Whenever I think about what to write about this time of year, my mind always seems to migrate to ornamental grasses. Here are a few varieties that recently caught my attention on my weekly visit to the nursery…
Every Garden Needs A Bluebeard In It
Last week I pontificated about the merits of the genus Hibiscus and the fact that it is among the very few shrubs that bloom late into the summer. There are a handful of other summer-blooming choices that don’t come in quite so many variations but are just as reliable and dare I say, essential to creating that all illusive “year ‘round interest” in our gardens. Bluebeard is one such plant that will add late season interest in the sunny border with not a lot of fuss…
August Is Hibiscus Month In My Book
Some Advice From The "Old Days" Is No Longer Relevant
6 Steps To Successful Summer Planting
In Search Of The Coveted Dark-Leaved Hydrangea
The Need To Weed
Goodbye June Gloom, Hello Sumer-Blooming Perennials
It seems a bit trivial to complain about the weather considering all the political upheaval, pandemic, and social injustices that currently abound in our world, but the plain truth is that gardeners live and die by the weather, and to that end, June 2020 will go down in the record books as a real stinker. If you have been feeling a bit cranky about the weather…
Dealing With Mosquitos In The Garden
Now that summer has arrived and we are spending more time out in our yards, it is becoming increasingly apparent that at certain times of the day we are not alone. By that I mean that the mosquitos are out in force and looking for some sustenance. Here are some techniques and more specifically, some plants that will help mitigate these annoying creatures and let us enjoy our yards without becoming victims of these flying hypodermic needles…










It goes without saying that Japanese maples, in all of their varied shapes, sizes and foliage options, represent some of my favorite botanical treasures. My landscape remains dotted with a number of them that I planted when I first moved in, but over the years I have…