Andrew Mitchell Bee Balm (Wild Bergamot) Our 2026 July Plant of the Month is bee balm , also known as wild bergamot and Oswego tea. This native perennial is a favorite for bumblebees and other pollinators throughout the country. Nearly every... July Mint Family bee balm monarda perennials perennials for pollinators plant of the month pollination pollinator gardening pollinator plants pollinators wild bergamot Jul 2, 2026 Blog
Andrew Mitchell Poison Ivy Control Poison ivy is the bane of nearly every gardener from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Coast. And those living east of the Missouri River have a triple chance of infection with poison sumac and pois... controlling poison ivy poison ivy poison ivy control poison sumac weeds Jun 25, 2026 Blog
Andrew Mitchell The Silver Spotted Skipper Butterfly The silver spotted skipper butterfly is our June Pollinator of the Month. It is one of the most recognized butterflies in North America. While it can be found throughout the continent, it is most comm... June baptisia butterflies butterfly gardening butterfly hosts host plants legumes pollinator gardening pollinator of the month skipper butterflies skippers Jun 18, 2026 Blog
Andrew Mitchell The Chelsea Chop When I first heard about this gardening technique, I was probably like many other gardeners, thinking "What is the Chelsea Chop?" This technique was called after the Chelsea Flower Show, which happens... chelsea chop perennial cutback perennials pruning perennials rejuvenation Jun 11, 2026 Blog
Andrew Mitchell In Defense of Native Plants Typically, a week in June or the entire month of June is set aside as a month for natives. Native plants that is. The Kansas Native Plant Society has for years petitioned the Kansas Governor to make J... Garden Planning Gardening Native Grasses butterfly hosts host plants meadow gardening native gardening native plants natives natural gardening pollinator gardening Jun 4, 2026 Blog
Andrew Mitchell Whispurr Pink Catmint Our June Plant of the Month for 2026 is Whispurr Pink catmint. Catmints (Nepeta species) hail from Europe and Asia, mainly along the Mediterranean Regions. But they have been widely cultivated and nat... June catmint plant of the month pollinator gardening pollinator plants whispurr pink catmint May 28, 2026 Blog
Andrew Mitchell Perennial Pollinator Plants Even though the springtime brings warmer temperatures, leaves on everything, and sunshine, the flowers really do not shine until June. But there are still many perennial pollinator plants for gardens,... April flowering baptisia bees butterflies may flowering milkweeds perennials perennials for pollinators pollinator gardening pollinator plants wasps May 21, 2026 Blog
Andrew Mitchell Japanese Maples Are you looking for an understory tree for a shady spot in your yard? If so, then consider the Japanese maple ( Acer palmatum ). Despite not being native to North America, these are one of the more ic... Japanese maple maple trees small trees trees May 14, 2026 Blog
Andrew Mitchell 8 Mistakes New Gardeners Often Make I started gardening when I was 5 years old, but I can still remember many of the mistakes I made. I am still making mistakes now! They are just different mistakes than the ones which new gardeners oft... Gardening Organic Gardening garden irrigation gardening mistakes landscaping pruning watering May 7, 2026 Blog
Andrew Mitchell Siberian Iris Our 2026 May Plant of the Month is Siberian Iris. This perennial hails from Europe and Asia, being widely cultivated since the Middle Ages. There are records of of cultivation of it by Monks in Britai... Gardening May Siberian iris cottage garden iris perennials plant of the month Apr 30, 2026 Blog
Andrew Mitchell Clematis for the Garden Many gardeners have a love and hate relationship with clematis. They either love it because it blooms so well, or hate it because it will not bloom at all. What camp are you in? I have been blessed to... Jackman clematis arbor clematis ornamental vines perennial vines pergola sweet autumn clematis trellises Apr 23, 2026 Blog
Andrew Mitchell For the Love of Roses I will admit, I would not be the first person I would think of as someone who loves roses. And yet, they are growing on me. In the past, my disdain from roses came from the overuse of Knockout shrub r... climbing roses drift roses hybrid tea roses knockout roses proven winners roses Apr 16, 2026 Blog
