Archive for January, 2012

Have Winter Blues? Think Spring Blues!

Although some claim that there can never be a true “blue” flower, gardeners and growers have worked to come as close to blue as the human eye can tell. Blue flowers illuminate in the sunlight and provide a striking, contrasting statement with their green foliage. In the spirit of planning for spring, I have highlighted some of my favorite blue flowers to try this season.

January 30, 2012 · Amanda Shepard · 2 Comments
Tags: Baby Blue Eyes, Blue Flax, dahlias, garden planning, gladiolus, Indigo, Morning Glories, phlox, Starflower · Posted in: Flower Bulbs, Gardening in Spring and Summer, How-Tos, Perennials, Wildflowers

Soar with Your Butterfly Garden

This week we are excited to continue Charlie Nardozzi’s guest blog series. He is a nationally recognized garden writer, speaker, radio, and television personality. In this week’s blog, Charlie gives his expertise on how to create a beautiful Butterfly Garden. Stay tuned throughout the gardening season for more guest bloggers from the gardening world.

January 26, 2012 · Charlie Nardozzi · Comments Closed
Tags: Butterfly Bushes, Butterfly Garden, Coreopsis, Echinacea, Lilac, phlox · Posted in: Gardening in Spring and Summer, How-Tos, Perennials

Think Spring: Butterfly Bushes

Butterfly Bushes emit a sweet fragrance that isn’t just heavenly for our noses, but attracts beautiful butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. We planted one right outside our window at American Meadows and were amazed at the multitude of wildlife that it brought for us to enjoy.

January 24, 2012 · Amanda Shepard · Comments Closed
Tags: Bushes, Butterfly Bushes, fragrant plants, Shrubs · Posted in: Gardening in Fall, Gardening in Spring and Summer, How-Tos, Perennials

Growing Up with Clematis

This week we are excited to continue Charlie Nardozzi’s guest blog series. He is a nationally recognized garden writer, speaker, radio, and television personality. In this week’s blog, Charlie gives tips and tricks on how to successfully grow and enjoy Clematis in your garden. Stay tuned throughout the gardening season for more guest bloggers from the gardening world.

January 19, 2012 · Charlie Nardozzi · Comments Closed
Tags: clematis, easy gardening, garden planning, Gardening tips, how-to · Posted in: Gardening in Spring and Summer, How-Tos, Perennials

Raise it up?

While planning my vegetable garden for the spring, I have been debating about whether or not to build a raised bed. I decided to weigh out the benefits and drawbacks, and make a logical decision (the best kind of decision, right?). For your benefit, as I’m sure there are other gardeners trying to make this same decision, the pros and cons of raised beds can be found below, along with my decision.

January 16, 2012 · Amanda Shepard · 2 Comments
Tags: garden planning, growing vegetables, vegetable gardening, vegetables · Posted in: Gardening in Spring and Summer, Gardening in the Winter, How-Tos, Vegetable Seeds

All about Tropical Bulbs

This week we are excited to bring back guest blogger Charlie Nardozzi, a nationally recognized garden writer, speaker, radio, and television personality. In this week’s blog, he gives tips and tricks on bringing the tropics to your garden, no matter where you are. Stay tuned throughout the gardening season for more guest bloggers from the gardening world.

January 12, 2012 · Charlie Nardozzi · Comments Closed
Tags: caladium, calla lilies, canna lilies, planting, spring bulbs, tropical bulbs · Posted in: Flower Bulbs, Gardening in Spring and Summer, How-Tos

Don’t Pass on Grass!

It is easy to be allured by the glamour of planting things that will burst with colorful blooms in your garden. Yet, what is a star without her backdrop? Ornamental Grasses provide texture, uniqueness, and beauty that will set off your favorite blooming flowers.

January 11, 2012 · Amanda Shepard · Comments Closed
Tags: garden design, grasses, ornamental grasses, perennial · Posted in: Gardening in Fall, Gardening in Spring and Summer, Gardening in the Winter, Perennials

Some Shady Characters in Your Yard

We are pleased to announce a series of guest garden bloggers throughout the year. This week we are excited to feature Charlie Nardozzi, a nationally recognized garden writer, speaker, radio, and television personality. In this week’s blog, he shares his experiences and expertise on shade gardening. Stay tuned throughout the gardening season for more guest bloggers from the gardening world.

January 5, 2012 · Charlie Nardozzi · Comments Closed
Tags: astilbes, bleeding hearts, coral bells, dicentra, heuchera, hosta, lungwort, pulmonaria, shade · Posted in: Gardening in Spring and Summer, How-Tos, Perennials

Lavender: A Treat for the Senses

Who doesn’t love the fresh, comforting scent of lavender? Either freshly picked from the garden, or dried to make potpourri, lavender is a wonderful flower that is extremely easy to grow. Whether you have an expansive garden, or are gardening in containers on your balcony, most can grow lavender for heavenly fragrance in the summer months.

January 3, 2012 · Amanda Shepard · Comments Closed
Tags: container gardening, container gardens, containers, fragrant plants, lavender · Posted in: Gardening in Spring and Summer, How-Tos, Perennials