2022 All-America Selections announced
The All-America Selection of plants is the only national non-profit plant trial organization in North America. Their mission is “to promote new garden varieties with superior garden performance judged in impartial trials in North America.” They judge both flowering...
What to do with post-holiday poinsettias?
Poinsettia plants are native to Mexico where they grow wild and tall and are often planted as colorful perennial hedges. Here on the Eastern Shore, the poinsettia is most often purchased as a winter holiday plant for its colorful bracts that blaze bright red, clear...
Cut flowers hold spirit of warmer weather
December can be a chilly month outdoors but it is easy to bring the warmth of a summer’s day inside by picking up some cut flowers and placing them with some greens to create an attractive arrangement. Most cut flowers arrive at the local florist and grocery stores in...
Decorative grasses brighten Shore
There are many lovely decorative grasses available to brighten up the Eastern Shore landscapes but with the rise of many invasive grasses, it is a better idea to look for and plant only native grasses. One of the most beautiful native grasses is the Gulf Muhly Grass...
Trees that sound off with distinctive barks
October is a great month for planting trees that have a robust root system. The weather has cool temperatures with some rain making it a wonderful month for newly planted tree roots to get established into their new soil home. Choosing a tree should not be a spur of...
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....
