Deer resistance is a huge buzz world in the gardening world and for good reason. Many of us battle these animals daily and too many just throw up their hands and give up. All it takes is to educate yourself on the many possibilities that are available - both native and non-native - and throw …
Continue reading "Deer Resistant Landscaping"
Turf grass lawns are an American tradition. Everyone who has any kind of yard or property aspires to having a perfect green manicured carpet. But as we now know, grass can be a dead zone for native insects and birds, devoid of any nutrition or habitat for native species. Mowing, watering, fertilizing, and pest controls …
Continue reading "Planting a Pollinator Friendly Bee Lawn"
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"
If you have deer visit your garden and want some color in partial shade or sun, consider planting Calycanthus floridus. A wonderful, easy-to-grow shrub, Carolina Sweet Shrub features strongly fragrant dark red flowers in early summer. The show doesn't stop there; the leaves often turn a nice shade of yellow in the fall. Carolina Sweet …
Continue reading "Carolina Sweet Shrub-Another Deer Proof Shrub Addition"
One of my favorite design jobs landed in my lap about 10 years ago. I really didn't know what to expect when I first visited the property - a modest home set on a busy road with a huge level back yard. There was a steep slope out the back door with some ancient concrete …
Continue reading "Hillside Transformation"
I love it when I see an old-fashioned shrub, one that has not been tinkered with by hydridizers, at an established property in all it's glory. These shrubs require a lot of space, at least 10' x 10' or more to grow unfettered and spread out in all their glory. The pink one below I …
Continue reading "Deutzia-Deer Resistant and Colorful"
Are you looking for a small beautiful spring flowering tree to plant this spring with great fall color and beautiful blue black fruit? Look no further than the native Fringetree. Fringetree, Chionanthus virginicus, is rarely planted in a home landscape. Seen mostly at arboretums and botanical gardens, their staff know a good thing when they …
Continue reading "Fringetree – Native Tree That Nobody Grows"
Garden Design magazine known for its in-depth articles and awesome images has a clean and easy to read design, free of ads. Over the years, I have started and stopped my subscriptions to different gardening magazines, but I will never give up this one. I don't review many print publications, but I felt that …
Continue reading "Garden Design Magazine-A Good Read"
Old houses are picturesque and have lots of charm inside, but outside can be a different story. See how the addition of a new patio and plantings transform an old house.
Transforming a hillside to a waterfall was one of my favorite design/build jobs and it won "Best of Houzz 2015". Check out the pictures!
