How to Get Amaryllis Bulbs to Bloom for Christmas
If you want an amaryllis blooming right around Christmas, plant the bulb in early to mid November. Amaryllis typically take 6 to 8 weeks from planting to first flower, so counting backward from your target date is really the whole trick. I’ve timed dozens of bulbs for the holidays over the years, and I can […]
Geraniums: Pelargoniums vs Hardy Geraniums, Which Should You Grow?
If you want geraniums for a sunny windowsill, look for pelargoniums (the classic red or pink “geranium” sold in garden centers every spring). If you want geraniums to soften a walkway or edge a border, you want hardy geraniums, also called cranesbills, which are true perennial Geranium species that come back every year. They’re not […]
How Seed Saving Saves Me Hundreds of Dollars in the Garden
If you’ve looked at seed catalogs lately, you’ve probably noticed how quickly a handful of flower packets can add up. Mine certainly did. These days, I save enough seed from my own garden that some years I only buy special hybrid flower seed. Here’s where the biggest savings come from, what I always save, and […]
Why Are Aphids So Bad This Year?
If you’ve walked out to check your delphinium spikes or rose buds this week and found them coated in a sticky little cluster of green (or black, or gray) bugs, you’re not imagining things. Aphid populations really have exploded this year for a lot of gardeners, mine included. The short answer: a mild winter let […]
Are Zinnias Deer Resistant Enough for Your Cottage Garden?
Are Zinnias Deer Resistant? Short answer: Yes, mostly! Zinnias sit pretty solidly in the deer-resistant camp, and after several summers of watching deer stroll right past my zinnia beds to munch on my hostas instead, I can vouch for it from experience. But “deer-resistant” doesn’t mean “deer-proof,” and there are a few conditions worth knowing […]
Is Salvia Deer Resistant? What I’ve Learned After Years of Growing It (Despite the Deer)
Is salvia deer resistant? Yes and here’s why it’s one of my go-to plants. If you’ve got deer wandering through your yard at dusk like I do, you’ve probably already learned to be suspicious of every “deer resistant” label on a plant tag. Salvia is one of the few plants in my garden the deer […]
6 Essential Fall Garden Tasks for More Flowers Next Spring
Every fall, I have to remind myself that gardening isn’t winding down, it’s just changing seasons. While the flower beds may look tired, this is when I do some of the most important work of the year. A few hours spent planting bulbs, sowing seeds, and dividing perennials now means a garden that’s ready to […]
12 Rabbit Resistant Shade Flowers That Bunnies Avoid
If you’ve ever gone out to check on your shade garden only to find your hostas reduced to sad little stubs, you already know: bunnies do not mess around. The good news? You don’t have to give up on a lush, layered shade garden just because your yard doubles as a rabbit buffet. There’s a […]
Flowers That Look Great Together: Classic Cottage Garden Combos
One of the secrets behind every beautiful cottage garden is choosing flowers that make each other look even better. The most memorable borders aren’t random. They’re carefully layered with plants that complement each other in color, height, bloom time, and texture. In this guide, I’ll share some of my favorite cottage garden flower combinations, along […]
Dog Friendly Flowers You Can Plant Without Worry
Keeping your garden safe for dogs doesn’t mean sacrificing beauty. These dog-friendly flowers are non-toxic, hardy, and easy to grow, making them perfect for any garden. From perennials to annuals, this list covers blooms that you and your furry friends can enjoy together. Whether you want color, fragrance, or low-maintenance options, these plants let your […]