Garden Bed Debris I like to clean any fallen debris, like leaves, from my gardens, and leave most of the plants alone. Cleaning out debris means less fungal disease spreading and places for harmful pests to winter over. Leaving perennial… Read More
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Fringetree: The Perfect Native Tree
Are you looking for a small beautiful spring-flowering tree to plant this spring with great fall color and beautiful blue-black fruit? Look no further than the native Fringetree. Fringetree, Chionanthus virginicus, is rarely planted in a home landscape because local… Read More
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Clethra: A Knockout Fragrance & Catnip For Pollinators
One summer day working at a client’s garden doing routine maintenance, I caught a whiff of a fragrance on the breeze. After searching for the source, I came upon a mid-sized shrub full of narrow, spike-like creamy white flowers with… Read More
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River Birch: A Multi-Season Sensation!
Spring weather has arrived and soon April’s rains will be here. If you’re anxious to get outside to get a bit of exercise, hear the birds, see some nature, may I suggest you help prevent stormwater runoff and improve the… Read More
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From Lawn to Meadow-Alternatives to Turf
More and more, we are moving away from great swathes of water-hogging and pesticide laden lawns to more sustainable native landscapes. America’s love affair with the green expanses of lawn started with an effort to copy their European ancestors. Europeans… Read More
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Late Season Nectar and Host Sources
Host plants and nectar plants are vitally important late in the season: nectar to attract butterflies and other pollinators such as bees, and foliage ready to be eaten providing larval food for butterflies. Everyone loves to talk about nectar plants… Read More
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Ostrich Fern: Dramatic Ground Cover for Shade
Do you have a spot that is shady, damp, and has problems with erosion? Ostrich Ferns might be your solution. Fern Resurgence Ferns are enjoying a resurgence of interest and popularity recently, primarily because of fitting into older shady landscapes… Read More
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Upcoming June Events
We are delighted to be rubbing elbows with our friends at the Mother Earth News Fair, the Native Plants in the Landscape Conference, and the Summer Solstice Faerie Festival in June! You can stop by our booths to purchase plants,… Read More
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Blueberry Growing and Harvesting
Native to most of eastern North America, Highbush Blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum, is a native plant that fits into both small and larger landscapes, providing multi-season interest. Hardy in USDA zones 5, 6, and 7, these attractive shrubs do well in… Read More
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Native Plant Choices for Pollinators
Declining Pollinators Many pollinator species have suffered serious declines in recent years because of a variety of factors; loss and fragmentation of habitat, pesticide use, and climate change. Unfortunately, most of our suburban and urban landscapes offer little in the… Read More
