Category Archives: Uncategorized

Black Mondo Grass | A Quick Intro to an Exotic Modern Garden Evergreen

By Stickpen – Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20113135 Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’) is a low- growing, ornamental grass that originates from Japan. Very low maintenance and versatile, it can be grown in mass, containers, as border plants or even … Continue reading

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Purple Berkheya | A Fast-growing South African Garden Perennial

Purple Berkheya (Berkheya purpurea) An unusual but fascinating ornamental beauty, purple berkheya (aka Zulu Warrior) is a perennial flowering plant native to South Africa. Purple berkheya is a versatile grower, hardy to US Zones 6b-11 and features prickly stems with … Continue reading

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Silver Wattle | A Flowering Evergreen for the Garden

Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata) A hardy, fasting-growing deciduous tree, silver wattle (mimosa) is native to Australia and Tasmania, but is widely cultivated in Mediterranean or tropical landscapes due to its ability to thrive in both dry and wet conditions. Silver … Continue reading

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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

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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

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Bentham’s Cornel | A Beautiful Himalayan Shrub or Tree for Your Garden

Bentham’s Cornel (cornus capitata) — also called Himalayan Strawberry Tree and Evergreen Dogwood —  is an evergreen originating in western China, Nepal and the Himalayan region.

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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

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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

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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

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Sunn Hemp: A Garden-Boosting Ornamental Plant

Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea) is a poplar nitrogen-boosting member of the legume family. Although notably grown in the more tropical regions of Asia, it actually originates from India. It is perfect for the home gardener or an urban farm because … Continue reading

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Hen and Chick Poppy | A Unique Flower for the Garden

Fast becoming a poplar addition to many perennial gardens, the Hens and Chicks Poppy (Papaver Somniferum) is a beautiful, albeit unusual, plant. In the spring, it features a single flower featuring stunning petals ranging in color from pink to dark … Continue reading

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Plants For A Low-Allergy Garden

  Flowering Plants: Azalea – Rhododendron Daffodil – Narcissus Day Lily – Hemerocallis Gladiolus – Gladiolus Snapdragon – Antirrhinum Small Shrubs/Bushes: Barberry Bush – Berberis vulgaris Big Leaf Hydrangea – Hydrangea grandiflora Coral Bells – Heuchera Daphne – Daphne Hosta (Plantain … Continue reading

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Container/Small Spaces Vegetable Varieties

As gardening continues to grow in popularity, more small-space gardeners are finding alternatives to full-size vegetables. Thankfully, there are many dwarf hybrid varieties that make it easy to grow veggies of virtually any kind in small spaces.

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Grow a Fern Garden or Add Ferns to Your Outdoor Space with These Exotic Beauties

Ferns (Pteridophytes) have long been a favored plant worldwide, and are included in  both indoor and outdoor gardens. They are natural to woodland forests around the globe.

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Achiote Tree | An Herbal Ornamental for the Garden

Achiote (Bixa orellana), A.K.A. the Lipstick Tree, is a small deciduous tree native to Mexico, Central and South America. Achiote can grow up to 20 to 30 feet tall if grown as a tree. However, if pruned correctly, it can … Continue reading

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Butterfly Bush | A Garden Option to Attract Butterflies, Bees and Other Pollinators

Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii) – Originating from China, Butterfly Bush is a delicious, perennial shrub known for it’s long plumes. The plumes feature a cascade of tiny, nectar rich flowers that attracts and provides food only, to adult butterflies, bees, … Continue reading

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The Trumpet Vine | A Way to Add Beauty to Your Garden

The Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans) is a fast growing, tenacious climbing vine native to the southeast region of the US. This hardy perennial is also known as trumpet creeper and produces large, tubular and stunningly beautiful flowers with colors ranging … Continue reading

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Agapanthus | An Exotic Beauty of a Flower That Brings Annual Pop to Gardens

  Agapanthus (African Lily) is a summer flowering perennial (grown from bulbous root stocks) and is native to South Africa. Agapanthus features spectacular blue, white, pink and purple flowers on top of deciduous and tender evergreen leaves which would be … Continue reading

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The Wonders of Acacias |Ornamental Trees for the Garden

 

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5 Stunning Plants to Attract Butterflies To Your Garden

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Little Fingers: Children In The Garden

Spring has finally arrived and the long awaited anticipation of heading outdoors to start gardening has come to an end. All gardeners, both old and young, are currently jump-starting what they hope to be a bountiful, fun and educational garden … Continue reading

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The 5 Best Springtime Vegetables to Plant in Your Garden

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How To Attract Hummingbirds To Your Garden

Greetings everyone…Spring has finally arrived and I couldn’t be happier. I still have a long wait before I can actually harden off my plants, and I am eagerly awaiting that day!

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Corkscrew Willow Tree | An Ornamental Option for Your Garden or Landscape Design

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Brighten Up Your Outdoor Space with a White or Moonlight Garden

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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

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Corkscrew Hazel | A Beautiful, Twisted Tree for the Garden

  Photo By: Schnobby – https://commons.wikimedia.org As a garden designer I find that creating a main and unusual focal plant in any garden enhances it charm and invites a welcoming interest. In particular, a shrub such as Corkscrew Hazel would … Continue reading

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10 Holiday Gift Ideas for Gardening Enthusiasts

With Thanksgiving behind us and the holiday season officially upon us, here are ten inspired gift ideas for the gardener in your life.

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Garlic O’Plenty | A Quick Guide to Garlic for the Garden

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Five Shrubs For Your Winter Garden

(Photo by Pixabay.com) For gardeners like me who live in a cold climate, the thought of the upcoming winter season can feel you with apprehension or dread. Winters here in New York state are brutal and long. The snow-covered landscape … Continue reading

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Making Fragrant Potpourris

During this year’s growing season, I have been actively drying and saving various flowers and foliage to create garden crafts for the holidays. One craft in particular that I truly love is making garden potpourri.

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Fall Gardening | Autumn Plans for My Garden

In my home garden, I recently finished sowing seeds and transplanting seedlings for the Fall growing season. I truly enjoy the freshness and quality of Fall’s seasonable vegetables and fruit. I am looking forward to the abundance of nutritious stocks I … Continue reading

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A Dream Come True: Anna’s Garden Design

Originally posted on Anna's Gardening Antics & Musings:
Hello my gardening companions. As you know, gardening and design are my true passions; my purpose. So, I am super-excited to announce the launch of my new garden design site, aptly…

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Healthy Food From the Garden: It’s Broth-Making Time….

Adapted from my sister blog, Anna’s Gardening Antics and Musings… Hello my friends. I hope you are well and enjoying this beautiful and bountiful summer season as much as I am. Fall is rapidly approaching, however, so I have began … Continue reading

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My Love Affair with Tomatoes….

As the end of summer approaches and the first frost looms not far behind, I usually began to get a bit anxious about harvesting and preserving my summer vegetables. In particular, homegrown, ripe tomatoes. I truly love tomatoes and have … Continue reading

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10 Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

Summer has finally arrived and with it’s arrival the proliferation of the blood-sucking and possible disease-carrying garden foe: the mosquito. In my home garden, I typically place several types of plants to deter mosquitoes. Typically, I either plant them in … Continue reading

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Fallen Fruit in the Garden

(Revised from my sister blog: Anna’s Gardening Antics and Musings) Greetings fellow gardeners! We are experiencing great weather in my area, so I am writing this post on my laptop, in a shady part of my garden. It is so … Continue reading

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My Japanese Knotweed Garden Nightmare….

Re-adapted from my sister blog: Anna’s Gardening Antics and Musings Greetings my fellow gardeners. Thirteen years ago I purchased a beautiful old home with a tiny yard full of miscellaneous shrubs and unusual mystery plants.  I had lovely thoughts of … Continue reading

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Queen Anne’s Lace Jelly Recipe

Re-adapted from my sister blog: Anna’s Gardening Antics & Musings….. Recently, I had the honor of sampling a delicious jelly made from Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota) flowers. It was absolutely wonderful: sweet with a mild, flowery taste.

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What is Melilot? A Bee-Attracting Garden Plant

Photo via: Flickr Melilot (Melilotus officinalis), also known as Yellow Sweet Clover, is a non-native plant originating from Eurasia and brought to the US as fodder for animals and a cover crop to produce a bust of nitrogen to poor … Continue reading

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Benefits of Basil | A Fragrant Garden Herb

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Garden Quote…..

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Five Common Edible Flowers In The Home Garden

Did you know, there are edible flowers in most home gardens? Many gardeners grow plants for visual appeal and for their fruit, but many flowers also offer the same taste as their hosts.

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Benefits of Creating a Pollinator Garden

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Edible Container Gardening | Growing Vegetables in Pots

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Preparing Your Garden Soil for the Growing Season

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Five Most Notable Springtime Flowers and Shrubs

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Starting Seeds Indoors

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Five Notable Organic Gardening Methods

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Tips for The Beginning Gardener

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