Each year the best of the new annual flowers (those that only live for one year) are judged, and the winners given the All-America Selections (AAS) designation. In the past these have all been grown from seeds, but starting in 2015 those grown “vegetative” from cuttings were included as well. This year’s annual flower winners, grown from seeds, include a […]
Deck out Summer, How to Build
It’s a shame to waste space in a garden, but so often there is an area beside the house that becomes redundant, especially if it’s close to a wall. We like to see maximum use of all the space available and this design really illustrates how this can be achieved. The Challenge Our brief was to use a wide variety […]
Outdoor Garden Fountains
Outdoor Garden Fountains If you have not yet considered an outdoor fountain for your garden, you are missing out on an extremely versatile and aesthetically pleasing addition. Many people have a rigid and out-of-date conception of garden fountains. They do not have to be large and bulky or be the centerpiece of the yard; although that is an option, if […]
Garden Tools
Tool Time I often get asked the question, “What are my favorite things to use in gardening?” After giving the matter some thought, I came up with the following list of tools and other items I use the most. So, I guess then that makes them my favorites! I used to use the least expensive pair of fabric gloves I […]
Navtive Ferns
NATIVE FERNS By Dr. Leonard Perry Extension Nursery and Greenhouse Crops Specialist University of Vermont Northern New England’s ferns are spectacular, both in the wild and in cultivation. The variety of size, form, and texture is remarkable, and the various habitats where these ferns thrive are somewhat surprising. These ferns are usually available at garden centers although you may have […]
Rose Hips
Rose Hips By Dr. Leonard Perry Extension Nursery and Greenhouse Crops Specialist University of Vermont People have grown roses for many centuries and for many reasons. Today we grow roses mainly for the beauty they bring to our yards and homes. But in centuries past, the rose was revered for its value as food and medicine, as well as its […]
BACK UP GARDEN OPTIMISM WITH A PLAN
With springtime just around the corner, optimism abounds. Red Sox fans think World Series; school children hope for straight A’s; and gardeners dream of their vegetables, fruit, and flowers to come. My seed catalogs are dog-eared, the dilly beans are gone and it’s too early to plant much in the windowsill. So, what else is there to do but plan […]
SO YOU WANT TO GROW PERENNIALS
SO YOU WANT TO GROW PERENNIALS By Dr. Leonard Perry Extension Nursery and Greenhouse Crops Specialist University of Vermont Annuals are easy. You pick up a six-pack at your local garden center and just pop them in the ground. No fuss, no muss. Perennials require more decisions. That’s because mistakes made with annuals are gone with the end of the […]
Patriotic Perennials – Gardening Trend
PATRIOTIC PERENNIALS: A NEW GARDENING TREND FOR 2002 By Dr. Leonard Perry Extension Nursery and Greenhouse Crops Specialist University of Vermont After the events of fall 2001, a new trend in flower gardening is emerging, that of planting perennial gardens with a patriotic theme. This trend calls for using only plants with a patriotic name or only red, white, and […]
All America Flower Selection
THE ALL-AMERICA FLOWER SELECTIONS FOR 2002 With patriotism reaching a new high in recent months, planting All-America Selections (AAS) flowers in the garden seems very appropriate. And you have plenty of choices this year as eight new varieties have earned the AAS designation for 2002, along with five vegetables for a total of 13 winners. How does a flower become […]