Rethinking Lawns -- Part 3: But I Like Green!
As excited as I have been about the renovation of our front yard, I have to admit that I’m still a little leery of a yard without at least a few patches of green grass. When I shared my reservations with my husband, he assured me that eliminating turfgrass doesn’t mean eliminating the lawn; it …
Plant A Patch: Small Skullcap (Scutellaria parvula missouriensis)
At home in shallow dry, rocky soil, sandy soil or clay soil, this tiny plant (3 – 9″) deserves big recognition for its ability to thrive in adverse conditions that would stress other species. It prefers full sun but also grows and blooms well in partial shade. Small skullcap sports blue blossoms from …
Plant A Patch: Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum)
Offering pinkish-white late summer blooms and winter structural interest, this fragrant native perennial prefers full sun and fertile, medium moist soil. Mountain mint grows in a clump form, often reaching 3 feet in both width and height. It spreads more slowly than other mints and is excellent for naturalizing. When crushed, the dense, dark …
Plant A Patch: Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
A favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies, this clump-forming native perennial sports 8 inch spikes of striking red blooms beginning in July and continuing until frost. In the wild, Cardinal flowers are typically found in wetlands, along the edges of streams and in ravines and ditches. Cardinal flowers require a consistent moisture to thrive which makes …
Digging into Dirt
My husband and I spend quite a few dinner times tossing around blog ideas. When I found out that we were scheduled to attend a soil conference, I couldn’t resist throwing out a few potential titles. I offered a few real gems like “Let’s Talk Dirty” and “I’ve Got Dirt on You.” By the third …
Nature Matters - Part Two
View from my front porch. Design by Embassy Landscape Group. One of the physicians that I consulted several years ago kept a copy of the Hippocratic Oath in his office as a reminder to himself of his moral responsibilities to his patients. Adjacent to it he had some additional quotations …
Nature Matters
As part of our on-going commitment to excellence, Embassy Landscape Group and I would like to invite you to join us in exploring current topics and considering vital issues important to the Landscape Industry. Check Embassy’s website for our semiweekly blogs; we welcome your feedback! My name is Sandra Nelson, and I will be your …
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