Articles

The evolution of the Christmas Tree

Posted on Dec 01, 2019 | by Kerry Kelley

The Christmas Tree, a centuries old holiday tradition, has certainly seen some changes in modern times. From Germany in the 1500s, the evergreen hung with ornaments of fruits, nuts, and sweets remained virtually unchanged through the early 20th century. The 1930s saw the first boom in artificial trees, but post WWII the materials and styles expanded. Today, we can choose from life-like artificial trees, or fanciful trees in every color of the rainbow—with fake snow, and/or prelit, if you desire. Meanwhile, the good old evergreen Christmas Tree is perhaps facing a crisis as its producers are growing older and retiring, without sufficient interest from younger generations in continuing the tradition.

How to Choose, Maintain, and Dispose of your Real Christmas Tree

Posted on Nov 22, 2019 | by Kerry Kelley

Having worked in a retail nursery’s tree lot for several years, I learned a few things about cut Christmas trees that might help you out:

How to Beautify an Outdoor Eyesore

Posted on Oct 23, 2019 | by Kerry Kelley

You’ve dreamed, you’ve planned and you’ve planted. You’ve watered, mulched, and mowed. Your grass is lush and green, your beds and borders vibrant, and your walkways and patio an elegant tapestry in stone. Yet each time you look out the window to admire your grand design, there’s that one thing….that one permanent disfigurement that constantly draws your gaze. Oh, how you hate that unsightly sewer pipe (or well pump, air conditioning unit, heat pump, transformer, cable box, trash cans-take your pick)! But what can you do?

Fall Pruning is NOT a Thing!

Posted on Oct 02, 2019 | by Kerry Kelley

Fall is here—a great time to get out in the garden again. Unfortunately, the cooler temperatures herald an onslaught of gardeners hacking away at every bush and tree, figuring it’s time to trim that hedge and shape those bushes. Well, I have one word for them—STOP! Hate to break the bad news, but if the pruning hasn’t been done by now, chances are it will do more harm than good. Granted, most folks don’t know when to prune, so they just do it when it’s most convenient. Of course, they’ll be the ones wondering why those azaleas aren’t blooming in the spring.

Fall Garden Combos

Posted on Sep 12, 2019 | by Kerry Kelley

There's just something about fall. It announces its changes in more subtle ways than spring. No bursting through the earth, no popping of buds, no boisterous chorus of songbirds. No, the onset of fall signals a gentle slowdown, a time when nature prepares to rest--contemplative, almost bittersweet. And yet, there's an undercurrent of excitement, as preparations for survival must be made. It's a time of renewal, but in a more profound, mysterious way. Spring announces, "I'm here, I made it." Fall wonders, "Where will I be?" Despite all that subtlety, fall is not muted in terms of color--the magical transformation of green into gleaming gold, searing red, and vibrant orange is a thrill to behold. Capturing that excitement in your garden is one of the joys of the season. After all, summer's pretty planting of pink petunias and white bacopa seems a little lackluster in the golden autumn light, no matter how well grown. So why not get in step with the season, and freshen up those pots? It's really pretty simple, and you don't have to empty them out and start over. And, you can include plants that you will enjoy until the buds start popping in spring.

Gardening Responsibly: Pest and Insect Control

Posted on Aug 16, 2019 | by Kerry Kelley

Gardening certainly has evolved in recent years. Once upon a time, who cared about needing an arsenal of plant pharmaceuticals and fertilizers in the shed, how much water we used to keep those beds full of annuals pretty, or where our seeds or tomato plants came from? These days, it's not so easy. Before we indulge our planting passion, there are many ethical dilemmas we must overcome, regarding the use of chemicals, fertilizers, and even which plants we choose. A few state and local governments have made some of those choices for us, but there are still questions that seem to have different answers, depending on who's answering. Over the course of this series, we'll look at some of issues we're wrestling with, and what we can choose to do.

July 2019--Underused Perennials and Shrubs

Posted on Jul 09, 2019 | by Kerry Kelley

One of our readers asked us to recommend some plants that were less commonly used, so I thought about my time in retail garden centers and the great plants that really needed a push to leave the bench. It wasn't a lack of showy flowers, or a wimpy constitution that made them invisible--they just didn't have the name recognition that prompts confidence. Folks seem a little afraid of something "new." If they haven't seen it planted all over the neighborhood, they tend to be unsure as to how well it will do for them. Here in Maryland, our sunny gardens seem full of black-eyed Susans (well, it IS our state flower), May Night salvias, purple coneflowers, Knockout roses, hydrangeas, Miscanthus (maiden grass), and dwarf fountain grass. The usual culprits for foundation plantings are azaleas, Manhattan euonymous, and Japanese hollies. And there's nothing wrong with any of those--by and large, they're sturdy and relatively low-maintenance. But now and again, isn't it nice to be just a little different? If you're going to put in the time and effort, it's worth making a unique space that sets you just a bit apart. So be not afraid, and use these recommendations as you see fit:

Buzzing and Humming

Posted on Jun 15, 2019 | by Kerry Kelley

Buzz Off, Skeeters! Is this how it seems you need to spend your summer, wrapped in protective netting whenever you go outdoors? Are you constantly slapping at those bothersome mosquitoes buzzing 'round your head? If not, thank your genetics, and consider yourself lucky. As for me, I had just about given up trying to spend a pleasant evening out of doors, and hiking in my favorite bird-watching spots was out of the question. These days, it's not just itching and irritation we have to worry about. While not common, with West Nile, Zika, and even malaria and dengue fever transmitted by mosquitoes in the US, those bites can be downright dangerous. So what are we outdoorsy types to do besides swaddle ourselves with netting, or cover ourselves with (EPA-approved, but still) chemicals?

More Thrilling Than Spikes!

Posted on May 31, 2019 | by KK

More Thrilling than Spikes! An update to our May 2019 Newsletter, which featured alternatives to spike plants Cordylines: Here I’m talking about Cordyline fruticosa, commonly known as “Ti” plant, not Cordyline australis, which still looks like a spike (but at least is being bred now in pinks and yellows). Ti plant boasts large, wide, pointed glossy leaves, often striped, in shades and mixtures of pink, burgundy, purple to almost black, orange, peach, yellow, cream and/or green. They can eventually grow to 10 feet, but 3-4 feet is more likely in a season for a containerized plant. For smaller containers, start with a plant in a 6 inch pot. They do not branch, so stems will grow straight up.

Beyond the Spike: Sensational Thrillers for your Containers

Posted on May 15, 2019 | by Kerry Kelley

Ok, I admit it. I have a love-hate relationship with the spike. Yes, sometimes it's just the thing you need to perfect that design. They're easy to grow, easy to find, and blend well with almost everything. But ugh, it's like building one more Starbucks on the block--yes, it's good, but ubiquitous. If you've ever looked at your spike plant with less than fervent adoration, perhaps these plants might stir you.

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Archive

The evolution of the Christmas Tree

How to Choose, Maintain, and Dispose of your Real Christmas Tree

How to Beautify an Outdoor Eyesore

Fall Pruning is NOT a Thing!

Fall Garden Combos

Gardening Responsibly: Pest and Insect Control

July 2019--Underused Perennials and Shrubs

Buzzing and Humming

More Thrilling Than Spikes!

Beyond the Spike: Sensational Thrillers for your Containers

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