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

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

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

On this Valentine’s Day, I’m thrilled to share with you a source of joy and beauty in my life: my vibrant red peonies. The stunning flowers of red peonies, with their lush petals and radiant color, have been a cherished part of my spring garden for years. Paeonia ‘Highlight’ Red

Welcome, fellow garden enthusiasts, to the third part of our journey through the intricate world of botany for gardeners. Within the challenges of gardening and plant collecting, understanding the distinctions between botanical varieties and cultivars is crucial for selecting plants and knowing their origins. In this blog post, I’ll talk

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.

Welcome back, peony enthusiasts! More Itoh peonies from my garden! If you’re captivated by the mesmerizing beauty of Itoh peonies, you’re in for a delightful treat. I have previously explored the splendor of these horticultural marvels—aptly dubbed the best of two worlds, combining the hardiness of herbaceous peonies with the

The world of botany is a rich tapestry woven with the threads of exploration, discovery, and the fascinating stories of the individuals who dedicated their lives to understanding the plant kingdom. One intriguing aspect of this botanical journey is the association of names with genus and species. Each plant bears

The colorful world of fall foliage in peonies is worth discovering while you are preparing them for the upcoming winter. As summer fades and the air turns crisper, nature’s paintbrush transforms the landscape in my area into a mesmerizing spectacle of reds, oranges, and yellows. While many associate these vibrant

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

“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

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

Flowers are the trademarks of my Country Home and Blooms Instagram account. No wonder some of the arrangements crafted with peony flowers from my garden are among my followers’ favorites. In no particular order… See this publication on Instagram A publication shared by Céline| Country Home & Blooms (@countryhomeandblooms) See

The result of crossing herbaceous peonies and tree peonies, Itoh peonies also called intersectional peonies combine the best features of both: [Top photo: Paeonia ‘Impossible Dream’ in my garden] Named for Toichi Itoh, the Japanese peony breeder who first succeeded in hybridizing them, Itoh varieties are not as numerous as