Posts by Kerry Mendez
Inspiring Words of Love
While speaking at a garden Symposium in Ohio last month, I had the most heart-warming experience. An elderly gentleman was sitting alone near my book signing table. Occasionally he would turn and smile at me. He gave me a thumbs up after I spoke. At the end of the symposium, he came over and gave…
Read MoreHoliday Gardening Gifts from Perennially Yours
Gifts from Perennially Yours: Assorted Notecards; Special $18 sale includes shipping on any of my four gardening books; Garden Video Lecture Bundles (4 or 5 one-hour lectures with detailed lecture notes); and Virtual Design Consultation gift cards. Click on images below for more details
Read MoreNew 2023 Winter Flower Gardening Webinars
As the temperature drops my excitement rises as I begin working on this winter’s NEW flower gardening Webinars! I will be presenting four virtual lectures in 2023; one each month from January to April. Inspirational talks are packed with colorful slides featuring amazing plants and design ideas; low-maintenance, earth-friendly tips; and noteworthy gardening products. NOTE: YOU DO NOT…
Read MoreHydrangea Tuff Stuff is a WINNER
If I had a penny for every time someone comes into the garden center where I work (Estabrook’s) and asks me why their big-leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), such as ‘Endless Summer’, isn’t blooming, I would be a wealthy lady. But let me clarify – this common frustration is primarily isolated to hardiness Zones 5 and…
Read MoreGarden Makeovers: Before and After
I love designing gardens for clients. Below are three existing gardens in Kennebunk/Kennebunkport that had radical makeovers. All of these gardens were designed in fall and planted this spring. Two are shade gardens, one is full sun. ‘After’ photos were taken shortly after each installation. I also love to do Virtual Garden Design Consultations for…
Read MoreClassy White Gardens
White gardens, also called moon gardens, are actually not all white as foliage contributes additional colors. Silver along with variegated green and white foliage are especially valued in white gardens. Another design factor to consider is that most white flowers are not pure white – they have very subtle shades of yellow, pink, green, or…
Read MoreWatering Containers Made EASY
Growing annuals, edibles, perennials, shrubs or trees in containers typically requires day after day of tediously lugging a watering can or hose to provide the moisture needed to grow healthy, thriving plants. It is time to STOP THE MADNESS! Proven Winners WaterWise Container Watering kits offer the key to freedom from this monotony! And not…
Read MoreSHADE LOVING CORYDALIS
I have grown many varieties of Corydalis in my shade gardens – some I like more than others. Corydalis lutea is probably the most commonly available. It has ferny blue-green or green leaves that are covered by yellow flowers in spring. Flowering will continue into summer (but not as heavily as the spring flush). It…
Read MoreCONEFLOWERS REMAIN TOP SELLERS
Coneflowers (Echinacea) continue to rise in popularity. There are 9 species native to North America. The demand for the ‘next best coneflower’ has resulted in a surge of new introductions annually. But are these “debutantes” all they are marketed to be? Mt. Cuba Center, a botanical garden dedicated to native plants and located in Hockessis,…
Read MoreDivide and Conquer Perennials
If some of your perennials are starting to overstep their bounds and invade the space of neighboring plants, then it’s time to put your foot down (on a garden spade) to divide and conquer! Your intervention will not only restore order and create more plants, it will also rejuvenate the perennial that has been divided.…
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