Lenten Rose – March Plant of the Month
The Lenten rose is not a rose at all, but rather a member of the buttercup family. This family also includes such plants as anemones, clematis, and delphiniums. Native to southern and central Europe, Lenten roses have long been a part of traditions around the Lenten period. Lent is the period of 40 days from […]
Definitions of Common Gardening Terms
There are many words used in gardening posts and blogs that people may not know the meaning of. Well, this post is the place to be if you really want to know what something mean. I will be defining to the best of my knowledge (and a dictionary) the following terms. Enjoy and I hope […]
Plant of the Week: Purple Coneflower
Purple coneflowers are the bloomiest plants in summer, attracting many pollinators. Their tall stems are great for cutting and add height to the garden. Nearing the end of the gardening year, coneflowers are not in bloom, but their seedheads offer a plethora of uses in the garden and home. Echinacea, or coneflower, is native to […]
Plant of the Week: Western Ironweed
Western ironweed (Vernonia baldwinii) is our Plant of the Week for the second week of November. Even though bloom time is past, this perennial native has great fall and winter interest. There are many ironweeds native to North America, but Vernonia baldwinii is most widespread. This pollinator-friendly plant attracts many bees and butterflies to its […]
Plant of the Week: Aromatic Aster
Aromatic aster is our Plant of the Week for the 3rd week of October. This native perennial grows throughout the Great Plains and Midwest. https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=syob This is number 3 on my list of Top Ten Perennials for Pollinators. I cannot think of a better plant for gardens for late in the season. When October rolls […]
Plants for the Autumn Garden
With the year finally beginning to wane, we are looking forward to the changing of the leaves and prepping for winter. However, before we put our tools away for good, we need to assess and evaluate our current gardens. Then we can decided which perennials and grasses would be beneficial for autumn color. Pollinator Plants […]
Plant of the Week: Walker’s Low Catmint
Walker’s Low catmint is our Plant of the Week for this week. Catmint (Nepeta) is a low-growing, perennial that has great qualities in the landscape. I started working with Walker’s Low in 2006 as a landscape designer in Manhattan, KS. We used a lot of low maintenance plants that were very hardy and drought tolerant. […]
Garden Tips for August
Now that we are in the dog days of summer and August, what is there to do in the garden? Yes it is hot, but there are still things that need done before we head to vacations. What needs done the most in August? In the vegetable garden, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and more (especially zucchini) […]
Plant of the Week: False Sunflower
This week’s plant of the week is a long blooming, summer flower: false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides). This native, perennial wildflower has been cultivated by many nurseries. We have a selection of cultivars to choose from. What more can I say about this perennial? It is a very long-blooming flower, opening in late may and June […]
