Ostrich ferns seek shady, wet soils
The beautiful Ostrich fern is a native fern that thrives on the Eastern Shore if it is planted in part- to-full-shade and medium-to-wet soils. If the soil is never allowed to dry out, the plants will spread and cover the ground by underground rhizomes which are a type...
Hibiscus hybrids offer plenty of options
Hibiscus moscheutos are native perennials that thrive in full sun and moist, organically rich soils, but also grows equally well in average garden soils or sandy soils with an addition of compost. They love moist soils and are excellent in rain gardens and along the...
Crape myrtles embrace summer heat
The heat of summer is what helps the beautiful crape myrtles bloom so well in lovely shades of pure white, pick, rose, red, lavender and purple. The also come in various sizes, from dwarf plants of 2-3 feet tall to shade providing 30 feet tall or higher. Two lovely...
Oak Leaf Hydrangea perfect for region
Oakleaf Hydrangeas are beautiful native shrubs that thrive in full sun to part shade and rich, slightly acidic, moist but well drained soils found in many Mid-Shore gardens. There are some varieties that can grow up to 10-12 feet tall to form wonderful summer privacy...
Threadleaf Bluestar a May icon
Amsonia hubrichtii or Threadleaf Bluestar is a wonderful native herbaceous plant that has graceful billowing branches covered with very fine soft foliage and in May it produces beautiful sky blue star-shaped flowers that grow in clusters at the tips of each branch....
Columbine short-lived, but worth it
Aquilegia Canadensis, otherwise known as Columbine, is a wonderful native herbaceous perennial that thrives on the Eastern Shore when planted in moist but well drained soils and sunny mornings with afternoon shade. A plant only has to live for three years to be listed...
Oregon Grape Holly a welcome guest
March is the beginning of spring when the sun crosses the equator and the earth begins to tilt toward the sun. The days get warmer and the earliest bulbs begin to bloom. Some plants just can’t wait that long, like our native Oregon Grape Holly, Mahonia aquifolium....
Houseplants never go out of style
The easiest houseplants to grow indoors are the old-fashioned, pass-along plants that your parents or grandparents might have grown. These plants can grow for many years with just a little basic care. They need the right amount of light and they need the right amount...
AAS announces its 2021 winners
The All American Selections are seeds and vegetative propagated plants that have been grown nationwide, and the ones that thrived throughout the nation are considered national winners of that specific year, while the ones that have thrived in certain regions such as...
Considering a live Christmas tree?
Choosing the perfect Christmas tree is often a family event that takes place at a local farm market, a tree nursery or a box store. There are always choices — a tall tree, a short tree, a thin tree or a fat tree. For some, a cut tree is the best choice because, if...