Throughout gardens in Virginia, camellias stand as elegant and versatile shrubs, offering captivating displays of blooms. While many gardeners are familiar with the spring-blooming Camellia japonica, the fall blooming Camellia sasanqua offers a unique and equally stunning spectacle. With the right insight and planning, it’s possible to have a camellia garden that blooms from fall… Read More
Daylilies are not your grandmother’s yellow and orange summer flowers growing out by the mailbox anymore. The genus Hemerocallis (Daylilies) has gone through tremendous hybridization in the past ten years. Many of today’s daylily varieties are tetraploid hybrids, meaning they’ve been bred to include extra sets of chromosomes, which leads to larger blooms, a wider… Read More
Made for the shade (and a little sun), Heuchera and Heucherella are quickly becoming the stars of the shady garden, outshining the long-time champion, hosta. What makes them so special? Perhaps it’s their stunning range of foliage colors or the beautiful variegated patterns on their leaves. Maybe it’s the delicate flower spikes that bloom in… Read More
Astilbe (also known as false goat’s beard or false spirea) is a perennial favorite for shaded gardens. These hardy plants feature large, fern-like foliage that provides year-round visual interest, with feathery plumes of colorful flowers that bloom through Virginia’s springs and early summer. Astilbe thrives in moist soil, making it an ideal choice for pond-side… Read More
Choosing the right hosta for your garden can be a bit overwhelming with so many varieties available, but understanding your garden’s shade conditions can help narrow down the options. Whether you’re looking to add some lush greenery to a shady corner or create a stunning garden border, hostas are a perfect choice. These reliable perennials… Read More
Lavender is a favorite perennial for many gardeners here in Virginia, and it’s easy to see why. Known for its soothing fragrance, lavender is technically an herb, with every part of the plant exuding a delightful aroma. Growing to a couple of feet tall and wide, it creates a striking presence in perennial borders, herb… Read More
What is Deadheading? Love your garden but tired of fleeting blooms? Deadheading is a simple yet powerful technique that can extend the flowering season of your favorite plants. This idea is a simple one and fairly familiar: by trimming off the faded flowers, many perennials and annuals can be coaxed into producing more buds and… Read More
Perennial salvias, or Meadow Sage are a standout choice for sunny gardens in the Mid-Atlantic, offering vibrant color and lasting blooms from spring into summer. These hardy plants, related to catmint and bee balm, are prized for their deer-resistant qualities, thanks to their fragrant flower stalks. While traditional salvias are known for their rich purple… Read More
Perennial ferns are a fantastic choice for any shade garden. With their unique foliage in a variety of shapes and colors, they complement other shade-loving perennials like hosta, heuchera (coral bells), and astilbe. Plus, ferns are one of the few shade perennials that are deer-resistant, making them a great option for woodland garden projects. Once… Read More
There’s nothing quite like the timeless beauty of a perennial dianthus plant. With its bluish-grey, grass-like foliage, dianthus stands out in the garden all season long. Different varieties offer a range of growth habits, from compact mounds to slightly trailing forms. In spring and early summer, their small, carnation-like blooms emerge, with colors ranging from… Read More