This week I got an email from someone interested in hiring me to do a planting plan. One of the things she said that stood out to me was “some of the other designers are trying to convince us to go away from native plants..but … Continue readingPros and Cons of Native Plants in the Landscape
When I was my sickest from Lyme disease I did a lot of research online, because it was about all I had the energy for. What I soon realized was that if someone has an affliction that they’re mystified by, they will have no trouble … Continue readingFacebook, Snake Oil, and “All Natural” RoundUp Alternatives
Well, it looks like Winter Storm Titan!!! (cue dramatic music) is fizzling out already, but that’s not to say it didn’t bring ice and snow with it. Luckily it’s still early enough that deciduous trees haven’t leafed out yet so those should be ok, but … Continue readingReplacing Storm Damaged Trees in Virginia, Maryland, or DC
I’ll admit that I’m not always the most extroverted person. When we visited the beautiful Annefield Vineyards in Saxe, Virginia, the thought of an old house in the middle of 100 rural acres sounded… pretty darn awesome. That said, we live in a downtown neighborhood … Continue readingGood neighbors don’t plant running bamboo!
I got a phone call the other day from a gentleman who wanted to sell me his Japanese maple. It was large and beautiful, he assured me, and “all [I] had to do was come get it from his yard.” He went on to tell … Continue readingSorry, you’re not getting a landscape company to buy your tree from you
If I had a penny for every client who included “I want a low/no maintenance design” as part of their wish list, well… 170 pennies are in a pound, so I’d have a stack that weighs more than my biggest cat. I get it. We’re … Continue readingWho cares for your landscape? That’s the last step in the design!
There’s a movement afoot to convince people to ditch the lawn in favor of other plants, be they edibles, ornamentals, or a mix of the two. This is not a terrible thing. A mature, layered landscape can require significantly fewer inputs and labor hours to … Continue readingWhy the anti-lawn movement bugs me a little
Impatiens are a common, easily grown summer annual that lights up shady yards throughout the country. When I worked for my brother in Rhode Island, we used to plant over 20,000 impatiens each year at our family pediatrician’s home. It’s quite possible that you use … Continue readingAre you planting bedding impatiens this year? No you’re not…
I love a good conspiracy theory. The more outlandish the better, too. If you can connect Justin Timberlake, Kim Jong-Un, and the moon landing – we might be best friends. What I don’t love is a pervasive myth that keeps spreading via people who really, … Continue readingWood chips, nitrogen, and one of my least favorite myths
This year I really got into containers. Sourcing unique containers is a blast and when I couldn’t find the perfect color… well, spray painting pots always makes me feel like I have my own HGTV gardening show because that seems to be 1/3 of what … Continue readingSimple Container Plantings for Winter