NANCY WITH THE LAUGHING FACE

November 20, 2020November 20, 2020

The Importance of Daily Meditation in Today’s America

We Americans are living in a time of informational contradictions: Covid cases are improving but Covid cases are also on the rise. It’s OK to eat a meal in a restaurant without wearing a mask but one must wear a mask if out on a public street. Holiday get-togethers must be limited to but a few close family members yet it’s acceptable to travel on a crowded plane so that you can visit your family for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The rules and restrictions surrounding the pandemic are constantly changing and often conflicting. Is it any wonder that confusion abounds in our daily lives?

Photo courtesy of Alexandra Koch on Pixabay

With winter approaching, most of us are pretty much confined to home and being indoors. While some are able to fill their days with work or hobbies, too many remain constantly tied to their televisions in an effort to keep up with all that’s happening. Because of this, we are a nation steeped in information overload and I believe this only adds to our confusion, anxiety and stress.

Photo courtesy of Mohamed Hassan on Pixabay

More than ever we must rely on our inner resources to help us navigate through this informational maze and it’s no easy task. As far as the pandemic is concerned, we must ultimately decide for ourselves what an acceptable risk is and where we must draw the line for our own safety. But our health is not limited to our physical bodies; we also have to think of our mental health during this time of increasing stress and anxiety.

Photo courtesy of Gerd Altmann on Pixabay

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.” – Helen Keller

When the constant noise of the media gets to be too much, try turning off the television, the iPhone, and the computer for a period each day. Find a peaceful place in your home where you can sit quietly, hit your personal pause button and take a few deep breaths. It will cost you nothing but time, yet the benefits of this simple practice, performed on a regular basis, can be profound.

Photo courtesy of Satish Kumar Periyasamy on Pixabay

“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” – Amit Ray

Just try to focus on your breath and sit quietly with yourself for as long as you feel comfortable or, if you prefer, set a timer for 20 minutes. Breathe in, breathe out, repeat. Offer up a silent prayer if that helps to quiet your mind or mentally repeat a phrase that evokes positive feelings. You can also visualize a place or time in your life that brings you joy or comfort. The point is to allow yourself a peaceful respite from the worries of the day.

Photo courtesy of Benjamin Balazs on Pixabay

“So what is a good meditator? The one who meditates.” – Allan Lokos

If sitting quietly isn’t your thing, find a peaceful place to be outdoors. Weather permitting, I love to take a 30 minute walk outside and commune with nature, taking in all the sights, smells and sounds. To me, walking in the fresh air and sunshine is the most restorative meditation of all!

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” – John Burroughs

If you find yourself suffering from increasing stress or anxiety related to our current national circumstances, you’re not alone! I hope you’ll give a simple meditation practice a try as a means to bring some peace and comfort back into your life. Although meditation won’t make your problems go away, it will help reinforce your inner strength to cope.

Until we get through these difficult times and come out on the other side, I wish you all the gift of good health!

Photo courtesy of Shahariar Lenin on Pixabay

“The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Contributions Help to Keep Me Growing!

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Choose an amount

¤5.00

¤15.00

¤25.00

¤5.00

¤15.00

¤100.00

¤5.00

¤15.00

¤100.00

Or enter a custom amount

Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Your contribution is appreciated.

Donate Donate monthly Donate yearly

October 3, 2020

The Advantages of Fall Planting

Most of us think of spring as prime planting time – the days are longer, the sun is brighter and the garden beckons! I always look forward to digging in the dirt those first warm days, but my “to do” list in spring can sometimes be overwhelming. By tackling some of my garden chores in the fall, I’ll have far less to do and more time to enjoy myself in May!

Benefit from the Season

The pleasant days of autumn are perfect for working outdoors as gardeners and plants alike no longer become stressed from the heat! As fall progresses, the days turn comfortably cooler and rainfall becomes more consistent. This means that newly planted perennials or shrubs have time to set down roots before severe cold sets in. It also means that you won’t be a slave to watering your new plants like you are in spring and summer. One good soaking upon planting in the fall should suffice as long as there’s some weekly rainfall predicted. By the time spring rolls around again, your plants will already be off to a good start and better able to withstand the hot and dry conditions that come with summer.

Photo courtesy of Andreas Gollner on Pixabay

Spread The Love

If you have some perennials that are overcrowded and perhaps not producing as many flowers, then fall is a great time to dig them up, divide them and replant in new areas. Doing so not only encourages the plants to make healthy new growth for next year, it also provides a great way to expand your garden space without having to buy more plants. If you don’t have room to spread multiple plants around, give the divisions to a neighbor or family member who also loves to garden. They’ll enjoy your beautiful blooming gifts for years to come!

Execute A Garden Plan

Why not plan and plant a new perennial garden this fall? For the best results, make sure to plant in soil that’s been well amended with compost. Your plants will grow that much faster when spring arrives and require less coddling on your part when the weather turns hot.

Peonies, Alliums, Lady’s Mantle, White Candles and Hardy Geraniums in June

Not sure about a design? It’s always fun to combine several plants that bloom at the same time. White Daffodils, Forget-Me-Nots and Old-Fashioned Bleeding Heart are charming together in early May while the romantic blooms of Peonies, Iris and Lady’s Mantle put on a glorious show in June. For a long-lasting summer garden you might try Russian Sage, Purple Coneflowers and Black-Eyed Susans. As the growing season slows, Sedums, Asters, Montauk Daisies and Perennial Grasses pick up the slack well into fall.

Photo courtesy of Matthias Bockel on Pixabay

Add Bulbs to Your Garden

There is no sight more welcome in spring than those first blooming bulbs! If you want to add some early color to your garden and be delightfully surprised by their appearance at winter’s end, then bulbs are the way to go. Planted in the cool days of fall, bulbs quickly set down roots and then patiently wait for spring. The variety of shapes, sizes and colors available is seemingly endless and with a little creative planning, you can have non-stop blooms all season long. For more tips on planting bulbs, see my earlier post, The Wonderful World of Bulbs.

Early Spring Perennial Planters with Heuchera, Candytuft, Violas, Solomon’s Seal and Japanese Painted Fern

Get a Jump on Spring Planters

Do you love to place colorful planters around the house and garden? Many of us routinely do this in late spring or early summer, but why not start some planters now for early spring? Place early-emerging hardy perennials like Heuchera, Candytuft, Basket of Gold, Creeping Jenny, Violas or Solomon’s Seal in a generous planter and then tuck in some early bulbs for a stunning April through May show. I overwinter perennial planters in my unheated garage and move them outside again when signs of life appear in spring. After the early bulbs bloom and start to die back, the perennials quickly fill out and hide any fading foliage. Later, when the weather turns warm, I can add some colorful summer annuals to keep the show going.

Pot up Bulbs for Indoors

Whether planted individually or layered in pots, bulbs make wonderful indoor winter displays. The colors and sweet fragrance of potted bulbs placed around the house in dreary February will lift your spirits like nothing else! Fall is the perfect time to pot up bulbs since a cold period of 12 to 15 weeks is required to “force” these bulbs to bloom early. Once brought into the warmth of our homes, they’ll respond with quick growth and blooms!

For tips on how to pot up bulbs, check out this link: https://www.longfield-gardens.com/article/How-To-Grow-Spring-Bulbs-In-Containers.

By taking advantage of fine autumn weather and handling some projects now, you’ll be rewarded with early-blooming planters and perennials that are vigorous and eager to grow come spring!

Donations Help to Keep Me Growing!

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Choose an amount

¤5.00

¤15.00

¤25.00

¤5.00

¤15.00

¤100.00

¤5.00

¤15.00

¤100.00

Or enter a custom amount

Your generous contribution is appreciated!

Your contribution is appreciated.

Donate Donate monthly Donate yearly

September 19, 2020

Choosing the Right Pot for Your Plant

With so many styles of pots to choose from these days, you may be wondering what type is best. In today’s blog, we’ll discuss the benefits of different pots and how to let your plants help you decide on their perfect home!

TERRA COTTA

If I had to choose one ideal all-purpose planter, it would be the classic terra cotta or “baked earth” flower pot. These russet colored clay pots create a healthy home for plants because they’re naturally porous. This means that air and moisture can easily pass through the clay creating a more natural and “breathable” environment for plants. Terra cotta also darkens when the potting soil is moist and then lightens as the soil dries out, thus making a good indicator for when it’s time to water!

Photo courtesy of Bartlomiej Koc on Pixabay

Terra cotta dates back to ancient times when it was used for making everyday vessels, building materials and art sculptures, so when we use terra cotta flower pots, we’re also connecting with history!

Although some consider these common pots to be strictly utilitarian, I adore their natural good looks and collect them for use indoors and out. They age beautifully, developing a darker patina, variations in color and even moss over time.

Photo courtesy of PublicDomainPictures on Pixabay

Almost all plants will thrive in terra cotta pots but SUCCULENTS, CACTI, PALMS, SNAKE PLANTS and POTHOS especially benefit from terra cotta’s ability to dry quickly by allowing excess moisture to escape through its porous walls. If you tend to overwater, terra cotta pots may help save your plants!

CERAMIC

Ceramic or glazed pots appeal to the artist in all of us because of their endless variety of colors and designs. They are basically clay pots which have been glazed with a decorative coating that makes them non-porous. Because of this, ceramic pots take longer to dry out between waterings, making them especially useful for outdoor summer planters or moisture-loving houseplants. In the photo above, baby succulents appreciate the extra moisture in these small ceramic pots.

Photo by Nancy Marie Allen of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Large, colorful ceramic pots are particularly stunning when they complement or contrast with outdoor plantings and garden art such as in the grouping above. Houseplants that enjoy the even moisture ceramic provides include FERNS, MOSSES, PEACE LILIES, AFRICAN VIOLETS and BEGONIAS. If you often forget to water your plants, then ceramic pots may be your best choice.

PLASTIC

Plastic flower pots have come a long way in recent years with many now designed to look like their heavier and more costly cousins. As you can see in the photo, the large plastic planter on my front stoop looks just like terra cotta when filled with plants.

The main virtue of plastic is that it’s very lightweight so even large-sized planters can be moved around with ease. It’s also relatively inexpensive, neatly stackable for storage, recyclable, and you can’t beat the convenience of small plastic pots for starting plants indoors.

Photo courtesy of Bobana Kovacevic on Pixabay

Plastic pots are extremely versatile and can be used with a variety of plants, both indoors and out. Most of the houseplants we purchase in stores and garden centers come in the standard plastic nursery pots we’re all familiar with. Although these are usually the least attractive choice for your table or windowsill, they’re easy to hide inside a décor-friendly cachepot!

HYPERTUFA

Hypertufa pots are rock-like creations made from Portland cement, perlite and peat moss although coloring and decorative materials such as pebbles, leaves or shells are also sometimes added.

Making hypertufa pots and troughs has recently become a popular hobby and many people are taking it to an art form. In the photo below from Serenity Cove, simple fern fronds elevate this planter to an elegant garden creation.

Although hypertufa pots can be used inside for houseplants, it’s outdoors where they really shine. Unlike terra cotta, ceramic or most plastic planters, they are completely weatherproof, holding up to the freezing and thawing cycles of winter without cracking. This means you can plant them with hardy perennials and leave them outside year round!

While Hypertufa pots and troughs lend themselves to all sorts of planting designs, they’re especially suited to FAIRY GARDEN PLANTS, ROCK GARDEN PLANTS, HERBS, GROUNDCOVERS, SEMPERVIVUM and shade lovers like FERNS, ORCHIDS and MOSSES. In fact, you can easily grow moss on the rough surface of these pots to make them look like they’ve been in the family for generations!

These are just a sample of the many types of pots available to gardeners today. Find styles that you love for indoor as well as outdoor use and then fill them with your favorite plants!

Contributions Help to Keep Me Growing!

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Choose an amount

¤5.00

¤15.00

¤25.00

¤5.00

¤15.00

¤100.00

¤5.00

¤15.00

¤100.00

Or enter a custom amount

Your generosity is greatly appreciated – Thank you!

Your contribution is appreciated.

Donate Donate monthly Donate yearly

September 10, 2020September 16, 2020

The Yearly Trials and Triumphs of Gardening

Gardeners quickly learn that everything we plant outdoors is fair game for critters, insects, disease and severe weather, but in spite of all the trials we face on a yearly basis, it’s the sweet triumphs that keep us gardening on!

photo courtesy of S. Hermann & F. Richter on Pixabay

All around us nature is constantly changing and, with this continual ebb and flow, so are our gardens for no two gardening seasons are ever alike. Pests and disease problems come and go; plants and shrubs may bloom profusely one year only to disappoint us the next. The important thing to remember with gardening is that much of what happens is beyond our control and it’s always easier to work with Mother Nature than spend all our energy trying to fight her.

photo courtesy of Evita Ochel on Pixabay

One personal losing battle is trying to keep critters in check; there’s just too much wildlife here in the heavily wooded area of Northeastern Massachusetts that we call home. However, although I know the usual suspects will turn up on cue every year, the population of these creatures rises and falls and with it the severity of any damage they might do to the garden. It’s all a game of wait and see!

photo courtesy of Congerdesign on Pixabay

Apparently this has been a very good year for the common vole who’s been busy raiding my flower beds. These small rodents can create big devastation in gardens as they eat plant roots and then pull the remaining plant right down into their vast network of underground tunnels. Rabbits also easily eat their way through the garden patch, especially in spring when newly emerging plants are tender and succulent. Although Thumper hasn’t been a problem at all this year, it seems that every chipmunk in the neighborhood has been dining on our tomatoes!

White-Tailed Deer are a persistent threat and there’s no stopping them when they’re hungry unless you’re fortunate enough to have a tall fence enclosing your property. They can strike at any time, even in winter, but the damage done is always variable – sometimes just light nibbling of plant tips or buds, sometimes devouring of plants to the ground. There’s also no predicting just what they will eat as they browse their way through the yard. I’ve seen deer choose thorny roses and spikey holly leaves over tender hostas and daylilies, two of their favorite snacks!

Hungry insects such as caterpillars, hornworms, aphids and Japanese beetles can ravage crops and flower beds alike, and then there are the blights, molds and mildew which cause unsightly damage to once healthy-looking plants. And, if all of these aren’t enough to contend with, there’s the weather. Too little or too much rain, heat waves, cold snaps, hail and wind can devastate a garden in short order!

photo courtesy of Heiko Stein on Pixabay

Not all of nature is against us, however! Although we can’t control the weather, we’re fortunate that many creatures and even insects naturally work along with us in controlling garden pests. Northern Barred Owls, Cooper’s Hawks and snakes patrol our area looking for rodents, thus keeping the population in check. Beneficial wasps are constant visitors to the flower garden and when they’re not busy pollinating, they help control aphids and hornworms amongst others. A variety of birds, frogs and toads also come to the garden in search of nutritious insect meals. In this way, nature provides a balance for the benefit of all creatures and helps us gardeners in the process!

photo of Barred Owl by Nancy Marie Allen

In spite of my many gardening trials and tribulations, I still come back every spring with the unbridled enthusiasm that this will be my best garden year ever! I’ve learned to take the inevitable losses in stride, work with what nature provides, and focus instead on the many triumphs and joys that gardening brings to my life. There is always something to celebrate, whether it’s an unblemished apple or a perfectly shaped rose!

As autumn closes in and another gardening year comes to an end, I like to reflect on the past season’s pleasures: The first tiny flowers of early spring bulbs, the sweet fragrance of old-fashioned lilacs, the exuberant blooms of June peonies, the summer garden in full splendor and those luscious, sun-ripened tomatoes. All of these joyful passages through the growing season not only make up for any disappointments, they make it all worthwhile!

Contributions Help to Keep Me Growing!

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Choose an amount

¤5.00

¤15.00

¤25.00

¤5.00

¤15.00

¤100.00

¤5.00

¤15.00

¤100.00

Or enter a custom amount

Your Generosity is Greatly Appreciated – Thank You!

Your contribution is appreciated.

Donate Donate monthly Donate yearly

August 14, 2020

Carefree and Colorful Caladiums

It has been a brutally hot and dry summer here in Northeast Massachusetts and I’ve done more than one rain dance while praying for a good soaking! Yet, in spite of these harsh conditions and pests galore, the gardens have carried on with abundant growing, blooming and producing.

Speckled Caladiums with Japanese Painted Fern, Hostas and Lamium (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

Over the years I’ve come to rely on robust plants such as perennial Sedums, Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Ferns and Hosta. Not only do they survive hot and arid summers, they sleep through frigid New England winters only to rise again with renewed vigor in the spring! Then there are the annuals such as Marigolds, Portulaca, Zinnias, Sweet Alyssum and Salvias that take whatever nature throws at them, all the while smiling back with joyful flowers.

Pink Caladiums with Japanese Painted Ferns (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

Even though I always count on my usual cast of characters to carry me through the growing season, every spring I like to try at least one new plant and take it for a test drive. If it succumbs to insects, critters or weather, I’ll mourn and give it a decent burial but chances are I won’t plant it again.

A red Caladium with Black-eyed Susan, Fern, Hosta and Campanula (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

The new kid on the block this year was the tropical Caladium, a plant I’ve often admired but was always hesitant to grow. After all, how could such a delicate-looking beauty possibly hold up to heat, drought and hungry pests? But, after finding a bargain bag of fifteen Caladium bulbs at Home Depot this past winter, I decided to try starting them under grow lights in my heated basement. Potted up in early March, it took several weeks before leaves began to emerge but once they started, they grew vigorously. After hardening them off outdoors for a couple of weeks in early June, they were ready to move to their permanent summer homes.

Low-growing pink Caladiums with Ferns, Hostas and Astilbe (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

Of the fifteen bulbs planted, thirteen somehow survived to adulthood. Some of the Caladiums I gave away while others were tucked into shady areas in my flower beds. Two brilliant matching reds were planted in pots on either side of the front door. Although those planted in the garden have grown surprisingly well with very little rainfall and lots of benign neglect, the two planted in pots have thrived with the extra watering and regular feeding they’ve received.

Tall Caladiums make a great thriller plant for summer pots (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

I have to admit that I didn’t have high hopes for any of them making it through the summer. Surely every insect in the neighborhood would find these exotic beauties and proceed to chomp off their heads! On the contrary, none of the plants were affected by pests or disease and have grown with a serene vitality all their own.

A summer planter with Caladium, Heuchera, Begonia and Creeping Jenny (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

Caladiums have large diaphanous heart-shaped leaves in shades of pink, red, white and variations thereof including speckles, spots, veins and bold green edges. They are medium-sized plants, growing from 1 to 3 feet in height, sometimes with a canopy of leaves. With such a variety of colors and sizes to choose from, garden design possibilities are endless!

A bold red Caladium (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

Native to the tropics, Caladiums love hot and humid weather and respond well to a little extra feeding with liquid kelp or seaweed. They positively light up shady gardens where they are most at home but I find some morning sun helps intensify their striking colors. Although they prefer evenly moist soil, they don’t like to be waterlogged and can even tolerate some dryness once established. Occasionally they will bloom with a calyx similar to a Peace Lily or Anthurium, but with leaves this stunning, who needs flowers?

White Caladiums light up the shade garden (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

What surprises me the most about growing Caladiums is how well they blend in with my established shade garden plants while adding bright spots of color. Their bold foliage looks especially fetching with the delicate fronds of Ferns or Astilbes and, as you can see in the photos, they make a striking addition to planters. If you live in an area with warm summers, I hope you’ll give Caladiums a try in your pots and flower beds next year. I know I’ll definitely be planting them again!

July 11, 2020

The Serendipitous Garden

Some of the sweetest garden vignettes are not planned – they happen by chance! And it’s those unexpected but delightful scenes that give gardening its magic.

A deep purple Drumstick Allium is the perfect companion for pink Hollyhock Mallow

If you’ve had a garden for a number of years, you already know what I’m talking about, for at some point every year there are plants that willingly volunteer themselves for duty. The most common are flowers that have self-sown from previous years’ plantings, but seeds may also be carried by birds from a neighbor’s yard or blown on the wind from a wildflower patch down the road. However these plants find our gardens, it’s always a pleasant surprise when they bloom in a companionable way!

Rose Campion in shades of white, blush and bright pink has a long bloom time and *readily* self-sows

Rose Campion, Daisies, Yarrow and Black-eyed Susans are some of the plants that enthusiastically spread themselves around the yard every year. In the photo below, wild Black-eyed Susans look like they belong next to the mahogany ribs and silvery fronds of a Japanese Painted Fern. Unplanned and unexpected, these two garden companions bring out the best in each other!

Japanese Painted Fern and wild Black-Eyed Susans enhance each other’s colors

Sometimes plants happen to like certain conditions in our gardens and take up permanent residence in unusual places. Along the stone wall surrounding our vegetable garden, native ferns have found a perfect home! Amazingly, these plants grow in fulI sun all day but manage to get enough moisture from the rocks surrounding them to thrive.

Some enchanting color combinations also happen by chance. Many times we place one plant next to another without really knowing if the colors will work together. Color in our gardens is not always dependable in that plants may have a different look when planted in full sun as opposed to part shade, or when viewed in the soft light of morning or at dusk. We may plant seeds or bulbs expecting a certain hue but ending up with something altogether different. All of these variations can make or break a garden’s color scheme, so when colors perfectly harmonize, sometimes it’s just a lucky accident.

Blue Peachleaf Bellflower, Pink Grapefruit Yarrow and Purple Drumstick Allium blend harmoniously

Last fall, I planted a group of drumstick alliums in a garden with other summer bloomers in shades of blue and pink. Since I’d never planted them before, I wasn’t at all sure about the color and how it would look with my other plants. Earlier this month, I was delighted when not only did the rich purple of the alliums make the perfect color companion to my other perennials, these whimsical gems also started attracting honeybees like crazy!

Honeybees can’t get enough of these sweetly scented alliums

Our gardens are constantly changing and each year is different from the last. One thing we can rely on, however, is that beautiful and unexpected things will happen – delighting, surprising and rewarding us for being devoted gardeners!

May 10, 2020

Spring Bloomers with Pizzazz

We gardeners like to grow many different plants but there are a few that, over time, grow on us. In today’s blog, I’ll let you in on a few of my favorite early-blooming garden plants, ones that I feel have pizzazz!

An early spring vignette (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

GLORY-OF-THE-SNOW

Snow Glories, as I call them, aren’t the first of my early spring minor bulbs to bloom but they are the most dramatic in appearance. The tiny blue star-shaped flowers have a white center which creates a look that magically sparkles! Preferring the sunnier edges of the garden, each bulb grows to about 6 inches tall and produces 5 to 10 flowers on sturdy mahogany-colored stems. After blooming, they readily self-sow to provide even more sparkling flowers for next spring! Glory-of-the-Snow is hardy in Zones 3 to 8 and should be planted in the fall, so make a note now to add these beauties to your bulb list.

DAFFODIL ‘THALIA’

Serene ‘Thalia’ is indeed a lovely sight to behold in my early May garden as she enhances the blooms of other spring bulbs as well as early perennials. One of the Triandrus Narcissus, each 12 to 14 inch stem carries 1 to 3 blooms with a delightful fragrance. Thalia is an award-winning heirloom variety that dates back to 1916 and is sometimes referred to as the ‘Orchid’ Narcissus. Long-lived in the garden, her delicate appearance belies a tough constitution with the ability to hold up to changeable New England spring weather. Thalia is hardy in Zones 3 to 9, is more tolerant of shady areas and damp soils than other daffodils, and multiplies willingly each year to fill your garden with more of these gorgeous flowers!

Thalia in my woodland garden (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

OLD-FASHIONED BLEEDING HEART

Beloved by children as well as grown-ups, Bleeding Heart can grow into impressive clumps up to three feet tall and wide in areas where they receive plenty of morning sun, some afternoon shade and moist rich soil. They bloom with delicate arching sprays of pink or white hearts for several weeks in spring but these plants go dormant and die mysteriously back to the ground once summer seriously starts to heat up. Because of this disappearing act, it’s best to plant later emerging perennials such as ferns and hostas nearby to fill the gaps left in the garden .

Bleeding Heart blooms hang from gracefully arching stems (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

Bleeding Heart is one of my earliest blooming perennials and as such combines beautifully with mid to late season Daffodils and Tulips as well as Brunnera, Ajuga, Pulmonaria, Solomon’s Seal, Wood Hyacinth, Forget-me-Nots and Hellebores. Native to Siberia and Northern China, Old-Fashioned Bleeding Heart is hardy even in Zone 2.

White Bleeding Heart with Wood Hyacinth and Variegated Solomon’s Seal (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

BRUNNERA ‘JACK FROST’

Brunnera loves part shade and moist but well-draining soil. Tiny soft blue flowers resembling Forget-Me-Nots appear on delicate stems in spring but it’s the silvery heart-shaped foliage that makes this plant light up the garden all season long. Growing only 12 to 18 inches tall and wide, Jack Frost slowly spreads by rhizomes making it a great groundcover for shady gardens or an underplanting for roses. Brunnera, also known as Siberian Bugloss, is hardy in Zones 3 to 8.

Tiny blue flowers cover Brunnera in May (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

LAMIUM ‘WHITE NANCY’

Early-blooming ‘White Nancy’ can tolerate quite a bit of sun but grows best in gardens where it receives some afternoon shade. It’s a low-growing plant to about 12 inches tall with a spread of about 24 inches, making it a great filler for gardens where it weaves itself charmingly through other plants. In patio pots, White Nancy not only plays the role of ‘filler’ but also spills gracefully over the side. The white flowers appear in May and repeat in flushes throughout the summer and into fall. The combination of bright white flowers and silvery foliage make this plant positively glow in the garden. Lamium is also an attractive addition to white or moon gardens and is hardy in Zones 3 to 8.

A lamium flower just beginning to open (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

All of the above plants are not only super hardy and easy to care for but also deer and rabbit resistant!

May 1, 2020

Getting to Know Veronica

Veronica, also known as Speedwell, is a old-fashioned plant that deserves a place in everyone’s garden. Originating from Northern Europe, they tend to be vigorous, carefree and long-lived perennials that attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds as well as admiring gazes from humans.

Veronica ‘Red Fox’ (Image courtesy of American Meadows)

Veronicas have an interesting history. According to the Missouri Botanical Garden website, “the genus name honors Saint Veronica who reportedly gave a handkerchief to Jesus so he could wipe the sweat from his face on the way to Calvary, with some genus plants having markings that resemble the markings on the sacred handkerchief.” In addition, parts of the plant were once commonly used in herbal medicine; hence, the common name of Speedwell may refer to its ability to speed healing and feeling well.

Veronica Longifolia (Image by Mabel Amber from Pixabay)

When I first started gardening, I came across a pot of Veronica longifolia at a local nursery. The long, soft blue flower spikes caught my eye and soon it was keeping company with my pink June roses. What surprised me was not only how tall this plant grew in one summer but also how willing it was to keep flowering when I deadheaded the spent blooms; and it’s this ability to repeat bloom over a long season that makes Veronicas with flower spikes such valuable garden plants!

Veronica ‘Icicle’ (Image by Kerstin Riemer from Pixabay)

Not all Veronicas are in the big and tall department, however. Some varieties can be grown as groundcovers or used to soften a garden’s edge while others remain a tame 12″ to 20″ in height. In fact, the array of Veronicas available to gardeners today is quite impressive and that makes them easy to fit into any garden space, design or patio planter.

Veronica ‘Sunshine’ (Photo courtesy of ToGoGarden)

Veronicas are extremely robust and grow best in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8. They generally have a long bloom season from spring to fall, especially when you remove the spent flowers which will encourage repeat performances. Colors tend towards blues, purples, pinks and white but the foliage can sometimes be silvery or golden, especially in the ground-hugging varieties. Perfectly suited to cottage gardens, companions include Foxglove, Daylilies, Roses, Daisies, Yarrow and Lady’s Mantle as well as late blooming spring bulbs. Although they prefer full sun, Veronicas will tolerate afternoon shade in areas with hot summers. Best of all, Veronicas are deer and rabbit resistant!

Veronica ‘Waterperry Blue’ (Photo courtesy of StoneHouseNursery)

Some popular Veronica varieties:

SUNSHINE – Small yellow leaves cover a low 1 to 2″ tall ground-hugging plant. Blooming briefly with tiny white flowers in spring, this Veronica is grown primarily for its bright foliage. Great in rock gardens, combined with succulents or tucked between stepping stones.

WATERPERRY BLUE – A creeping groundcover growing 4 to 6″ tall and spreading about 12″ wide. This cottage garden classic blooms repeatedly in soft blue flushes from spring to fall when the foliage takes on an autumnal burgundy hue.

GOODNESS GROWS – Medium sized at 12 to 15″ tall with a slightly wider spread. Striking violet blue flower spikes are produced all season. The compact size makes it a perfect “thriller” for pots and planters.

RED FOX – Another medium sized Veronica but with dazzling rosy-pink flower spikes from mid-spring to late summer. Red Fox is salt resistant and grows well in seaside gardens.

ICICLE – Sparkling white 6″ flower spikes adorn this beauty which grows to about 30″ tall. Excellent for cut flowers and a perfect addition to white or moon gardens.

BLUE GIANTESS – A soft lavender blue, this robust Veronica longifolia grows to 48″ tall with a spread of 1 to 2 feet. Plant with tall roses for a sensational early summer display!

March 31, 2020

Versatile Herbs

Popular herbs such as parsley, basil, dill and rosemary are grown primarily to enhance our culinary creations, but if you think that the usefulness of herbs is limited to the kitchen, then think again. Versatile herbs can and should be grown in our vegetable gardens, perennial beds and patio pots. In today’s blog, I’ll share the reasons why!

Fresh picked herbs (Photo courtesy of Gate 74 on Pixabay)

Herbs are a delight to our senses! We can’t resist running our fingers through their foliage or crushing a single leaf to release the heady fragrance. Many herbs beg to be touched with soft velvety foliage such as Berggarten Sage while others impress us with their stunning flower power. Did you know that some of the most well-known flowering plants are also herbs? Echinacea, Yarrow, Monarda, Borage, Catmint and Lavender come to mind and almost every garden has at least one of these stellar summer bloomers!

Echinacea and friends (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

With their many colors, forms and textures, herbs lend themselves to all kinds of garden design opportunities. I love to use Golden Oregano for bright pops of color next to the deeper hues of Black Scallop Ajuga; it also makes a sunny spiller plant for flower pots. Gray-green Wooly Thyme creates a romantic look as it softly cascades over a stone retaining wall while other thyme varieties are perfect as fragrant, low-growing hedges or groundcovers. Prostrate or Creeping Rosemary also makes a fast-growing groundcover for dry, sunny areas. Planted in pots, Variegated Sage and dark Purple Basil make pretty partners with flowering annuals.

Borage (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Images on Pixabay)

In the vegetable garden, herbs have many uses as beneficial companions. Growing basil next to tomatoes is a classic combo and supposedly improves the sweet flavor of both plants. Tarragon likes to be planted with eggplant while dill pairs well with cucumbers and lettuce. Many herbs repel aphids and spider mites, helping to reduce infestations. Mint is a garden workhorse as it deters many insect pests as well as browsing deer, but be sure to contain mint to pots as it can spread aggressively!

Basil and Tomatoes (Photo courtesy of CongerDesign on Pixabay)

In addition to being good bedfellows, herbs will attract pollinators to your vegetable garden like crazy! Bees and beneficial wasps love them, butterflies find them irresistible and even hummingbirds feast on their blooms.

Potted Rosemary (Photo courtesy of Diese Lizenzfreien on Pixabay)

Herbs are also beneficial to our flower gardens. Plant chives next to your roses to repel aphids and help prevent black spot. Parsley is also a good rose companion in that it enhances the fragrance of the blooms. Yarrow attracts ladybugs that eat aphids while lavender helps deter rabbits and deer. Catnip is useful for repelling Japanese beetles which damage hollyhocks, dahlias and other flowers as well as roses.

Rose with Japanese beetle (Photo courtesy of Deedster on Pixabay)

Herbs are easily grown in patio planters, too, combining beautifully with annual flowers or on their own. It’s also nice to have pots of herbs close to the house for easy access come dinner time! When placing herbs together in a container, make sure the varieties you choose enjoy the same conditions as far as sunlight and water needs. Since many herbs tolerate dry conditions, they’re also great companions for the colorful rosettes of hardy, water-wise succulents.

Potted Herbs (Photo courtesy of Pixaline on Pixabay)

Herbs are generally easy to grow and rarely bothered by pests or disease. They encourage pollinators to visit our gardens and beautify our plantings with color, texture and fragrance. Try a new variety in your flower or vegetable garden this year, learn more about the benefits of companion planting, and get creative by combining herbs with annuals or succulents. The possibilities are endless!

March 20, 2020July 1, 2022

Growing Hydrangeas in Pots

I adore the big bodacious blooms of Mophead Hydrangeas such as ‘Endless Summer’ and the New England classic, ‘Nantucket Blue,’ but getting these shrubs to bloom reliably in US Hardiness Zones 5 and under can be a challenge.

Hydrangea Macrophyllas, also known as Bigleaf Hydrangeas or Mophead Hydrangeas, are hugely popular and relatively easy to grow but in colder areas that are on the cusp of their growing range, it’s not always easy to get them to bloom.

One reason for blossom failure is that many of these plants form flower buds on vulnerable new wood which can be damaged by late spring frosts resulting in fewer or even no summer blooms. Another reason is that many people prune the flower buds right off the plant without even knowing it while they’re tidying up in early spring! In addition, too much shade, too much sun or not enough moisture can also affect blooming. Fortunately, by planting hydrangeas in pots, we can avoid many of the problems which garden-grown shrubs face.

For success with potted hydrangeas, follow these tips:

Start with a smaller-sized hydrangea variety and a large, lightweight pot that will allow room for the shrub to grow and be happy for about three years. Plant your hydrangea using a quality, moisture-retentive potting soil. Leave a couple of inches of space at the top of the pot so that you can water thoroughly to the brim without it spilling over. Fertilize through the growing season with a liquid organic fish/seaweed blend according to directions. As a finishing touch, add some pretty annual spiller plants such as sweet alyssum, petunias or fuchsias around the base to fill out a newly planted pot!

Photo courtesy of Instagram Fotografin on Pixabay

By potting up your hydrangea in a lightweight container, you can easily move it in and out of direct sunlight as needed during the growing season. You can also place your pot close to the house where deer are less likely to stray and move it inside whenever severe weather threatens. When your hydrangea shows signs of roots coming through the bottom or top of its container, or you find you need to water more frequently, it’s time to upgrade to a larger pot.

Hydrangeas grow best with morning sun, afternoon shade and even moisture. Plants will become stressed, droop and drop leaves when pots dry out, so paying attention to watering is crucial for your potted hydrangea’s health. During the heat of summer, you may have to water thoroughly once a day. Always water early in the morning so that the leaves can dry before the hot sun reaches them; this will protect the foliage from water droplets which can intensify sunlight and burn delicate leaves.

Photo courtesy of Veronica111886 on Pixabay

In late November, move your potted hydrangea inside an unheated garage or another cold-storage area where it will safely sleep out of the harsh winter weather until spring. Water sparingly every few weeks during this time to keep the plant from completely drying out. Move your hydrangea back outside only after the danger of frost has passed and resist the urge to prune until the plant has entirely leafed out. At this point, you can easily remove dead or damaged wood without inadvertently sacrificing flower buds.

Plant now and enjoy your beautiful potted hydrangea(s) for years to come!