In recent years, gardeners have become increasingly interested in maximizing the benefits their garden spaces can provide for pollinating insects. We know that these important insect friends are struggling with declining populations reported by research from around the globe, which had put...
Plant identification can be incredibly challenging for beginning botanists or even experienced plant people. There are tons of terms to learn and understand just to start identifying plants by leaves and other plant parts. Throw in a leafless winter, and it makes for a difficult skill to...
While this winter has brought little ice and snow cover, this past weekend’s winter weather put a coating of ice on most smooth surfaces. Gardeners, businesses, parks and others with landscaping near walkways must apply deicing salts for safety, but these products can harm plant life. ...
Nothing beats the warmth of a crackling fireplace on these coldest days of the year. Each winter, as my family enjoys the cozy warmth of our woodstove room, I’m always thankful for the firewood supply we’ve been fortunate enough to accumulate over the past season. I enjoy the process of...
Each year, millions of fresh cut Christmas trees are sold across the country adding to the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Have you ever considered the sustainability of a fresh cut tree versus an artificial tree? Fake trees can last for many years, but what is the impact of...
Evergreen foliage has long been a traditional holiday decoration since it encapsulates the green of the growing season well beyond the first frosts. The holiday season is an excellent time to practice your evergreen tree identification on the many non-natives that are so plentiful at retail...
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many of us are stocking up on all the ingredients for our favorite dishes so we can contribute to the family feast. The Thanksgiving meal has traditionally been a celebration of the year’s harvest, making it a great time to focus on the bountiful...
Over this past week, the fall weather has brought bare branches to the previously color-filled canopies of so many trees in the landscape. As the autumn leaf drop has progressed, there are several elm trees that I pass each day which have held onto their fall color and really look spectacular...
Every plant has its peak season of both ornamental and ecological interest. With so many plants in full fall color right now, its hard to consider another ornamental attribute. However, coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) is a native shrub with a spectacular display of...
Fall is an ideal time to plant trees and shrubs in the landscape. Since winter dormancy is right around the corner, it’s a low stress time to install woody plants. I always try to wrap up my fall plantings by about Thanksgiving, but plants can actually be installed anytime up to...
