Gardening

Adding new Baptisia cultivars to the peony borders: Bold spring blooms and foliage
I’ve recently added a few new Baptisia cultivars—commonly known as false indigo—to the peony borders in my garden. They struck me as wonderful companions after I visited a local garden where they were blooming alongside peonies in perfect harmony. In this blog, I’ll explore their hardiness and how they fit

Winning flower combinations in the peony garden
Peonies may be the stars of my garden, but they truly shine when paired with the right companions. I love experimenting with perennials that enhance their beauty—whether through contrasting textures, complementary colors, or season-long interest. In this post, I’ll share some of my favorite plant combinations that not only highlight

Seeing my peony garden from different viewpoints
Capturing unique perspectives in garden photography can be achieved using various accessories and techniques. One particularly striking method involves positioning a 360-degree camera beneath plants to capture immersive images from below. This approach offers viewers an extraordinary viewpoint, showcasing the intricate beauty of flowers in a way that’s rarely seen.

My peony garden
In June 2024, Léa’s Peony Garden reached a new pinnacle of beauty and growth. I established the peony garden in 2017 as a tribute to my Aunt Léa who raised me from age 2 to 11. It began with a single border of cherished peonies, transplanted from my former home.

Last-minute Christmas gifts for the gardener in your life
Still searching for the perfect Christmas gift for the gardener on your list? Don’t worry—there’s still time to find something thoughtful! Gardeners love practical tools and unique items that help them nurture their green spaces and flowering borders. Here are eight last-minute gift ideas (see *disclaimer) that any gardening enthusiast

My fall garden: Colors, combinations, clean-up and new plantings
As autumn settles in here in Zone 5, my garden becomes a rich tapestry of color. Trees and shrubs take center stage, their leaves turning to brilliant red, orange, and gold shades. With their striking scarlet hues, maples are the showstoppers, while the burning bush and sumac add vibrant crimson

Horticultural chronicles: Part 1 – Registering cultivars
Registering new cultivars with scientific authorities and securing patents or trademarks are essential steps in bringing new plant varieties to market. In a previous post, I clarified the distinction between botanical varieties and cultivars. For this first horticultural chronicle, I’ll explore the process of cultivar registration and its significance for

Windflowers from here and there: A tale of ornamental anemones in my garden
As the seasons transition from spring to late summer, enchanting windflowers also called anemones, take center stage in my gardens: the native Canadian anemone and ornamental Japanese anemones. Each boasting unique characteristics and bloom times, these beloved perennials add charm and elegance to outdoor spaces throughout the growing season. Let’s

Discovering the charm of phloxes: Late summer’s blooming beauties
As summer gradually winds down, the garden still has a delightful surprise in store: the vibrant, resilient and charming phloxes. These enchanting perennials are currently in full bloom in my August garden, adding a burst of color and fragrance to the late summer landscape. If you’re new to the world

Fly your colors high: Celebrating the radiant beauty of yellow flag iris
Iris pseudacorus, commonly known as yellow flag iris, is a stunning wetland plant that can add a pop of color to any garden. This plant is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia, but has been widely cultivated in other parts of the world due to its striking appearance

The blooming success of beautiful lilac arrangements
With their enchanting fragrance and delicate blossoms, lilacs have long been a spring favorite in gardens and floral arrangements. Their success in floral design is not just a testament to their seasonal charm, fragrance their beautiful palette and their symbolism, but also to their versatility and the joy they bring

Summer bulbs and roots ordered online: Tips for success
Or what to do when your online plant orders arrive! Are you eagerly awaiting the arrival of warmer weather and dreaming of a colorful garden filled with vibrant blooms? Ordering summer bulbs online for spring planting is an excellent way to kickstart your garden transformation. In a previous post, I

Guide on spring care for beautiful peonies
Spring is the eagerly awaited season when gardens come back to life, and among the stars of this floral renaissance are peonies. Welcome to my guide on spring care for beautiful peonies, including essential tips to ensure your peonies thrive during the spring season. Cleaning When the ground thaws and

12 steps in selecting and buying new plants from online catalogs
As the gardening season approaches, many of us are eager to enhance our outdoor spaces with new plants. Online catalogs offer a convenient way to explore a wide variety of purchasing options from the comfort of our homes and long before the weather allows us to play in the garden.

The intriguing world of novelty plants: Beyond just a label
While perusing an online plant catalog recently, I stumbled upon a section featuring “Novelty lilies.” This piqued my curiosity: what exactly did this term signify? Was it a category of lilies I was not aware of, or simply a label intended to intrigue customers? Although I was already familiar with