Patience is the Key
By Sandra Nelson One of my favorite things to do this summer is to quietly sit on my deck, watching dozens of bees and butterflies flitting through the yard enjoying the nectar buffet I’ve planted. This is the first year that I’ve had a steady stream of visitors and it feels like the …
Preparing For Pollinators
With all the Buzz about pollinators in the news lately (sorry, just couldn’t resist it), I thought that this might be a good time to think about adding a pollinator garden to the landscape. For the past few years, flower and gardening magazines, websites and even home improvement television shows have …
Penstemon cobea: A Must Have For Your Garden
By Sandra Nelson
Penstemon cobea Spectacular displays of vivid color…. An almost perfect specimen, this native penstemon deserves a place of honor in the early summer garden. At home in hot, dry and sunny glades, this penstemon does not need to be pampered. It withstands drought conditions and will grow well …
Great Companions
By Sandra Nelson My daughter FaceTimed me the other day. She wanted me to see a plant and tell her what would look good with it in her garden. I gave her a few suggestions, but the conversation really got me thinking. I don’t know how many times I have stood in a garden …
New Jersey Tea: A Must Have For Your Garden
By Sandra Nelson New Jersey Tea Picture masses of gorgeous, pure white flowers hosting visits from dozens of brightly colored butterflies and a delicate fragrance filling the air. Even better, picture that idyllic scene on the rocky hillside in your yard where …
Butterfly Bush: A Must Have For Your Garden
Brilliant color, delightful fragrance and easy care — a winning combination! Butterfly bush, also known as summer lilac, is a perfect addition to a Midwestern summer garden. Although it absolutely requires full sun, 8 hours a …
Lantana: A Must Have For Your Garden
By Sandra Nelson
This week’s pick by Jo Ann Prieto, horticulturist and seasonal color specialist. Lantana “A great, sturdy heat tolerant plant that can be used en mass in the landscape and in pots as trailers.” Each bloom a living rainbow for the garden, lantana adds a playful zest to …
Echinacea -- Sombrero Series: A Must Have For Your Landscape
By Sandra Nelson The seed catalogs have begun to appear in my mailbox, which always gets me dreaming about the multitudes of plants — both new varieties and old favorites — that I want to add to my landscape. With so many to choose from though, it’s difficult to narrow down the list …