Native Perennials from Seed: Echinacea

Plant more native species! Most gardening books, magazines and websites encourage gardeners to plant more native species in the landscape - and for good reaso

Managing Elderly Lilacs

Everyone knows Lilacs, those lush shrubs with sprays of blossoms among heart-shaped leaves--a true heritage plant. With origins in Europe and Asia, Lilacs cam

The Invaders: Rudbeckia

I used to be innocent. I used to be trusting. When a neighbor said, Would you like some of these black-eyed Susans? I never hesitated to plant them in my own

Cool Climate Gardening: When to start vegetable seeds

Starting a vegetable garden from seed is a huge undertaking even in warm, hospitable climates. In cooler areas such as Zone 5 and 6 gardens, this can be an ev

100 Years of Bloom: The National Cherry Blossom Festival

Washington D.C.s National Cherry Blossom Festival attracts over one million visitors annually. Although festival goers can find plenty of activities, the real

Cold Hardy Euphorbias- the small globoid to columnar species

Many Euphorbia species are grown in cultivation in pots in protected greenhouses and cold frames. But can any of these survive outdoors in the warmer temperat

Bloom Sequence for Perennials

I have always dreamed of having my gardens in bloom from early spring through the end of fall with no lapse in between. It hasnt happened yet, but I came upon

Aunt Betts Ditch Lilies

Heavily laden with black coal dust, the orange ditch lilies stood tall and proud along side the winding mountain road. With the passing of every coal truck, t

ABCs of Bt, a natural pesticide

Caterpillars, mosquitoes and a few other pests can be controlled without using highly toxic chemicals. Read on to understand Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) treat

Plant Pronunciation, Part 1: People Plants

I was chatting with the knowledgeable owner of a local nursery. I cant resist these hew-KER-uhs, I told her as she rang up my purchase of three heuchera plant

Hardy Hibiscus--Hardier Than You Think

Hibiscus moscheutos. These eye-popping beauties are, surprisingly, not well known here. Many people cant believe they can grow here. Believe me when I say, th

Liquid Teracotta

Time for a look at an interesting range of products with great potential for gardeners

Mountain Laurel Memories

There is nothing prettier than a cluster of Mountain Laurel blossoms. I wore them in my hair, I tucked them into the pockets of my overalls, and I tied them o

Planting Rootbound Shrubs

Dont let this happen to your new azaleas or other shrubs! Make sure they arent rootbound before you plant.

Community Succulent Pots: Some Ideas

Many succulents seem designed for pot life. These plants get lost in the garden, or they are too delicate or tender to make it outdoors... or they just seem h

Natural Ways to Combat Japanese Beetles

Japanese Beetles, commonly known as June Bugs, are major pests and can be hard to get rid of. But they are not invincible.

Springtime, Summertime, Autumn, Wintertime - Dreamtime: New Plants to Consider

In this second installment of Springtime, Summertime, Autumn, Wintertime ? Dreamtime, I invite you to join me in another activity of this fifth season that I

Visitors Without Visas: Japanese Beetles

Its mid-June and they ARE coming! Japanese Beetles will begin to emerge during the last week of June and continue through July. Being prepared can save you th

Chiggers: the Myths and the Facts!

If you want to get someone really worked up, just mention a common summertime pest like chiggers, and listen to the results! Youll undoubtedly be regaled with

Heat-Tolerant Malabar Spinach

By late May or early June, most folks in the southern United States and other areas with hot summer temperatures have given up on growing lettuce, spinach, an