When thinking hydrangeas, most people think of only the one hydrangea with blue blooms. Did you know that there are actually six family types of hydrangeas? This is where the confusion begins. I am going to do my best in explaining the hydrangea family. MAIN TYPES OF HYDRANGEA Here are the six main types of … Read more
Okay, so I’ve got all my veggies planted. I can put up my feet and relax now, right? Not exactly. What I Need to Do Now Here’s what I need to do now: Stay on top of weeds. Right now, weed seedlings are already popping up in my freshly planted raised beds. If I slack … Read more
MAY IS A PERFECT MONTH TO GET OUTSIDE AND SO SOME GARDENING GET READY, GET SET, GO!!! – WITH ALL OUTDOOR GARDENING ACTIVITIES It would be very rare for us to have any cold, frosty nights from here on out. So many gardeners use the first part of May to get started with gardening, especially … Read more
It’s May—Finally! All danger of frost is past, right? Not exactly. We did have a surprise frost last year in mid-May!!! Normally, we’re pretty safe in considering ourselves out of the woods now. And I’m proving it by moving my orchids, citrus, and other houseplants outside for the summer. After last year, however, I’m going to move them … Read more
I’M HAVING A HARD TIME LIMITING MY FAVORITE PERENNIALS FOR A SHADY YARD Last month our nursery plant expert, Nick Atkinson, gave a very informative seminar on plants to use in a shady backyard. Bottom line, a shady yard can be a beautiful yard when using the right plants for the right location. Hardy, shade-loving … Read more
Dandelions — the bane of any gardener, right? Or….not? Dandelions are related to Asters. They have a basal rosette of heavily toothed leaves-hence the name ‘dandelion’ which comes from the French ‘dent-de-Lion’—meaning tooth of the Lion. The botanical name is taraxacum officinale, from the Greek ‘taraxos’ meaning disorder and ‘akos’ meaning remedy—referring to the many … Read more
IT’S A DIVERSE FAMILY THAT LEADS TO CONFUSION Whenever you stop into the garden center or call and talk to me or any other plant specialist and ask “Do you have Hibiscus” – you usually end up getting two or three questions back at you trying to figure out what type you are inquiring about. … Read more
This coming Thursday, April 22 is Earth Day. Earth Day was established in 1969 at a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) conference in San Francisco, California. In March of 1970, a sanctioned Proclamation was signed at the U. N. by Secretary-General U Thant giving official United Nations recognition. What Led to Earth … Read more
MONARCH DECLINE A couple of weeks ago, Eve Roemhildt, our Virginia Certified Horticulturist, gave a very informative and enlightening talk on native plants and supporting our pollinators. Her talk has inspired this blog and my desire to highlight our Monarch butterflies. I am going to get onto my soapbox for a minute. As citizens of … Read more
What would spaghetti sauce be without the warm savory flavor of basil? I can’t even imagine such a thing! So here is how to grow your own. Ocinum basilicum—Basil. Ocinum means “fragrance.” Basilicum is from the Greek basilikon—Royal. So—Royal fragrance—appropriate, don’t you think? Like many of our fragrant herbs, basil is a member of the … Read more
