Happy Mother’s Day Everyone!

Photo courtesy of The Grower’s Box, a specialty wholesaler of bulk flowers.

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 there, while paying tribute to the memory of those who are no longer with us.

Happy Mother’s Day!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Garden Variety Wishes You a Merry Christmas
Happy Thanksgiving From Garden Variety!
Happy Easter From Garden Variety

 

 

Terrariums | Decorative Interior Gardens Under Glass

Planting terrariums is fun, rewarding and surprisingly easy. This and all accompanying photos courtesy of Melinda Graham.

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.

In the Garden, Spring Finally Arrives

A French plant market. Photo courtesy of Mike Alexander.

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.

Photo | An Eco-Conscious Public Garden

The reflecting pool at Clark Gardens Botanical Park, an environmental education-focused non-profit public garden in north-central Texas. Photo courtesy of Clark Gardens.

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

Trout Lilies | Children of the Spring

Photo courtesy of Van Engelen (flower bulbs).

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

Dandelion | Harbinger of Spring

This photo courtesy of wallpaperswide. Subsequent photos copyright by Mike Alexander.

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

Wanderlust | Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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

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

The kitchen garden at Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate in Virginia. Photo courtesy of Dean Norton.

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

Earth Day 2014 | Green Cities

Image courtesy of Dreamstime and Garden Variety.

“Green Cities” is the focus of the 44th annual observance of of Earth Day.

Happy Easter From Garden Variety

Photo courtesy of 1zoom.

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 Thanksgiving From Garden Variety!
Happy Halloween From Garden Variety!

 

How to Shop for Spring Garden Plants

This and all accompanying photos courtesy of Proven Winners.

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

Bordeaux, France | A Living History

This and all accompanying photos courtesy of Mike Alexander.

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)

Easter Lily | The Season’s Brightest Bloom

Photo courtesy of Powell Gardens.

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

Photos | The World’s Largest Flower Garden

Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands spans some 70 acres and is filled with more than 7 million blooming tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, narcissi and crocuses in spring. All photos courtesy of Sinbad.

Walmart to Sow Its Organic Wild Oats

Images courtesy of Walmart and Wild Oats Marketplace.

The nation’s largest retailer and grocer enters the organic food rush.

Truth in Labels | FDA No Longer Sweet on Honey

Photo courtesy of Bundrick Honey Farms.

The Food and Drug Administration says it’s time to rethink honey labeling standards.

Photos | Breathtaking Rocky Mountain Gardens, Patios and Yards

A rich, dreamy yardscape designed by the supremely talented Stephen Himschoot. This and all photos copyright by Luxescapes, a premier residential landscape design and contracting firm operating in Greater Denver, CO.

Growing Up | New Site Teaches Tweens About Soil Science

Image courtesy of Discovery Education.

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.

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

Image courtesy of the National Gardening Association.

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

The Winners of Our Spring Giveaway

Photo courtesy of Fancies Flowers & Gifts.

GV announces the giveaway winners.

Egg-ology | Organic Brown and White Eggs

A display of eggs at Trader Joe’s. Photo courtesy of Joyce H. Newman.

Are organic eggs really better for you? Does it matter it they are white or brown? Our green product specialist Joyce Newman weighs in.

Photo | A Lush Mature Garden of Delights

A heavily-planted garden with lavish greenery and an a variety of flowers. Photo courtesy of Alvede.

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

 

 

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

This all all images courtesy of The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden. Copyright © 2014 by Roy Diblik. Published by Timber Press, Portland, OR. Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

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

Restaurants and the Organic, Sustainable and Local Food Shift

Photo courtesy of Don’t Worry Get Healthy.

Restaurants are largely missing out on our changing attitudes toward food, but there is hope.

Spring Planting Tips for Outside and In

This and all photos courtesy of Westbury Garden Rooms.

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

Photo | Beautiful Hardscaped Garden with Birdbath

A lovely walkway with flowers, containers, a birthbath and a garden gate. Photo courtesy of Locoboy.

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

 

GV Spring Gardening Giveaway

The Garda Dibble and Digz garden gloves.

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

MOM’s Organic Market Stands Against Lawn Chemicals

Image courtesy of MOM’s Organic Market.

A feisty organic food store dedicated to protecting and restoring the environment urges the public to say no to chemically-maintained lawns.

Photo | The Gardens at a Historic French Architectural Treasure

The gardens at Chateau du Villandry, a Renaissance-era French stone manor house. Photo courtesy of Loire Valley Tours.

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

 

Bottoms Up | The Republic of Tea Biodynamic Teas

Photo courtesy of The Republic of Tea.

The most popular brewed beverage gets new healthy (for you and the planet) additions.

Photo | A Serene Asian-Influenced Garden

Chinese pagoda and gardens at California Health & Longevity Institute. Photo courtesy of CHLI.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Photo | A Garden Oasis in the City
Photo | A Formal Garden in Eastern Europe
Photo | A Parisian Luxury Hotel Garden and Dining Patio

 

Photo | A Lovely Potting Shed for the Garden

A Classic Little Retreat. Cedar shake garden shed built in Pennsylvania Amish Country by Sheds Unlimited.

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

 

Rethinking How to Water Your Garden

Photo courtesy of Emmi.

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

Digging It | The Philadelphia Flower Show

Photo courtesy of R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia.

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

First U.S. Fair Trade Beer to Celebrate Launch in New York City

Image courtesy of Peak Organic Brewing and Irving Farm Coffee Roasters.

Peak Organic launches “Fair Trade” beer brewed with Irving Farm coffee.

Bookworm | Plant By Numbers

An idea book for gardening anywhere at any time of year. Photo courtesy of Cool Springs Press.

A hot-off-the-press indoor garden how-to manual.

Photo | An Outdoor Living Room with Interior Appeal

An outdoor room decorated with elegant interior style. Photo courtesy of Vampire Decor.

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

 

Winter Blooms on France’s Route of Gold

A blossoming mimosa along the ‘Route of Gold.’ Photo courtesy of Mike Alexander.

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.

ADA | Something NOT to Chew On

Shoe rubber, anyone? A flip-flop brisket sculpture. Photo courtesy of Sole Sensations.

More bad news about what’s in our food and another reason to steer clear of as many pre-fab meals as possible.

GMO A-Go-Go | A Video by Natural News

We stumbled across this short animated film and thought we’d share it. Enjoy!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
10 Organic Resolutions Worth Keeping for Life
Sprouting | GMO Inside
Sprouting | SPE Certified Food

 

Photo | A Garden Oasis in the City

The gardens and gazebo overlooking Rock Creek Park at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of Omni Hotels & Resorts.

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

Bookworm | Plant This Instead! Better Plant Choices

Photo courtesy of Cool Springs Press.

A valuable resource guide for gardeners looking to expand their planting options.

Photo | A Dream Stone Manor Garden in England

Gravetye Manor, an Elizabethan-era English country estate-cum-hotel and restaurant—once the home of prominent Irish-born gardener and writer William Robinson—surrounded by 30 acres of historic gardens. Photo courtesy of Gravetye Manor.

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

 

Going Native | The Battle With Invasive Species and Garden Weeds

Image courtesy of Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia.

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

Digging It | Acres USA Magazine

Photo courtesy of Acres U.S.A. Inc.

Pass the time until gardening season with some great winter reading.

Photo | A Formal Garden in Eastern Europe

The stunning Vrtbovska Garden with sweeping lines behind the traditional Mediterranean-style Aria Hotel in Prague, Czech Republic. Photo courtesy of Aria Hotel.

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

 

Diseases Spread From Honeybees to Wild Bumblebees

Photo courtesy of WallpapersCraft.

More bad news for our pollinator friends.

Photo | A Parisian Luxury Hotel Garden and Dining Patio

The garden of Hotel Particulier Montmartre in Paris, a Victorian-era estate-turned-hotel—it once belonged to the Rothschild banking and Hermès fashion families—which has vegetable beds, chicken coops and produces honey on-site for the hotel’s kitchen. Photo courtesy of Origins of Luxury.

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

 

Free Eucerin Lotion Sample for Winter and Garden Hands

Photo courtesy of Beiersdorf.

A freebie on President’s Day.

Majorelle Gardens | The Exotic Park That Inspired Yves Saint Laurent

Photo courtesy of Day Tours of Marrakech.

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 a quick tour.