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
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
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
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 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 more beautiful than a patch of bee balm blooming in a summer garden, with various birds, bees, and butterflies dancing around its numerous flower heads. With a little care and patience, bee balm can become a yearly staple in anyone’s perennial garden. About Bee Balm Named for Nicholas Monardes, a Spanish botanist who… Read More
Perennials are a low-maintenance way to add lasting beauty to your garden. With careful planning, you can enjoy a succession of blooms throughout the growing season. To begin, choose a few perennials from the list below. These are mid to late-spring bloomers that will provide color throughout May, June, and July. May Blooming Perennials For… Read More
Sedum, or stonecrop, is a versatile group of flowering plants that do well in Virginia’s sunny, dry conditions. These hardy succulents have thick, moisture-retaining leaves, making them highly drought-tolerant once established. Ideal for hot, sunny spots, sedum brings color and texture to your garden, thriving even during the peak of summer heat. Types of Sedum… Read More
Perennials are a fantastic addition to any garden. Not only do they bloom year after year from one single planting, but with the right choices and a bit of gardening know-how, you can plant perennials that bloom all throughout the season, giving you consistent color each year without having to supplement with annual plantings. To… Read More
Summer phlox, or garden phlox, is a flowering perennial native to the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. An upright grower, summer phlox can grow from two to four feet tall depending on the variety with a spread of one to three feet. Summer phlox is most popular with gardeners for their large, dome-shaped clusters… Read More