Category: Perennials

  • Stunning Indian Pink in Shade Garden: A Must-See at Bartlett Arboretum

    Stunning Indian Pink in Shade Garden: A Must-See at Bartlett Arboretum

    This was my first time seeing Spigelia marilandica, also called Pinkroot, and it was a show-stopper.

  • Butterbur – Petasites japonicus

    Butterbur – Petasites japonicus

    Butterbur spreads from a thick, fleshy root 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter. New shoots start about every three feet along the root.

  • PeeGee Hydrangea Full Bloom

    PeeGee Hydrangea Full Bloom

    PeeGee hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’) gives instant elegance to any landscape. PeeGee Hydrangea – Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ The white, reliable blooms of PeeGee Hydrangea slowly become pink as fall progresses. Other features of PeeGee Hydrangeas include a course habit and yellowing leaves as the temperature grows colder. Prune PeeGee hydrangeas whenever you see fit, for…

  • Spring Flowers for Early Bloom in the Landscape

    Spring Flowers for Early Bloom in the Landscape

    We all want to see color after a long dreary winter. However, what can we plant to get spring flowers sooner? Yesterday, I looked out the kitchen window and the Arnold Promise Witch Hazel was on fire. It’s mid-march and I’ve already got a flowering tree in full bloom. Arnold Promise Witch Hazel doesn’t have…

  • Plants are People Too!

    Plants are People Too!

    Today I spotted flowers on a stewartia seedling in the yard. I was beyond ecstatic. I felt the rush only gardeners and adrenaline junkies know. There was something special about those flowers. The flowers were flatter,brighter and more delicate than the parent. A flower on the parent stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia). The parent Stewartia growing in…

  • Tree Peony Growing Tips

    Tree Peony Growing Tips

    I thought it would be fun to share some pictures of my tree peony flowers along with some tree peony growing tips. Tree Peony Growing Tips Many people think tree peonies are difficult to grow. They’re not. However, tree peonies are slow growers and take a long time to become established. Once established, for me…

  • Early-March Garden Inspiration

    Early-March Garden Inspiration

    I woke early today, I don’t know why, perhaps because of Daylight Savings. Seeing the sunrise inspired me to wander the garden with the Pentax. The only other flower in bloom this week is Dorothy Wycoff Andromeda (Pieris japonica ‘Dorothy Wycoff’). It’s early-March with little else going on and Dorothy is covered with red buds.…

  • Early-March Blooms

    Early-March Blooms

    Last week, I wrote about the blooms on Arnold’s Promis Witch Hazel. It’s looking better than last week with flowers continuing to emerge. This week I’ve got a few more things in bloom. Nothing is knocking it out of the park but need I remind you it’s early-March with temperatures going down to the twenties,…

  • Attract Monarch Butterflies and Caterpillars

    Attract Monarch Butterflies and Caterpillars

    A couple of months ago I planted a few Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) on a whim. For this reason, within hours, possibly minutes, butterflies started gathering on the plants. Consequently, this morning, as I topped off the bird baths I found two Monarch Butterfly Caterpillars. Here’s the secret to attracting butterflies. Choose plants butterflies like…