The tropical cana plants are a beautiful addition to our landscapes and containers.  I use them as a “thriller” element in my containers and a center focal in many of my annual displays.  In our region, the cana display lining the center island of Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs is a traditional sign of...

Mums seem to dominate most fall garden landscapes.  They have become the “go-to” fall garden choice.  I however, like to use Asters in my fall displays.   Sadly the Aster is often overlooked by gardeners when planning out their late season gardens.    So you will not find an abundant number of  varieties at your garden...

What is it about this time of year?  Retailers are shouting Fall, most of my garden communications are promoting Fall practices.  Let’s slow down and enjoy these waning days of summer in the garden.  Here in the North Country, our summers are rather short and winter arrives all too soon.  Besides, I have worked...

I swear my August garden is smiling back at me!  I attribute this to the presence of my sunflowers!  There is nothing quite like the fresh, smiling bloom of sunflowers welcoming you at a garden entrance.  Perhaps this “smiling face” plant characterization comes from my childhood.   As a baby boomer, I recall the...

Three years ago I began to apply a relatively new design trend to my landscapes: Blended Gardens.  I had interest in adding edibles to my gardens but had no space (or desire for that matter) to plot out a “farmers row”  of veggies and herbs.  So I began to assess how I might infuse...

The peony takes me back to my childhood.  This large fragrant bloom was abundant in my Grandmother’s garden.  These days when I go out to cut the blooms I flashback to my grandmother sending me home with large bouquets of peonies, stems wrapped in a wet paper towel and aluminum foil.  I sometimes feel...

I often use the phrase “A Garden Room at a Time” when helping customers decide how to approach and plan out their new outdoor space.  It is a simple, common sense, fiscally sustainable way to approach any and all garden design.   When considering changes to their home properties, owners typically explain to me “their...

Don’t be a sideline gardener this season.   Be a team player.   Get your hands dirty by joining our 2017 Saratoga County Plant a Row for the Hungry team.  This marks our second year encouraging home gardeners to help feed the hungry in our community!   We are expanding our playing field for 2017. ...

Perennial ground covers are a welcome sight in my garden this week.  My creeping phlox, (phlox subulata) is a flash of color I see out my kitchen window each morning.   This hardy spring blooming perennial gives you carpets of tiny colorful flowers with semi-evergreen thin foliage.  It comes in varieties of white, red, lavender,...