Planter Pots Make Flower Gardening a Breeze
Growing Flowers in Containers and Planters Most home gardeners agree that perennials are less trouble than annual bedding plants, because “they come back every year so you don’t have to plant them again and again”. We agree with th...
Fire Blight on Ornamental Pears
Do Your Tree’s Leaves Look Scorched? Do you see patches of dark, almost black foliage on your ornamental pear trees? Are the branch tips turning black and wilting into a “shepherd’s crook shape? Are the fruit turning black, shrivel...
Jasna Polana Part II
Estate Gardens – Cost No Object! In last week’s column I wrote about my short career as an estate gardener at Jasna Polana, the 200-acre Johnson estate near Princeton, New Jersey. I worked there less than a year, but I had experience...
Jasna Polana Part I
Estate Gardener – A Dream Job? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be an estate gardener? Perhaps you’ve visited the Biltmore Estate, Longwood Gardens or other private estates that are now open to the public. These places...
Bagworm & Tent Caterpillar Control
Controlling bagworms and Tent Caterpillars Have you ever been surprised by large bare patches of dead foliage on your evergreens? If you look closely you might see pendants of dead foliage hanging from the dead twigs. Wait, they’re MOV...
What’s the Best Time to Water Plants?
Watering Plants – How, When & Why Proper watering is an important part of gardening. Lasting damage can occur when leaves and stems wilt. Regular watering helps keep plants and trees growing. Flower and fruit the following spring will ...
Wildflower Meadows – Reality or Fantasy?
The Mystique of Wildflower Meadows Planting a wildflower meadow is a favorite daydream among gardeners and nature lovers. Just the words “wildflower meadow” summon a mental picture of colorful blooms waving in the wind, fluttering bu...
Daylilies are Pretty and Tough
Colorful Daylilies Are Tough as Nails Daylilies are such a popular perennial we often take them for granted. We’ve all seen colonies of orange “ditch lilies”, also called “tiger lilies”, growing by the roadsides, but today’s ...
Controlling Poison Ivy in Landscapes
Poison Ivy Control Poison ivy can invade even the most well-groomed landscape, and it presents a special challenge to those of us who are sensitive to it. It’s easy to come in contact with poison ivy when doing routine gardening tasks....
Walnut Trees: Blessing or Curse?
Walnut Trees Can Poison Other Plants Most people think of Black Walnut trees as an asset, even if they don’t take the trouble to gather the plentiful nut harvest under them. Walnut is a prized hardwood traditionally used for gun stocks...
Landscaping with Ornamental Grasses
Grasses – Choosing and Maintaining Ornamental grasses make excellent screen plants to hide unsightly propane tanks and air conditioners, or for privacy around patios and decks. They develop faster than shrubs. Professional designers mi...
Touring the Amazing Winterthur Gardens
Winterthur Museum & Gardens Regular readers of this column have already heard of Longwood Gardens, the landmark DuPont estate in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. We mentioned earlier this year that we’ll be visiting Longwood this year, pa...
Are Heirloom Vegetables Better?
Heirlooms, Hybrids & GMO’s Now that vegetable gardening season is upon us, you might be shopping for the right seeds for your garden. You’ll have the option of choosing “heirloom” or “hybrid”, “GMO” or “Non-GMO” seed varieties. Many peop...
Feasting on Home Grown Asparagus
Perennial Asparagus is an Investment As I write this it’s Mother’s Day Sunday, and this morning I was delighted to see some fat asparagus stalks ready for harvest in our asparagus patch! Many years ago we built a raised bed specifica...
Enjoying Your Landscaping After Dark
Landscape Lighting – Why and How Are you able to enjoy your landscaping and outdoor living areas after dark? You can, with landscape lighting. Done professionally, low voltage lighting adds a totally new dimension to any landscape. The...
Knock-Out Roses – Pruning & Care
Caring for Knock-Out Roses The perfect time to cut back shrub roses, including the popular “Knock-Out” series, is when they are just starting to sprout new growth. The new shoots in spring will tell you where the plant is strongest. ...