Got April showers? Get under a Paraplu! This new hydrangea’s name means “umbrella” in Dutch.

Mulch is good for your plants and your water bill - and as an added bonus, it fosters the growth of the delightful bird’s nest fungus, Cyathus striatus. When a drop of water falls into the “nest,” the “eggs” get splashed out and disperse. It is a common inhabitant of shredded bark mulch, but its neutral colors often camouflages its presence. 

It is a benign decomposer of dead wood fibers, and poses no threat to your garden, your pets or your family. 

Have trouble with rose of Sharon popping up all over your yard? If so, try Sugar Tip - it’s sterile and never sets seed. Add its variegated foliage, pink double flowers, and graceful habit into the mix and you’ve got a winner!

Feels like spring will never get here…Who’s ready to go outside and play? 

Happy Mardi Gras! Our botanical greeting for this day of revelry includes Show Off forsythia, Pucker Up dogwood, and Purple Emperor butterfly bush. Laissez le bon temps rouler!

Proud to be a Plant Geek!

The unseen beauty of plants.

glitterferns:

Anatomy of plant cells

Don’t mind us…we’ll just be over here, pretending its summer despite the sub zero windchills and feet of snow on the ground with more to come this afternoon.

Potting shed: the garden work room that doubles as ornament!

Did you know? To conserve water in periods of exceptional cold, pine needles close into one another, forming a compact cylinder to minimize surface area exposed to the elements. Pluck a bundle of needles from your nearest pine and see for yourself!