Plant Profile: Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)
Karen Sweet William has charmed flower lovers for centuries and even in modern times Kate Middletown included it in her bridal bouquet to honor her groom. The fringed and toothed flowers…
Quick Tip for Transplanting Perennials in Fall
On a recent trip to the local big box store during early November I found a nice little New York aster in the bargain bin. It had already finished blooming…
Plant Profile: Arend’s Saxifrage (Saxifraga x arendsii)
Of the many different kinds of saxifraga that exist the hybrids developed by the German nursery Arends, these are among the best and most readily available. The delicate flowers in…
Five Fall Blooming Perennials for the Cottage Garden
The traditional cottage gardener had plants that bloomed in the fall just as we do. Many of those plants are still favorites today although improved cultivars are taking their place.…
Plant Profile: Winter Heather (Erica carnea)
Winter heather is a low growing compact evergreen shrub that gets up to 12” tall and up to 24” wide so makes a very good ground cover. It grows slowly…
Characteristics of Polyantha Roses
Known for their profusion of flowers, polyantha roses arose in France in the late 19th century. Their parentage is vague but probably involved a China rose and Rosa multiflora, the…
Plant Profile: Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila paniculata)
Baby’s breath is a herbaceous perennial and a member of the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae, that also includes pinks and campions. It is native to central and eastern Europe but is…
True Lilies for the Cottage Garden
True lilies are one of the most showy plants found in cottage gardens. True lilies all belong to the genus Lilium so many plants that have the word “lily’ as…
Plant Profile: Pumpkin Galeuse D’Eysines (Cucurbita maxima)
You will either hate or love this pumpkin but if you put it on your doorstep at Halloween you will be sure to turn heads or perhaps scare some trick…
Characteristics of Hybrid Tea Roses
Everyone loves roses and why not? They are beautiful flowers, suggest romance, and have been featured in literature and art for over two thousand years. Most of the roses you…