The winter solstice is upon us, and I am sure everyone is looking forward to a bit more light each day, eventually steering us towards the great annual awakening of spring.  To most gardeners, the idea of year ‘round interest is top of mind, as patrons I speak to year after year look to add specimens into their landscapes that provide that “WOW” factor all year long, including…

In the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year’s Day, several traditional houseplants are available for the holiday season.  Most places I visit seem to have Poinsettias, Amaryllis and holiday cactus, and I think most enthusiasts are familiar with these common (but worthy) options.  If you look a little closer, you will find…

Christmas is just around the corner and the season of giving has officially commenced.  Gardeners everywhere deserve something useful, and most would take a plant of any kind to add to their garden collection.  Nothing makes me happier when…

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, how lovely are your branches…  Not only green in summer’s heat, but also in winter’s snow and sleet…  Absolutely one of my favorite holiday songs, so simple.  I am so grateful that you…

We dove into oxygenating our indoor spaces with houseplants a couple of weeks ago, and now let’s continue our indoor discussion by investigate some superior pet-friendly options.  As the weather continues to cool and the wind and rain ramp up, it becomes easier and easier to garden indoors and work outside a bit less.  Many of us have…

I often tell gardeners in our region to rediscover their “Evergreen State”, which (in a play on words) simply means to show some gardening style with the structure, texture and color of conifers.  Around here nature has the many shades of green covered, but how about some bold blues and bright yellows?  When all of the deciduous shrubs and trees have…

I often refer to myself as a “plant enabler”, a sort of legal dealer that tries his best to hook his customers up with the best plants for their landscapes.  Plants are easy to get addicted to, believe me, and running a garden center means you are surrounded on a daily basis by treasures that beckon you to take them home, plant them, and watch them flourish - even if you are out of room, just ask my poor wife.  If I jump in a time machine to some 30 years ago, I can see…

The annual human autumn migration from outdoor activities to more indoor focused tasks has commenced, so let us shift gears this week and delve into some houseplants.  I spend plenty of time, like I am sure many of you do as well, outdoors in the yard year around.  However, there are those days when...

Camellias are a spectacular shrub option for our maritime climate, all of the many kinds.  They have adapted nicely to our area, thriving in many local gardens, including my own.  Our mild winters are ideal, as is…

First off, let me apologize for using the word “winter” in the title as I sincerely hope that our actual “winter” is still many weeks away.  Having said that, as we head towards the holiday season, it is an ideal time for gardeners to look forward just a bit.  Frost will be coming soon, and Mother Nature will require...