Amanda Thomsen
Amanda Thomsen is a plant shop owner, horticulturist, garden designer, and author based in suburban Chicago.
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Midwest Regional ReportsEvergreen Perennials for the Midwest
Japanese holly fern Cyrtomium falcatum Zones: 6–10 Size: 1 to 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide Conditions: Partial to full shade; moist to average, well-drained soil Native…
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Midwest Regional ReportsShade-Loving Shrubs for the Midwest
Finding interesting plants for shade can be a struggle, but when you add in the desire for that plant to be a woody shrub, the list narrows even more. But…
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ArticleRegional Picks: Plants for Dry Shade – Midwest
Sweet Cicely Name: Myrrhis odorata USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7 Size: Up to 5 feet tall and 6 feet wide Conditions: Partial shade; moist, fertile, well-drained soil I’m always…
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ArticleBiennials That Are Worth Your Time
You may already think that you know what a biennial is. Maybe you’ve said, “Why bother?” to yourself all these years. You’re not interested in something that just grows a…
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ArticleRegional Picks: Overlooked Plants – Midwest
Midwest Red valerian (Centranthus ruber) USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8 Size: Up to 2 feet tall and wide Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil I never see red valerian…
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DesignPerennial Self-Sowers
There are two kinds of gardeners when it comes to self-sowing perennials: Lady Plant Hoarder, who says “Bring it on!,” and Mr. Garden Curmudgeon, who simply doesn’t understand why anyone…
Fine Gardening Magazine
