I’m not sure what plants would work. Help! Thank you.” Question from Melissa of Lansing, Michigan Answer: There are lots of great plants…
“My tomato plants have leaves curling upwards along the edges. Why?” Questions from Andy of Zionsville, Indiana Answer: Based on your photo, your leaf curl appears to be caused by something in the environment rather than a disease. There is a…
“What would you recommend I use to grow my sugar baby watermelons? A grow bag?” Question from MSJ of Marshall, Wisconsin Answer: Watermelons are heavy drinkers and feeders with hefty root systems that demand more space. Even more compact vines, like those of ‘Sugar Baby‘, grow…
When visiting older established gardens, if there is a border garden, it will probably contain at least one of these three plants: peony, bearded iris, and clematis. These are often considered old-fashioned plants because they have been regularly planted in gardens for so many years. All three of these…
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