Autumn Appreciation? You Can Grow That!
In so many ways the fall landscape can be just as exhilarating as the spring season. With the right plants you’ll have a continuing kaleidoscope of color and texture in autumn that is as striking as the growth and promise of April or May.
Looking for fall foliage color? have I got a plant for you! Our native oakleaf hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia, is colorful for three weeks or longer. There are several cultivars including the smaller variety called Pee Wee. Great flowers in the summer and lovely dark green leaves all season before it bursts into flame in autumn.
In my fragrance garden this ‘Golden Delicious’ pineapple sage is stealing the show from the late-fall roses. I got these plants from Avant Gardens and will order them again in a heartbeat. BRIGHT lime-green leaves all summer and red flowers in the late fall. Delicious indeed. AND the foliage has the same fresh, pineapple scent as the dark green version.
The large leaves of this Magnolia tripetala fall to the ground and create a patchwork pattern that makes me smile.
Gomphocarpus physocarpus, aka “fur balls” sails through the first frosts. The seeds burst out of the hairy pods and you immediately know that this annual is in the milkweed family. These pods dry well for indoor arrangements… and who can resist saying that they are growing “hairy balls” in the garden?
Love of the fall season? You Can Grow That!
The Benefits of Indoor Plants
Like many of you, at this time of year I'm bringing plants indoors. Houseplants that have been sent to "summer camp," and annuals that I want to over-winter indoors. I'm pulling pots inside, finding the best lighting I can for them, and hoping for the best. These...
A Red Bean That Stays Red? You Can Grow That!
Name: Vigna unguiculata aka red noodle bean Type of Plant: Edible landscaping! This annual vine produces long bean-like vegetables and is commonly called yard-long bean (an exaggeration), asparagus bean or snake bean. Why I love this: In my garden the beans grow to...
Flower Pot Edging
Got clay flower pots? Is there bare area you don't know what to do with? Think about making a border of upside down mixed pots. This is a weekend project that can use what you've already got on hand and neatly fill a narrow strip or define a small garden. Small flower...
Garden Twice Baked Potatoes
For many people, twice baked potatoes are the definition of comfort food. But let's face it...many versions of this spud recipe are full of fat and not much else. It doesn't have to be that way, however, especially in the harvest season when the garden is still filled...
Impatiens Downy Mildew – Still With Us 2014
"Is it OK to plant Impatiens again?" and "I saw a bed of Impatiens recently that looked just fine, how can this be?" These are some of the comments that I've heard this past season as we all continue to deal with, and learn about, Impatiens downy mildew. This water...
I Love Doyle’s Thornless Blackberry
Name: Rubus 'Doyle Thornless' aka Doyle’s thornless blackberry Type of Plant: This blackberry plant is a shrub but it’s probably best grown as a vine because the canes grow 10 to 15 feet long. The plant does well in part-sun to part-shade. AHS Heat Zone: 10 - 1 ...
Pumpkin Totems
Want a weekend project that celebrates the fall season? Pile up the pumpkins! There are so many great shapes, colors and sizes of pumpkins and squash available in the fall that it's easy to make great seasonal decor. Pick out three or more pumpkins of graduated...
Decorate a Store-Bought Cake With Flowers
Let's face it...we don't always have time to bake a cake from scratch. But we can take a store or bakery purchased cake and personalize it with fresh flowers. Here are some edible flowers and petals you can safely put on a cake, but be sure to use plants that haven't...
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