I Love Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Golden Mop’
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 texture 12 months a year!
A Word to the Wise: Although this, and the similar “Gold Thread” variety, is labeled as a “dwarf evergreen” both of them grow to about 5 feet tall and wide. You can clip the leaders as they arise to slow the plant down slightly, but there is no way to keep this shrub short. And don’t even think about shearing this plant! The very thing that makes this conifer beautiful is the long, yellow foliage, so if that’s sheared off it’s a crime against nature. Plant this where it can get 5 feet tall and wide and everyone will be happy.
Color and texture all year! My ‘Gold Mop’ at the end of December.
Flower Size and Shape
Here's a tip for designing the best flower gardens: don't forget to consider a blossom's size and shape. Most people focus on color first, and although this is important, it's equally valuable to put remember to include differing sizes and shapes of flowers. To show...
I Love Sansevieria trifasciata
Name: Sansevieria trifasciata aka snake plant. Type of Plant: A you-probably-can’t-kill-it houseplant that is sculptural, upright and tolerant of a wide variety of locations and conditions. Why I love this: Sansevieria, commonly called snake plant, is a striking house...
Riley
We named him Riley but that quickly got changed to Riley Rumple as it became clear that he had a coat that tended toward shaggy. "You have to groom them, you know," a total stranger remarked when he was walked on the streets of Falmouth. He answered to Riley when he...
Diversity in the Garden
I was speaking at a garden club meeting recently where the member who gave a conservation or horticulture report reported about the need to plant for pollinators. All gardeners value the critters who pollinate plants and we've all heard about how bees, butterflies,...
I Love Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’
Type of Plant: A large growing shrub for sun or part-shade that’s hardy in zones 5 to 9. Why I love this: ‘Arnold Promise’ is a vigorous, easy care shrub that flowers while the snow is still on the ground. The plant naturally grows into a graceful vase-like shape. In...
Oops I Did it Again – a Plant Geek’s Lament
A Plant Person's Parody sung to the tune of Oops!...I Did It Again by Max Martin and Rami Yacoub and recorded by Britney Spears. Karaoke tune to sing to. Mmmm Mmmm yeah yeah yeah Mmmm Mmmm Yeah yeah yeah I think I did it again Bought seeds and some plants when I felt...
Constructing A Plant Hut or Tipi
This summer, why not plant a hut, tipi, or other shelter? These are easy to make and fun to cover with a variety of fast growing, annual vines. Here's what you need: Stakes, sticks, or poles - green/fresh wood is best because it's pliable but dried canes can be used...
A Book For Lovers of Flavorful Food
It's my opinion that every foodie should be a gardener. You won't find anything more flavorful than food that's been fresh picked. And anyone who likes to cook, whether they define themselves as foodies or not, should be raising herbs. Being able to step outside your...
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