Few flowers announce the arrival of fall quite like asters. Their star-shaped blooms in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white show up right when the rest of the garden is winding down, making the aster flower a favorite for pollinator gardens, fall garden ideas, and gift-worthy container displays. Whether you’re working asters into an … Read more
Looking for the best bulbs to plant in fall for a zone 8 garden? You’re in the right place. This guide covers which spring bulbs actually thrive in mild winters, how deep and how far apart to plant them, and a full zone 8 garden plan that pairs bulbs with annuals and perennials for months … Read more
Looking for the best lilac companion plants? You’re in the right place. Learn which flowers and shrubs make the best lilac bush companions, what not to plant near lilacs, and how to keep your lilac tree blooming for decades. I’ve grown lilacs in our Pacific Northwest USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8 garden for years, tucked … Read more
If you already grow iris flowers in your garden, you know how rewarding those ruffled, jewel-toned blooms can be every spring. But even the happiest iris garden slows down eventually, and that’s where dividing irises comes in. Overcrowded rhizomes stop blooming and can invite rot, while dividing them is an easy task that multiplies your … Read more
If you have a shady corner of the yard that never seems to bloom, astilbe might be exactly what you need. This feathery, plume-topped perennial is one of the most reliable shade garden plants around, and fall is one of the best times to tuck new plants into the ground. Below you’ll find why astilbe … Read more
If you’ve grown dahlias in your garden, you already know the hard part is over. Now comes the fun part. Few flowers deliver as much drama per stem as the dahlia, and once the blooms start coming on in July, they don’t quit until the first hard frost. I love to grow them in my … Read more
Gladiolus, sometimes called “glads,” are among the most striking flowers you can grow, adding bold color, height, and elegance to any landscape. Choosing the right gladiolus companion plants not only enhances the beauty of each gladioli flower, but also helps create a healthier, more vibrant gladiolus garden (my garden is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone … Read more
If you’ve ever drizzled fig balsamic vinegar over a cheese board and wondered how to make fig balsamic vinegar yourself, you’re in for a treat. This easy fig balsamic vinegar recipe turns a handful of pantry staples into a rich, slightly sweet, tangy condiment that tastes like it came from a gourmet specialty shop. Whether … Read more
Just because the tomatoes may be winding down doesn’t mean your garden season is over. In fact, some of my favorite crops of the whole year come out of my fall vegetable garden. If you’ve ever wondered what to plant in a fall garden, when to plant a fall garden, or whether it’s even worth … Read more
Looking for the best hydrangea companion plants? You’re in the right place. Learn what you can plant next to hydrangeas and what you should not plant near hydrangeas. Get ideas about which vegetables grow well with hydrangeas, which flowers grow well with hydrangeas, which herbs grow well with hydrangeas, and which fruit grows well with … Read more