Timely tips and ideas all year to inspire you and help you succeed with your garden.
Geraniums are a very popular plant and have been for many years. I can’t speak for everyone, but I believe that they are a favorite not only because of their beauty but also because of their strength. Geraniums are able to thrive in hot, dry and sunny locations better than almost any other annual. Red is the color most people request but that should not deter anyone from noticing the beautiful salmons, purples, pinks and whites that are available. Geraniums …
Sometimes an old, familiar plant is revitalized with new breeding, which is certainly the case with Lantana. New varieties, like the Bandana series, have large flower clusters in an impressive range of vivid colors – hot cherry to apricot to sunrise-type color combos, sometimes all on one plant! Lasting longer in hot weather than many other annuals, lantana is a long-time favorite for sunny spots. It is excellent in hanging baskets and outdoor patio containers, especially on a deck or by a …
Hot, sunny and a bit dry? Those are perfect conditions for a big show of color from Angelonia, a summer garden favorite. Some people call angelonia the “summer snapdragon” because its blooms are spiky and a bit tubular. But snapdragons are cool-weather plants while angelonia thrives in hot, sunny weather. Also like snaps, angelonia will attract the occasional hummingbird or butterfly. Angelonia is perfect in mixed containers as a thriller or a filler. For garden beds, try planting odd-numbered groups …
Hostas are favored by many gardeners for their exceptional foliage. Growing best in shady spots, they can add color and drama to your garden in places other plants may not grow. Leaves come in a wide range of shapes, colors, sizes, and textures and may be solid in color or variegated in different combinations of blue, green, white, and yellow. Although they do flower, they are grown mostly for the decorative foliage and the plants remain attractive from spring till …
I like to compare Supercal to Superman. Both are super tough. Yes, Superman can fly through the air but his weekness is Kryptonite. Supercal will stand up strong to anything you can throw at it. Supercal has become one of my favorite plants because it just keeps looking great all summer long. I love Supercal for baskets and patios and flower beds – this is a plant that tolerated everything we threw at it! Early season cold – no problem! Extreme summer …
Hanging baskets add instant beauty to any home. With so many to choose from, how do you pick the right one for your needs? Here are some tips to help you select the right hanging basket and how to care for it once you have it home. Some baskets prefer shade and some prefer sun. Select a variety that works well in the area that you are planning to hang the basket. Two favorites are Geraniums for sunny locations and …
If you have noticed the foliage slowly disappearing from your plants, you may have a problem with these bugs. Are you ready to protect your garden? Have you noticed 1/2” long, shiny, metallic green beetles in your garden lately? Is the foliage of your plants slowly disappearing? Chances are you might have Japanese beetles infesting your garden. Most commonly these creatures are found in the eastern half of the United States but they are moving westward. Since the beetles attack …
Daylilies – the perfect perennial! Perfection is a pretty high standard but I think you might agree that this plant comes pretty close to meeting that definition. Their real name is Hemerocallis but that just does not sound as pleasant as “Daylily”. They’re called the perfect perennial because they seem to thrive everywhere they are planted with very little care and come in several colors. A fun fact is that each bloom usually only lasts for a day and then it …
Are you looking for some late season color or something to fill a gap in a shrub or perennial border where a plant was lost or under performing due to last winter? It is time to consider roses. Yes, ROSES! Roses are traditionally promoted as spring items, especially as gifts for Mother’s Day, but the late summer/fall season, from August 15 until September 15, is actually perhaps the best season to plant new roses, or to transplant existing ones. As we …
How to Grow Iris: Irises should be planted in July, August, September. It is imperative that the roots of the newly planted iris be well-established before the growing season ends. Irises need at least half a day of sun. Be sure to provide good drainage, planting either on a slope or in raised beds. Ideal PH is 6.8 (slightly acidic). Irises should be planted so the tops of the rhizomes are exposed and the roots are spread out facing downward …
