Author Archives: Meghan Shinn

Grow Heliotrope for Its Most Fragrant Annual Flowers

May 22, 2012 | Meghan Shinn | 1

Virtues: Heliotrope, or cherry pie plant, has very fragrant summer flowers and clean, textural green foliage. Heliotrope is a fine annual plant for butterfly gardens, window boxes, pots, the fragrant garden and more.

Annuals Aren’t Evil: Reasons to Grow Annual Flowers

May 22, 2012 | Meghan Shinn | 15

Question: I’ve read some opinions on different blogs stating that annuals aren’t a great choice because the methods of producing them aren’t always ecologically friendly and because they take a lot of water and fertilizer to grow well. Your thoughts?

Bees, Pollinators and Beneficial Insects: Helpful Resources

May 17, 2012 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Here’s a list of resources that will help you attract, identify and enjoy the beneficial insects in your garden.

Stake Your Plants: Kinds of Garden Stakes and Tomato Cages

May 14, 2012 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Question: Can you walk me through the different kinds of garden stakes and which stake would be best for what plants?

Make a Butterfly Garden: Features That Attract Butterflies

May 14, 2012 | Meghan Shinn | 0

If you hope to be attracting butterflies to your garden this summer, be sure to include these simple details. They are the key to a successful butterfly garden.

Vaccinium Red Pearl: Making it Easy to Fruit Garden

May 14, 2012 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Virtues: Red Pearl lingonberry is a close relative of blueberry bushes (all are in the genus Vaccinium). It works well as a groundcover and produces edible red berries. Even without a distinct fruit or vegetable garden, you can grow fruit …

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Direct Seeding and How to Protect Plants from Frost

May 8, 2012 | Meghan Shinn | 0

In this video Tricia from Peaceful Valley talks about direct seeding and how to protect plants from frost.

How to Make a Climbing Rose Look Fuller

May 8, 2012 | Meghan Shinn | 1

Here’s a very easy way to make a climbing rose appear more lush and cover an arbor or trellis better.

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Dwarf Korean Lilac: a Better Lilac Bush Where Size Matters

May 8, 2012 | Meghan Shinn | 3

Virtues: We love dwarf Korean lilac (Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’) for its compact, rounded shape and resistance to powdery mildew, two characteristics that set it apart from other lilacs. Dwarf Korean lilac fits small gardens, tight spaces and can be used …

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Enter the Spring Fling Giveaway for Great Garden Prizes

May 2, 2012 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Horticulture has partnered with seven companies to give away seven amazing garden prizes in May!

Easy Organic Lawn Care: Grow a Gorgeous All-Natural Lawn

April 30, 2012 | Meghan Shinn | 0

Watch a video on organic lawn care.