Archive for the ‘Flowers’ Category

2023 Triple Crown Winner: ‘American Gold Rush’ Black-eyed Susan

For 2023, three leading organizations, All-America Selections, National Garden Bureau and Perennial Plant Association, have awarded a cultivar of black-eyed Susan their highest plant award in the U.S. For the U.S plant Industry this is the first time ever. Currently, garden interest in rudbeckias is at an all-time high. All-America Selections judges evaluated ‘American Gold […]

Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year

In case you didn’t already know, Pantone Color Institute has become a worldwide color authority with identifying trendy colors consumers will crave in the New Year. Their Color of the Year selections are often featured in fashion, interior design, outdoor living products and even in landscape plants. Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year is Viva […]

Raise The Humidity Around House Plants

Tropical plants thrive in a 70-75° F room temperatures during the fall / winter months. Frequently, the central heating system is running at maximum warmth and results in low room humidity. The lush foliage of many tropical plants suffers leaf edge burn and tip dieback caused by low humidity. Here are nine (9) methods listing […]

NewGen Boxwoods

Boxwoods (Buxus spp.) are the quintessential shrubs, primarily utilized as a foundation plant, a formal medium hedge, or for low privacy screening. Over the past half century, many new boxwood varieties have been introduced into nursery commerce. Boxwoods work in most landscape situations and are deer resistant. Only a few years ago, boxwood production at […]

What’s New At Your Local Florist Shop

What’s New At Your Local Florist Your local florist shop…that is often the first place you think of when gifting something green and flowery to an ailing friend. Besides the standard florist shops, most supermarkets contain a florist department. Check out the recently published USDA Floriculture Crops Report. It lists most of the potted plants […]

Large Bulbous Alliums

The huge ornamental ball-types flowering onions (Allium spp.) are standouts in the late spring/early summer garden (Zones 5-9). Bulbous alliums are both architectural and colorful wonders. Bulbs are planted in the fall. Bulbous alliums require full sun for best growth. They make stunning garden borders, beds, and cottage gardens. They have a major visual impact […]

Purple Beautyberry

Purple beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma) is a compact, deciduous, woody shrub with showy ornamental fruits that may last long after the shrub has dropped its leaves in fall. Beautyberry is among the finest ornamental fruiting shrubs and easy to care for. Purple beautyberry is a native of China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam and is in the […]

Poison Ivy

“Leaves of three, let it be”.  Parents teach their young children about this green plant menace — Eastern poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). The plant is familiar to hikers and gardeners alike. Poison ivy is native throughout the United States and much of southern Canada and can be found in a wide variety of places from […]

Heuchera ‘Melting Fire’

‘Melting Fire’ is a seed produced variety of heuchera (coral bells) from Kieft Seed, Inc., a division of Ball Hort. Seed-produced heucheras are something new as most current varieties were propagated from tissue culture. (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). In mid-spring Melting Fire forms a low mound (clump), 8-10 inches tall and 10-12 inches wide. New […]

Success With Succulents

Succulents are beautiful, low maintenance plants that are popular among plant addicts who grow them outdoors and as indoor house plants. Most are indigenous to desert or dryland conditions. They hold water in their fleshy leaves, stems and roots. Overwatering succulent plants is their nemesis. Adequate soil drainage and light are of key importance. These […]