Bat-faced cuphea Story and Photos by Alan Pulley Referred to as “bat-faced” because of its interesting little bat-faced deep purple and bright red blooms, Cuphea llavea has become a favorite summer annual for many gardeners, including myself. Native to Central America and Mexico, bat-face cuphea thrives in full sun and heat. Blooms emerge in late spring and …
Preserving history Story by Kristi Hendricks Photos courtesy of Colonial Williamsburg “When looking at the garden, I see friends. There are few professions or hobbies quite like that. When a friend shares seeds or plants, you often think of that person while watching the plant grow in your own garden.” This is how Laura Viancour, …
Savor Surry County’s horticulture and history Story by Kristi Hendricks Winter was left in the rear view mirror … cold, drab and unfriendly. We were ready for sunshine, pollen, and a bit of the casual country life. We, my husband and I, finished our business in the capital earlier than expected that Friday and were …
15 common problems in your warm-season vegetable garden and how to fix them Story and Photos by Jeanne Grunert homegardenjoy.com You’ve diligently amended the soil and waited until the proper time to plant your vegetables. You’ve tended them lovingly, watered them daily, and shooed away crows, deer, and insects. But the peppers aren’t growing. There’s …
Growing summer squash in your Virginia veggie garden Story by Diane Beyer There are many varieties of summer squash, all with similar growth requirements and harvest times. Zucchini is probably the most well known summer squash, and the one that causes you to dive behind the couch when you see well-meaning neighbors at the door …
A profile of the ‘Voodoo Queen’ hibiscus Story and Photos by Alan Pulley Who doesn’t love hibiscus flowers? They come in so many sizes and colors and grow in most tropical areas of the world. I have grown a variety of tropical hibiscus in my time; however, last year I came across one that I …
Slow gardening in the Piedmont Story and Photo by Cynthia Wood I never thought about garden etiquette when I was growing up in the country. We had acres of land and there wasn’t another house in sight. We planted whatever we wanted and kept the garden as neat and tidy – or not—as we saw …
Options for adding interest and a welcoming entrance Story and Photos by J.D. Willoughby Bursts of color, unique statuary, and even trailing vines can liven up the most boring curb. We often focus on the garden beds around the house and maybe the sidewalk to the front door, but rarely create a welcoming feel close …
A special resource for native plant lovers Story by Cynthia Wood Nestled into the rolling hills of Nelson County, not far from Charlottesville, is Virginia’s newest botanical garden, the Quarry Gardens at Schuyler. Founded by Armand and Bernice Thieblot, the garden is an important resource for people interested in learning about native plants. Visit in …
Growing your own hot peppers at home Story and Photos by Jennifer Williams Peppers are among the easiest vegetable plants for the beginner gardener and a staple of most home gardens. Popular peppers include ‘Anaheim’, cayenne types, ‘Serrano’, ‘Habanero’, and large cherry peppers. Not only do these peppers spice up the table, but they spice …
