The USDA Plant Hardiness Zones are a standard that most gardeners consider when selecting plants suitable for their local climate. These maps show us the mean annual low temperature for a given location, which helps distinguish the relative cold hardiness of plants, insects and other biota...
Last week, I reviewed the history of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Maps (PHZM) and their relative change over recent time. These maps are intended to be a guide for gardeners attempting to predict the potential for winter injury to plants, which is a key factor in establishment and successful...
Everyone has their own idea of the perfect Christmas tree. While I am not a person that picks the proverbial “Charlie Brown Tree”, I have certainly felt pity on the less attractive trees on the lot in years past. Whatever your taste, a fresh cut Christmas tree adds a certain bit of...
Nothing symbolizes the holiday season to a horticulturalist like a holiday cactus in full bloom. These fascinating plants are cacti, but not at all like the full-sun, desert loving specimens we commonly think of. Instead, these plants hail from the treetops of forests in Brazil, which...
One of the single best things you can do to improve your garden soil is to add organic matter. By adding significant amounts of organic matter, you are putting fuel back into the nutrient cycle which naturally adds plant nutrients to our soil and lessens (or eliminates) the need for...
The world of horticulture is ever changing with an increasing interest among plant lovers for more and more digital media. While the internet has vastly expanded the amount of plant information available to the public as text, other forms of digital media, such as podcasts, YouTube videos,...
'Creating a Holiday Wreath' featuring Master Gardener Mary StonecipherDANVILLE – The holidays are right around the corner and finding time to shop, bake, decorate and enjoy time with loved ones can be challenging. How about spending quality...
Autumn is not only a time of brilliant fall colors, but also a time to observe the annual bird migration that spans our continent. Many of our feathered friends travel amazingly great distances to reach warmer climates with abundant food for winter. This lengthy journey spans thousands...
Most of us think of tree leaves when we think about beautiful fall foliage, but many ornamental grasses provide wonderful fall color that often extends well into the winter season. Right now is an excellent time to observe these grasses in the landscape and consider how we might integrate...
In recent years, herbs have gained a larger presence in my home gardens. Not only do these plants provide wonderful, fresh garnish for many of our favorites recipes, but they can also be a source of ornamental value as well as great pollinator plants when in bloom. Many herbs are touted...
