Everyone thinks of tulips and the Netherlands, but did you know tulips are actually native to the mountainous regions of Turkey and Russia? In the late 1500s, the Dutch got their first taste of tulips when the ambassador to Suleiman the Magnificent sent bulbs to a friend in Leiden, Holland. Europe, fresh out of the … Read more
In the spring, I sit on my deck and admire the peonies in the back of my yard. In the morning I watch the occasional bunny hop around, but they leave the peonies alone. So do the deer! And the fragrance of the peonies is wonderful. I appreciate the beauty that they have brought to … Read more
Do you have a hot, dry, very sunny spot in your landscape that you can’t seem to find any plant to live in? If you do, then I think you should consider planting some sedums—especially AUTUMN FIRE. Basically, all sedums could be looked at as being succulent. They need lots of sunlight and excellent draining … Read more
Fall is just around the corner, and for gardeners in Central Virginia, that means the best season for planting trees and shrubs is about to begin. Cooler air paired with warm soil makes fall the ideal time to get new plants in the ground with less stress, and Japanese maple trees are one of the … Read more
I am a nut when it comes to blueberries. I LOVE BLUEBERRIES!! I eat blueberries every morning mixed with my oatmeal and have been for years. And, I love buying fresh, locally grown blueberries that are available at our farmers’ market. Blueberries are labeled a superfood because the deep blue color comes from anthocyanin, an … Read more
Seeds for cool-season veggies are in, and I’ve already picked out my favorites. I always plant spinach and kale—they even make it over the winter here. I always plant Little Finger carrots—in a window box, no less. They’re a crunchy, sweet mini-carrot that does particularly well in containers. My Favorite Cool-Season Vegetables I always do … Read more
JUNE IS PERENNIAL GARDENING MONTH I am going to continue spotlighting a perennial this month and take advantage of the fact that June is Perennial Gardening Month. My perennial pick is ASTILBE! Astilbe, sometimes referred to as False Spirea or False Goat’s Beard (don’t ask me why because I don’t know—does anyone know why Astilbe … Read more
It is midsummer, and insects are out, setting their sights on your garden. Here’s what you need to know. As much as I love my vegetable garden, there are nasty little pests who like it just as much. Here is a list of some of the more common vegetable pests and some suggestions as to … Read more
When I was a child, I was terrified of praying mantises. I thought they looked like little mini-space aliens. And I really didn’t like the way they’d turn their head to look right at you. As an adult, I developed a respect for these hungry little predators. What Are Praying Mantises? Praying mantises are related … Read more
DO YOU HAVE AZALEAS AND CAMELLIA SHRUBS? This past week, I have had two different guests come into the garden center with samples of gall on their azaleas. Not to make light of this disease, but I love using the tagline “you have some gall” with our guests. We both laugh. On a serious note, … Read more
