Plant Profile: Sundrops (Oenothera fructicosa)
Karen Some plants just don’t take a hint and this is one of them. It is a cheerful, adventuresome member of my hot border and just won’t reign itself in no…
Five Easy Annuals from Seed for Late Season Color
As the warm temperatures and sunny skies of summer bring my borders into full bloom I am thinking ahead to late summer and early fall when my borders will begin…
Plant Profile: Butterfly Weed (Ascelpias tuberosa)
This clump-forming, long-lived, herbaceous perennial is native to eastern North America where it tends to grow on dry soil in full sun . It is a member of the dogbane…
Garden Journal June 28 2009
Lots of sun, high temperatures and humidity, plus very little rain has been beneficial to my summer loving plants. We have had to turn on the irrigation system and I…
Ten Interesting Facts About Japanese Beetles as an Aid to Control
There are few things more frustrating or discouraging than working hard to create something beautiful and then having to watch it made ugly and be destroyed. Anybody who gardens has…
Plant Profile: Stokes Aster (Stokesia laevis ‘Blue Danube’)
I always look forward to the flowering of Stokesia. It only blooms for 3-4 weeks in my garden but its flowers are very special. Their color is a fusion of…
Summer Blooming Plants for Gardens in Afternoon Shade
Have you ever noticed how many plant labels tell you that the plant needs 6-8 hours of sun? Many plants do have high light needs but many other beautiful plants…
Plant Profile: Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota)
Also called wild carrot, bird’s nest, and bishop’s lace, this herbaceous biennial is a member of the parsley family, Apiaceae, that also includes celery, dill, and poison hemlock. It is…
Garden Journal: June 21 2009
Ample rain, high humidity, and cloudy days with just a touch of sun now and then set the stage for this week’s garden. Many plants seem to thrive while others…
Favorite Flowers for Drying and How to Dry Them
As I go through the gardening season I like to plan ahead to fall and winter so I can have a supply of dried flowers. There are many good plants…