Fine Gardening – Issue 217

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Peonies vs. Tomatoes—Discuss | Letter from the Editor

Folks often say that tomatoes are the gateway plants to becoming a gardener. The idea is that people get truly hooked on this hobby of ours once they grow something…
Dwarf Tomatoes Produce Abundant Fruit With a Small Plant

Imagine it—stocky, handsome tomato plants that need less-aggressive staking, rarely exceed 5 feet in height, and offer fruit choices in different sizes and colors. Want more? OK, they taste delicious.…
Designing for Impact Over the Long Haul Planting Plan

Author Donald Pell’s career in horticulture started when he was 19 and eventually evolved into a landscape design practice that is located on a 14-acre farm in Chester County, Pennsylvania.…
Social Media Gardening Tips and Tricks to Avoid

If your feed is anything like mine, you get a constant stream of newsy horticultural information every time you look at your phone. Many of these articles, memes, and posts…
The Best Edibles for 2024

No matter how large or small a garden is, there’s nothing like a few new plants to make the gardener’s heart sing. We’ve looked over the introductions for 2024 and…
The Best Trees and Shrubs for 2024

No matter how large or small a garden is, there’s nothing like a few new plants to make the gardener’s heart sing. We’ve looked over the introductions for 2024 and…
The Best Perennials for 2024

No matter how large or small a garden is, there’s nothing like a few new plants to make the gardener’s heart sing. We’ve looked over the introductions for 2024 and…
3 Strategies for Designing a Garden That Will Make an Impact for Years

Years ago I remember telling a landscape architect friend that I wanted to put together a talk about everything I’ve done wrong (in gardening rather than my personal life—that saga…
Boost Your Garden’s Brilliance with These Spectacular Plant Pairings

Many plants that deliver high visual impact are rambunctious. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they are aggressive, but when planted in masses (or sometimes singly) they can get out of…
Strategies for Optimizing a Small Garden Space

When I began designing gardens more than 20 years ago, I was surprised to find that smaller spaces were often more challenging to plan than larger ones. In those early…
32 Plants for Sun and Shade That the Deer Won’t Devour

Deer have always munched on garden plants, but due to continued loss of habitat and natural predators, deer populations and their garden-devouring forays are on the rise across the United…
Planting Plan to Optimize a Small Garden Space

In Strategies for Optimizing a Small Garden Space, Susan Morrison writes, “When I began designing gardens more than 20 years ago, I was surprised to find that smaller spaces were…
A Garden Plan for a Beautiful, Deer-Resistant Border

Creating a garden with a backbone of colorful, interesting foliage ensures interest even when nothing is in bloom or if inquisitive deer decide to taste-test the flower buds. Varying the…
Plants and Strategies for Deterring Deer

Last summer I was gifted three gorgeous daylilies (Hemerocallis cvs., Zones 3–10). Selections of a brand-new cultivar, they each featured multitudes of gorgeous yellow, red, and maroon multicolored flowers. I…
4 Techniques for Managing Deer in Your Garden

I asked four horticulturists from around the country with decades of gardening experience how they deal with deer. Here are some of the strategies they use and advice they give…
Visit Every Corner of the Garden Center When Choosing Plants for a Mixed Container

One of the great things about being a container designer is the amount of time I get to spend in nurseries looking for unique and interesting plant material. Strolling through…
6 Gardening Tips That Repurpose Common Household Items

Gardeners often find ingenious ways to solve problems. Below you'll find tips from our readers that repurpose common household items to great effect. Get an edge on gardening and peruse…
Time-Saving Garden Gadgets

Plant dozens of annuals in a snap with this drill and auger combo Tested by Marti Neely When planting en masse, I need more power than my favorite trowel or…
‘Royal Blue’ European Wood Anemone Is an Early Spring Gem

Spring! There’s no time of year I like more. After I’ve been wallowing through the doldrums of winter for months, my anticipation is palpable. Waiting with bated breath for all…
‘Heavenly Cloud’ Texas Sage Blooms for Weeks in Parched Soil

As climate change becomes more evident, many gardeners are looking for easy-care, drought-tolerant plants to add to their beds and borders. You may hear “sage” and think of the vast…
Hummingbirds Adore ‘Apple Slices’ Carolina Pink

More and more gardeners are becoming familiar with native Carolina pink, thanks to its uncanny ability to attract hummingbirds from far and wide. The straight species (and subsequent cultivars released…
Things to Think About When Planning or Renovating a Garden

I have always thought that the best gardens are those that make people happy and comfortable. Sure, great gardens look good, but they have to feel good too. The gardens…
Shopping-List Plants for Your Region 2024

If you’ve run into a garden rut, we’ve got you covered. It’s time to start planning for your first trip to the local nursery or garden center. What plants will…
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