It all started innocently enough. It was about this time, just a few short years ago. I was sitting on my raised terrace, looking out into my garden, when I thought how nice it would be to have some tall flowers peaking just above the terrace walls so I could admire the blossoms closer to eye level. Basically, I needed a deer-resistant perennial that would be about 4’ tall and bloom in mid to late summer. Being native and attracting pollinators would be an added bonus. After a bit of research, I decided to plant a cultivar of Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium dubium) called ‘Little Joe’. Cue the …

Hydrangeas are a mainstay of many Connecticut gardens. From mophead hydrangeas with their huge, round flowers seen in endless shades of blue, to the flatter and more refined flowers of lacecap hydrangeas, to the old-fashioned Peegee hydrangea trees dripping with layers of pink conical blossoms in the fall, it’s not difficult to find hydrangeas of all shapes, sizes and colors thriving in Connecticut gardens. With one notable exception, the climbing hydrangea. Hydrangea anomala ssp. petiolaris, commonly called the climbing hydrangea, is a little known deciduous vine that deserves a place in …

Connecticut gardeners and garden enthusiasts have a convenient resource to help them find all things gardening in Connecticut, the Connecticut Garden and Landscape Trail.  According to its website, the Trail is “a joint project of the Connecticut Nursery & Landscape Association and the Connecticut Greenhouse Growers Association”. The goal of the Connecticut Garden and Landscape Trail is to expose both residents and tourists alike to all aspects of Connecticut’s green industry, including some of its nurseries, garden centers, greenhouses and green professionals. Here in Connecticut, the green …

Gardeners are proud of the fact that we were green before being green was cool. And many of us have come to appreciate that our gardens, which have a positive impact on our own lives in so many ways, also have an impact on the planet. But if we’re being honest with ourselves, most of us can admit than our gardens are not as planet-friendly as they could be. To start doing your small part to save the planet, look no farther than your own garden.   Here are five simple steps you can take this season to make your garden healthier, more sustainable and planet-friendly. Go organic. Make a pledge …

I have a confession to make. I have a burgeoning case of spring fever. It started a few weeks ago when the temps reached 50° and the snow started to melt. I caught the first glimpse of my lawn in months. I hadn’t realized until that moment, how much I’d missed seeing it. Then I noticed my daffodils starting to push up through the slowly thawing ground, teasing me with their promise of spring color. Not to mention the swollen buds on the magnolias and forsythias. But still I craved more signs that spring is really on its way. So I headed to the Connecticut Flower & Garden Show this past …

Just a few short years ago, words like sustainability, bio-diversity and habitat gardening were not part of the common lexicon. But as homeowners begin to realize their gardens have a purpose beyond simply being a colorful ‘necklace’ around their homes, these words have become more mainstream. If you’re one of the growing number of gardeners who’s trying to make a difference, here are two programs from respected organizations that can help you take your garden to the next level. The National Wildlife Federation encourages homeowners to design their gardens so they are safe havens for local …

Winter in Connecticut can seem like a never-ending season for gardeners.  Our gardens, put to bed mere weeks ago, are lying dormant under all the snow we got last week.  But even though there's snow on the ground, you can still start preparing for spring in your garden. Now's the perfect time to design a new mixed border, find some shade-loving plants the deer won't eat or finally figure out which veggies grow best in containers. So before your gardening withdrawal pains get too acute or the faintest tingling of cabin fever sets in, why not plan a visit to an old friend: the library. The …

As you dig out from the blizzard, don't forget to check on your trees and shrubs. A blanket of snow is generally a positive thing for your garden. Think of it as Mother Nature's insulation, it helps to moderate soil temperatures and protect the roots of plants. And as it melts, the snow will also provide water to your garden.But, the downside of snow is that too much can damage plants, especially conifers and broadleaved evergreens. The foliage on these trees and shrubs has a tendency to hold the snow and when you add a layer of ice on top of that snow, the weight can cause branches to bend, …

Got a gardener on your holiday gift list?  Finding the perfect gift is not as hard as you might think, especially if you follow a few simple guidelines.  Think practical and useful.  Think attractive and long-lasting.  Say no to another garden gnome or the latest 'must-have' gardening gadget and yes to one of these thoughtful and down-to-earth gift ideas. Hands-Down Favorites I know, tools can be a hard-sell for many gift givers, but ergonomically-designed garden tools are appreciated by many gardeners, especially those with hand injuries or arthritis. Radius makes a line of gardening tools …