Archive for the ‘Propagation (Seed)’ Category

Bloodroot In The Spring Garden

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is a member of the poppy family Papaveraceae. This botanical family includes about 825 species, including bleeding hearts (Dicentra spp. and Lamprocapnos spectabilis), Corydalis, and opium poppy (Papaver). Bloodroot is native to the eastern half of North America continent from Canada south to Florida. Bloodroot typically rises 6-10 inches tall and spreads over time to […]

Early Risers In The New Year Garden

Some flowering bulbs, corms, and tubers are early-bloomers. With the start of calendar year January 2026, several days in the 50’s and 60’s have been forecasted. In our garden, flowers of three perennials are beginning to poke through the soil. That’s besides the early daffodils which are always early-risers but hold off blooming until late […]

Re-Blooming Clivia House Plant

Chase away any winter blahs with colorful flowers of clivia (Clivia miniata). This sub-tropical plant should brighten your home. Start by purchasing a plant already budded or in flower. Clivia lives a long time as a potted house plant. An older plant will grow 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. Grow in a large, […]

Ground Covers Maybe You Should Avoid

Some varieties of groundcovers make good lawn substitutes because they’re vigorous and aggressive growers. Many garden centers and box stores sell many of these garden thugs. Yes, the selling point for these plants is their rapid, low-growing groundcovers that fill in spaces between steppingstones or may be utilized as a lawn alternative. Some non-native species […]

Summer Planting Combinations At Biltmore

On a recent visit (8/27/25) to the fabulous Biltmore Estates* Walled Garden near the Greenhouse Conservatory were some wonderful colorful plant combinations: *Biltmore Estates in Asheville, North Carolina

Scarlet Rose Mallow

Swamp hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus), aka scarlet rose mallow, is a hardy perennial plant that grows in swamps, marches and roadside ditches in the Southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). It can grow 6 to 8 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide.  The 5- to 6-inch-long palmate leaves are 3 – 7 lobes and have jagged […]

Tall Stewartia

Tall Stewartia (Stewartia monadelpha) is a deciduous flowering shrub or multi-trunked small tree that grows 20-25 feet tall with a pyramidal framework when young. As the tree ages, horizontal branches open up more. Tall Stewartia is a native of Japan and is indigenous to cool mountain forests. Stewartias are members of the Theaceae botanical family which include […]

Vincas/Annual Periwinkle Thrive In Hot Summer Gardens

Annual vinca or periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), aka Madagascar vincas, is a summer flowering annual popular in Southern and Midwest gardens (USDA hardiness zones 9-11). Before setting out spring transplants, wait until soils have warmed up and all threats of frost have passed. The arrival of summer heat and humidity is when vincas bloom heaviest. Vincas […]

Wild Indigo (Hybrid Baptisias)

Wild indigo, false indigo, or Baptisia (Baptisia spp.) is a long-lived U.S. native perennial (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). Plants are deeply tap-rooted and will reward you for many years of multi-seasonal beauty. They’re sometimes mistaken for Carolina lupine (Thermopsis caroliniana). Modern day cultivars are hybrids of 8 Baptisia species. Top four species are purple (B. australis), lavender […]

Hardy Begonias

Hardy begonia (Begonia grandis) is an herbaceous perennial flowering plant native to Southern China, Japan, and Malaysia. It is a member of the Begonia (Begoniaceae) family (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). From summer into early fall, hardy begonia displays loose arching clusters of bright pink fragrant blooms. It is monoecious, e.g. both male and female flowers are […]