… gardens found at Zen Buddhist temples in Japan. The correct term for this type of garden is karesansui, or dry garden. A Zen Garden is the epitome of control, moderation and simplicity. Rocks are an essential part of the garden, … are sold for use indoors.) One key to creating a zen garden is avoiding excess—overloading the site with plants, too many rocks, lanterns or statues. The main characteristics of the zen garden …
Type: Plant Info
… by even the most avid horticulturists. Heptacodium miconioides , or seven-son-flower, is a perfect example of a plant that remained unrecognized years after its introduction and is only now being rediscovered. Although it was first collected in 1907 by E. H. Wilson during an … gradually gained popularity. A member of the Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle) family, the plant is related to viburnum and forsythia. Heptacodium is an outstanding specimen plant. Grown as a …
Type: Plant Info
… muddling technique Muddling 101 Here’s the first rule of muddling: Don’t overmuddle. Muddling is the process of gently—repeat, gently—bruising the leaves of herbs. As Kasey said, “If you hear the leaves tear, you’re overmuddling.” The goal is to release the fresh, green taste and aroma of the leaves, not to break or pulverize them … Distiller’s Handbook as a good starter guide. Find drink enhancers and more at the Garden Shop, including elderflower and rose elixirs, and the mysterious Owl’s Brew tea concentrate—best …
Type: Blog
… An Herbal Fix for Winter Doldrums The winter solstice arrives on December 21. It marks the official start of winter. On that day, we’ll experience the shortest amount of daylight and … longest night of the year here in the Northern Hemisphere. Have you noticed that the sunlight is weak and the skies are often somber? Freezing temperatures, the possibility of snow, and cabin … Catnip Crafts Do you have a feline or two at home? They can’t resist fresh catnip, which is easy to grow indoors. Harvest a few stems with leaves and dry them between paper towels. When …
Type: Plant Info
… “Gardening is something you learn by doing—and by making mistakes. Like cooking, gardening is a constant process of experimentation, repeating the successes and throwing out the … going? ” (I’m never quite sure, but the answer always is the same—“In the garden…”) Before you shop, have a plan for what’s going into your pots, window boxes and borders. That should help …
Type: Plant Info
… seeds will be the directions on the seed packet. That's why it's often better for beginners to shop for seeds in garden centers, where the packets are available for reading, rather than from … any seed starting are time, light, a growing medium, cleanliness, water, and attention. Time is critical. Some species need weeks longer than others. Impatiens, for example, need to be … not be fancy or expensive, though; a couple of standard fluorescent tubes in a utilitarian shop light works fine, if the fixture is hung on chains with S-hooks so its height can be …
Type: Plant Info
… the eastern United States, ranging from Minnesota to Massachusetts. Like all bumblebees, it is a superb pollinator of some of our favorite foods like tomatoes and blueberries, but also of … range shrank by over 90 percent in less than a decade. The most concerning part of this story is that we don’t know what caused the decline. Insects like bumblebees face myriad threats … including habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change—but identifying a single culprit is often difficult. Even worse, basic parts of the rusty patched bumblebee life cycle remain a …
Type: Blog
… a worldwide celebration of conservation success held annually on February 7th. Reverse the Red is a global movement that brings together a diverse coalition of leading scientists, advocates, … endangered orchid of inland cliffs and mountain peaks in Malaysia. Conservation of Cucharillo is done in partnership with Fundación Jocotoco and Atlanta Botanical Garden . Seed of this species is very difficult to collect due to rugged terrain, so collections, and the resulting …
Type: Blog
… Which five will you pick? Happy New Year, everyone! While January is the month to plan and dream about your yard and garden, smart gardeners know that a wish list … a compost bin . Invest in an excellent pruner. (Find a variety of garden tools at The Garden Shop! ) Order seeds for heirloom tomatoes so you can grow your own. Try a new plant combo that … . Invite your kids into the garden. Happy gardening in the new year! Karen Zaworski is a garden writer and photographer who lives and gardens in Oak Park, Illinois . …
Type: Plant Info
… The holidays will soon be here and one way to celebrate the season is with a floral arrangement or two. Placed on a kitchen or dining room table, a coffee table, … or four days to as much as two weeks. “If you buy cut flowers, the first thing you should do is strip the bottom leaves off the stems,” says Heidi Joynt of Field & Florist, an instructor at … from the "Field" part of her business with Molly Kobelt. “Building a lush, seasonal tablescape is such a beautiful way to greet your guests,” Joynt said. “It’s the idea of abundance, …
Type: Plant Info
