“As Barbara has injured her ankle and can’t get out to photograph, please enjoy a review of some of her favorite photo blogs. ~ Part 1 ~ ”
19.01.2024 - 09:25 / finegardening.com / GPOD Contributor
My name is Alana and I garden in Columbus, Ohio. My current garden is about 7 years old and I’m constantly tweaking it. One of my favorite parts of gardening is being surprised by the unexpected. I love self seeders and biennials or not-quite-hardy plants that survive over several years. The current layout takes up most of my 1/4 acre property and there is not much grass left. Looking back at last year there were some nice moments.
In April, Miss Saigon hyacinth (Hyacinthus ‘Miss Saigon’, Zone 4 – 8) complements a moss phlox (Phlox subulata, Zone 3 – 9), I believe ‘Ronsdorfer Beauty’. Hyacinths provide fabulous color before much else is blooming. I’m starting to get into tulips now that the yard is fully fenced, but before that hyacinths were my deer-resistant early spring stars.
The pinks/purples in this bed in May are common mallow (Malva sylvestris, Zone 4 – 8), Felix Crousse peony (Paeonia ‘Felix Crousse’, Zone 3 – 7), Cloudburst phlox (Phlox ‘Cloudburst’, Zone 4 – 8), and Dianthus ‘Kate’ (Zone 4 – 9). The mallows self seed well in my yard and some of them grow taller than I am.
Here is a different bed in May. Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ (Zone 4 – 9) is one of my favorite plants but doesn’t always come back after our wet winters in clay-ish soil. Many of the bearded irises I‘ve tried also struggle but the ones that make it tend to reproduce amazingly quickly. The orange iris here I believe is Iris ‘Maid of Orange’ (Zone 4 – 8). The dianthus is Dianthus ‘Vivid Cherry Charm’ (Zone 5 – 8) and there is a Clematis ‘Dr. Ruppel’ (Zone 4 – 11). On the left behind the iris is common chives (Allium schoenoprasum, Zone 4 – 8). I like them as ornamental plants until the flowers fade, at which point they flop and I cut them back.
“As Barbara has injured her ankle and can’t get out to photograph, please enjoy a review of some of her favorite photo blogs. ~ Part 1 ~ ”
When you go to the Philadelphia Flower Show, it helps to take along the right attitude. If seeing gorgeous, high concept gardens full of the most fashionable flowers makes you feel insecure, then take yourself elsewhere. If you need a massive dose of color, fragrance, humidity, and horticultural inspiration, then the Philadelphia Flower Show will be perfect for you. On my calendar, it officially marks the end of winter. It also reminds me of everything that a garden can be—provided you have a forklift, a crew of ten, at least $20,000 and the ability to make crocuses, roses and hydrangeas all bloom simultaneously.
Gardening jobs are just like any other job; sometimes, they seem daunting. Where to start? What is more daunting than starting with a weed-filled field?
In the ever-evolving tapestry of horticulture, 2024 brings forth a new chapter as gardens undergo a transformative journey guided by the latest trends. From the integration of nature into outdoor spaces to the tech-savvy approaches that are revolutionizing horticulture, this year's garden landscape is a canvas of innovation and sustainability. Join us as we delve into the heart of these trends and explore how they are changing the way we imagine, cultivate and experience our gardens. Step into a world where sustainability meets aesthetic expression, where technology blends with the natural, and where each garden becomes a unique testament to the creativity and conscientiousness of its caretaker. Welcome to the garden trends of 2024 – a celebration of greenery, diversity and the limitless possibilities that bloom in the outdoors.
Grow Your Own Meals with GardenAdvice Innovative Approach
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As the sun dips below the horizon, transforming the sky into a canvas of twinkling stars, your garden becomes a magical setting for an enchanting night picnic. The allure of dining al fresco takes on a new dimension when the moon casts its gentle glow on nature's stage. This celestial soiree explores the art of crafting an unforgettable night picnic under the stars, where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary.
Away from the Show Gardens on Main Avenue, the Sanctuary Gardens offer plenty of inspiration and often on a more achievable scale. A garden that honours 200 years of the National Gallery, a family space that can bounce back from heavy rainfall, and a sensory haven that supports the emotional wellbeing for children undergoing cancer treatment, feature in 2024’s line up.
Beautiful South Carolina Sunrises, Winter Skies, and Sunsets
Lately, I have noticed that the mail-order garden supply catalogs are full of Asian-themed garden accessories such as pots, traditional bamboo fences, and stone lanterns. This seems to go along with the trend toward Asian-inspired minimalism in home décor. In California and the Pacific Northwest, traditional Asian and Asian-inspired gardens have been popular for years. Can a national vogue for Chinese and Japanese gardens be far behind?
Gardening for a Holistic and Sustainable Lifestyle: Combining Insights from GardenAdvice’s Latest Initiative on growing your own fruit and vegetables based on the meals you love to eat.