Pericallis – a must-have annual


Tue. Jan. 31, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Pericallis – a must have annual

Suntory is a world wide family of companies involved in a lot of areas including flower breeding. I shared last week about a beautiful new pericallis they developed in their Senetti series called ‘White Red Heart’. It’s a lovely annual.

Pericallis are plants you’ll instantly know but their name doesn’t really roll off the tongue! They remind me of daisies but come in many colors and are annuals.

Pericallis are  … [Continue reading]

Prairie up – your lawn converted


Mon. Jan. 30, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Prairie up – your lawn converted

Many years ago I interviewed Benjamin Vogt on his book “A New Garden Ethic’. Last December I mentioned his latest book, “Prairie Up – an Introduction to Natural Garden Design”. It was just released last Tuesday, January 24th.

Vogt is a native to Minnesota, growing up in the western suburbs when they were NOT suburbs. He talks about when, during an exploration of the undeveloped land, a flock of geese flew  … [Continue reading]

Plant catalog terms


Fri. Jan. 27, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Plant catalog terms

The plant catalogs have been arriving or you’ve been googling and finding all kinds of fun plants. Every year, and 2023 is no different, I grab a hot chocolate and enjoy perusing plants.

One question I get every year, and generally when people are looking to plant vegetables, is what those terms mean.

If you’re looking up lettuce and see the term “slow to bolt” – that’s a good thing. It means that your lettuce  … [Continue reading]

Companion planting


Thu. Jan. 26, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Companion Planting

Gazing out at a winter wonderland, I made soup using herbs from last year.

I dry them in my dehydrator and LOVE having them on hand. Oh the Rosemary!

Herbs offer fragrance, taste, medicinal properties and they repel some pests.  While not always substantiated by University based information, there are a number of books and articles, as well as old gardeners around that swear by the use of herbs and companion planting. 

A book I’ve used  … [Continue reading]

Rabbits and your shrubs 2023


Wed. Jan. 25, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Rabbits and your shrubs

Ugh, they really nailed my dwarf Burning Bush… it’s now REALLY a dwarf.

It’s always a good idea to monitor your shrubs and newly planted trees this time of year to see if there’s been bunny, vole or deer damage!

This year, 2023, is starting with plenty of snowpack for many of us, including me. I’ve seen those rascally rabbits making a beeline for under my porch when I approach. Next year I gotta  … [Continue reading]

Air plants trend for 2023


Tue. Jan. 24, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Air plants trend for 2023

Last week I talked about the latest popular plants including Strings of plants and succulents and cacti, so great for the office.

Air Plants have been trending for a while and remain very popular in 2023.

Their Latin name is Tillandsia and they are native to South and Central America with about 500 species!

Do they really grow with no soil? Yes, they are epiphytes, meaning they grow on other plants, usually tree  … [Continue reading]

More new plants for 2023


Mon. Jan. 23, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: More new plants for 2023

The best part about this time of year, besides enjoying some winter sports, is sitting in my favorite chair and gazing at all the new plants.

Today I’m sharing an annual, a perennial or shrub, if you prefer, and an edible. I discovered these 2023 offerings I found through the National Garden Bureau where I’m a member. 

A beautiful early spring bloomer, this plant has multiple names. I’m going with Cineraria Senetti ‘White  … [Continue reading]

Plant resolutions


Fri. Jan. 20, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Plant resolutions

We’re into the 3rd full  week of January and by now most of us have already recanted some of those silly resolutions we made in week one!  I broke my resolution when that Snickers Bar wouldn’t leave me alone till I ate it. They can be relentless. 

I’ve shared many times about resolving to start a garden journal.  I hope you’ll do that.

There are also a few plant resolutions that I would like to share  … [Continue reading]

Succulents vs Cacti


Thu. Jan. 19, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Succulents vs Cacti

 Yesterday I talked about the popularity of the succulent, Strings of plants. Cactus are also very popular as they are excellent home or office plants.

What’s the difference between a succulent and a cactus?

There is a saying, “all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti”. Cacti are simply a subcategory within a group of plants, which are known collectively as succulents. I’ll explain…  I checked out an article from Planetdesert for a  … [Continue reading]

Strings of plants


Wed. Jan. 18, 2023

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Strings of plants

 In the world of succulents, strings of them have gained significant popularity both among plant aficionados and home decorators!

I just saw a String of Bananas. I have to admit, they look like tiny green bananas, full and hanging down. So what ARE they?

String Plants are adorable smallish plants that grow very well in hanging baskets or in a container on a pedestal or sitting on a shelf where they can trail down. They’re  … [Continue reading]