Kristine Lofgren

A rose by any other name might smell as sweet, but hardly anything smells better than a rose – no matter what you call it. If you agree, then you’re probably looking to find the best-smelling options for your garden.That might sound like a pretty straightforward as

After battling finicky allium, ramp, and delphinium seeds this year, I was thrilled when it was time to turn my eye to planting borage.Borage is one of those plants th

I’d venture a guess that the thorns are not most people’s favorite part of a rose. The flowers probably take the top spot, though some have exceptionally lovely foliage.But the thorns? No thanks. If we could do without any part, that wo

I adore the variety of the changing seasons, from the quiet blanket of snow in the winter to the blissful feeling of sun on my skin during the summer.But when Old Man Winter is on

Just picture it: you snag a blueberry off of a bush and the juice leaks out between your fingers. The skin is still warm from the sun as you pop the plump, candy-sweet berry into your mouth.Now, forget it. Sorry, not going to ha

Most of us are chowing down on flowers all the time without realizing it. Broccoli, cauliflower, and artichokes are all flowers, or flower buds.Clearly, the part of the plant that we often t

For a few years, I found myself moving frequently. I lived in five different homes in as many years.During that time, I had to pu

If you’re just starting out with roses, chances are that someone will tell you to try growing a shrub rose first.They’re easy to handle bec

If you’ve ever checked out the roses at your local nursery, I’m sure you’ve noticed that some appear to grow small and have petite blossoms, while others are big and bushy, with blossoms that look like they must have a thousand petals. Maybe you’ve heard of wild or tea roses, but you’re wondering w

To heck with apples, eating some blueberries each day is what keeps the doctor away!Or at least that’s what professor of nutrition and epidemiology

Most people have heard the term “English rose.” No, not the outdated epithet that refers to a fair-skinned, “classic” beauty from the British Isles.We’re talking about the classicall

Believe it or not, there’s a right way and a wrong way to buy a rose to plant in the garden.I know. It seems like you just go to the store, ch

I like to think of myself as someone who loves all redbuds equally. There’s something magical to find in each and every one.But, of course, were I forced to pick a few favorites lest I be banned

I know, you thought you were reading an article on a gardening website, and here we are talking about some sort of new haircut?Nah, the Chelsea chop isn’t the l

Snapdragons are a classic in cottage gardens, bringing up the rear in mixed plantings, adding interest to borders, and filling mass plantings with a riot of color.And do you know what else this pere

Spider plants are special, in part, because they’re so easy to care for.Plus, those strappy, often variegated leaves are p

Chrysanthemums are tough plants that are known for being maintenance-free, and it’s hard to even imagine them dying from some disease.So when they start to look a bit sad and wilty, it’s easy to ass

Teacup roses are just the thing if you want to fill a small space with the beauty of full-sized roses.These petite bloomers stay small, s

Snapdragons make me happy. The presence of their cheery blossoms in the garden means the best weather has arrived and will continue for months to come – just like those colorful flowers.Of course, we can’t forget the child-like thrill of pinching th

Some bulbs are shaped in such a way that they practically hold up a neon sign telling you which direction to plant them in. “This way up!” they seem to scream.Others are far less clear, leaving

If only plants could speak, they would warn us when we’re not giving them what they need or when they’re not feeling good, and we could fix it right away.Good news! They can speak! Unfortunately, they

Watering is one of the most common gardening tasks, and also one of the easiest to mess up. At some point, pretty much anyone who dabbl

If you’ve ever eyeballed your neighbor’s perfect peony bush and wished for one of your own, you’re in luck.Provided you have a generous neighbor, you can t

Dealing with a difficult area in the garden? I’ve been there.I once had a group of Japanese hollies growing ne

I’m not sure about the name, as I have somewhat of an aversion to arachnids, but I know spider plants themselves are stellar.Their strappy, often striped mounds of leave

Many of us love peace lilies (Spathiphyllum spp.) for their stunning white flowers, but even when they’re not in bloom, these houseplants are remarkably beautiful.I’d grow peace lilies even if they didn’t bloom –

There are lots of gardening practices that we follow without knowing whether they truly work or not.My mom taught me to spray my zucchini with a

I have to warn you, peace lilies really are as easy to grow as they say.The only problem with this is that one day, y

Most gardeners know that brussels sprouts prefer cool temperatures, but these tiny wannabe cabbages take the concept of cold-weather gardening to the next level.With the right care, you can grow a fresh

Part of what makes bleeding hearts so marvelous is that they add interest to an area that can be a challenge to fill.For instance, if you have a north-facing bal

I wish I had a dollar for every time someone told me they were swearing off Dracaena plants because they keep dying.I’d be able to afford a lo

When it comes to herbal remedies, some species get all the attention.It’s difficult to find someone who hasn’t heard of echinacea.

The fantastic, easygoing Rocky Mountain juniper is a North American native that’s used to spruce up formal gardens and natural spaces alike.Birds love it, it can thrive in difficult-to-fill spots, and it a

There are a few plants that are the champions of cool-weather growing and cabbage is one of them.It comes in so many colors, shapes, and sizes,

Do you know the old saying about how good things come in small packages? Creeping junipers rarely stretch above a foot or so tall, but they make an outsized impact.This species of evergreen comes in some unusual colors like y

Chrysanthemums are pretty much effortless to grow.After coddling my fussy old world roses all summer, I