Designing with annuals
It took several years for Julia Jones to muster up the courage to send an article proposal to With some convincing from her partner, Byron Shutt, Julia eventually submitted an article proposal titled "Eye Candy," along with photos of her garden. [... more]
Fine Gardening |
Capsicum annuum 'Black Pearl'
A 2006 All-America Selections winner, 'Black Pearl' boasts the most dramatically deep purple-black leaves and fruit imaginable. The vigorous, bushy plants grow to 18 inches tall and almost as wide. In a border, 'Black Pearl' makes an outstanding ... [... more]
Fine Gardening |
Flower-of-an-hour fills gaps with charming form and flowers
Sure, perennials and woody plants provide a garden with lasting structure, but for me, annuals are the mainstays of the summer garden. When it comes to their intense colors, low maintenance, and profusion of blooms, annuals are unmatched. Their ... [... more]
Fine Gardening |
Aesculus parviflora (Bottlebrush buckeye)
The textural quality of this eastern native's stems and foliage is superb. During winter, a circle of the thorn-covered stems is as magical as an outdoor sculpture. Dark blue-green compound leaves offer a tropical effect before turning yellow and ... [... more]
Fine Gardening |
Abelia × grandiflora (Glossy abelia)
This beauty is prized for the unusual qualities of its flowers, which bloom continuously from spring until frost. The single cupped flowers open a honey-yellow, then they become coppery-pink, then watermelon, and finally a rich mahogany. The ... [... more]
Fine Gardening |
Abelia × grandiflora 'Confetti' (Variegated glossy abelia)
This is a rounded, semi-evergreen shrub to 10 feet tall and 12 feet wide with glossy, dark green leaves. From midsummer to autumn, it produces fragrant, funnel-shaped white flowers that are tinged with pink. This rose produces musky and ... [... more]
Fine Gardening |
Abeliophyllum distichum (White forsythia)
This deciduous shrub with toothed, dark green leaves bears pink buds in late spring that open to white or pink-flushed flowers borne in domed clusters. The intoxicating fragrance is reminiscent of spice cake. The plant also has attractive red ... [... more]
Fine Gardening |
Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) - Fine Gardening Plant Guide
These short-lived perennials or biennials are charming plants, and are worth their weight in gold in the cottage border. After flowering, the attractive foliage holds the space well. This mat-forming species with dark green leaves is one of the ... [... more]
Fine Gardening |
Achillea 'Moonshine' (Yarrow)
Solidago caesia Solidago rugosa This species is aptly named for its distinctive crooked stems that bend back and forth at 45° angles between nodes. It bears starry, medium-yellow flowers atop 1- to 3-foot tall stems. This is one of the smallest ... [... more]
Fine Gardening |
Teucrium chamaedrys
This compact, evergreen subshrub has glossy, dark green leaves and grows to only 5 inches tall and 16 inches wide. It bears long-lasting, lavender flowers, and it is a great choice for low edging or for a rock garden. This evergreen or deciduous ... [... more]
Fine Gardening |
Acanthus mollis (Bear's breeches)
This choice species boasts narrow, downy sage-green leaves and true sky-blue blossoms from summer to fall. It has woody stems and forms a beautiful specimen 12 inches tall by 18 inches wide. This species is similar to , but its habit is first ... [... more]
Fine Gardening |
Acanthus mollis 'Tasmanian Angel' (Bear's breeches)
This is an ovate, glossy-leaved plant usually grown as a houseplant. In early summer, it produces fleshy, bell-shaped, cream colored flowers with maroon interiors. This upright, evergreen shrub has stunning texture and form. Its gray-green leaves ... [... more]
Fine Gardening |
