Cool-season flowering plants
In my view, autumn doesn’t have to spell the end of the show in the garden. Fall containers offer countless ways to still enjoy seasonal splashes of color. Moreover, these mini gardens no longer have to be all about flowering kale or mums. With a little ingenuity, you can create autumn planters every bit as beautiful as their lush summer cousins. Continue reading
Yesterday, my team and I completed a large project. As we stood surveying our work, we were overcome by emotion. It had taken us months, working together, to coax seven gardens into full bloom. You could say that the plants had really done a number on us. Continue reading
Lespedeza. Judging by the sound of it, you’d think it was an island off the coast of Italy. The plant that bears its name certainly looks Mediterranean. Yet, I had never heard of this magnificent, fall-blooming shrub until a client of mine showed me a pair in her garden. Here’s why I’ve been a fan ever since. Continue reading
Are you searching for a dependable plant for your late-summer garden? Then look no further than sedum ‘Autumn Joy.’ Come August, its flowers are just starting to adopt a rosy pink hue. Moreover, the blooms last for weeks, eventually turning a dusty red that’s the perfect compliment to fall. Continue reading
If you’re a homeowner, there’s nothing good about forest fires. But it may come as a surprise to learn that for some plants, they’re essential. And one among them is the flagpole-shaped tree known as the Rocky Mountain lodgepole pine. Continue reading
‘There are always flowers for those who want to see them’ – Henri Matisse
For most of my life, I’ve been more attracted to ornamentals than to wildflowers. Even though I’ve noticed many beautiful species in the landscape, I’ve never really taken the time to observe them. You might say, I’ve been wildflower blind. Continue reading
Most of us know not to plant watermelons in the mountains or aspen trees at the beach. But when it comes to the countless plants available at the nursery, things can get murky. That’s when a handy tool called the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map can make all the difference. Not only can it tell you what plants will survive where, but it can also ensure a year’s worth of success in the garden. Continue reading
Just the other day, I was working with a bunch of Master Gardeners preparing a garden for the county fair when one of them noticed a bare space. Sure enough, in one of the central beds, a group of plants had recently given up the ghost on a prominent corner. In no time, we all agreed that a lacy evergreen would be the perfect replacement. And that’s when I suggested chamaecyparis. Continue reading
Me, my dad and my sister circa 1965
Dad was up early when I was a child. On weekdays he went to the office, but on weekends the real business began. These were the days that dad devoted to yard work. And my sister and I were a key part of his crew. Continue reading
What’s the difference between bees, wasps and hornets? You may be surprised to learn that some are imposters. Take yellow jackets, for instance, who look like bees when they’re actually wasps. And though wasps and hornets may seem good-for-nothing, like bees, they serve a purpose. So before you reach for the insecticide, see below. Continue reading
