I have grown many different houseplants throughout the years, but had always resisted growing orchids. I thought of them as being beautiful, tropical but difficult to grow. The orchids I admired in our local garden center were not cheap and I had no confidence that I could really keep one alive in my home, let […]
Garden Notes
Japanese Anemone, Garden Bully?
I have been growing the Snowdrop Anemone as a spring perennial in my garden for years with great results. So, when I saw the fall blooming Japanese anemone (Anemone tomentosa) for sale in my local garden center, I purchased it immediately, expecting similar results. That first year, my new Japanese anemone grew nicely and bloomed […]
Snowdrop Windflower
I have grown the snowdrop windflower (Anemone sylvestris) in my garden for many years. It is a rhizomatous plant that is surprisingly hardy for such a dainty looking flower. Blooming in spring, it is a welcome sight with its showy white 1-2 inch cup-shaped fragrant flowers. Snowdrop windflowers are easily grown in average soil with […]
Heuchera in the Garden
I have become a big fan of heuchera (also called “coral bells” or “alum root”) and I now have quite a few different species growing in my garden. Many varieties are available in our local garden centers and some recent varieties display more prominent blooms. However to my eye it’s the foliage that makes heuchera […]
Why Grow Your Own Food?
There is great joy in gardening for many of us who love the process of tilling the soil, planting our seeds or small plants and nurturing them to beautiful specimens that enhance our gardens. It provides healthful exercise with a purpose, and to me, is so much better than walking on a treadmill. I have […]
A Garden in Winter
I like my winter garden because it is a time for rest, reflection and planning for the new year. When we get snow, I spend a lot of time looking out the window admiring all the shrubs and fir trees covered in white looking so peaceful and serene. I usually leave that snow on my […]