As we begin to navigate 2025, I have decided to start the year with a new mantra… “Strive in ’25”, which of course has meaning in my landscape AND my daily life. There seems to be so much strife and negativity these days, but we can counter this by striving for positivity. We can strive for…



The kingdom of plants is filled with many desirable shrubs, including many old-fashioned forms and newer hybrids. Gardeners (including me) love many of the numerous old school selections while also embracing newer more modern forms. One of these plants, Weigelia florida, has been a proven performer in local gardens for decades, providing showy spring flowers, excellent…