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 …
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 …
A family tradition in botany Story by PJ Gartin Photos by Richard Porcher Dr. Richard Porcher comes from a long line of gentlemen planters who embrace scientific knowledge. His family has been part of the agrarian fabric of Berkeley County, South Carolina, for centuries. However, he doesn’t view his zest for botanical adventure as simply …
Growing your own winter vegetable transplants Story by Darren Sheriff www.facebook.com/TheREALCitrusGuy I know, I know, it is just getting to be summer … you probably haven’t even gotten your Fourth of July plans solid yet, but ‘tis the season to think winter veggies. You will want or need to start planning ahead so that your …
Planting underneath your landscape trees Story by Karen Neill Under the trees is where you will find me as we head into the hot summer months. Trees play an important role in our landscapes, providing much needed shade. Proper placement can also mean energy savings. You can reduce summer air conditioning costs by up to …
Story and Photos by Clara A. Curtis I’ve written about and gardened with this little-known ground cover for many years, yet I believe Epimedium need a Pied Piper to call attention to their variety and flexibility in garden designs. The genus is not widely known. According to Tony Avent, a well known plant evangelist and …
Leading the foodscape revolution Story by Julie Thompson-Adolf, juliesgardendelights.com Photo by Elizabeth Galecke, elizabethgalecke.com Revolutions often begin quietly. Gathering insurgents, organizing covert meetings, planning protests, planting arugula among violas … For many homeowners, creating edible gardens in their front yards is viewed as an act of homeowners’ association treason. Neighborhood associations strive to maintain or …
10 ways to safeguard fruit and vegetable gardens Story by Nan K. Chase Deer, possums, raccoons, groundhogs, squirrels, birds, bears, and more deer. Not to mention Japanese beetles, cabbage moths, and other destructive insects. With endless garden pests, it’s a wonder anything at all grows to a harvestable size. And the better the vegetable garden …
Banana peppers not only add flavor to your meals, but they add bright pops of color to the garden Story by Darren Sheriff @TheREALCitrusGuy on Facebook Tropical fruits have always been a passion of mine, so when asked about veggies, I sometimes like to mix the two and mess with people’s heads. Today, we will …
Creating cozy spaces in your landscape Story and Photos by PJ Gartin Whether it’s an impromptu gathering under a poolside umbrella or shooting the breeze with friends around a picnic table, people are drawn to intimate outdoor spaces. Amenities such as patios, balconies, courtyards, front porches, and conversation pits add intimacy to landscapes. Our desire …
