I Love Swiss Chard

Jan 15, 2016 | Love This!

Name:  Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris aka Swiss chard Type of Plant: This leafy, green vegetable is one of my must grow edible plants. No one seems to know where the “Swiss” part of the name came from. But even if you just call it chard, this is a long-producing plant...

Best Online Order Flowers to Send

Jan 13, 2016 | Love This!

For those who listen to my radio programs on WXTK, you know that I’m passionate about supporting flower growers in the USA. This is part of the Slow Flowers movement, a movement started and promoted by my fellow garden writer Debra Prinzing. Are you interested...

I Love Male Skimmia

Jan 8, 2016 | Love This!

Name:  Skimmia japonica – commonly called (what a surprise) Japanese Skimmia. Males! Type of Plant: Short, evergreen shrub that’s hardy in Zones 6-8. These plants do best in part shade, and grow to about 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide. They are not particularly fast...

I Love Jacob Hellebores!

Jan 1, 2016 | Love This!

Name: Helleborus niger ‘HCG Jacob’ – aka Jacob Christmas rose, or Jacob hellebore Type of Plant:  An evergreen perennial for part-shade that flowers in the wintertime. These plants are hardy in zones 5-9, grow about 8 inches tall and 12 inches wide....

I Love Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Golden Mop’

Dec 26, 2015 | Love This!

Name:  Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Golden Mop’ aka Gold Mop cypress or gold mop false-cypress Type of Plant:  An evergreen with golden, thread-like foliage that grows well in full sun or part-shade. Easy to grow in zones 5 through 7. Why I Love This: Color and...

I Love Weigela ‘Rubidor’

Dec 12, 2015 | Love This!

Name:  Weigela florida ‘Rubidor’ Type of Plant:  A shrub that’s hardy in zones 5-9 that brings a large dose of “POW” to the garden. This variety of an old fashioned shrub has brilliant yellow leaves, bright pink (some say rose red) flowers, and a fairly large,...