Fine Gardening – Issue 221
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Tips for Upcycling Garden Trash into Useful Tools
Winning tip: Another life for old hose carts I had two rusted-out hose carts. I disassembled them and realized they could be repurposed. After I painted them with Rustoleum, I zip-tied…
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How to Tell If a Plant Native to One Region Might Do Well Elsewhere
There are a number of clues that indicate the potential for a native plant to be widely adaptable. In general, this information can be found by looking at the characteristics…
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4 Tips for Incorporating Native Plants into Your Garden
Adding native plants into an established garden design can sometimes feel tricky or daunting. Many get tall but then flop over, quickly creep across open real estate, or generously seed…
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Create Outdoor Rooms That Feel Open, Inviting, and Perfectly Secluded
Finding ways to make garden spaces feel set apart and sheltered is an essential strategy in neighborhoods where homes are close together. On my own small lot, I replaced the…
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A Space Created with Chinese Design Elements and English Garden Aesthetics
In the midst of a move from California to Massachusetts in January 2005, Tingshu Hu and her husband, Philip Zhao, saw a single crabapple tree surrounded by deep snow and…
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Restorative Garden Design: Create a Healing and Tranquil Outdoor Space
A garden space that encourages sensory engagement and contact with nature can inspire feelings of familiarity, comfort, positive distraction, and security. Simply stated, we feel better when we’re outdoors. Studies…
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The Science of Garden Soil Health: What You Need to Know to Keep Your Garden Growing
Beneath our feet lies a vibrant yet under-appreciated ecosystem. Far more complex than mere dirt, soil is a matrix of mineral particles, organic matter, living organisms, water, and air. Scientists…
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Deer Ate My Evergreen. Now What?
So deer have carved their way into your arborvitae (Thuja spp. and cvs., Zones 2–8), rhododendron (Rhododendron spp. and cvs., Zones 3–11), or yew (Taxus spp. and cvs., Zones 5–8).…
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Designing a Beautifully Lush, Dog-Friendly Garden
Have you ever dreamed of cultivating a garden full of plants that are climatically out of your reach? I certainly have. Despite living in humid, subtropical North Carolina, I’ve often…
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Pop Star® Bigleaf Hydrangea Is a Reliable, Reblooming Variety for Small Spaces
Like a pop star in the music industry, Pop Star® bigleaf hydrangea is sure to get attention for its showy features and outstanding performance. This shrub is a part of…
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‘Blue Jean Baby’ Russian Sage Stands Strong Despite Its Plethora of Blooms
My career in horticulture began in the mid-1990s, so like styles in clothing and music, what was popular then is now fashionable again. Neon colors and crop tops—back in style.…
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‘Smokey Mountain Mint’ Offers a Twist on a Beloved, Tough-as-Nails Native Perennial
If you’re a fan of mountain mints (Pycnanthemum spp., Zones 3–9), you’re in for a treat. This native hybrid selection is a pollinator magnet with gray-purple foliage, silvery-growing tips, and…
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Top Truly Deer-Resistant Evergreens for a Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Landscape
Evergreen trees and shrubs form the structural backbone of any garden design and are invaluable for multi-season interest. They can act as focal points or they can be a backdrop…
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Finding Common Ground with Fido | Letter from the Editor
Do you remember the Pandemic Puppy phenomena of 2020? A large swath of the country was under lockdown thanks to COVID-19, and folks took in dogs left and right. In…
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Fine Gardening Magazine Issue #221 Web Extras
All Magazine Extras!
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The Best Plants with Four-Season Interest in Your Region
Designing a garden that shines year-round starts with choosing the right plants. Regional plants adapted to your climate not only thrive with less maintenance but also offer seasonal interest in…
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Great Native Perennials That Are Easy to Grow Almost Anywhere
Got a challenging location in your garden? You’re not alone. I have never encountered a landscape without at least one area that is difficult for growing plants. Mine is a…
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Planting Plan for a Full and Lush Dog-Friendly Garden
This garden, crafted by Jay Sifford, embodies a dream of blending the lush, shaded feel of the Pacific Northwest with the humid subtropical conditions of North Carolina. Featuring Japanese maples,…
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8 Gorgeous, Nontoxic, Dog-Friendly Plants
Gardening with pets in mind requires thoughtful planning, but it doesn’t mean you have to compromise on beauty or variety. While many plants can pose risks to our furry companions,…
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