Kristine Lofgren

Bonsai are living art. I think that’s one of the things that makes them so intriguing for so many people, and certainly for me.It’s not just about trying to grow your favorite tre

Call me dramatic, but there’s no other pest that strikes fear into my heart like a wriggling, wiggling mass of tent caterpillars.It’s not because of the damage they do to plants, but because their nest

Every plant breeder dreams of creating that perfect cultivar that has all the marvelous characteristics that they’re aiming for.A cultivar that will win awards, make them rich, or gain them accolades from their

You put a plant in what you thought was the perfect place, but over the years that location turns out to be less than ideal. Who among gardeners hasn’t been there before?Maybe you didn’t realize how big the b

If you’ve even grown fuchsias, you probably know the frustration of finding your plant all wilted and sad looking.These plants are fussy about the tempera

Fuchsia plants are famous as vibrant additions to an outdoor garden, but they also make outstanding houseplants. They bring that rich color indoors – even

There’s no denying it: fuchsias are fussy when it comes to water. Too little and they’ll wilt in a heap. Too much and they’ll drown. There isn’t a lot of wiggle room in between.If you happen to live in a mil

Fuchsia is a genus of eye-catching, vibrant plants that bloom all summer long with glorious teardrop-shaped flowers in a variety of vivid colors.When you picture fuchsia, you may imagine a ha

There is something so beautifully ephemeral about fuchsias.You don’t get the chance to know and understand them as intimately a

Fuchsias respond super well to pruning, and unlike roses or lilacs, you don’t run the risk of ruining this year’s display if you mess things up a bit. Phew! Isn’t it nice to work with a plant that is totally low pressure?Having said that, you don’t just w

When you first see that spindly-looking bare root rose, you’re probably asking yourself how it’s going to go from that sad-looking pile of sticks to a big, robust bush.It’s not hard. All you need are some

Many people know you can propagate a fuchsia plant from cuttings, but have you ever eyed your fetching flowers and wondered if you could propagate more by sowing the seeds?Well, you can!You know those

Each time I think I’ve seen them all, I come across another extraordinary fuchsia.And it’s not just Fuchsia magellanica hybrids anymore

Miniature roses can liven up your space, and you don’t have to sacrifice a big, bold display for a petite footprint.Though these plants are physically dimi

I think tree roses can have one of the biggest impacts on a floral garden. They stand out among the other plants because of their unique shape combined with their colorful blossoms.They’re also a challenge to grow.

Can we talk about wisteria for a minute? I mean, a vine in full bloom is like something straight out of a fairy tale.The long, vibrant clusters of blossoms and t

Quick! Picture a wisteria vine. I bet you conjured up something with lilac flowers on long racemes. Maybe you even imagined an aggressive woody vine that will try to take over your garden.Forget all that.While yo

If there’s one thing I love, it’s a multipurpose plant.There’s nothing wrong with growing so

Who hasn’t fantasized about bringing a statuesque tree into their home?With its ability to grow tall and its traditional trunk and canop

If you’ve ever been mesmerized by the gently flowing tail of a fish underwater, you’ll love fishtail palms. They have large leaves with a shape reminiscent of the graceful caudal fin of a goldfish or betta fish.But before you rush out and buy one, I’m going to level wi

I’m an equal opportunity plant lover, but there’s something extra appealing about a plant that offers a whole lot of visual impact without requiring a whole lot of work.That’s why ornamental flowering alliums are exceptio

I adore Japanese hollies. They’re not fussy about their environment and they maintain their shape without much – if any – pruning. They’re the industrious gardener’s alternative to disease-prone and maintenance-heavy boxwoods.There are dozens of named cultivars and they come in

A larch is a pretty dramatic sight to behold. The trees are ramrod straight and covered in bright green, inch-long needles that shift to golden yellow in the fall.They’ve adapted to extreme conditions, perch

The fabulous, unfussy ‘Blue Star’ juniper started out as a happy accident, and thank goodness someone stumbled across it.Now we’re all lucky enough to be able to use it as a part of our landscaping. The pet

There’s a reason that poppies make an appearance in so much artwork and in so many gardens across the world. They’re dazzling.The paper-thin petals are incredibly elegant, in

I don’t know about you, but there are days when I just want a houseplant that makes me feel like I’m the most talented gardener on the planet.Of course, I love the dramatic look of a fiddle-le

There are foods that you get a single bite of, and you just know you’d be willing to do anything for more. Agretti was one such vegetable for me.I first had it lightly tossed in olive oil

You’ve seen it in stylish hotel lobbies and on the Instagram accounts of the trendiest designers. It’s the hard-to-miss, oh-so-dramatic fiddle-leaf fig, also known as the banjo fig, or the lyre leaf tree.These marvelous plants stand out indoors because o

Is it a noxious weed? An elegant garden addition? A precious native plant? How about all of the above? Sedges are grass-like plants that are all this, and more.Most people actually think of sedges as grasses

Lady palms are elegant, tough, and they can bring a bit of the tropics into any space.Unlike other palms, these plants aren’t all that tender

If oregano is the star of the kitchen show, marjoram is the smart-but-quiet sidekick waiting off in the wings.Often confused with its more popular cousin, marjoram is a stand

From the gentle heat of a banana pepper to the searing, sinus-clearing pain of a ‘Carolina Reaper,’ there’s a hot pepper for everyone.We link to vendors to help you find relevant

Arrowhead plants are unkillable.Okay, you could probably manage it if you tried, but you’d r

There’s an undeniable charm to a yard filled with overarching trees, trellises smothered in flowering vines, and elegant evergreen shrubs.Given the choice, most of us would opt for a ya

I challenge you to find a neighborhood without a few lovely hostas hanging out in a shaded place. With their attention-grabbing foliage and beautiful flowers, they’ve earned their spot as garden mainstays.While they’re perfectly gorgeo

I remember the first time I had a bit of real wasabi. Unlike the neon green stuff I was so familiar with, it had an herbal complexity that I was totally unprepared for. It was, as they say, a revelation.If you’ve never tasted real wasabi before,