By: Andrew Obloy Our native plants are amazing, they are here for a reason, and we should use them as much as we can in our own landscapes. That being said, not all non-natives should get such a bad rep. For many, the word invasive feels synonymous with non-native. I will always encourage the use of native plants in your own garden, but I don’t think we should look at […]
By: Karl Deibert Orchids have captivated people for millennia. They are a massively diverse group of plants that have colonized almost every corner of the world minus Antarctica. There is an estimated 30,000 naturally occurring species making them the largest flowering plant family. We are still finding new species as they constantly evolve new ways to trick insects and now people into pollinating them and carrying on the next generation. […]
By: Karl Deibert Friends, foes and tasty treats… Our world hosts an untold number of species and nowhere is that more evident than within the kingdom of fungi. To date, we’ve described around 5 percent of the estimated 2.2 million species. Throughout most of our horticultural history mushrooms, molds, and other fungi have been viewed as no more than garden pests and boy, were we wrong. The vast majority of […]
By: Andrew Obloy No one enjoys spending their hard-earned money on repairs or damage that could easily be prevented. Something that a lot of people may not think about when considering landscape maintenance is that it is far more than just aesthetics. Poorly maintained landscapes can cause damage to your property, but with the right care you will not have to worry about these unnecessary expenses. Trees are an obvious […]
By: Gabrielle Phillips One of the loveliest seasonal changes the mid-Atlantic region experiences is the transition from winter to spring. The deep freeze and blanket of snow began to melt away, the sun starts to beam its rays for a longer period and the beautiful, soft, and delicate blossoms of springtime start to emerge from the thawing earth. These little signs of spring bring a symbolism of renewal and lots […]
By: Samantha Wright Spring has sprung and it is time for a good spring cleaning. As we walk around the garden, we notice last year has taken its toll on the beds in one way or another. Before we start, note things that may need more attention in the future. Spring clean-up starts with cleaning out the unwanted remainder of past seasons. Pulling weeds, removing leaves, and cutting back remaining […]
Boxwood are a favorite evergreen shrub in home gardens, loved for their versatility, lush year-round color, and general hardiness. Unfortunately, in the past decade, Boxwood blight has threatened the health of many of these plants. Boxwood blight is a fungal disease that can affect all aboveground parts of the plant. Boxwood blight originated in the United Kingdom in the 1990s and was first confirmed in the United States in October […]
By Renee Godfrey Quillin The hot summer days are a reminder to take the time to sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. This is also a great time to reflect on your outdoor living space by assessing the landscape. Over time landscapes change and early to mid-summer is the perfect opportunity to add a few plants here or there or even spruce (no pun intended) up […]
By David Zimmerman The garden season has officially started! For sure, you or your neighbors are getting ready to lay down a fresh layer of mulch on the garden beds. Almost everyone who has a landscape starts the season with this laborious task, but does anyone know why? In this article, I will dive deep into the mulch pile and demystify the science and proper practice of good mulching – […]
By: Renee Godfrey Quillin Now that the holidays are over and we are at the beginning of what seems to be the endless wintertime blues for some, the winter season provides a variety of work for Gardeners at Planted Earth Landscaping. Winter pruning is a great opportunity to focus on specific plants that respond best to pruning during the cold dormant season. When the weather outside is not conducive in […]
