Some plants quietly sit in the garden. Others stride in like they own the place. The Calluna vulgaris ‘Valentina’, also known as Valentina Scotch Heather, definitely belongs to the second camp. The first time I…
The first time I brought home a Maranta leuconeura, I didn’t realize I was inviting a tiny tropical drama queen into my living room. One evening the leaves stood wide open like eager hands catching…
Every garden has that one plant that quietly steals the show. For me, that role belongs to the Iris pallida ‘Variegata’, often called the Variegated Sweet Iris. The first time I planted it, I expected…
Some plants whisper politely in the garden. Others walk in like they own the place. Geum × heldreichii ‘Georgenberg’, often called Georgenberg Chilean Avens, definitely falls into the second category. The first time I planted…
When I first planted a Fraser’s Photinia (Photinia × fraseri), I never anticipated it would become the focal point of my yard. I just wanted a fast-growing evergreen to fill an awkward empty corner of…
Get expert tips on planting Picea abies ‘Pumila.’ Learn how to care for this easy-to-maintain conifer and use it well in your landscaping designs. This compact evergreen shrub is great for small gardens, rock landscapes,…
The first time I planted an Oakleaf Hydrangea, I was struck by how different it felt compared to the classic mophead varieties most of us know. Its large, oak-shaped leaves turned fiery shades of red…
The Fort McNair Red Horse Chestnut is one of those trees that stops people in their tracks. The first time I saw its towering clusters of rosy-red flowers, I had to walk closer just to…
The Redpointe Red Maple has a way of stealing the spotlight in any yard. The first time I planted one, I couldn’t get over how quickly it grew into a strong, upright tree with perfectly…