Featured Plant
Salix candida ‘Iceberg Alley’
Salix candida ‘Iceberg Alley’ This striking native shrub, commonly called Sageleaf Willow, has powdery, silver leaves that make it a wonderful companion plant. Silver partners so well with many colors! Can’t you just picture this ‘silver fox’ alongside threadleaf Sambucus ‘Black Lace’, or underplanted with Heuchera ‘Black Pearl’ or Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon p. ‘Nigrescens’)?…
Read MoreUncommon Reseeding Annuals
A recent gardening article reminded me of two enchanting reseeding annuals that I’ve admired in friend’s gardens and INTENDED to add to mine. I was fascinated when I first saw Snow-on-the-Mountain (Euphorbia marginata, Pictured above. Photo compliments of Select Seeds) at my friend, Gail’s garden in Albany, NY. The soft green leaves surrounded by wide…
Read MoreA Gem Called Gaultheria
Gaultheria procumbens, commonly known as Wintergreen or Eastern Tea, was a fast seller at Estabrook’s – and I’m talking about a December sellout! This North American Northeastern native has lovely evergreen foliage, sweet nodding, waxy white flowers in spring, and rich red fall berries that persist through winter (unless they are devoured by pheasant, grouse…
Read MoreIronweed is a Fabulous Pollinator Perennial
Vernonia. Commonly called Ironweed, this genus includes about 1,000 species of perennials, shrubs and trees native to North America. The plant supposedly gets its common name from the fact that it has tough, erect stems and rusty looking seed clusters as flowers age. Most species can tolerate clay soil. In this feature I will zoom…
Read MoreAwesome Astilbes
Astilbes are the drama queens of the shade garden. You cannot help but admire these ‘no-fuss’ divas for their beauty and grace. Flowers can be delicate and frothy or stiff and compact. Blooms range in color from red, burgundy, white, purple, rosy-purple, peach and various shades of pink. The handsome, fern-like foliage is a delightful…
Read MoreSmooth Hydrangeas
Not all Hydrangeas are created equal. In beauty, yes; but in ease of care, not so much. Smooth Hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) are a no-brainer. Smooth Hydrangea is native to the eastern United States. The shrub flowers on new wood. Translation: it doesn’t matter how windy and cold the winter; flower buds form in spring after Old Man Winter’s…
Read MoreFlower Perfumania!
The fragrance of Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis), like some Oriental and Orienpet lilies, can either cause you to swoon or gag. Some find the fragrance intoxicating – others find it overpowering. Hyacinth is one of the longest-lived spring blooming bulbs. They come in all colors from white, cream, pink, deep purple, lavender, apricot, cobalt blue and…
Read MoreAnnual of the Year
Sedum mexicanum ‘Lemon Coral’ This is one dazzling workhorse of an annual – although it is a perennial for those of you in Zone 7 or warmer. The screaming yellow foliage never stops drawing attention. It is a terrific filler or spiller for containers, although I use it more as a weed-smothering mat around perennials…
Read MoreNot Your Grandma’s Peony!
Itoh Peony, commonly called intersectional peony, is for gardeners who want large, exotic flowers on stems that don’t need staking. Oh, and the dark green, lacy foliage that forms a compact 3’ X 3’ mound is also disease and deer resistant. Do I have your attention? This no-fuss peony is a cross between a tree…
Read MoreSensational Spring Flowering Spirea
Summer flowering Spirea are known as invincible workhorses for hot, sunny, dry, hellstrip, deer-riddled locations where few other plants will perform as gallantly. Of course, Spirea also look fantastic in plant-friendly settings. Not only do they have lovely, pollinator-friendly flowers, the foliage turns brilliant shades of red, yellow, orange and/or purple in fall (depending on…
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