Category Archives: Garden

Wild Plantain | A Showy Perennial Broadleaf for the Tropical Garden

 Wild Plantain (Heliconia Caribaea) Derived originally from the Heliconia species whose origins are Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Central America and Columbia, the Wild Plantain (also known as Lobster Claws) is a showy, herbaceous perennial hardy to USDA Zones 10 to … Continue reading

Posted in Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Crimson Glory Vine | A Way to Add Decorative Foliage to the Garden

The Crimson Glory Vine (vitis coignetiae) is a deciduous and vigorous climber that originates from Japan and Korea. This ornamental grape vine can reach an impressive 30 to 60 feet, and can successfully be grown in zones 4-8. It needs … Continue reading

Posted in Garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Summer Kitchens and Garden Preservation

Growing up during the 70 and 80’s on a rural farm (population 234) in Northern Florida near the Georgia border provided me with invaluable experiences of growing, harvesting and preserving food. My paternal and maternal grandmothers both had large families … Continue reading

Posted in Garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pandemic Victory Gardens | A Quick How-to on Gardening in the COVID-19 Era

Victory gardens were widely encouraged and sometimes government-mandated during World War I and II to help supplement food supplies for families (large amounts of food were shipped to help support troops in foreign countries).  The War commission provided people with … Continue reading

Posted in Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Patagonian Groundsel | A Hardy Evergreen Shrub for Your Garden

Dick Culbert https://www.flickr.com/photos/92252798@N07/8469300364/ Patagonian Groundsel Tree, also known as Patagonian Sea Myrtle (Baccharis patagonica), is a frost-hardy, fall-flowering evergreen shrub originating from South America — Chile and Argentina (Patagonia).  Known for its versatility as a mounding hedge or a thick, … Continue reading

Posted in Garden, Garden Design, Ground Covers, Landscaping, Shrubs | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bog Gardens | A Beautiful, Creative Solution for Watery Spaces

To many, a waterlogged area of a property is an inconvenience or eyesore. In most cases, poor draining soil in small areas can be corrected by amending the soil or other economical means.

Posted in Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Using Shade Sails In a Garden Landscape

Some of the best things about spring and summer are the abundance of beautiful weather, the ability to grow things, ample opportunities for outdoor barbecues, parties, and other forms of open-air entertainment, and the ability to enjoy nature is all … Continue reading

Posted in Back Yard, Backyard, Balconies, Balcony, Decks, Decor, DIY, Garden, Garden Advice, Garden Blog, Garden Decor, Garden Design, Garden Objects, Garden Structures, Gardening, Hardscapes, Landscaping, Outdoor Decor, Patio Furniture, Patios, Porches, Summer Gardens, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Maidenhair Vine | An Ornamental Plant for Outdoor (and Indoor) Gardens

By Avenue – Own work, GFDL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14980740 Maidenhair vine (Muehlenbeckia complexa) is a deciduous climbing vine native to New Zealand. It is most notably known for its versatility as a prolific ground cover and screening plant due its rampart but … Continue reading

Posted in Foliage, Garden, Garden Advice, Garden Blog, Garden Borders, Garden Design, Garden Tips, Gardening, Greenhouses, Ground Covers, Landscaping, Perennials, Propagation, Shrubs, Vines | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Snow Gum Eucalyptus | An Australian Native Tree for the Garden

By Amanda Slater – May 29th “Tree Three_Snow Gum Blossom”, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4327216 By Sterry2607 – Transferred from de.wikipedia to Commons by Hekerui using CommonsHelper., CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org /w/index.php?curid=35857638 By Toby Hudson – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9374575Continue reading

Posted in Foliage, Front Yard, Garden, Garden Design, Gardening, Landscaping, Ornamentals, Trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Simple Sensory Garden

It has been a dream of mine for many years now as a garden designer to be commissioned to create a large scale sensory garden for a facility such as a hospital, mall, school, senior citizen centers or treatment center. … Continue reading

Posted in Garden, Garden Advice, Garden Blog, Garden Design, Garden How-To, Gardening, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Brighten Up Your Outdoor Space with a White or Moonlight Garden

Posted in Flowers, Garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Accessible Gardens | Designing a Garden for People with Disabilities and Physical Limitations

The National Gardening Survey reveals that three-quarters of Americans garden in one form or another. But only 36 percent of people with disabilities engage in any leisure physical activity, including gardening and walking outdoors, according to a report by the … Continue reading

Posted in Garden, Garden Design, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Garden Variety Wishes You a Happy Father’s Day!

On this day of observance and appreciation, Garden Variety would like to wish a very Happy Father’s Day to the men who represent the best of fatherhood, paternal bonding and positive influences in the lives of others. YOU MIGHT ALSO … Continue reading

Posted in Garden | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Photo | A Tropical Community Garden and Farm in Hawaii

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Photo | A Lovely Potting Shed for the Garden Photos | Breathtaking Rocky Mountain Gardens, Patios and Yards Photo | A Lush Mature Garden of Delights

Posted in Edible Garden, Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Photo | A Romantic Canadian Hotel Garden

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Photos | Breathtaking Rocky Mountain Gardens, Patios and Yards Photo | A Formal Garden in Eastern Europe Photo | A Parisian Luxury Hotel Garden and Dining Patio

Posted in Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Happy Mother’s Day Everyone!

On this day celebrating the women responsible for making each and every one of our lives possible, Garden Variety would like to offer a word of thanks for the unconditional love, thoughtful care and tireless efforts of every mom out … Continue reading

Posted in Flowers, Garden, Holidays | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Terrariums | Decorative Interior Gardens Under Glass

Long relegated to school classrooms and science fair project tables, terrariums have found their way into homes. Here, our domestic diva, Melinda Graham, dishes on how to plant a stylish, low-maintenance mini indoor oasis this spring.

Posted in Garden, Interior Design, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

In the Garden, Spring Finally Arrives

In France, as across much of North America, spring has finally sprung. And Mike Alexander is ready as the ‘Saint of Frost’ gives way to seasonal bloom.

Posted in Garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Photo | An Eco-Conscious Public Garden

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Photo | The Vegetable Garden at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate Photos | Breathtaking Rocky Mountain Gardens, Patios and Yards Photo | A Lush Mature Garden of Delights

Posted in Garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Trout Lilies | Children of the Spring

GV’s Joyce Newman introduces us to a wildflower usually found on the forest floor.

Posted in Flowers, Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Dandelion | Harbinger of Spring

Our man in Europe, horticulturist Mike Alexander, on the season of the dandelion, the bane of gardeners everywhere.

Posted in Garden, Uncategorized, Weeds | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Wanderlust | Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan

A flower-filled town on one of the Great Lakes allows you go Dutch without the jet lag.

Posted in Flowers, Garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Photo | The Vegetable Garden at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Photo | Beautiful Hardscaped Garden with Birdbath Photo | An Outdoor Living Room with Interior Appeal Photo | A Dream Stone Manor Garden in England

Posted in Edible Garden, Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Happy Easter From Garden Variety

Happy Easter from GV to you! May each and every one of you enjoy the holiday with family and friends. Thank you all for reading, liking, commenting and sharing! YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Garden Variety Wishes You a Merry Christmas Happy … Continue reading

Posted in Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How to Shop for Spring Garden Plants

Kerry Meyer, program manager with high-performing plant brand Proven Winners, on how to find healthy plants in garden centers.

Posted in Flowers, Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bordeaux, France | A Living History

GV’s European correspondent, Mike Alexander, gives a quick primer on the living—and growing—heritage of the French city known as La Belle au Bois Dormant (Sleeping Beauty)

Posted in Garden, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Easter Lily | The Season’s Brightest Bloom

Our editor, Therese Ciesinski, on a seasonal favorite: the richly-scented, pale-trumpeted floral symbols of Easter.

Posted in Flowers, Garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Photos | The World’s Largest Flower Garden

Posted in Flowers, Garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Photos | Breathtaking Rocky Mountain Gardens, Patios and Yards

Posted in Backyard, Garden, Patios | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Growing Up | New Site Teaches Tweens About Soil Science

A new e-learning site dedicated to informing the students—and the public—about the role of nutrients in healthy food production and the preservation of green spaces.

Posted in Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Yard to Plate | Edible Gardening Rises in the U.S.

More Americans opting for locally grown fruit, vegetables and herbs at a time when health issues and surging food prices have become national concerns.

Posted in Food, Garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Winners of Our Spring Giveaway

GV announces the giveaway winners.

Posted in Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Photo | A Lush Mature Garden of Delights

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Photo | Beautiful Hardscaped Garden with Birdbath Photo | A Lovely Potting Shed for the Garden Photo | A Formal Garden in Eastern Europe    

Posted in Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden | A Conversation with Author Roy Diblik

GV’s Joyce H. Newman catches up with renown garden designer Roy Diblik, who discuses his work and new book, “The Know Maintenance Garden.”

Posted in Garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spring Planting Tips for Outside and In

Westbury Garden Rooms, a builder of beautiful custom conservatories and orangeries in the U.K., offers GV readers some spring planting advice.

Posted in Garden, Garden Advice, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Photo | Beautiful Hardscaped Garden with Birdbath

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE GV Spring Gardening Giveaway Photo | A Lovely Potting Shed for the Garden Photo | A Formal Garden in Eastern Europe  

Posted in Attract Birds, Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GV Spring Gardening Giveaway

Who doesn’t enjoy getting free things? Especially gardeners at springtime.

Posted in Garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Photo | The Gardens at a Historic French Architectural Treasure

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Photo | A Dream Stone Manor Garden in England Photo | A Parisian Luxury Hotel Garden and Dining Patio Photo of the Week | A Canopy Road in North Florida  

Posted in Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Photo | A Lovely Potting Shed for the Garden

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Photo of the Week | A Grand Garden Shed Photo | A Dream Stone Manor Garden in England Photo of the Week | English Country Estate Garden  

Posted in Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Rethinking How to Water Your Garden

When watering the garden, there’s more to consider than when and how much, explains GV contributor A.H. Jackson.

Posted in Garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Digging It | The Philadelphia Flower Show

A final opportunity to experience the world’s biggest indoor flower exhibit.

Posted in Flowers, Garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Winter Blooms on France’s Route of Gold

While much of France is still stuck in late-Winter’s chill, the almost year-round sunshine of the Cote d’Azur offers ample opportunities to explore ‘La Route des Mimosas,’ a “trail” spanning eight villages centered around the beautiful golden mimosa tree.

Posted in Garden, Travel, Trees | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Photo | A Garden Oasis in the City

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Photo of the Week | A Lush Front Yard Garden Photo of the Week | A Faithful Re-creation of a Historic Greenhouse Photo of the Week | Impressive Garden Beds

Posted in Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Photo | A Dream Stone Manor Garden in England

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Photo of the Week | English Country Estate Garden Photo of the Week | A Grand Garden Shed Photo of the Week | A South American Vegetable Garden  

Posted in Garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Going Native | The Battle With Invasive Species and Garden Weeds

National Invasive Species Awareness Week (February 23-28) kicks off ahead of the spring weed onslaught.

Posted in Garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Photo | A Formal Garden in Eastern Europe

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Photo of the Week | Red Cottage with a Grass Roof Photo of the Week | A Casually Opulent Outdoor Room Photo of the Week | A Euro-Style Garden in the South  

Posted in Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Photo | A Parisian Luxury Hotel Garden and Dining Patio

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Photo of the Week | A Grand Garden Shed Photo of the Week | A Casually Opulent Outdoor Room Photo of the Week | English Country Estate Garden  

Posted in Garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Free Eucerin Lotion Sample for Winter and Garden Hands

A freebie on President’s Day.

Posted in Garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Majorelle Gardens | The Exotic Park That Inspired Yves Saint Laurent

Majorelle Gardens, the luxuriant, 12-acre cobalt-blue-splashed garden of earthly delights just outside the Marrakech home of fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent, inspired the designer with a blur of French and Moroccan sensibilities. GV’s European correspondent Mike Alexander takes us on … Continue reading

Posted in Garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Garda Dibble, ThinkEco2 and EcoScraps Winners

Announcing the winners of the giveaway.

Posted in Garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment