Latin isn’t dead – at least not in the garden. While many plants are more famously known by their common names, you can’t be guaranteed that a “buttercup” to you is the same as a “buttercup” to someone in England, or France, or China. While some of the Latin names for plants may seem a…
As you make plans for improvements to your garden this year, consider attracting butterflies. Not only do butterflies provide aesthetic appeal, they also are great plant pollinators and provide food for other animals in the food chain. Butterflies just need a little encouragement from you to inhabit your garden. If you provide for their needs…
“The fragrance always remains in the hand that gives the rose.” – Heda Bejar Love. Hatred. Acceptance. Refusal. How can one covey such sentiments without words? By sending flowers. These jewels of nature can convey almost any emotion, compliment, or warning. As with any language, one simply needs a bit of knowledge and practice. Flowers…
A sunny window, a little water, and good drainage – requirements for an ideal houseplant. Succulents, whose fleshy tissues conserve moisture, look lush and come in a variety of shapes and colors, yet are remarkably easy to maintain. Members of the cactus family, succulents will actually thrive on neglect and surprise you with their vitality….
Lucky Bamboo, botanical name dracaena, is tough and resilient. It does not require direct sunlight, allowing you to add a bit of green life to those windowless rooms. Lucky Bamboo will grow in a vase or a planter with rocks and is maintained by adding or replacing the water twice a week. When roots are…
Adore daffodils? Love tulips? As with most groups of plants, bulbs come with their own set of special considerations. Bulbs are not for the impulsive gardener and they won’t supply instant gratification. Some bulbs are perennials and will multiply while others will bloom only one, maybe two years. Investigate details about specific bulbs by asking…
They can fly at speeds up to 60 mph, travel unbelievable distances without stopping, yet are no bigger than your thumb. As they migrate from their tropical winter habitats, they search our yards for ideal locations for their summer homes. If you want these magical creatures to choose your home this summer, create a special…
As temperatures warm, the garden is blooming and perennials are making their expected return, yet you crave a new design element in the garden. Consider vining or climbing plants. When paired with an attractive structure to climb, they add not only height to your garden but also incredible displays of color. Make a Topiary Select…
A trellis may not only be a necessity for the growth and floral display of particular plants, it can also add a new visual element to your garden. Visit any home and garden store or peruse a gardening catalog and you are sure to find many options for trellises, both beautiful and functional. Some will…
Do as nature intended with your lawn clippings and kitchen scraps – compost them! Whether you buy the top of the line bin, make your own, or just start a heap, your garden (and refuse collectors) will be thankful. The rich organic matter that develops in your compost pile will do wonders for your plants…