Epimedium, Butterfly Weed, Spigelia and Hakone Grass

This was my third time speaking at the United States Botanic Gardens, and I think the gardens were more gorgeous than ever! Below are a few of the MANY plants that caught my eye. Two Workhorse Perennials for Shade: Epimedium, commonly called Barrenwort, and Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’, commonly called Hakone or Japanese Forest Grass. Barrenwort…

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IN SEARCH OF PERFECT PLANTS!

I have been a long-time fan of Richard Hawke and the plant evaluation trials that he oversees at Chicago Botanic Garden, an extraordinary public garden. The 2.5 acre Bernice E. Lavin Plant Evaluation Garden (Zone 5b) has been the testing ground for over 40 different genera, many of which are perennials. The winter issue of…

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Brent and Becky’s Bulbs Offers More than Just Bulbs!

Spring, summer and fall blooming bulbs are such an easy way to add a dash of color to the landscape. One of my FAVORITE companies for ordering bulbs is Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, a fourth generation family business based in Gloucester, VA. Brent and Becky are highly respected horticulturists in the green industry. They are…

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