When I first read about Davidia trees, I was immediately fascinated. Imagine finding something that satisfied both my love of flowering trees and my love of unusual plants! It seemed the perfect choice for the long shade border I was creating across my backyard.

So, when I found a Davidia involucrata at an end-of-season s...

May is the month of “spring fever”, with plants for sale at every conceivable location from grocery to hardware store. It’s impossible to resist a six-pack of blooming pansies or a billowy hydrangea, and I have been known to buy plants wherever I go, whether it’s a quick trip to the grocery store or a vacation in Seattle.

I was astounded by the beauty of the container plantings at Chanticleer Garden in Wayne, Penn.  Although it was only mid-April, there were dozens of richly planted pots throughout the garden. The containers themselves ranged from formal urns to terracotta, glazed ceramics and modern metals. Many were grouped or strategically placed to enhance the garden's design. I hope th...

To my family's chagrin, I always manage to find a nursery or public garden wherever our travels take us. So last week, when my daughter's college visit took us to the suburbs of Philadelphia, I was delighted to find that we were in the vicinity of the famous Chanticleer garden in Wayne, PA.

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day was started six years ago by the May Dreams Gardens blog. On the 15th of every month, garden bloggers from around the US post photos of all the plants that are blooming in their gardens. It's been a late spring here in Massachusetts. He...

As a garden designer, one of the questions that I’m often asked is “What can I plant in the shade that the deer won’t eat?” We all know that while hostas may be gorgeous and highly collectible, they are also a tantalizing “salad bar” for grazing deer. Pulmonarias, with their eye-catching foliage and ea...

After a long, snowy winter, I can't wait to fill my containers with spring blooms! Here are some ideas for fun spring container plantings.

Above: Violas, creeping jenny and heart-shaped stones adorn a small wire basket welcoming visitors to a lovely private oasis.

The 2013 Boston Flower and Garden Show opens to the public on Wednesday at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston. This year’s theme is “Seeds of Change,” focusing on new plants, methods and materials to increase the bounty, beauty, and ecological friendliness of our o...

When you are designing your garden for winter interest, think of yourself as a set designer. Unlike spring and summer, when the garden goes through many scene changes, the winter stage does not change rapidly. The overall composition is a static one, but it will not be boring if you incorporate the basic principles of design: form, line, color, repetition an...

I have always admired bloodtwig dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) for its colorful contribution to the winter garden. During a recent visit to Tower Hill, I fell in love with a new cultivar of this wonderful plant – ‘Midwinter Fire’. This outstanding ornamental shrub features stems that are yellow at the base, igniting to shades of...

Hellebores have fascinated me ever since I saw huge swaths of them blooming in a Washington, DC botanic garden 12 years ago. I started with a few plants in one garden bed, and as they faithfully returned year after year, I added more varieties, began dividing my own plants, and growing on seedlings in nursery beds. At this time of year, though, I realize that I...

Beautiful landscapes, water gardens, thousands of flowers thematically arranged, advice on topics from growing orchids to designing your garden with native plants. It's flower show season in New England. If you're looking to chase the winter blues away, four wonderful flower shows offer a respite from our chilly gray winter days. Each sh...

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day was started six years ago by the May Dreams Gardens blog. On the 15th of every month, garden bloggers from around the US post photos of all the plants that are blooming in their gardens. Here's what's blooming in my garden toda...

The garden can be a magical place - even in winter! Stripped of summer foliage and flowers, the success of a winter garden lies in its structure, basic design and choice of plant material. This richly illustrated lecture provides inspiration and tips on designing your garden for winter interest, choosing the best t...

January and February are the toughest months for gardeners with snow, ice, and bitter, cold winds making forays into the garden unpleasant. An afternoon spent in a warm, lushly planted greenhouse is a welcome respite from our New England winter. So call one of your gardening friends and make a date to visit one of our local gardens und...