Gardening

Splendid panicle hydrangea varieties: Exploring Hydrangea paniculata cultivars in my garden
Hydrangea paniculata, commonly called panicle hydrangea, offers a myriad of cultivars awaiting discovery – each boasting its own unique allure and personality. Gardening enthusiasts, myself included, know that certain plants have an uncanny ability to transform ordinary landscapes into breathtaking havens of beauty. Among these floral enchantments of late summer,

Pineapple lilies: How to add a touch of the tropics to your garden with Eucomis
Eucomis comosa, also known as the pineapple lily or the pineapple flower, is a stunning plant native to Southern Africa with a tropical flair. The common name of Eucomis comosa comes from the resemblance of its floral stem during development to a pineapple when it is in bloom. The pineapple

Cascading beauties: Ornamental amaranths as cut flowers
The rope-like tassels in coral, lime-green, bronze, and red of cascading amaranths sure make a statement in my arrangements. Receiving numerous inquiries whenever I showcase them in my Instagram posts, I’ve made the decision to write a dedicated blog post about them, from growing to harvesting and styling them. When

Flowing lines: 12 steps for using a garden hose to design curvy plant borders
Follow these 12 steps for creating a plant border with harmonious contour. Designing the shape of a plant border can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you want to create a natural and flowing look. One easy way to do this is to use a garden hose to

Oriental x asiatic lilies (OA): New hybrids worth discovering
Oriental x Asiatic lily hybrids, often referred to as OA lilies, are a type of hybrid lilies that result from crossing two distinct lily species: Lilium auratum (oriental lilies) and Lilium species in the asiatic lilies’ botanical division. These hybrids combine the desirable traits of both parent species, creating lilies

Containing the beauty: Understanding and learning to control invasive species used as ornamentals in your garden
Some ornamental species , such as bishop’s goutweed, creeping bellflower and butterbur, are invasive and can quickly overtake a garden, causing ecological damage and posing a threat to native species. Gardening is a popular hobby enjoyed by many people worldwide, and it is no wonder why. The beauty of a

Lady’s mantle: A perennial plant with alchemical secrets
Lady’s mantle, Alchemilla mollis, is an appealing ornamental perennial in my shade borders, especially after rainfall, when the leaves retain droplets of water. Cultivating lady’s mantle as a perennial offers the joy of its long-lasting presence and the convenience of a plant that comes back year after year. Its delicate,

The lily and cat conundrum
Understanding the risks and precautions for cat owners and lily lovers. Most lilies are toxic to cats. Ingesting any part of the lily plant, including the leaves, flowers, stems, and bulbs, can be extremely dangerous to cats and can lead to acute kidney failure, which can be fatal if not

Unstaked beauty: A guide to peonies that stand tall on their own
“I really love peonies, but I don’t like it when the flowers are too heavy and the plant droops…”. This is a common comment I get when I tell friends that I am passionate about peonies. My answer to them? There are certain types of peonies that are known for

Beauty and the beard: Exploring the stunning bearded iris
The bearded iris or Iris germanica, also known as the German iris, is a popular and stunning perennial plant that is commonly found in gardens throughout the world. Known for their beautiful and vibrant flowers, cultivars of this iris species are well-known among gardeners and landscape designers alike. In this

Siberian iris: A beautiful and hardy addition to your garden
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A GORGEOUS, LOW-MAINTENANCE PLANT TO ADD TO YOUR PERENNIAL GARDEN, CONSIDER THE SIBERIAN IRIS. These striking flowers of Iris sibirica are native to Europe and Asia, and have been cultivated for centuries for their beauty and resilience. Appearance Siberian irises are known for their showy blooms,

Standing tall: Creative methods for staking your peonies
Peonies are a beautiful addition to any garden, but the heavy blooms of some varieties often require staking to keep them from flopping over. When it comes to staking, some peony varieties require support to keep their large, heavy flowers upright, while others have stronger stems and can stand on

Double-flowered tulips: The wanna be peonies
Peony tulips, also known as double-flowered tulips or peony-flowered tulips, are a special category of tulips that resemble peonies in their appearance. Peony tulips have their own unique beauty and characteristics, and they don’t necessarily strive to be peonies! These tulips are highly sought after for their unique and striking

Springing into Beauty: The Delightful World of Daffodils
Narcissus, commonly known as daffodils, are one of the most popular spring-blooming bulbs. With their cheerful yellow, white, and orange blooms, these flowers are a favorite among gardeners and floral enthusiasts alike. Did you say daffodil or narcissus? Daffodils and narcissi are often used interchangeably to refer to the same

Bell-shaped beauty of fritillarias: springtime showstopper blooms
A GUIDE TO GROWING AND ENJOYING THESE STRIKING SPRING BEAUTIES. Fritillaria is a genus of spring-blooming bulbs from the lily family. There are over 100 species of fritillarias, also called fritillaries or frits, ranging in size from small, delicate bulbs to large, showy plants. Many fritillarias are prized for their