This past summer, the lilies transformed my peony garden into a luminous showcase of colour and perfume. From the first elegant buds to the final dramatic blooms, they delivered one breathtaking moment after another. Each variety brought its own personality: vivid early Asiatics, towering late-blooming Orientals, dramatic regals, and my

Have you ever admired the beauty of a blooming peony and thought, I’d love to grow more of these? Starting a peony collection is an exciting and rewarding journey, one that anyone with a bit of garden space (and a bit of patience) can enjoy. Every peony collection has a

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Tree peonies, also called woody peonies, are plants with breathtaking flowers that immediately capture the attention of visitors in my peony garden. While these magnificent flowering shrubs are often associated with slightly warmer climates, their ability to thrive in colder regions adds an extra layer of colors in mixed borders.

With their vibrant colors and elegant forms, the tulips have captivated people for centuries and their enduring appeal continues to make them cherished spring blooms. Tulips have evolved from the humble origins of the genus Tulipa in Central Asia to the more than 3,000 registered cultivars available, each with its

Eremurus, also called foxtail lilies, are clump-forming perennials native to the arid grasslands of Afghanistan and Iran. In their natural habitat, they thrive in rocky slopes and meadows, making it a sight to behold amidst the rugged landscape. They are relatively cold tolerant if grown in very well-drained soil and

Two years ago, I noticed a strange mottling on the leaves of one of my cherished hostas. Last year, it became worrisome and I started asking myself: could it be infected with HVX? If you’re a shade gardener who grows hostas, it’s important to be aware of the HVX virus.

Sometimes, the most wonderful things in life come as unexpected gifts. Such was the case when a dear friend surprised me two years ago with a swamp rose-mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos), also called hardy hibiscus. What followed was a delightful journey of rediscovery and wonder, especially considering that I had tried