A few years ago my husband and I moved to a lakefront property that had lawn growing down to the water's edge. I immediately started researching putting in a riparian buffer (I always think of Hyacinth from the britcom "Keeping Up Appearances" touting her "riparian buffet" when I hear that phrase). Continue reading →

Named for its drought tolerance, an azalea is a viable staple for southern gardens. Still, these plants remain relatively underutilized. 

My use of the plants occurred when a nearby nursery decided to close its doors. Serious in their effort to dispose of all plants, the nursery dug "field grown" azaleas offering each  for as little as $1 to $2. Purchasing a couple of truck loads, after installation, my woodland space became a rainbow of varied colors. Nevertheless, it was the spring of 2011 that truly showcased the plants.   Continue reading →

Along with the growing awareness of the many benefits of planting more native plants around our homes, a natural question arises: which native plants should we plant? Continue reading →

The black-eyed Susan is a locally native plant that will look great in your garden. It's the state flower of Maryland, and was given this distinction by the Maryland General Assembly in 1918 when it was designated "the Floral Emblem".

Black-eyed Susans are perennial daisies or coneflowers, meaning they live for more than two years and are a good sturdy plant that can survive the winter season. Continue reading →