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Learn all about some of our favorite northern species and varieties with our plant profile series!
Ask gardeners how they feel about thicket creeper and you’ll likely get a range of answers. It’s a tough, spreading plant, so it can overtake…
When you see wood betony in the wild, you’ll likely see its “host” plants alongside it. It’s a partially parasitic plant with a taproot and…
Zigzag goldenrod (solidago flexicaulis) is one of the few goldenrods that thrives in partial to full shade. Most sources agree that it will grow well…
Seeing a prairie or a meadow full of blooming compass plant (Silphium laciniatum) in mid-to-late summer is an optimistic sight. Among the three species of…
For shady spots in northern gardens, begonias are a favorite choice. They grow well with just a bit of sun, come in a wide range…
Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata or sometimes Sansevieria trifasciata), is one of the easiest houseplants to grow, which explains its popularity in malls. It’s a great…
Each year, the Perennial Plant Association chooses a “plant of the year.” It’s a great way to highlight plants that consistently grow well in gardens…
One of the easiest houseplants to grow, jade plant (Crassula ovata) is native to provinces on the eastern side of South Africa and in Mozambique….
A mature elderberry bush can provide you with ample sprays of elderflowers for making delicately flavored treats and syrup as well as a bountiful harvest…
Highbush cranberry is a good choice for the edges of either a woodland or a sunny garden. It seems to find its sweet spot where…
Savvy northern gardeners know that winter is a gardening season and plants that enhance our long, snowy winters are a welcome addition to our landscape….
As your eyes drift across the garden, you might not immediately notice the bushy herb with the jagged-edged leaves. It’s easy to overlook amongst the…
Anise hyssop is a tactile plant; soft to the touch when in full bloom and as it develops seeds. It also appeals to the other…
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) gets its name from the brilliant red flowers that grow in an elongated cluster atop the stems, midsummer through early fall….
If you’d like to attract hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators to your garden, spotted jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) is a good choice. This tall, 2-…
Once upon a time, I planted dill in my herb garden and it grew so tall and gorgeous that I couldn’t bear to harvest it….
It’s springtime and that means it’s time to talk about one of the best (and sometimes overlooked) vegetables: the radish. As gardeners, we praise the…
When you happen upon eastern red columbine in the wild—with angled sun glinting on the bright red and yellow of its bell-shaped blossoms—it can be…
Spotted beebalm is a guaranteed pollinator magnet. Add it to your garden or property and you will see pollinators—butterflies, bumblebees, honeybees, hummingbird moths, hummingbirds and…
This article by Debbie Lonnee appeared in the Sept/Oct 2019 issue of Northern Gardener Plant to Pick Sept/Oct 2019 Hydrangea paniculata Panicle Hydrangea Tree Form…
Purple prairie clover is a delicate-looking plant with unique rose-purple to crimson flowers. The densely packed flowers bloom in a ring around the flower head,…
It’s hard to imagine a Thanksgiving meal without sweet potatoes. In my mind, they’re more important than the turkey. Let’s take a closer look at…
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