Keeping Trees Healthy in Stressful Conditions
Keeping trees healthy can be one of the most challenging things for gardeners. I once heard a colleague from Kansas State University say that trees in Kansas cannot be healthy, because our environment is too tough on them. But there are ways in which you can keep a tree as healthy as possible. There are […]
Lobelia – September Plant of the Month
Perennial lobelia is our September plant of the month for 2024. These native perennials are some of my favorite flowering plants for the wetland or bog garden. They also make great rain garden plants. Here in the Central Great Plains, there are 4 native species of lobelia, 2 of which can be successfully grown in […]
Fall Blooming Flowers
When we think of fall, flowers are not the typical idea. Leaves turning colors are what most of thinks about. But there are a number of fall blooming flowers which can certainly add depth and color to the garden. Why talk about it in July though? Because if we are to have fall blooming flowers, […]
Coreopsis – June Plant of the Month
Coreopsis is our June Plant of the Month for 2024. This genus of plants contains 80 some species and dozens of hybrids across North, South, and Central America. The genus Coreopsis is also its common name., although tickseed is another common name for the plant. Over the last few decades, coreopsis has become one of […]
Orange Shades in the Garden
Typically, when you think about flowers, orange is not at the top of the list. But why not? Orange can make a garden feel tropical, adding heat and complexity that the more subdued flower colors lack. Most flowers in the garden are shades of pink, purple, white, or yellow. Blue is another color, like orange, […]
Crabapple – April Plant of the Month
Crabapple is our 2024 April plant of the month. When I think of small trees for spring color, I think of the crabapple. Once a native tree widely spread across the North American landscape, the crabapple now exists as a series of cultivated hybrids that are found mostly in gardens, landscapes, and along roadways. Here […]
Reblooming Plants – Are They Worth the Hype?
Reblooming plants have become a real favorite for gardeners in recent years. But are they worth all the hype that the green industry puts upon them? As a nursery manager, I do sell quite a number of various reblooming plants, but do they do what they claim? Or should we be focused on succession planting […]
Tidy Gardening
Recently, a colleague asked me about plants for tidy gardening. But what is tidy gardening, and how does one achieve it? I have discussed many times my gardening ideals, which include diversity, and lots of plant materials. But I realize there are many homeowners, and some gardeners who prefer to have a tidy look, with […]
Low Maintenance Landscaping
What is low maintenance landscaping? Every year, I hear about new and old clients who complain about their landscapes. “Its too much work to maintain.” “Do you do landscape maintenance?” And more. A lot of the problems associated with landscaping can be avoided by correct planning up front, to design a low maintenance landscape. But […]
