Fine Gardening – Issue 206
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How to Change Hydrangea Color: pH Isn’t the Only Factor
The color of the blue or pink flowers on bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas is determined by the soil in which they are planted. It’s a common belief that pH, which…
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Vegetable Garden Tools to Add to Your Shed This Year
An inexpensive gadget to keep vining plants in check In the veggie garden, you often need to tie a plant to a stake to keep it upright. When I’m doing…
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The Best Summer Alliums to Grow: Plant Trial Results
Some years ago, during a midsummer trip to Wisconsin, I found myself transfixed by a vast planting of ‘Summer Beauty’ allium dotted throughout with taller bright pink coneflowers (Echinacea spp.…
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Noteworthy New Summer Alliums
Although too new to our trial to be fully evaluated, these notable alliums are worthy of praise. Keep an eye out for them when you're at your local garden center…
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Growing Summer Alliums: Conditions and Care
When given proper conditions and care, summer alliums are stellar, reliable performers in the landscape. Here are some insights into growing summer alliums that can help you manage and enjoy…
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Missing Plant Trials and Chile Rellenos | Letter from the Editor
Before we stopped traveling for the better part of two years, my favorite annual trip for Fine Gardening was to the Chicago Botanic Garden. Every year I’d visit Richard Hawke,…
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How to Grow Prayer Plants as Houseplants
Prayer plants (Goeppertia spp. and cvs., syn. Calathea spp. and cvs., Zones 9–11) are arguably among the most stunning houseplants you can add to your collection. Though they come in…
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8 Types of Pollinators That Visit the Garden
Containers filled with pollinator-pleasing plants will bring an assortment of fascinating creatures to your yard. From the portfolio of nature photographer Bill Johnson, let’s take a look at some of…
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‘Venusta’ Queen of the Prairie Thrives in Wet Conditions
Looking to make an impression in the garden? Check out ‘Venusta’ queen of the prairie—an impressive perennial that rises to the occasion to create a bold, dramatic scene. This underutilized…
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8 Summer Bulbs That Every Garden Needs
Summer bulbs are a bit of garden magic, a trick you can keep up your sleeve to transform beds that have become too sleepy and predictable. They are perfect for…
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Big and Bold Plants for the Back of the Border
A garden and a chorus have certain similarities, with lots of different plants or lots of different voices coming together to create something beautiful. If all the plants or voices…
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Expert Staking Tips for Tall Plants
If you garden in a low-wind situation, your tall plants probably won’t need staking. However, my big, bold garden is out in the open prairie, so staking is often a…
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A Garden Where the Deep South Meets the Pacific Northwest
After living their entire lives in Alabama, and with a little encouragement from some friends, Phillip Oliver and his husband made their dreams a reality by retiring and relocating to…
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Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for the Midwest
According to NASA Earth Observatory, one-third of the United States experienced some level of drought in 2020. Unfortunately, we know this was not a random anomaly but an increasing trend with…
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Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for the Mid-Atlantic
According to NASA Earth Observatory, one-third of the United States experienced some level of drought in 2020. Unfortunately, we know this was not a random anomaly but an increasing trend…
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Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for the South
According to NASA Earth Observatory, one-third of the United States experienced some level of drought in 2020. Unfortunately, we know this was not a random anomaly but an increasing trend…
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Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for the Northeast
According to NASA Earth Observatory, one-third of the United States experienced some level of drought in 2020. Unfortunately, we know this was not a random anomaly but an increasing trend…
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Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for the Southern Plains
According to NASA Earth Observatory, one-third of the United States experienced some level of drought in 2020. Unfortunately, we know this was not a random anomaly but an increasing trend with…
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Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for the Northwest
According to NASA Earth Observatory, one-third of the United States experienced some level of drought in 2020. Unfortunately, we know this was not a random anomaly but an increasing trend with…
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Designing a Garden in the Woods
Creating a garden in shade can be tough enough, but when you’re attempting to carve a garden out of a densely wooded lot, the challenges are multiplied. Most gardeners want…
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Key Concepts for Designing a Garden Within the Woods
The garden pockets in this landscape were carved out from the surrounding woods and built to bridge the gap between the cultivated spaces and the wild area. Your native surroundings…
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This Low-Maintenance Rugosa Rose Puts on an Impressive Show
In the spring of 2017, I was sent four plants of an unnamed rugosa rose for trialing at the University of Tennessee Gardens in Jackson. They were planted in unamended…
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‘Peachie Keen’ Agastache Is a Jaw-Dropping Hummingbird Magnet
If you are looking to draw attention to your garden this summer, look no further than ‘Peachie Keen’ agastache. This perennial shines with alluring summer blooms and fragrance that make…
Featured Articles
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Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for Your Region
According to NASA Earth Observatory, one-third of the United States experienced some level of drought in 2020. Unfortunately, we know this was not a random anomaly but an increasing trend…
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Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for California
According to NASA Earth Observatory, one-third of the United States experienced some level of drought in 2020. Unfortunately, we know this was not a random anomaly but an increasing trend with…
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6 Beautiful Pollinator Container-Garden Designs
Over the last few decades, gardeners and the general public have become increasingly aware of the importance of supporting pollinators. These hardworking creatures are under threat due to habitat loss…
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Tips for Working With Summer Bulbs
Adding bulbs, corms, and tubers to garden beds is a little different from planting typical perennials or annuals. Here are a few tips to help ensure a bountiful summer-bulb display.…
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Growing Mountain Hydrangeas: The Tougher Hydrangea
Many gardeners have started to look more closely at mountain hydrangeas. This species is native to the mountainous regions of Korea and Japan, an environment that produces plants that are…
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6 Tips for Easier Gardening This Season
1. Repurpose an old cushion for a garden seat - Winning Tip Garden kneelers are a necessity as you age, not a luxury. One day when I was getting ready…