Summary: Discover the unique characteristics and growth habits of the Leatherwood shrub (Dirca palustris), an American native plant that blooms early in spring, with tips on how to care for and incorporate it into your garden landscape. Leatherwood is one of the earliest shrubs to bloom in spring. They are distinguished by their complete lack … Read more
Trees are essential to life on earth, and most of the time, we should protect and cultivate them. However, there are times when it’s necessary to get rid of trees. Examples include: invasive trees that grow unchecked and interfere with native trees and plants damaged or diseased trees that have become unsightly or dangerous trees … Read more
Survey the weed situation from every angle—calmly, carefully, without prejudice if possible—but there is simply no getting around it. Weeds are still weeds! They are unwanted plants that appear in every garden regularly. Some Weeds Have Virtues They are not till bad. Dandelions and lamb’s quarters provide early greens or a spring tonic for the table. … Read more
With due respect to those who have a so-called “green thumb,” I feel that most of their success comes from knowledge and experience in proper planting and care. Here, therefore, are a few tips that will help bring success with your spring planting of trees and shrubs. Bare Root Planting If you can plant immediately, … Read more
The beautiful Josephine, consort of Napoleon Bonaparte, was an ardent gardener. Her gardens at Malmaison, her country home near Paris, became famous. She was eager to try out new seeds and plants from other lands, and the flowers she grew there became the vogue all over Europe. The Sweetest Fragrant Mignonette Flower Among flowers that … Read more
Growing a lawn is one of those pastimes that have begun to fall out of favor due to environmental concerns, yet it won’t be going away any time soon. Your turf is a cultivated weed that, on its own, isn’t necessarily bad for the environment. However, as many species can become invasive and lawns require … Read more
Unlike most types of gardens, your lawn is one you probably never associated with gardening. However, caring for a lawn can be a lot of work and require many (or even more) chemicals to maintain, compared with a flower or vegetable garden. Herbicides are practically essential for maintaining your lawn, and you’ll likely need to … Read more
A garden needs dramatic accent plants! Use them sparingly so that they will be effective. In contrast with its surroundings, a plant becomes an accent piece. Color, texture, shape, and size all enter the picture. The tall spires of a verbascum plant punctuate a long flower border. Coleus plants make a Persian carpet of rich … Read more
Use steps to make your garden more convenient and interesting. Practical types do the dutiful work of getting you up and down from one level to another. At the same time, garden steps offer many artistic opportunities. Friendly steps invite visitors along the path, whether up or down from the parking area to the front … Read more
Dependably hardy, at least as far north as southern New England, Japanese holly is also easy to grow in the mid-South. Like American holly, the Japanese make a larger plant there. In fact, it can become a small tree in that mild climate. Ilex crenata and its varieties remain handsome throughout the most bitter New … Read more