It’s that time of year again, where I review my most viewed posts from all over the world and I was surprised at some of the posts that were at the top of the heap. The top ten countries that view my blog in descending order are the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, India, Germany, France, South Africa, Brazil, and New Zealand. I am always amazed at this! India is near the top and reading my blog in great numbers? And Australia and New Zealand are reading too! That just goes to show you that gardening topics are a universal theme.

I have about 5,000+ followers that receive regular emails when I post and my average viewings per day is around 250 to 300 readers. And for the year, I ran around 100,000 visits or page views.

For 2019, I gathered the most popular posts for the year, some of which are older and are continuously viewed from years ago, but others that are new. I work on some posts a year in advance. For instance, I am working on Christmas ones for next year. And I am working on a book with all new projects for Fall and Christmas. I also published a magazine article in The American Gardener magazine.

So, here are my top ten posts from 2019;

Top 10 

1-Containers With Pizzazz

This is a golden oldie. Container plantings are one of my favorite things to put together, not just in spring, but all year long. Most people do their containers in the spring and are done! But I am coming up with ideas all year long. And with the recent addition of a greenhouse in my backyard, I am going coming up with lots of new plants. Seasonal, and non-traditional containers are my specialty. Also, I have added to my toolkit-porch pots. These are simply containers that have finished their cycle of life and they are recycled with cut branches for the fall and winter season. For foraged porch pot posts, go to Foraged Outdoor Arrangements.

Fall porch pot with hairy balls milkweed

2-Christmas at Winterthur

Winterthur in Wilmington, Delaware, has a tradition going back to 1986, of decorating a large tree with dried flowers. And the dried flowers aren’t your grandmother’s musty dusty dried arrangements that dotted the home. These are air dried and silica gel dried (think of those little packets that come with new purchases) to retain their jewel like tones that almost seem fresh. I made my own miniature dried flower tree that I will post about next season in time for the Christmas season.

3-Bird Seed Ornaments for the Bird Lover

This one was a surprise. There are a lot of bird watchers out there and there must be some super hungry birds that are getting a smorgasbord of home made treats. Easy to put together for anyone, these make great gifts for your bird loving friends.

4-Delaware Botanic Gardens Unveiling

It’s official!! If this isn’t on your radar, you need to visit this world class garden taking shape in Dagsboro, Delaware- on my doorstep! Designed by internationally known Dutch designer, Piet Oudolf (think High Line), it has been in the making for some years and has finally opened.  I have written three blogs on the status and making of this great garden and it finally opened the Garden Gates!

5-English Vs. American Gardens

I was driven to write this after returning from one of my recent garden tours to England. Attending the Hampton Court Flower Show, Chelsea Flower Show, and many UK gardens, both private and public, there are definite differences between American gardening and English gardening. Read it and check it out. Also, you can go on one of my tours by looking my itineraries for trips. 

Portugal is happening in March 2020 and is full, but Ireland in September of 2020 is still open.

6-“Hairy Balls” -A Different Kind of Milkweed

A plant oddity that takes people by surprise when they see it growing in my garden. Having grown it for years, I am tickled when people exclaim over it.  Easy to grow and attractive to Monarch caterpillars, this is a fixture in my garden.

7-Pesticide Free Nurseries and Seed Companies

Newly updated, this is a must-read for savvy, organic gardeners concerned with the environment.

There is a real interest and need for sourcing of pesticide free nurseries and seed companies. Posting this information brought in a lot of comments and appreciation from gardeners who strive to garden organically as much as possible.

8-For the Love of Holly-McLean Nursery

Lots and lots of people read this one about a little known independent nursery that is doing great things with holly and Christmas decorating.

9-Turf Alternatives

This post was a surprise also. But I don’t know why, as I am often asked as a landscape designer to provide alternatives to water and fertilizer hogging turf grass.

10-Customize Your Garden With Heirlooms

Yes, everyone is doing it! Planting heirloom veggies and annuals is a ‘thing’. There are so many to pick from and try. I still have a list a mile long to try.

 

Thanks to all my readers out there, where ever you are, and have a great New Year!