Author Archives: Meghan Shinn

The Advantages of Fall-planted Peonies

October 7, 2014 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Peonies can be planted in fall or spring, but there are a few reasons why fall is the better choice—so when you’re purchasing bulbs to plant this fall, pick up a few bare-root peonies, too.

Tiny Monster Cranesbill Remains Attractive Through Fall

October 7, 2014 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Virtues: This variety of cranesbill, or hardy geranium, stands out for its reliabilty as a spreading groundcover that blooms in spring and summer and offers colorful fall foliage. ‘Tiny Monster’ is a sterile cultivar, meaning that it cannot set seed …

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What to Plant in Place of Summer Annuals

September 29, 2014 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Warm-season annuals play a number of vital roles in gardens. They offer consistent color and interest in the garden while perennials and shrubs go in and out of bloom. They provide a continuous food supply for bees, hummingbirds, butterflies and …

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Plant Winter Sunshine Hellebores for Strong Early Bloom

September 29, 2014 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Virtues: Winter Sunshine hellebores are a great garden plant because they offer flowers in late winter. Unlike many hellebores they flower in their first year of growth. Their flowers face outward rather than drooping down, so you can easily see …

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Shirley Is a Color-Changing Tulip for Spring Wow

September 22, 2014 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Virtues: We love ‘Shirley’ tulips for their colors, which change dramatically as the flowers mature. Easy to pair with other tulips and perennials, these fall-planted bulbs make for a dynamic spring display.

Did You Wear Out Your Gardening Shoes?

September 22, 2014 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Garden boots and clogs take a lot of abuse, and even a high-quality pair will eventually develop worn spots, holes or a loss in support. Faithful footwear can find new life as a whimsical garden planter.

Planting Trees This Fall? Important Vole Tip

September 16, 2014 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Fall is optimum tree- and shrub-planting time. Planting instructions usually end with the advice to water the new tree or shrub well and then apply an even layer of mulch to conserve soil moisture and regulate soil temperatures. This is …

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Sugar Shack Buttonbush: Flowers, Foliage and Form

September 16, 2014 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Virtues: We love Sugar Shcak buttonbush for its curious round summer flowers, ornamental red fruit and bright fall foliage. Its bare stems and branches are attractive in winter. This adaptable US-native shrub is the perfect size for today’s small yards …

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Hover Flies and Syrphid Flies Are Garden Friends

September 9, 2014 | Meghan Shinn | 0

If you’ve noticed what looks like a hairless bee hovering in midair over the flowers in your garden, you were probably spotting a hover, or syrphid, fly. These insects resemble bees, though they are flies. They are helpful to garden …

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Plant Doublefile Viburnum for Spring Flowers and Fall Foliage

September 9, 2014 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Virtues: We love doublefile viburnumn, or Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum ‘Mariesii’, for its showy spring flowers and its red to purple fall foliage. This beautiful garden shrub also has a very nice branch structure.

When Dividing Plants in Late Summer or Fall, Think Big

September 2, 2014 | Meghan Shinn | 0

An easy way to increase the number of plants in your garden is to divide its mature perennials. Plant division entails digging up a sizable plant and splitting it into two or more smaller individuals, each complete with roots, stems …

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