Matt Suwak

It’s no secret to the regular reader that my favorite perennial is a heuchera. Disregard the fact that I have many favorite plants, and remember that heuchera (aka alumroot) is my Favorite. That’s right – with a capital “F.“A major reason they’re my Favorite i

Just like Linus from Peanuts, I’ve always searched for the Great Pumpkin… well, a great pumpkin, anyway!I admit an utter fascination with state a

There’s something about bringing the green from the outdoors to the indoors that brightens up our homes and workplaces.As I write these very words, I am taking a look around to

In the world of garden plants, few stick out as immediately identifiable as Lamprocapnos spectabilis, commonly referred to as bleeding hearts.I remember these flowers from my youth, as I’m sure many other gardeners do.

Here’s a very short story about why I love pansies:My fiance loves colorful flowers. The brighter the

I don’t keep osteospermum in every container I plant for clients, but they’re present in most of what I put together.It’s impossible for me to pass on these flowers, even

Ever since I was a child, a favorite pastime during the summer evenings was watching bats fly over an open yard.I’d lie down in the shaggy grass and watch t

I have to admit, when somebody says, “Imagine a tree,” I envision an apple tree, and when they say “Think about a fruit,” my mind jumps to apples right away. It only makes sense that I think growing apple trees is a gardening high art.Part of that love and appeal comes from being raise

Even though I’m devoted to late-summer bloomers, nothing perks me up quite as much as early-spring flowers.It’s the unexpected surprise and joy upon s

Blooming bulbs and the first green buds on the trees sing the song of a changing season, but it’s the spring planter that lets us know spring is here to stay.Spotting a nice design in the neighbors’ yard or at your local caf

Ever wonder why you never see artificial snake plants? It’s because you don’t need artificial versions. The real thing is pretty much unkillable and survives in almost any growing condition.We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links

The first time I was introduced to chamomile flowers, I was floored.I walked into the raised garden beds

The trouble with dusty miller is finding something not to like about it.It has a lovely hue, likes full sun, a

I adore my time spent in the garden, but I’m at my happiest rambling through forest and field. Hemlock groves carpeted in moss are home, far as I’m concerned, and the same goes for the aspen trees reclaiming fallow fields.Over the years the nature of my woodland wanderin

I could rave about hellebores (Helleborus spp.) but I won’t for the moment, because they only deserve partial credit.These classy perennials might hold m

Time spent in the garden is often time in the sun. And if you aren’t prepared for the heat, it’ll kick your booty!The seasoned gardeners out there are probably nodding along with me

In the world of perennials we have few options better than blanket flowers, Gaillardia, for easy, carefree gardening.These native wildflowers in the Asterac

Let’s take a little trip back in time…When I was a kid, I celebrated Thanksgiving with unusual apl

Before we get too far into this, I have a confession:I love marigolds, everything about them.

Outdoor tools, cushions for chairs, and your garden supplies can easily turn into a disorganized mountain of stuff that’s ready to spill over into your yard at any time.But there is a solution to your woes:The deck box.

The first time I interacted with verbena, I kind of hated it.I was working at a garden center many years ago and dis

I’m not much of a Christmas guy.Okay, let’s be honest: you might as well call me Scrooge McGrinch. The onl

For the last few years, coral bells (botanical name Heuchera, sometimes referred to commonly as alumroot) have become my go-to plant for adding color and texture to the garden.I find ways to add it to almost every flower bed or contai

Good trees do a lot more than offer shade. They act as miniature ecosystems while defining areas of the landscape, and they also provide the benefits of cleaner air.Being in the presence of tall trees has

Rumor has it there’s a secret password to freely get inside every arboretum, conservatory, and botanical garden in the United States.We link to vendors to help you find relevan

When I told a friend I was writing an article about how to grow potatoes he said, “What’s to tell? You throw ‘em in a bucket, pile up the soil while they grow, and wait until you have spuds.”I objected at first at his suggestion, but then

A good garden has a lot in common with a good recipe. You start with a detailed plan and enjoy the outcome, but suddenly you’re adding an extra tablespoon of this and half-cup of that to make the meal your own. Before long, you’re cooking by feel rather than using strict measurements.I garden the way I cook, and there’s

Gardeners worldwide are always looking for the newest, flashiest, most amazing plant to add to their collection.But that stunning thriller of a specimen gets

It was a balmy day in May when I broke ground on my first professional gardening gig.My supervisor was pruning back these funny-looking, kinda st

I’ll admit that I didn’t think I liked Cleome at first, but it quickly moved up my dance card as my go-to option whenever conditions allowed it in my landscaping work.It’s an attractive plant with unique characteristi

I’ve been fortunate to travel across most of the United States from coast to coast. The majority of this traveling has been in line with the “Will Work for Food” variety rather than the five-star hotel kind.I dig this kind of rough and tumble adventure, partly because

Gardening folklore and myths, stories and tips passed down from generation to generation. We’ve all heard them before.Planting marigolds around our vegetables to deter pe

By the end of every fall I find myself swearing off roses. But at the beginning of every summer to follow, they suck me back in.The promise of gorgeous flowers and carpets of