Held outdoors for the first time in its 193 year history, the Philadelphia Horticultural Society's Flower Show debuted with an explosion of color and large-scale architectural floral installations at FDR Park in Philadelphia. Where nature meets architecture, or Habitat: Nature's Masterpiece, is the overall theme and will be held June 4 through June 13 and …
Continue reading "Famed Flower Show Blooms Outdoors This Year With ‘Habitat’"
Native vines are a totally underused plant in Mid-Atlantic gardens. Filling gaps, covering walls and fences, and a great vertical element in any garden, vines can be used to attract native butterflies and insects to your garden. Vines are useful if you don't have a ton of room and usually grow quickly and form almost …
Continue reading "Top Three Native Vines That Attract Butterflies, Bees, and Hummingbirds"
When COVID reared its ugly head in March, I started to spend a lot more time at home as my garden travel schedule was cancelled. Trained as a floral designer, and also an avid gardener, I decided to grow more plants that I can use in floral arrangements using my preferred method "garden style". Arranging …
Continue reading "Home Grown Bouquets at #BouquetoftheDay"
Can a native plant also become invasive? I get asked this question a lot and it is more than a simple yes or no. The short answer is yes, when a native plant takes over your flowerbed and prevents or crowds out other flowers, both native and non-native, from growing. What is an invasive plant? …
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Keeping honey bee hives means you will likely encounter swarms - something people are usually terrified of! A natural reproduction process, swarming can happen to any beekeeper, so you should be prepared when it occurs. It is a sight to behold when the swarm is in full flight. The season of swarms is typically in …
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Fern Resurgence Ferns are enjoying a resurgence of interest and popularity recently, primarily because of fitting into older shady landscapes and their superb deer resistance. The wetter climate that we have experienced in the last couple of years is also a factor that makes people look at this class of plants with renewed scrutiny. Ferns …
Continue reading "Ostrich Fern-Deer Resistant Fool-Proof Ground Cover for Shade"
I love to spotlight local under-the-radar nurseries in central Maryland. These hard working nurseries fill a niche that larger nurseries and big box stores can't begin to fill. And one specialty greenhouse is right under my nose only a few miles away and I really just took it for granted - Susan Iglehart's Flowers or …
Continue reading "Annuals Extraordinaire From Susan Iglehart’s Flowers"
I have a long lasting love affair with perennial Nepeta or Catmint. I have used this under-the-radar perennial for years as a deer resistant plant that gives a long season of color for the entire season. My garden design career of over 25 years means the selections have only gotten better. 'Walkers Low' and 'Six …
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Early to mid-April is a perfect time to start to enjoy your springtime flowers. Way before Dahlias, summertime annuals, and asters, the breath of selection of spring blooming perennials is dazzling but there are definitely favorites that I enjoy year after year. Columbine The sheer variety of shapes and colors of Columbine flowers has always …
Continue reading "Springtime Pretties-What You Should Be Planting for Spring Color"
Yes, I write a garden blog, but after rediscovering these delicious healthy muffins from the 70's, I had to post this when I got my Johnson and Johnson shot. Think of it as a new chapter after COVID where you will be eating healthier! With less sugar and more fiber, but instead of being tasteless …
Continue reading "Healthy Morning Glory Muffins"
