When my budding interests in horticulture started developing in junior high school, I came across Hortus Third, an encyclopedic tome of horticulture compiled in the 1970s. Learning about plants from my dad while working on landscape installations, and then looking them up in Hortus Third after hours, I developed a sense of wonder about plant diversity both in the natural world and in cultivation in our gardens and landscapes. How could a genus described in Hortus Third such as Michelia (later reclassified as Magnolia) have “about 50 species of evergreen trees and shrubs” but only eight listed? What about the other 42 species? Were they unworthy of cultivation, or had we simply not tried the other ones yet? With many genera, the latter often proves to be the case. It turns out that the world of horticulture often overlooks many worthy plants.
Plants That the Herbivores Will Avoid in the Mid-Atlantic
04.10.2023 - 16:27 / finegardening.com
Fionuala Campion says in her article, Dazzling Deer-Resistant Perennials, “Though very graceful and delightful to behold in their native habitat, deer are a voracious force to reckon with in many Northern California gardens, particularly in summer and fall.” But these majestic creatures are not just an issue for gardeners on the west coast. There are populations of deer in all 50 states, and all are munching on the many different plants we’re growing across the country.
There are a vast array of deterrents that can offer various levels of success, but sometimes the best method to deter pests is growing plants they won’t bother with. While results can always vary, these four expert-selected plants for the Mid-Atlantic are the closest you’ll get to deer-proof.
Zones: 5–8
Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist to dry soil
Native range: Eastern United States
Surprise your garden guests with this lesser-known penstemon. With beautiful summer-blooming flowers standing atop sturdy stems, calico penstemon has reliable, vigorous growth. While it thrives in moist, fertile soil, it also does well in the lean, dry soil preferred by other penstemons. What makes this species unique are the rose-pink hues on the exterior of the purple flowers and the whitish interiors. This three-toned coloration adds depth to the display. Calico penstemon holds up well in the competition of a mixed border and reliably flowers in both partial shade and full sun. Pair it with pink alliums (Allium spp. and cvs., Zones 4–10) in late spring for a handsome start to summer.
Zones: 4–9
Size: 4 feet tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; rich, well-drained soil
Native range: Hybrid
Choosing a
Showy Native Plants for Rocky Soils
The Rocky Mountain Region is stretched over 10,000 feet in elevation change and nearly over the full longitude of the Continental United States. Within this massive spread fit more than six biomes, ranging from the grasslands and prairie edges of northern New Mexico to the alpine of Montana. Despite the impressive diversity in soil and climate, many people in the area garden on our region’s namesake: rocks.
Viola Marble Is the Eye-Grabbing Look You’re Seeing Everywhere
When browsing kitchens and baths on TikTok or Instagram, you’ve likely noticed a proliferation of boldly veined marble taking over your feed. If you are intrigued by this statement-making stone, let us introduce you to Calacatta Viola marble.
Succulent-Shaped Ravioli Is the Ultimate Pasta Dinner Idea for Plant Lovers
You might be able to guess by the look of our pasta recipe archives, but here at Better Homes and Gardens, we love to use our noodles. From zoodles and gluten-free to stovetop mac and spaghetti, we’re definitely pro pasta.
34 Man Made Fruits that Will Surprise You
Man Made Fruits are the result of careful crossbreeding, genetic manipulation, and a dash of imagination! Scroll down to know about the varieties engineered by humans in a lab or a specialized orchard.
40 Beautiful Red Stem Plants
Not only do these plants have vivid stems, but many of them also have colorful foliage or flowers that will brighten up any space. In this article, we will take a look at some of the Best Red Stem Plants and what makes them so special.
The Beech Blight Aphid Nymphs
The white, cottony masses covering the small branches on this American beech tree, Fagus grandifolia, are beech blight aphid nymphs. The nymph’s abdomen is covered with a white, cottony mass of waxy filaments. If the branch is disturbed, the aphids “wag their tails” and do the boogie-woogie.
How to Grow Glass Gem Corn (The Most Beautiful Corn)
Glass gem corn is a stunning heirloom variety that can be grown for both ornamental and practical purposes. These tiny gemstone-like corns are not only edible, but you can also use them in crafts, and if you have kids, this is the perfect crop to involve them in gardening.
Here's Everything You Need to Know About Bubble Houses
From squiggly furniture to blob-shaped rugs, it’s clear that curves are making a comeback in design. Bubble houses in particular have been, and continue to be, a fascination when it comes to architecture.
7 of the best Monty Don books
Monty Don is one of the nation’s favourite gardeners. For nearly twenty years, Monty has been lead presenter on BBC Gardeners’ World, the beloved television programme which inspires this magazine.
Water Lily vs. Lotus Flower : All the Differences
Water Lily vs. Lotus Flowers – The allure of these aquatic beauties is undeniable, yet despite their similarities, they are worlds apart in symbolism, biology, and cultural significance. Time to find out the details!
The wild-ish garden of margaret renkl, and her new book
MY, HOW TIMES have changed. That’s what I keep thinking, looking around my own garden in recent years. I’ve been struck by the same thought over and over as I read “The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year,” the latest book by Margaret Renkl (illustrated with gorgeous collages by her brother, Billy Renkl, like the one above), which takes us through a year in her garden 1,000 miles to the south of mine in Nashville.