Mums seem to dominate most fall garden landscapes. They have become the “go-to” fall garden choice. I however, like to use Asters in my fall displays. Sadly the Aster is often overlooked by gardeners when planning out their late season gardens. So you will not find an abundant number of varieties at your garden...
My Late Summer Garden
What is it about this time of year? Retailers are shouting Fall, most of my garden communications are promoting Fall practices. Let’s slow down and enjoy these waning days of summer in the garden. Here in the North Country, our summers are rather short and winter arrives all too soon. Besides, I have worked...
Sunflowers…The Smiling Garden Plant
I swear my August garden is smiling back at me! I attribute this to the presence of my sunflowers! There is nothing quite like the fresh, smiling bloom of sunflowers welcoming you at a garden entrance. Perhaps this “smiling face” plant characterization comes from my childhood. As a baby boomer, I recall the...
Blended Gardens
Three years ago I began to apply a relatively new design trend to my landscapes: Blended Gardens. I had interest in adding edibles to my gardens but had no space (or desire for that matter) to plot out a “farmers row” of veggies and herbs. So I began to assess how I might infuse...
Peony Care
The peony takes me back to my childhood. This large fragrant bloom was abundant in my Grandmother’s garden. These days when I go out to cut the blooms I flashback to my grandmother sending me home with large bouquets of peonies, stems wrapped in a wet paper towel and aluminum foil. I sometimes feel...
Plant a Butterfly Garden
There is nothing quite like watching a butterfly soar throughout my garden. After a busy and sometimes stressful day, those winged beauties give rise to pause and peace. As this week marks National Pollinator week, I recommend you consider planning and planting a Butterfly Garden. Butterflies are just one of the many pollinators we...
A Garden Room at a Time
I often use the phrase “A Garden Room at a Time” when helping customers decide how to approach and plan out their new outdoor space. It is a simple, common sense, fiscally sustainable way to approach any and all garden design. When considering changes to their home properties, owners typically explain to me “their...
Plant a Row for the Hungry
Don’t be a sideline gardener this season. Be a team player. Get your hands dirty by joining our 2017 Saratoga County Plant a Row for the Hungry team. This marks our second year encouraging home gardeners to help feed the hungry in our community! We are expanding our playing field for 2017. ...
What’s “Creeping” in My Garden This Week?
Perennial ground covers are a welcome sight in my garden this week. My creeping phlox, (phlox subulata) is a flash of color I see out my kitchen window each morning. This hardy spring blooming perennial gives you carpets of tiny colorful flowers with semi-evergreen thin foliage. It comes in varieties of white, red, lavender,...
Early Garden Blooms
Mother Nature sure has been kind to gardeners this season. The early garden blooms are abundant and full of color. In my travels around the area these past 3 weeks, I have found the Forsythia to be glorious this year. What a treat to see full blooms throughout the shrubs as opposed to many...