We recently read that a good way to introduce color to our gardens in the winter is to grow shrubs with colored twigs. Dogwood (Cornus) stems are a good example, especially in a snow covered garden. The reddish color develops in the newest stems. For the rest of the year the stems are, typically, either … Continue reading Dogwood (Cornus) Stems →

When temperatures drop, Rhododendron leaves curl inward. This winter leaf-curling phenomenon is called thermonasty. Scientists believe that it helps protect the leaves from sun damage on cold days. Essentially, the plant is trying to reduce moisture loss and prevent freezing damage. This curling is completely normal and not a sign of distress. Once the temperatures … Continue reading Why Rhododendron Leaves Curl Inward? →

‘Knock Out’ roses are some of the longest blooming flowering shrubs we grow. They keep blooming all the way through fall until the first frost. Gardeners should focus on removing spent blooms, weak stems, and damaged branches. Doing so not only tidies the plant but also directs its remaining energy into the root system, which … Continue reading Knock Out Roses until First Frost →

The New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae) lights up the late season landscape. The bloom color can be shades of pink, violet, purple, or lavender. Large and showy, they can grow up to six feet high. The flowers are an important source of nectar for late season pollinators, especially Monarch butterflies as they stock up for … Continue reading New England Aster – Late Season Bloomer →

The name digitalis derives from the Latin word for “finger,” and it includes about 20 species of herbaceous plants. The best-known species is the “common foxglove” (Digitalis purpurea). Its beautiful bell shaped flowers range in color from purple tints through pinks and whites. The flowers can also exhibit various marks and ‘spottings’ inside the blossoms. … Continue reading Foxgloves – Beautiful But Toxic →