The main drag through our neighborhood is lined with Bradford pear trees and it’s beautiful when in flower. Stinky, like dead fish, but pretty if you can get past the odor. Unfortunately, they are our neighborhood’s harbingers of Spring. The trees were planted approximately 18 years ago and I’m guessing were bought for a song…
When I started the side yard garden in 2023, I realized something about my garden planning style. I don’t have one. Not in the traditional sense, at least. That requires grid paper, colored pencils and lots of amoeba-like shapes. I used to do all that and still do in some cases. But I really like…
When it comes to growing Monstera deliciosa, there’s just one prerequisite. Space. Big plants are like puppies and small children. They’re easy to accommodate when small but eventually they grow up. When you consider the seven-to-eight-foot height Monstera deliciosa aspires to indoors, you can see why some consideration should be given to where this thing…
trees to know…
If you live in Illinois, you’ll be seeing an explosion of white flowering trees very soon. They. Are. EVERYWHERE! They’re also the first to bloom in this area. So I’m imploring you, especially if you’re thinking of adding an early-flowering tree to your garden (because who isn’t after a long winter?), to not be seduced…
From the crocuses I planted in the lawn years ago to the trees and shrubs I choose particularly for their winter interest, I’ve always considered what a plant brings to the garden. What do I want from it? And yet I wasn’t completely aware that the things I do in the garden and the choices…
