Story and Illustrations by Peter Loewer Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew the magnificent tulip poplar and it’s rare that such a tree that sends up such fast-growing seedlings around the mother trunk would become one of the finest symbols of America’s natural heritage. This tree has many common names, including yellow poplar, blue …
Ways to combat our changing weather Story by Theresa Badurek Our climate is changing. If you’ve been gardening for a while, you have probably already noticed this. Seasons and storms swing in with more wildness and strength than before. Long, hot droughts, drenching tropical rains, tidal flooding, exotic pest invasions, heavy winds, and more. How …
Grow your own ‘way down yonder’ Story by Clara A. Curtis This tree catches my eye every season. Planted in full sun, pawpaws develop a beautiful shape and exhibit beautiful gray bark and long slender oblong leaves that are two-tone green in summer and golden yellow in fall. Springtime brings odd, smelly, lurid purple flowers …
Story and Photos by Michelle Reynolds I’ve always had an appreciation for sumac (Rhus spp.). During summer vacations and weekend trips, as I travel across the state to various destinations, our native sumacs keep my eyes and my mind alert. Looking for sumacs on roadsides, hillsides, along power lines and railroad rights-of-way, in fallow fields, …
Grow a garden that can stand up to our wild weather Story by Theresa Badurek Our climate is changing. If you’ve been gardening for a while, you have probably already noticed this. Seasons and storms swing in with more wildness and strength than before. Long, hot droughts, drenching tropical rains, tidal flooding, exotic pest invasions, …
Story and Photos by Jane Jordan Hummingbird tree (Sesbania grandiflora) has the most beautiful and unusual flowers that resemble small birds. They hang in large clusters and come in striking shades of white, red, and pink. This fast-growing tree is open branched with green leaves along stems that can grow up to 1 foot long. …
What to plant under your landscape trees Story and Photos by J.D. Willoughby Mulch can be so plain, especially in a small garden that needs more color. One way that gardeners overcome this is by planting a variety of ground covers, perennials, and annuals that can thrive with competition and in the sometimes deep shade …
The beauty of gardening under trees Story and Photos by Troy B. Marden troybmarden.com Gardening under trees can be difficult. I know. I have a love-hate relationship with the two enormous white oaks that allow me to even have a shade garden, but, at the same time, render the soil so dry in midsummer it’s …
Alternatives to mulch and turf under trees Story and Photos by Richelle Stafne thegardenmaiden.com Trees are the backbone of the landscape and there are several reasons for landscaping under and around them with something other than lawn grass. Under shadier tree canopies, it can be difficult if not impossible to grow a lawn. A lack …
What to plant underneath your landscape trees Story and Photos by Rebecca Stoner Kirts basilbecky.blogspot.com Great things can happen in the garden – whether it’s because you have a good plan, an accident, or maybe just luck. My gardens are excellent examples of all these. I have learned as much from my mistakes as my …
