Harmony in the Garden Blog

According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac: “The Dog Days of summer are traditionally the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11, which coincide with the dawn rising of Sirius, the Dog Star. This is soon after the Summer Solstice (June 20th) which of course also indicates that the worst summer heat will soon set …

Gardening under oak trees is tricky, to say the least. Sensitive to summer irrigation, fertilizers, and root disturbance means creating a garden near an oak tree requires a delicate touch.  That’s why the careful selection and placement of dry-shade-loving plants is critical for the tree’s overall health. (Does anyone recognize this tree?  It was the iconic, old …

Francoa ramosa is one of my favorite perennials for dry shade.  I’ve had them grow equally happy in fairly deep shade to bright shade, requiring little water once established.  In fact, in my zone 9 garden, they’re evergreen, dying back a bit to form a tidy green mound before starting the show all over again …

I love oxalis in my garden! Before you all think I’ve lost my mind, I’m not talking about the horribly invasive oxalis weed that threatens to take over lawns and gardens everywhere.   I’m talking about the many varieties of colorful and well-behaved ornamental oxalis hybrids. The ornamental varieties often get overlooked in the nurseries, not …

I’ve yet to see a garden that doesn’t have at least a few planted containers included in its design.  Whether artfully placed near the front door, grouped on the back patio, or perhaps incorporated into a garden bed, containers are beloved by gardeners everywhere. When I plant containers in my own garden, they’re often serving …