Celebrating End-of-Summer Beauty with Maxine, Part 2

You may not always think of your yard or garden as an ecosystem, but it is. As the gardener, you are part of the ecosystem too. How you garden impacts the ecosystem and the surrounding environment. It’s important to understand what this means, so you can make the right choices to maintain a healthy garden ecosystem.

Back in May, Lex Madden, bar manager at Point Easy in Denver, Colorado, told BHG that “the spritz is absolutely the drink of summer!” 

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Victoria Pearson

It seems to have been ‘late summer’ for a number of weeks, but now that October is nigh it is probably more appropriate to think of it as autumn. The garden has been winding down, admittedly, and there are signs of colour change in the trees, but there is still much of interest in the garden and the roses are certainly in denial in a late flush of excitement. I have begun cutting back where appropriate, but foliage on most perennials is still luxuriously healthy and the first frost is not yet imminent (early December last year, early November the year before).

WHEN YOU SHOP for food—whether produce or meat or eggs—and see a label that says “organic,” what do you think that means? At its most fundamental level, I guess I always thought it meant vegetables grown on the fields of an organic farm—like, in the soil, or animals raised in its pastures.

James R. Salomon

Want to learn the secret trick to Grow Wheatgrass in just a week and harvest it for months? Well, we have a detailed guide on how to do it right!

From the vivid crimson of the Northern Cardinal to the russet hues of the Red-shouldered Hawk, these birds are a feast for the eyes. If you’re an avid birdwatcher or simply someone who appreciates the rich tapestry of nature, you won’t want to miss this captivating guide that delves into the lives, habitats, and stunning visuals of the most radiant Red Birds of Texas!

Arianne gardens in a small city lot in chilly Minneapolis (Zone 4B) and fills her space with an abundance of beautiful flowers. Even more impressively, she grows many of her plants herself from seed.

From gliding swallows to feisty thrushes, the RSPB helps us identify which birds will be making an appearance in your garden now that the summer sun has arrived.

As Alliums flower over a couple of seasons, this makes them the perfect flower companion to your late spring/early summer flowering plants! If you’re at a loss for knowing what to plant with your alliums, then here are some of our top plants to pair them with for a long-lasting display. Salvia Also known as Ornamental Sage, Salvias are a magnet for pollinators. The juxtaposition between the large globes and spire-shaped flowers is highly attractive. They also help bridge the gap between spring and autumn, as at least one of them will be flowering between this time. Geum Geums are hardy perennials, and as such, make for a perfect partner to the allium. As they can grow to roughly 50cm in height (depending on the variety), the similarity there makes a more cohesive display while offering different colours and shapes. Verbascum Verbascum is a summer-flowering perennial that produces spires of blooms, similar in shape to a hollyhock. They look superb in any seasonal display, and we highly recommend growing them with any of your intended alliums — especially if you're after the classic cottage garden aesthetic!  Carex Carex grasses are often evergreen, producing a range of tufted leaves and varying colours. Carex grasses are ornamental, and look superb in the flower bed, in a container, or even along a walkway. Carex comes in a range of heights, but many will look amazing with your new alliums. Euphorbia Euphorbia, also known as Spurges, is a summer garden staple, adding vibrancy to the display. Their vivid shades look perfect with a selection of alliums and add colour to the summer garden for months on end. Late Spring Flowering Bulbs Many spring bulbs can flower later in the spring months, just like alliums do.