Growing Bells of Ireland

Growing Bells of Ireland

Imagine: I walked into Soares Flower Garden Nursery a couple of years ago, and stopped in my tracks. There they were, six packs of bells of Ireland plants, clearly started by my friend Marcia Chapman and the staff at Soares. It’s not an annual that’s available at most...
Do You Speak, Blog, Write About, or Photograph Gardens?

Do You Speak, Blog, Write About, or Photograph Gardens?

If so, thank you. In the day and age when people feel increasingly out of touch with the natural world, you do important work. In these times when people truly need to be fed, healed, and cheered by plants, you are doing important work. And in the age where a great...
A Green Flower For Cutting

A Green Flower For Cutting

Name: Alchemilla mollis aka lady’s mantle Type of Plant: A low growing perennial with lime green flowers in May, June and early July. Why I Love this plant: This plant grows in full sun to part shade, is weed smothering and has flowers that are perfect for bouquets....
A Hardy Impatiens For Shade Gardens

A Hardy Impatiens For Shade Gardens

Imagine: A perennial for shade that isn’t a hosta or a fern! Can you imagine? After growing this hardy impatiens, we can say that it isn’t necessary to be big and bold, and we’re in love… Name: Impatiens omeiana aka hardy impatiens Type of Plant: A perennial in zone 6...
The Pleasures of Pulling Weeds

The Pleasures of Pulling Weeds

All my GardenLine and Plantrama listeners would love an easy way to rid their gardens of weeds. And frankly, if there were a product, tool or magic potion that made weeds quickly disappear from my gardens you can be sure that I’d be using it too. Lacking such...
What Can I Plant For Fragrance?

What Can I Plant For Fragrance?

Imagine: You walk through your landscape from late-June through mid-July and you’re greeted by sweet perfume. When you drink your morning coffee outside, or sip a cocktail in the evening, the air is filled with fragrance. It seems like your entire yard is scented, but...
I Love White Thyme

I Love White Thyme

Imagine: You need a groundcover for a sunny slope or similar dry area. You want it to be very low, fast growing but not invasive. Impossible? Not at all! You need Thymus praecox ‘Albiflorus’ – white moss thyme Name: Thymus praecox ‘Albiflorus’ – white moss thyme Type...
A Weed Smothering, Elegant, Drought Tolerant Perennial for Shade

A Weed Smothering, Elegant, Drought Tolerant Perennial for Shade

Imagine: I can’t do a consultation for someone with a shade garden without the following plant name coming out of my mouth: Epimedium. Followed closely by the words, “weed smothering” and “easy” or “elegant.” Name: Epimedium – various species including: x rubrum, x...
Top 10 Reasons To Come to Ithaca for the Solstice 2018

Top 10 Reasons To Come to Ithaca for the Solstice 2018

Top 10 Reasons for Garden Communicators to Celebrate The Solstice in Ithaca NY In reverse order, David Letterman style: #10 It’s the end of June! The mad planting rush is over and you can finally ease up a bit and enjoy the growing season. Time to celebrate by leaving...
An Easy, Tall Blue Flower For Late Spring: Camassia

An Easy, Tall Blue Flower For Late Spring: Camassia

Imagine: You say you want a cutting garden with plants that come up every year? You can grow that! But be sure to plant Camassia… Name: Camassia leichtlinii Pronounced  kuh-MASS-ee-uh liked-LINN-ee-eye The variety called Blue Danube is widely available. Type of Plant:...
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