Pink Indoor Flowering Plants   A selection of lovely pink flowering plants you can have in your home !   Long Term Group   The Long term ones will last for many months to several years depending on light and care.   Anthurium   Light: indirect light all day long, but not direct sun rays or it may burn Water: Allow the top 2” of soil to dry out before watering Heat: Keep warm and away from drafts Humidity: High   Medinilla   Light: Prefers indirect light all day long, but not direct sun rays or it may burn Water:  Keep evenly moist but do not let it sta ..read more

If you have a rooftop garden that is fully exposed to the elements – this article is for you! Over the years we have observed how these particular species are tough as nails ! They can handle the full summer sun and windy rooftop conditions.  Will absolutely thrive in these conditions and come back every year.   AGASTACHE AURANTIACA (Giant Hyssop)   There are several species that work well in these conditions.  Available in a variety of colors and sizes.  Some can grow 4′ tall and 5′ wide – so chose the one that fits best to your garden space.   the common purpl ..read more

Pine branch tip showing needle – like leaves   BASICS   Needled evergreens evolved as a group soon after the adaptation to land occurred in plants. They were one of the first land plants to become tall trees. They evolved in full sun environments due to their competitive advantage of height over all other plants at the time – mainly mosses and pteridophytes.   The size and shape of the leaf – long thin leaves was an adaptation to wind.    the typical place where Pinus evolved – a ledge on a mountain top   Their leaves evolved in full sun – thin, hard, ever ..read more

Brilliant red Tithonia !!!!! Basics   Directly related to daisy family (Asteraceae) this genus includes many species of bushy annuals, perennials and shrubs native to Mexico and Central America. Usually with large, brightly colored daisy-like flowers on thick stems. Mexican sunflower, T. rotundifolia, is a vigorous, drought tolerant warm season annual that is easy to grow in the ornamental garden. It is the most common ornamental one you can find. The plants grow 4-6 feet tall with a large central stalk and a somewhat gangly branching habit. The foliage and stems are covered with a soft ..read more

SWITCH GRASS !!!!! Basics   Panicum virgatum, commonly known as switch grass, is a perennial warm season clumping grass native to North America.  It is a prairie grass and grows from Canada to Mexico. Other common names include tall panic grass, black bent, tall prairie grass, thatch grass, and Virginia switch grass.   late summer and the tops are turning red !   It is used extensively in soil conservation. Particularly because of its deep root structure which hold the soil together. You can sometimes find it growing by roadsides – a testament to its toughness indeed! As ..read more

anise hyssop – Agastache – one of my favorite plants ! Basics   Agastache is a perennial plant with lovely flower spikes that bloom all season long. The flower is usually purple to lavender, but may also bloom in pink, rose, blue, white, and orange. It is a native of North America and its name derives from the Ancient Greek words ἄγαν (ágan) “very much” and στάχυς (stákhus) “ear of grain”, describing the flower spikes.   orange flowering variety   Culinary Use   This Genus is a member of subfamily Nepetoideae (CATNIP), which contains a large proportion of the world’s aro ..read more

an endless field of sunflowers – a happy place Helianthus   One of summer’s most popular plants – they are easy to grow and quick to boom.  They love the heat of summer and are mostly insect and disease free. Usually in yellow, they also come in all sorts of hues of red, maroon, brown and orange. Some of the taller varieties can get big – 16 ft – but who few of us have that much space in our gardens!   There are plenty of smaller, shrub like, and dwarf varieties available.   Which to Grow   There is a rather large range of sizes and colors available.  You ..read more

Flowers ! – it’s what’s for dinner !!!   a lovely summer salad !   It may be trendy, but it’s nothing new. For centuries, cultures around the world have brightened their recipes by adding flowers to dishes. In Roman times, for example, roses were used for cooking and flavoring food.   floral ice cubes – fun!   Some can be crystallized in sugar – my Grandmas’ favorite – crystallized rose petals ! Or you can add some to ice cubes, eat them in salads or used as decoration in fancy drinks, cakes and candy.   candied rose petals – easy to do !   Which are NOT safe t ..read more

  Crepe myrtle –  another one of my favorite plants ! Basics   Lagerstroemia indica (formerly known as L. chinensis) is a deciduous, erect, multi-trunked, tree or shrub. It is native to the Philippines, Japan and central Himalayas – but the species epithet references its native origin in India. The common name is derived from the crepe paper-like petals.   a showy red variety   It requires full sun and moist, well-drained soil, though it will tolerate occasionally wet or dry soil once established. Place it in a sheltered location protected from winter winds and mulc ..read more

Should I Water ?   Bottom line – MAYBE ! A warm winter day is any that is over 60* F – between December and February.  But whether you should water or not will depend a lot on a few things. The first is to determine how dry the soil is.  And to know that – you need to outdoors and check it out ! Put your fingers in the soil about 3″ – and if it feels dry (not cold) then it is time to water. BUT WAIT – no need to water everything !!!    dry soil tends to be clumped and pale in color     The second item to check is what type of plant it is. Most deciduous plan ..read more