By Renee Godfrey Quillin There has been an increased focus on a new trend in 2024 that could be a garden game changer. The Perennial Movement is advocating for a more naturalistic and low-maintenance garden to celebrate the beauty of nature as the landscape changes from season to season. This creative process is accomplished by utilizing a naturalistic design, a colorful plant palette, use of natives and their cultivars, and […]
Benefits of Houseplants
By: Renee Godfrey Quillin There is nothing like walking into the greenhouse at your local garden center and get an overwhelming sense of euphoria. Why is that? Is it the fresh smell, the endless ambiance of beautiful flora or even the warm humid atmosphere? It lies much deeper than our simple five senses. Houseplants provide a range of health benefits such as improved mental clarity and decreased depression that leads […]
5 Plants that Control Bad Pests
by Casey Beall With many people looking to find natural ways to repel pests and bugs, different plants have been researched and proven to repel different species. There are five common plants that are very popular in repelling insects. Pelargonium ‘Citronella’ Geranium repels mosquitos like any outdoor candle that contains citronella would do. When the plant is damaged, cut or bruised, a strong scent is released into the air. Many […]
Fungi in the Ecosystem
by Karl Deibert We wouldn’t have the plants we know today if fungi did not exist. They have played an integral role in how life has developed and come to flourish on this planet. Fungus generally is not something that people hold in high regard, often associated with decay and disease, which is true for some species, but there is a lot more going on out there. Humans are just […]
Fungi in the Garden
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 […]
Planting for Pollinators
It is nearly impossible to imagine the fresh blooms of springtime without also picturing the bumblebee buzzing about the garden, the hummingbird hovering at 80 beats per second or the monarch mud-puddling in the damp soil. In fact, without these critical pollinators in the garden, there would be few plants left for us to enjoy! According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), animal pollinators including insects, birds and […]