I love teaching my pruning workshops at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. I teach five workshops throughout the year that correspond to the five pruning windows in which I professionally prune. One of the most common questions and part of my introduction in each class is a brief discussion of the tools we use to prune. The knowledge ofContinue reading “Best Pruning Tools And Their Care”
Tag Archives: plants
Hugelkultur: Creative Idea For A Native Garden
I had the pleasure of meeting a new client last summer, who lives on a lovely property in Belmont, MA. It historically had been planted with traditional, non-native plants with an extensive overstory of Red and Black Oak. Over the years, she has added an extensive layer of native shrubs, trees and perennials. In the frontContinue reading “Hugelkultur: Creative Idea For A Native Garden”
New American Garden Maintenance
There is a movement underfoot, and it has to do with how we take care of our gardens. It is rooted in a design aesthetic called the New American Garden that is exemplified in the work of Piet Oudolf and the landscape architecture firm of Oehme van Sweden, among others. This style is naturalistic, self-sustaining, and largely native. Now, almostContinue reading “New American Garden Maintenance”
Van Berkum Nursery: Supporting a new ecosystem of native plant growers.
Before I get to my discussion with John, a quick real-time look into our gardens. I expect all the snow to be gone around Boston, except for the largest piles, by Wednesday. As it melts and we get out to do some pruning, I am seeing extensive rabbit damage with girdling of stems and trunksContinue reading “Van Berkum Nursery: Supporting a new ecosystem of native plant growers.”
Topics For Work In The Fall Garden
We have been enjoying such nice weather for the past several weeks and have even gotten to some fall work a little early to take advantage of the cool days and nights. Following is a glossing over of a class I teach in the late Summer called ‘Work in the Fall Garden’, and some of theContinue reading “Topics For Work In The Fall Garden”
Designing with Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are some of the most versatile and beautiful plants you can add to your garden. Many provide interest and coverage through the Winter and their seedheads can be a spectacular addition of interest and movement to the garden in Summer, Fall and Winter. Some of the larger grasses provide an anchoring element, while some modestlyContinue reading “Designing with Ornamental Grasses”
Interesting Nurseries To Buy Plants And Special Public Gardens To Visit In New England
I had a chance to visit Bedrock Gardens two weeks ago for a rare and unusual plant sale. I apologize for not listing it in the previous newsletter, but I only heard of it the day after publishing. Anyway, it’s not like any of you need more new and interesting plants for your garden! There were some great plant growersContinue reading “Interesting Nurseries To Buy Plants And Special Public Gardens To Visit In New England”
Do Your Landscape Projects Right The First Time
There’s never enough time or money to do it right, but there’s always time and money to do it again. This is my interpretation of a favorite quote from the Biggest Little Farm, and it is the topic for an important discussion about performing work in the garden and landscape. One of the joys of myContinue reading “Do Your Landscape Projects Right The First Time”
Blue Stem Natives: A Native Only Plant Nursery
I finally had a chance to visit Blue Stem Natives, a native plant nursery in Norwell. I thought it was further away from me, but it took about 40 minutes, outside of rush hour to get there from north of Boston. It is absolutely worth the trip to visit this women-owned, native only nursery. I met Kristen,Continue reading “Blue Stem Natives: A Native Only Plant Nursery”
Perennial Trends and a Native Plant Discussion with Van Berkum Nursery
I had a chance last week to catch up with John Gedraitis, owner of Van Berkum Nursery (VBN) in Deerfield, NH. He was kind with his time during the busy period to talk about what is in demand (and not) and provide some insight into where his operation is going. For some more information about VanContinue reading “Perennial Trends and a Native Plant Discussion with Van Berkum Nursery”
Barking Dog Gardens - Gardening in New England 