CAN A TROPICAL LANDSCAPE BE DONE HERE IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA? Can we create a tropical oasis in this area? A quick answer to this question is yes! You will need to put on your creative cap because there are a few steps that you can do now, knowing that you will add to this landscape … Read more
In order to support FEBRUARY IS HOUSEPLANT MONTH, I decided to step out of my comfort zone with my weekly blog and highlight a very popular tropical plant—the Prayer Plant. The Prayer plant is a member of the Marantaceae family, which also includes the beautifully colored and patterned leaves of the Calathea. A ground cover … Read more
Winter is officially here. For the past month, I have been fielding questions about potted evergreens in outdoor containers. People are asking about the care of their plants through the cold, winter months. Also, some people, more recently, are asking about using a potted evergreen for use as Christmas décor, which is a wonderful trend. … Read more
We are now into the second week of December, and the pine tags are really falling fast out of our pine trees. FREE MULCH, BABY!!! The other day, as I was driving home, a landscaping crew had just finished raking and cleaning the landscaping bed, and they made huge piles of a mixture of pine … Read more
As July wraps up with its hot, dry, and humid days across Virginia, ornamental grasses step into the spotlight. This is their moment to shine with graceful blades and elegant flower plumes. Many Virginians recognize Pampas Grass, especially near the coast, towering with its tall white plumes. But closer to home, native varieties like Standing … Read more
You may be asking yourself, “What are Stepables, and what does this have to do with June being Perennial Gardening Month?” The quick answer is that Stepables are a series of hardy perennials that tolerate foot traffic. To give you a little background information, the Stepables series was started over 25 years ago by a … Read more
When thinking of 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 … 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
When it comes to choosing the right organic fertilizer, two trusted options often come up: Bio-Tone and Plant-Tone. While both are made by Espoma and both promote healthy, vibrant growth, they serve slightly different purposes in your garden. Let’s break it down—plus, we’ll explore the role of mycorrhizae, one of the most powerful (yet often … Read more
Yes, we have our peepers being noisy, and some people use this as a sign that spring has arrived. But me? I like seeing our Redbud trees in bloom as a sign of spring. As I drive around the Richmond area, I love seeing these trees in bloom in our woods. Their clusters of pink … Read more
