A wire trellis is a support framework made with tensioned wires for a climbing plant. Most commonly, wire trellises are constructed against walls, but they can also be hung between poles or framed to create a freestanding trellis. Wire trellis…
Bee balm (Monarda) is a flowering perennial plant native to North America known for its ability to draw pollinators to the garden. The frilly flowers come in shades of pink, red, and purple, attracting a host of hummingbirds, butterflies, and…
Major Wheeler honeysuckle is a variety of coral honeysuckle native to the eastern United States known for its abundant flowers and their ability to attract wildlife – particularly hummingbirds. This climbing vine is hardy in Zones 4-8 and will often…
Native plants are a key source of food for birds. Naturally occurring plants grow seeds and berries for the birds and attract protein-rich insects. Many North American plants are also vital for nest-building materials and overall bird habitat. Let’s look…
So, how do plants make food? Plants use a process called photosynthesis to create their own simple sugars from sunlight, air, and water. Plant cells contain special structures called chloroplasts, which contain a special green pigment called chlorophyll. The choloroplasts…
‘Winter Gem’ is a cultivar of little leaf boxwood that is particularly hardy to cold-weather conditions. Winter gem boxwood retains its lovely emerald green throughout winter with minimum bronzing, bouncing back to a rich green colour as the snow melts.…
Wondering when to prune maple trees? I was too. Here’s what I’ve found over the last few years of learning from experts and caring for my own maple trees. Branches on a maple tree that are dead, dying, damaged, or…
This is the year to finally grow your own food garden! There are four main groups of produce typically grown in food gardens: Read on for 100+ ideas for all these types of edible food garden crops and tips for…
Pleached hornbeam refers to deciduous hornbeam trees (Carpinus betulus) trained into a flat, 2-dimensional wall of greenery. Rows of pleached hornbeam are most often used as a structural element in garden design to enclose or shade an area with living…
Chervil is an annual culinary herb with a subtle flavor reminiscent of parsley and tarragon. It is perhaps best known for its inclusion in the classic “fines herbes” blend in French cuisine. While it can be nearly impossible to buy…
Blue Moon wisteria is a cultivar of Kentucky wisteria, native to the USA. This long-lived flowering vine loves the sunshine and can bloom several times during the spring and summer. Blue Moon wisteria can survive winters as cold as -40°F…
My solar bird bath fountain turned out to be a surprise favorite feature in the garden. This self-contained little cordless floating fountain unit turns a regular bird bath into a pretty, flowing fountain. It was very easy to set up,…