The More You Know

We're off and running in a new season where I'm fully prepared to give you my unsolicited advice, starting with a brief list of DOs and DON'Ts.

Weeds: Know Your Enemy
Don't let weeds overpower your gardens. Do find a way to manage them regularly, such as pulling out after a fresh rain or on a seriously humid day. Do know your enemy. The antagonistic relationship between you and your weeds will always exist, but not every weed is bad. Check out Good Weed, Bad Weed for a quick reference of what's growing, what to yank and what to spare.

Flowers: Know Thyself
Don't, I repeat, don't use fake flowers under any circumstances. I like to be low maintenance too, but if you use fakes, you're only fooling yourself. Do use real flowers that are relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain. Don't choose anything overly fussy and demanding of your time if that's not your thing. Do read your labels and become familiar with your zone so you know what you're getting into.

Shrubs: Know Your Boundaries
Don't let your shrubs exceed the size of your house. Surely, there must be some 80/20 rule about shrub-to-house ratios and proportionate size to equal maximum curb appeal. Do invest in some good shears and research best times to prune. Don't ever trim, shape and/or dress your shrubs to look like humans, dolls, animals, or decorate with hula hoops, bows, signage or advertising. It's really humiliating for the shrub. (The only exception is tasteful holiday lights, when the season is appropriate, of course.)


Do have fun. Gardening and landscaping is hard work, but if you're not enjoying the process, you might want to find another hobby or enlist in a professional!

Good Weed, Bad Weed cover image used from this book review at Horticulture Magazine.

Lost in Transition

August has been feeling more like September. The air has been a little crisp, the night has had a chill, mornings have been cooler. I can already see the subtle change in leaves on my daily commute. Summer is definitely making its graceful exit and welcoming in fall. While many of my summer blooms have faded, a walk around my gardens revealed a variety of brand-new buds, and those flowers ready for round two.

Just because the sun is setting on summer doesn't mean your gardens are ready to fade. There's more to come in the next season. Enjoy the transition. 

What's blooming in your garden right now?

Autumn Joy Seedum "thisclose" to opening.

By clipping back the spent flowers, I revealed my yarrow's next generation of blooms.

By now, you know of my love for Pentas, they just keep on going and going... Next year, run, don't walk to get Pentas for your containers. I bet they look fabulous in the ground as well.

I'm not sure what type of Black-Eyed Susan this is, but, it's a little more slender, a little less invasive than some other varieties I've had, and it is still blooming strong right now.

I was especially surprised to see this flowering shrub rebloom. I'm pretty sure it has grown about 3-4 feet this summer. The top is all covered in new growth and fresh blooms.