Kristine Lofgren

Winter can be hard on all of us.Sure, the snow can be beautiful and there’s

I think native plants don’t receive the attention they deserve. And I get it.It’s hard to say no to a dramatic

Chives are one of those herbs that I consider essential in any kitchen garden. They’re not fussy and they provide you with a reliable crop all season long.Plus, once you have a plan

Chamomile, with its lovely scent and cheerful flowers, really deserves to be enjoyed all year long.It’s lovely brushing up aga

More than once, I’ve chatted with a friend who has picked up a head of radicchio thinking it was perhaps a tiny red cabbage.Or maybe they nabbed one at the farmers market on a whim and the

If you’re looking to dip your toe into the world of bonsai but you don’t want to start with anything too difficult, dracaena plants are about to become your new best friends.Most bonsai needs to be kept outdoors and req

To make a massive statement in a small space, the Japanese maple is one of the best options out there.Dwarf types can fit into a pretty tiny spot

If a plant ever had a botanical name that could drive people to run far, far away from it, it’s this one.I can’t help but wonder if the species epithet vo

There is something so charming about English ivy, with its winding, trailing growth habit and instantly recognizable leaves. As lovely as it is outdoors, it is just as delightful indoors as well.We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from

Can we be honest about brussels sprouts? They’re not that easy to grow. I think that’s why you see cabbage and turnips and kale and radishes in home gardens way more often than you do sprouts.That’s a shame, because they also happen

Don’t make fun of me, but I grew up in a house where fresh (not canned!) spinach was considered an exotic addition to the dinner table.So I distinctly remember the day when I ate at the home of a friend from

I’d like to begin by prefacing this article with a warning: I am a huge fan of American persimmons.I’ll take one of these over an apple or pear – or

These days, it’s pretty common to stumble upon a home garden where nutritious red (and orange, purple, pink, golden, or striped) table beets are growing, but sugar beets are still mostly the domain of commercial and livestock growers.Beetroots, garden beets, table beets – whatever you call them, these are probably the

If asked to picture a houseplant, what comes to mind first is likely a specimen potted up in a pretty container filled with soil.But there is an entirely different category of house

Snapdragons are iconic. They have to be one of the most recognizable types of flowers out there. Who hasn’t walked past a patch and longed to give the little jaws a pinch?We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one o

Sometimes I look at certain plants that have become wildly popular and I just don’t get it.They might be particularly prone to diseases, or maybe they

There are hundreds of magnolia species, and each one seems better than the last. But sweetbays have something special going for them.We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy f

Growing beets is an exercise in faith.You work for weeks or months to nurture those little seedlings i

Dill, Anethum graveolens, is a biennial herb, usually grown as an annual. It has delicate, aromatic foliage, and large umbels with bright yellow flowers.Suitable for gardeners in USDA Hardiness

When it comes to dangerous creepy crawlies, most types of ants aren’t high on the list. They won’t kill your camellia plant. But that certainly doesn’t mean we want them hanging around.I don’t know about you, but it seriously

Is there anything more delightful than a fence draped in colorful flowers, or walking under an arbor woven with fragrant blossoms? There’s just something so beautiful about climbing roses.Don’t be afraid of growing these plants.It’s not d

Picture some of the most beautiful gardens that you’ve ever seen. Chances are, many of them had a Japanese maple or two (or three). That’s because these trees are so incredibly unique, elegant, and colorful.Plus, there are so many size, shape,

Whether you lack a spacious yard or just want to bring a Japanese maple closer to your home, you might want to try growing one in a pot. How difficult would that be? Is it even possible?We link to vendors to help you find relevant

Of all those garden chores we do, dividing plants might be one of my favorites. Not only does it make my hostas happier and healthier, but I get a bunch of new plants to fill up empty spots in my garden… for free!There are several reasons to divi

Fast-growing, adaptable, and tough, umbrella plants offer up a luscious tropical vibe with no fuss. No wonder you can find them in practically any nursery or houseplant retailer for a song!We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of ou

Do you know how to identify common chicory?I’d forgive you for blithely walking past

If you’re looking for a focal point to really set off your home’s curb appeal, don’t overlook Japanese maple trees.Japanese maple most commonly refers to

Obviously, they provide beautiful color to shady spots, but that’s not the only reason hostas are so wildly popular.They’re also low maintenance and extremely resis

It seems like there are piles and piles of plants that do well in bright, direct light and tons that are ideal for low light conditions, but what about that perfect middle ground?You know, that in-between exposure th

Basil is an herb garden staple. It’s easy to grow, and in exchange for minimal effort, you are rewarded with an abundant harvest of intensely flavorful leaves.Practically every herb garden has a Thai or sweet variety in it. But if you’re looking for s

Most of us have tasted horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) and appreciated its sinus-clearing and deliciously flavorful bite, but has it ever occurred to you to grow it?How fun would it be to mix up a batch of

When you hear the word “fern,” you probably picture those arching, lacy fronds growing in the humus-rich understory of forests.You’re not wrong, but staghorns are also part of this

Pansies may not grab all the attention like elegant peonies or bold sunflowers, but they have a lot going for them.They’re hardy enough to keep

A lazy day under the shade of a leafy tree. Digging into a big plate of pancakes covered in syrup. An elegant, bright red focal point in a shady garden. Maples give us so much.While the Japanese species take a lot of th

Batavian lettuce, also known as summer crisp, is the little veggie that could.It can tolerate heat better than many other lettuce types but it’s still har

If there’s a more eye-catching bonsai than an apple tree in fruit, I don’t know what it is. The contrast in scale between the full-sized fruits on the tiny tree is pretty striking.We link to vendors to help you fi