We usually take a trip to the mountains in the Autumn. It’s an opportunity to exhale, relax, and talk. We have found that communication is the key to a healthy relationship. Daily work and other activities can take up so much of your time that you barely have a […]
We visited historic Havre de Grace, Maryland for our wedding anniversary. Why Havre de Grace? Here are 4 reasons: Havre de Grace is steeped in American history Havre de Grace is an inexpensive daytrip if you live within a few hours drive Havre de Grace is a very interesting […]
It’s late Winter in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. We still have snow on the ground, but scores of Robins, BlueJays and Mockingbirds signal an early Spring! Our Table Top Juniper is always a favorite evergreen for our feathered friends. To learn 4 Ways Table Top Juniper Enhances […]
We are in the midst of a Winter Blizzard in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S.! We have 16 inches of snow on the ground and we are expecting 12 more inches! The weather forecasters predicted 40 to 60 mph winds, which would guarantee massive power outages. Fortunately, […]
Red Salvia has beautiful red spiked flowers that attract hummingbirds to your garden! Even in the early Fall, you will see a few hummingbirds stop at your Red Salvia as they make their migration to warmer climates. Red Salvia like morning sun. Red Salvia will continue to bloom until the […]
We love shades of “orange” in our garden! The top left photo is multi-color Zinnias planted from seed Zinnias are very easy to grow. We just sprinkled the seeds in amended soil, and lightly sprayed with water everyday for a couple of weeks. We waited until late […]
We have lots of “Pretty in Pink” in our garden! The top left photo is a pot of pink impatiens. Impatiens like shade, so if you have a shady spot in your garden, they are perfect! For more information, photos, and videos on impatiens, click here. […]
It’s early Spring in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and our White Hyacinth are finally blooming! Five reasons to grow hyacinth in your garden are: Hyacinth are hardy plants that require very little maintenance. Hyacinth are deer-resistant and rabbit-resistant. Over time, […]
It’s Spring in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and our “Tinkerbell” Bearded Iris are blooming! Tinkerbell Irises are smaller Irises, about 6 to 8 inches tall. They multiply quickly, so if you enjoy giving away plants to your neighbors, friends, and relatives, these are the perfect Irises for […]
It’s Spring in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and our “Lady Friend” Bearded Iris are blooming! These Irises are so beautiful in color that they remind us of raspberry lollipops! We have more Irises this year because it rained quite a bit this Spring. Therefore, we have learned […]
It’s Spring in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and our “Sonata in Blue” Bearded Iris are blooming! These Irises are usually light blue in color, but this year they are deep lavendar or light purple. We can only assume it is due to the abundant rains this season. […]
It’s Spring in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and our “Indian Chief” Bearded Irises are blooming! These Irises are burgundy with gold accents. We have an abundance of Bearded Irises this year. We can only assume it is due to the frequent rains this season. To learn the […]
Blue Coreposis bush is a maintenance-free perennial! It blooms beautiful bright blue flowers in late summer through fall. It attracts butterflies and bees to your garden. It is very easy to maintain. Cut back hard in early spring with quality pruning shears such as Fiskars 25-33 Inch Power-Lever Extendable Hedge […]
We bought lots of Vinca this season. Our pretty magenta Vinca are planted in a large container with a pink geranium. We have noticed that geraniums don’t do as well when they have to share a container. Vincas are one of our top “maintenance-free” plants! Here are 7 reasons to […]
On a sunny fall morning, we noticed a Yellow Tiger Swallowtail feeding on our Butterfly bush. I carefully walked toward him so I could record him. He flew toward the camera which was delightful! Butterfly bush will bring beautiful butterflies to your garden! To learn how to care for […]
Burgundy Barberry Shrub provides deep burgundy color all year long. During the Winter, it provides color and structure in your landscape. It blooms small yellow flowers in early summer, which attracts honey bees. It has sharp thorns which keep the deer away. Barberry is very easy to maintain. Prune […]
Our most durable perennials are Bearded Irises, which bloom in the Spring, and Sedum, which bloom in Autumn. We must love pink because we have an abundance of pink Bearded Irises and pink Sedum in our garden! Bearded Irises and Sedum are very easy to maintain. […]
If you are looking for a large, wide evergreen shrub, Table-Top Juniper is the shrub for you! Our Table Top Juniper is about 15 feet wide and 12 feet tall. Here are 4 ways Table Top Juniper enhances your landscape: Table-Top Juniper provides privacy and screening from […]
Our collection of 5 gorgeous Bearded Irises consists of: Tropical Butterfly (top left of collage) Indian Chief Bearded Iris (top right of collage) Heirloom Bearded Iris (bottom left of collage) Sonata in Blue Bearded Iris (bottom middle of collage) Lady Friend (bottom right of collage) For delightful […]
Winter Red Welcomes the Holidays! For true gardeners, Winter ushers in a time of rest, recuperation, and planning for Spring. Typically, the Winter landscape is bland and unforgiving. Fortunately, we have discovered a few shrubs that can add color, volume and interest to your Winter landscape. […]
Our huge Christmas Camellia is ready for the holidays! It’s sporting bright red and yellow blooms and is standing 10 feet tall. We purchased the Camellia at a plant nursery in Chincoteague, Virginia about 7 years ago. It was about 18 inches tall at that time. It’s very easy […]
The Value of Trees in Our Landscape Why are trees valuable in our landscape? Here are 6 reasons: Trees are the bones and structure in our landscape.What does that mean? It means that in the dead of […]
It’s Fall in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and our Burning Bush leaves are transitioning to red! Here are 4 reasons to grow Burning Bush in your landscape: Burning Bush is very easy to maintain. Just prune once per year to maintain shape. Burning Bush will give you brilliant […]
Salvia is absolutely one of our favorite flowers! We love the tall spikes of flowers, and especially enjoy watching the hummingbirds feed several times per day. Salvia can be a little tempermental, so follow these tips to keep your Salvia happy! Prune dead blooms using quality pruning shears, such […]
It’s late Summer in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and our Morning Glory vine is in full bloom! Morning Glory blooms are a very pretty purple, and they bloom in the morning. Morning Glory vine is extremely easy to grow. We planted a few seeds in the ground […]
We live in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S.A. It rarely goes below 20 degrees in the winter. We have Petunias in containers that self-seed and return year after year! Here a 7 tips to get free Petunias every year: After the first hard frost, when the temperature goes below […]
We bought lots of Vinca this season. Our pretty magenta Vinca are planted in a large container with a pink geranium. We have noticed that geraniums don’t do as well when they have to share a container. Vincas are one of our top “maintenance-free” plants! Here are 7 reasons to […]
When we turn the corner and walk down the hill, our Side Garden stands up and greets us everyday! I have always loved Side Gardens. When I was growing up, my parents had a Side Garden of Irises, Lilies, Roses, and Azaleas. Side Gardens are typically […]
Golden Yarrow is one of our favorite perennials! It occupies the center of our Side Garden. It grows to about 3 feet tall and just as wide. The blooms are unique because they are flat across the top. The leaves are feathery, similar to ferns. Following are 5 […]
Coleus, Caladium, and Hibiscus plants produce a stunning display of color and texture! After eating breakfast at Magnolia’s on Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, we noticed a bright stand of colorful leaves surrounding tropical Hibiscus flowers. What a gorgeous combination! For beginner gardeners, you may have a […]
We Love Myrtle Beach! It’s like visiting a tropical island with all the conveniences and amenities of home. Palm trees, ocean breeze, and sunny skies invite us back year after year. While taking a stroll down Ocean Boulevard, we noticed a stunning garden near the Breakers Resort. A […]
When we turn the corner and walk down the hill, our Side Garden stands up and greets us everyday! I have always loved Side Gardens. When I was growing up, my parents had a Side Garden of Irises, Lilies, Roses, and Azaleas. Side Gardens are typically […]
The name “milkweed” doesn’t sound like a very attractive name. When gardeners think of “weeds,” positive thoughts typically don’t come to our minds. However, there are 5 reasons to grown ‘Milkweed Bush” in your garden: Monarch butterflies are attracted to gardens with a milkweed bush. The milkweed bush is […]
Our dazzling, durable and dependable Day Lilies are at the top of our “maintenance-free” list! Here are 4 reasons to grow and enjoy Day Lilies in your garden: Day Lilies Lilies are durable, dependable perennials that multiply every year! Day Lilies do not require fertilizer. However, if you […]
We have so many favorites! Asiatic Lilies are at the top of our “maintenance-free” list! Here are 5 reasons to grow and enjoy Asiatic Lilies in your garden: Asiatic Lilies have large, stunning blooms that attract attention! Asiatic Lilies are durable, dependable perennials that multiply every year! Asiatic […]
Neon Spirea is our favorite easy-maintenance flowering shrub! It is extremely easy to maintain and it blooms beautiful magenta flowers consistently throughout summer! What are 8 reasons to grow Neon Spirea in your garden? Neon Spirea blooms gorgeous magenta clusters of flowers beginning in late Spring, and continuing […]
A good friend of ours is renovating a home in North Carolina. He noticed some shrubs that he really likes. They bloom light pink and magenta flowers all Spring long! He is not sure of the name of the shrub and he asked for our help. We think […]
Traveling to historic Ephrata Pennsylvania was like traveling into a time machine. The Cloisters religious community has maintained their way of life from the 1700s. The buildings look like large barns. The style of dress is similar to the Amish. The grounds are beautifully maintained, as you will see […]
It’s mid Spring in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and our Red Roses are in full bloom! Roses are a very popular shrub because of their beautiful layered blooms! To ensure continuous blooms, fertilize roses in early Spring and Autumn. Use an organic rose fertilizer such as Espoma Rose-tone […]
Spring and Fall are excellent times to prune trees! It gives cut branches time to mend before the stress of Summer and Winter. We are pruning our Oak tree because the lower branches are reaching into the sidewalk area. Do-it-yourself pruning will save hundreds of dollars over the long-term. Use […]
We love huge, majestic trees, and one of our favorites is our Oak tree! Here are 4 ways Oak Trees improve your landscape and home: One way Oak Trees improve your landscape is by bringing beautiful Autumn gold and burnt orange color to your Fall landscape. It’s […]
It’s Spring in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and our Purple Salvia are blooming! Purple Salvia are perennials that return every year. The flowers are spikes of miniature purple flowers. Purple Salvia is very easy to maintain. Just prune the spikes once the flowers turn light brown. Fertilize […]
It’s Spring in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and our “Indian Chief” Bearded Irises are blooming! These Irises are burgundy with gold accents. We have an abundance of Bearded Irises this year. We can only assume it is due to the frequent rains this season. To learn the secret […]
It’s Spring in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and our Clematis Vine is blooming! The deep burgundy blooms are large and eye-catching! For the beginner gardener, Clematis Vines can be a bit of a challenge. What are the 4 secrets to large Clematis blooms every Spring? […]
Early Spring is an excellent time to prune non-flowering shrubs and evergreens! Our Front Sidewalk Garden contains evergreen shrubs that grow consistently. They require very little maintenance; just prune with quality pruning shears such as Fiskars 25-33 Inch Power-Lever Extendable Hedge Shear (9169), to maintain shape and size. […]
It’s Spring in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and our “Sonata in Blue” Bearded Iris are blooming! These Irises are usually light blue in color, but this year they are deep lavendar or light purple. We can only assume it is due to the abundant rains this season. […]
Snowmound Spirea shrub blooms in mid Spring and the dainty white flowers look like a layer of snow has fallen! It blooms consistently every year, and the shrub is very easy to maintain. For beginner gardeners, the Spirea variety of shrubs are excellent choices because they are very easy […]
It’s mid Spring in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and we are excited to see our White Azaleas blooming! The blooms are late this year because we had a long, cold winter. it’s just beginning to warm up, so our White Azaleas are a welcome sight! For beginner […]
It’s Spring in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and we are excited to see our “Tropical Butterfly” Iris blooming! if you will notice, we don’t have many Irises blooming because the Irises have become crowded. When you view the below video, you will see an excellent example of […]
It’s Spring in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and our “Lady Friend” Bearded Iris are blooming! These Irises are so beautiful in color that they remind us of raspberry lollipops! We have more Irises this year because it rained quite a bit this Spring. Therefore, we have learned […]
It’s Spring in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and our “Tinkerbell” Bearded Iris are blooming! Tinkerbell Irises are smaller Irises, about 6 to 8 inches tall. They multiply quickly, so if you enjoy giving away plants to your neighbors, friends, and relatives, these are the perfect Irises for […]
We call this our “Heirloom Garden,” which is a combination of Bearded Irises and Tiger Lilies. The Irises and Tiger Lilies were transplanted from my Mom’s garden 15 years ago. Therefore, we call them our “heirloom” Irises and Tiger Lilies.The Bearded Irises are just starting […]
Our Red Tulips are in full bloom! It’s been a long, cold winter. Old Man Winter held on for a long time, but finally our bright Red Tulips have sprouted and bloomed! Tulips are very easy to grow. During the Autumn, plant the bulb six inches in […]
Pyracantha Teton is a thorny shrub that grows upright and dense. Here are 5 reasons to grow Pyracantha Teton in your garden: (1) Pyracantha Teton adds bright orange color to your Fall garden. (2) If you would like to create a natural border, Pyracantha Teton has thorns which discourage […]
Are you looking for beautiful blooms that come back every year with little to no work? If so, we have good news for you! We have developed a list of our favorite perennials that give us […]
Primrose are our favorite “no maintenance” flower! Here are 8 reasons to grow Primrose in your garden: Primrose bloom pretty flowers every Spring. They add a bright spot of color to your garden Primrose multiply are their own. You plant them […]
It’s early Spring in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and our White Hyacinth are finally in bloom! Five reasons to grow hyacinth in your garden are: Hyacinth are hardy plants that require very little maintenance. Hyacinth are deer-resistant and rabbit-resistant. […]
Variegated Liriope is a perennial groundcover that provides interest year round. The spike leaves are light green and white in color. We have Variegated Liriope in our Front Sidewalk Garden. Why cut back Liriope in early Spring? It forces fresh, new growth! For beginner gardeners, Liriope is an […]
We have lots of “Pretty in Pink” in our garden! The top left photo is a pot of pink impatiens. Impatiens like shade, so if you have a shady spot in your garden, they are perfect! For more information, photos, and videos on impatiens, click here. […]
We love shades of “peach” in our garden! The top left photo is multi-color Zinnias planted from seed. Zinnias are very easy to grow. We just sprinkled the seeds in amended soil, and lightly sprayed with water everyday for a couple of weeks. We waited until late […]
The best time to prune flowering shrubs is just after they have bloomed, but before they set bud for their next blooming cycle. For example, our Snowmound Spirea blooms in mid-Spring every year. It only blooms once per year, so we […]
Early Spring is an excellent time to prune non-flowering shrubs and evergreens! Our Front Sidewalk Garden showcases a green and yellow Euonymus shrub, which provides color all year long. The leaves are glossy and showy. It requires very little maintenance; just prune with quality pruning shears such as […]
We are on “cherry blossom watch!” It is late Winter in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. We have 8 inches of fresh snow covering our landscape, which includes our Japanese Cherry Trees! In just a few short weeks, we will have beautiful cherry blossoms! The above photo was taken […]
When deciduous trees have lost their leaves, what provides beauty and consistency in your Winter landscape? Evergreens! The 20 foot tall evergreen in the background is an Arizona Cypress. It turns a beautiful blue in the Autumn, as you can […]
A fresh blanket of snow has fallen and our evergreens are drooping. Heavy snow can break evergreen branches, so we need to knock off some of the heavy snow. Lo is using a tree loper to knock off the snow. If you notice evergreens that are bent or […]
It’s late Winter in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S.A. If you live in an area that does not get snow, you are in for a treat! It’s cold but it is beautiful! Even the birds are chirping, ready for Spring! We believe it’s our last snowstorm of the […]
When I was in my early 20s, I loved watching gardening shows on PBS (Public Broadcasting System). The host would visit various gardens and showcase the plants. She slowly walked through the garden paths, stopped to touch the plants, share […]
Believe it or not — Spring is just around the corner! It’s always darkest before the dawn, and we have experienced record cold temperatures, snow blizzards, and multiple snow/ice events. So our thoughts are turning to Spring. One of our most dependable perennials are Irises. Why Plant […]
It’s February and it’s very cold in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. We are sooo looking forward to Spring! Our first blooms are daffodils and hyacinths. Since we have abundant wildlife in the nearby woods, we have to […]
It’s late Autumn in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S.A. Temperatures are averaging 35 degrees during the day, so we are spending more time inside. Therefore, it’s a good time to focus on our health and wellness! We took advantage of the opportunity to get outside and visit Black Hill […]
It’s late Autumn in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S.A., therefore we are inside the house and focused on health and wellness! What does that mean? It means giving time and attention to your physical and mental health. It means eating healthy. It means exercising at least 30 minutes per […]
We spent Thanksgiving weekend at Massanutten, a mountain resort in Harrisonburg, Virginia. We were in search of rest and relaxation, health and wellness. We usually take a trip to the mountains in the Autumn. It’s an opportunity to exhale, relax, and talk. We have found that communication is […]
Our Front Sidewalk Garden includes Red Potted Geraniums, Japanese Wildflowers, Euonymus Shrub, Tall Arborvitae Evergreens, and Irises. In our birdbath, we placed Hens and Chicks succulent plants. The Front Sidewalk Garden is very low maintenance … we prune the Euonymus a couple of times per year to keep it […]
When we turn the corner and walk down the hill, our Side Garden stands up and greets us everyday! I have always loved Side Gardens. When I was growing up, my parents had a Side Garden of Irises, Lilies, Roses, and Azaleas. Side Gardens are typically […]
It’s late Autumn, but the ground is still warm in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. Hence, it’s not to late to dig up weeds so they don’t over-winter in your garden! Once weeds establish their roots deep into the ground, it’s very difficult to get rid of them. However, […]
Our huge Christmas Camellia is ready for the holidays! It’s sporting bright red and yellow blooms and is standing 10 feet tall. We purchased the Camellia at a plant nursery in Chincoteague, Virginia about 7 years ago. It was about 18 inches tall at that time. It’s very easy […]
Our huge Nellie Stevens Holly is ready for the holidays! It’s sporting bright red berries and is standing 18 feet tall and 10 feet wide. We planted the holly about 10 yrs ago and it has grown fast and furious ever since! Hollies are broadleaf evergreens. They maintain their […]
We are at the Massanutten Resort in Harrisonburg, Virginia. As we take a walk on a sunny but chilly afternoon, we notice a shrub with bright red berries! It looks similar to our Barberry shrubs, but it has no thorns and no leaves. If anyone knows the name […]
Trees are the bones of our landscape. They provide structure, color, and volume. They also provide habitat and food for hundreds of species such as birds, butterflies, and squirrels. Trees also provide monetary value. Ask your local […]
“In a recent study, men who touched plant leaves for two minutes felt calmer and had less cerebral blood flow to the brain areas associated with stress than men who touched metal or other materials.” [Source: Bottom Line Personal, Vol 35 Number 20, October 15, 2014] To read the actual […]
What is a Garden Oasis? When you step outside onto your deck or patio to enjoy the weather and scenery, wouldn’t it be nice to have beautiful plants and flowers greeting you? Plants help soften the lines of a deck or patio. Plants add colorful interest to a deck or […]
Our Sedum Autum Joy is so healthy that it gets top-heavy when it blooms! Should it be pruned before blooming in the Fall? if so, when is the best time to prune? Please comment below or reply to our twitter @itsgardningtime … Thanks! Our Sedum Autumn Joy is a large […]
As I was recording a video of our Burning Bush, I noticed pretty red berries! I don’t know why I never noticed them before, but it was a delight to see them. Every year, we have Mockingbirds nest in our Burning Bush. I’m sure they are enjoying the berries. […]
Why Plant Irises? Irises bloom in the spring and they love full sun! Their blooms are unique, with a colorful bloom on top and another bloom hanging at the bottom, hence “bearded” iris. Irises are very easy to maintain. How to Plant Irises The most important aspect of planting irises […]
Our Tinkerbell Irises have stopped blooming, and the reason is because Irises don’t like to be crowded. Irises multiply quickly, and if they get too crowded, they stop blooming. The secret to get them blooming again is to dig them up and divide them, as we demonstrate in the videos […]
The cool temperatures of Autumn make it a perfect time to dig up and divide your Irises. Why dig up and divide Irises? if you have noticed that your Irises aren’t blooming as much as they used to, it’s probably because Irises don’t like to be crowded. They multiply quickly, […]
If you have noticed that your Irises are not blooming as much as they used to, it’s probably because they have multiplied and have become crowded. Irises multiply quickly, and once they get too crowded, they stop blooming. The solution is to dig them up and divide them, as […]
We were looking for a free way to relax and enjoy a breezy Autumn afternoon, so we spent the afternoon at Black Hill Regional Park and Seneca lake. It was a little chilly and breezy, but the Fall colors were beautiful! […]
This is an update to our post about discovering butterfly eggs on our Salmon Geraniums. To find out what happened to the butterfly eggs, see the video at the bottom of this post … >>>>>>>>>>>>> I just watered our Salmon Geraniums and noticed little black eggs on a few leaves. […]
When the temperatures cool down, it’s a welcome respite from the long, hot Summer! Autumn is our favorite season! The trees and shrubs begin to change colors. Nature gives us a free show of colors, textures and berries! Autumn ushers in a kaleidoscope of colors, […]
It’s early Fall in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and our Red Maple Tree is starting to turn red! Red Maple Tree is a stunning, majestic tree. Here are 4 ways Red Maple Trees improve your landscape and home: One way Red Maple Trees improve your […]
Golden Barberry Shrub is a very low maintenance shrub that has many uses in your landscape. Here are 4 ways Golden Barberry shrub can improve your landscape: If you would like to create a natural fence along your property line, Golden Barberry shrub is a good choice. It provides […]
It’s Fall in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and our Burning Bush leaves are transitioning to red! Burning Bush is very easy to maintain. Just prune once per year to maintain shape, and in return, Burning Bush will give you brilliant red leaves in the Fall. This is our […]
Pyracantha Teton is a thorny shrub that grows upright and dense. Here are 5 reasons to grow Pyracantha Teton in your garden: (1) Pyracantha Teton adds bright orange color to your Autumn garden. (2) If you would like to create a natural border, Pyracantha Teton has is a perfect […]
The Early Fall Landscape It’s early Fall in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. and we have a landscape that is changing colors right before our eyes! From majestic trees like oak and maple, to barberry shrubs, and perennials such as Chrysanthemums, a kaleidoscope of colors has enveloped our garden! […]
What Are Mums? Chrysanthemums, or “mums” as they are commonly called, are colorful perennials that bloom in the Fall. Their leaves have scalloped, wavy edges. Fortunately, mums have a slight scent that keeps deer and rabbits away. When to Plant Mums? Mums can be planted anytime from early Spring to […]
What are the 5 Secrets to Beautiful Fall Blooms? Secret #1 – By mid-summer, you will notice your mums starting to form flower buds. That’s when you know it’s time to prune. If you cut the mums back by the […]
Red Salvia has beautiful red spiked flowers that attract hummingbirds to your garden! Even in the early Fall, you will see a few hummingbirds stop at your Red Salvia as they make their migration to warmer climates. Red Salvia like morning sun. Red Salvia will continue to bloom until the […]
It’s Fall in the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. We have been eagerly awaiting the beautiful chrysanthemum blooms. During mid-Summer, we posted a video on pruning this mum to force fall blooms, and now we are about to get our wish. Take a peek below … The following […]