Bergamot (Bee Balm, Monarda didyma) is a native perennial plant of North America, formerly used as a tea drunk by the Oswego Indians. Bergamot was supposed to have antidepressant qualities and an infusion was used to treat colds. The plant is a good addition to any container or herbaceous border for it is attractive with
New gardening trends are directly related to the economy and weather factors. The United States is seeing one of the largest shifts in how people garden and how homeowners are landscaping their yards. With smaller yards, American gardeners are becoming more creative in the limited space that they call their own. While the rest of
Frosty winter gardens are much more difficult to handle than frost free areas as wet frozen roots are a major cause for killing the plants. What to do in your frosty winter garden? 1. Lawn: Don’t allow frost or dew to dry on the grass. Never try removing the dew with the help of a
The Best Shrubs For Early Spring Garden – Early spring is not the time you expect to see anything except the budding of plants and trees. If you want to have flowers this early in the year there are five shrubs that will give you the desired splash of color and aromatic breezes in early
Snowdrop flowers (Galanthus) are the first bulb flowers to appear in late winter, before the spring equinox. They are grown in both cold winter regions and moderate winters, but keep in mind they truly dislike warm winters. So, if you live in Southern California, Florida or other hot climates, you will have to pass on
Water and Drainage: Planting in Dry and Wet Soil – Drainage is always a critical element that affects how a plant adjusts to the place it is grown. The definition of drainage is the movement of water through the soil. Water moving quickly through the soil means that drainage is good or fast. This type
How To Help Wild Birds During The Winter? wild birds could survive fairly well in the winter. The combination of climate change and declining bird habitat has made it tougher for birds to survive. There are some pretty simple things that you can do to ensure that the birds in your area can be healthy
Growing Brussels Sprouts – If you love Brussels sprouts you will find that home grown ones taste far better than those from the supermarkets, especially when harvested after a first frost. Brussels sprouts are particularly suited to our cool climate and provide lovely fresh vegetables throughout the winter months when not much else is available.
Topiary In The Winter Garden – Topiary can be as traditional or as modern, as abstract or representational as you wish. All that counts is that you choose the right plant for cutting, pruning and shaping and that it fits in with the rest of the winter garden. For traditional evergreen topiary use Buxus (box).
Planter Boxes As Attractive Garden Focal Points – Planter boxes are wonderful for giving form and emphasis to your garden. Many modern houses are frequently designed with built-in planters, and traditional houses have them at entranceways, on terraces, and beside garages. Planters come in a variety of durable materials for outdoors, such as concrete, wood,
Buxus (Box) is a popular shrub outdoors, but has only recently been accepted as a house plant. It is tolerant of cool conditions and draughts, producing a dense screen od shiny small leaves. There is an essential requirement – good light, especially in winter. Stand the pot outdoors in summer. These shrubs can be clipped
Japanese Iris – If you are looking for a unique, magical flower that will add a colorful pop of life to your garden, look no further than the lovely Japanese Iris (Iris japonica). The Japanese Iris are large graceful flowers with an unusual twist. The triple-petaled blooms appear to be floating above their delicate stems
