Search results for: 'plants'

This year it was Thanksgiving weekend before I had a chance to start tidying up in my garden. I'm not exactly a "neatnik" but I do like it to look nice and garden hygiene is important too. Be careful to clean up any dropped leaves beneath roses for fear of spreading black spot spores when the spring rains come next year. The  spores overwinter in organic mulch (I like to remove the mulch) and will be splashed up onto new growth and re-infect the bushes. Spent annuals go on the compost pile, but there are a...

Which Plants Want A Winter Rest? Many plants native to warm climates can be grown in colder zones as perennials, but require a rest period during cooler months, which encourages them to bloom or fruit again. Dormancy in plants occurs when the environmental conditions are not suitable for the plant to grow; this is most often during a cold or dry season. Here are a few popular plants I have in my garden, and the techniques Northern gardeners can use to overwinter them: Clivias- Clivia miniata ...

[caption id="attachment_1571" align="alignright" width="232"] Goatsbeard[/caption] Goatsbeard (Genus: Aruncus)  Goatsbeard is a native perennial that resembles a giant astilbe. Grow it in partial or full shade in organically rich, moist conditions. Will grow 6’ tall and produces cream-colored plumes in summer (as shown). It grows in clumps and can be propagated through division. I found useful information on the Fine Gardening website. [caption id="attachment_1572" align="alignleft" width="179...

[caption id="attachment_2393" align="alignright" width="252"] Containers at Dorian's front entrance. The two large ones are made of fiberglass, so they are not prone to breakage. The smaller one is terracotta, so I will bring it indoors.[/caption] When Rebecca asked me for advice on protecting her potted plants over the winter, I had a few suggestions as follows: Huddle the pots together in a protected spot next to the house and bury them in shredded leaves or surround them with hay bales. Pl...

With Easter Sunday just days away, people everywhere are frantically trying to make last minute preparations. If you plan on having guests or family members over for the holiday, you should consider using some plants or flowers to bring a fresh new decorative element to your home. The vibrant colors and pleasing aromas they offer are sure to draw compliments from guests. If you are wondering which ones to choose, keep reading and I'll reveal the top 5 Easter-time plants and flowers. [caption id="attachm...

[caption id="attachment_505" align="alignleft" width="210" caption="White Flower Farm, Litchfield County, CT"][/caption] Earlier this week Ruth Rogers Clausen met my mother and me at White Flower Farm in Litchfield County, CT. I wanted to catch up with Ruth on the topic of her new book, coming out in June (Timber Press). The title is 50 Beautiful Deer Resistant Plants, and I thought our visit to White Flower Farm provided a good opportunity to ask her what some of her favorite deer resistant plants are.Â...

Here are 10 of our favorite tabletop ideas for Thanksgiving, using plants and fruits. For how-to instructions, click here to go to the Womanswork Pinterest board. Click on individual images to be taken to their source. [caption id="attachment_2115" align="aligncenter" width="378"] Cranberries in glass container with votive candle in center. (We used a hand blown glass by Jill Reynolds, glass artist, with a pleasingly irregular shape, for added interest). Dorian Winslow, Womanswork[/caption] [caption ...

[caption id="attachment_4173" align="alignright" width="190"] Marianne in her Virginia garden[/caption] Like many gardeners Marianne Willburn started small. First she had window boxes and containers, then she moved to a tiny duplex where she managed to squeeze in a small vegetable garden next to the parking area. As she and her young family moved to larger properties, hopscotching from California to London to Maryland and finally Virginia, the space given over to gardens kept getting bigger. But thatâ...

[caption id="attachment_3907" align="alignright" width="180"] My canna lily growing in a container[/caption] This year I purchased three popular tropical plants for outdoor containers: canna lilies, Colocasia and Alocasia (aka Elephant ears).  I was happy with all three, though the canna lily was the star performer for me. I love plants that come back each year, even if it means digging them up in the fall and storing them away for the winter.  These plants can be left in the ground if you live in Z...

Horticulturist and author Ruth Rogers Clausen has a new book out, published by Timber Press, titled "Deer-Resistant Native Plants for the Northeast," co-authored with Gregory D. Tepper.  Womanswork is giving away a copy of her new book, which features 75 native plants that deer seldom browse.  She gives each plant a deer resistant rating from 7-10.  Anything below 7 is considered deer candy and is not included in the book. To enter, tell us in a Comment below, or via Facebook or Instagram, why you wan...