Cotinus, the smoke tree that catches fire in fall
Cotinus tree blooms bring a surprising touch of hazy light and volume to your garden.
Sea buckthorn, lots of spikes, but lots of berries, too!
Sea buckthorn is a thorny shrub worth checking out for its numerous vibrant-colored fruits. They’ll brighten up your garden in winter.
Xylella fastidiosa, dreaded olive killer. Here’s how you can protect your tree.
Olive tree blight is a merciless killer. Protect your orchard against Xylella fastidiosa. Key facts Botanical name – Xylella fastidiosa Common name – Olive quick decline syndrome (OQDS), Pierce’s disease, Olive tree blight Family – Xanthomonadaceae Sub-species – fastidiosa, multiplex, pauca and sandyi Type – Bacterial disease Symptoms – leaf scorch, chlorosis, stunting, twig desiccation […]
Grow passion fruit for a truly exotic garden… and snack!
Longing for exotic flowers and fruit in your garden? Go ahead and adopt passionfruit—it’ll fill your eyes and taste buds.
Phytophthora disease on plants? Here’s what to know and do about it.
Phytophthora is a word used to describe more than just a single disease. The term refers to many different plant pathologies which have more or less severe impacts (crown rot, mildew, ink disease, etc.) It’s more accurate to use the phrase “phytophthora diseases”.
Lunaria, the shimmering moon flower: discover honesty
Whether it’s perennial or biennial, Lunaria is an ornamental plant for both garden and inside the house! Indeed, its fruit and seed pods make for lovely dry bouquets.
Betula jacquemontii, a fabulous white-bark birch
In the birch family, Betula utilis jacquemontii shines with its silver-white trunk.
Wasp, a reputation that deserves a makeover
Always a hassle around the picnic basket, sometimes even a painful sting, the wasp doesn’t seem to manage positive vibes, does it? But did you know its larva devours incredible amounts of insect pests that would otherwise damage our plants?
Agave, a prickly giant that you can learn to love
With its one-of-a-kind designer-like silhouette, agave helps make your garden seem to come from out of this world.
Tree staking, why do it and how?
In gardening, some actions might seem insignificant, yet they are crucial for the healthy growth of plants. Staking is one of them. Find out why it’s essential to stake a tree and how to do it with three simple techniques.
Woodlouse, who would’ve guessed roly-polys were so useful?
The woodlouse is not a garden helper in the “classic” sense: it doesn’t hunt pests, nor does it help in pollination.
Sea lavender, a surprising flower perfect for drought, drying and more!
Impossible not to feel the charm of the statice, sea lavender!
Saint Pierre Tomato, one of the tastiest tomatoes ever
A tomato variety that’s over a hundred years old, the ‘Saint Pierre‘ is one of the tastiest varieties, on par with the more famous ‘Beefsteak’.
Andine cornue tomato, a horn-like tomato that’s delicious and productive
It looks like a large chili, which makes the ‘Andine Cornue’ tomato among the most recognizable.
Pomegranate, much easier to grow than you’d think
Pomegranate is a real eye-catcher when it comes to bloom – generous and bright. Its famed fruit, the pomegranate, however, likes to play hard-to-get unless you’re in regions with a specific climate.
Armillaria root rot, honey fungus, a devastation for all trees
Armillaria (or root rot) is a disease caused by a fungus that attacks ligneous plants. Ligneous plants are all those plants made of wood.
Barbary fig, the cactus with paddles and prickly pear fruits
Barbary fig, or Opuntia ficus-indica, is the cactus that bears prickly pears.
Laurus nobilis, the nobleman’s true bay laurel
Laurus nobilis, better known as bay laurel, is a must-have for its aromatic leaves.
Fagus sylvatica, beech tree: varieties, planting and care
Fagus sylvatica or beech is a majestic tree common in European forests. Fagus sylvatica key facts: Botanical name – Fagus sylvatica Common names – common beech Family – Fagaceae Type – Tree Foliage – deciduous and marcescent Bearing – round Height – up to 75 feet (25 meters) Breadth – Up to 60 feet (20 […]
Kolkwitzia amabilis, a shrub with abundant blooming
Plant a kolkwitzia in your garden and enjoy this generous shrub’s stunning pink blooms.
Liriope muscari, the lily turf flower
Liriope muscari, or lily turf, is a grass-like mound with purple blooms. Liriope muscari Key facts: Latin name: Liriope muscari, Liriope platyphylla Family: Liliacea Type: perennial, evergreen Shape: arched clumps Height: 12 to 16 inches (30 to 40 cm) Plant density: 7 to 8 plants per 10.8 square feet (7 to 8 plants per m²) […]
Wood anemone, a planting guide for the soft Anemone nemorosa
Wood anemone is a short rhizome perennial that bears white flowers in full shade. Key Anemone nemorosa facts: Latin name: Anemone nemorosa Common name: Wood Anemone Family: Ranunculaceae Type: Bulbous perennial
Leucothoe planting and care: single shrub, twice the appeal
Leucothoe is a charming little shrub both for its flowers and leaves.
Love-in-a-mist, grow the refined Damascus nigella at home!
Damask nigella is a magnificent annual plant. The beauty of love-in-a-mist‘s leaves and flowers won’t leave you indifferent.
25 Vegetables that resist drought and dry spells
“Climate change”. Hard to have a day go by when this phrase isn’t heard in a conversation. And, like it or not, seasons are changing: frost dates are shifting, winters get milder, summer heat waves strike stronger, drought becomes a thing where it previously never was…
New Zealand spinach, grow Tetragonia in your garden
New Zealand spinach is a vegetable that loves full sun. Key Tetragonia facts: Latin Names: Tetragonia expansa, Tetragonia tetragonoïdes Common: tetragonia, New Zealand Spinach Family: Aizoaceae Type: Leafy vegetable Height: about 3.3 feet (environ 1 m) Planting Distance: 32 inches (80 cm) Exposure: Sunny Soil: limestone to neutral, light, rich in humus Planting: April-May – […]
Mashua, the tuber nasturtium
Mashua is a nasturtium root crop selected by ancient Incas. Key mashua facts Name: Tropaeolum tuberosum Common: mashua, tuber nasturtium Family: Tropaeolaceae, tuber veggie Height: 6 to 10 feet (2 to 3 m) Exposure: sun, part shade eventually Planting distance: 20 inches (50 cm) Soil: light, humiferous, well-draining – Planting: spring’s end – Harvest: fall […]
Physocarpus, a simple yet very charming shrub
Physocarpus adds many benefits to your garden thanks to its low-maintenance nature and striking visual appeal.
Alchemilla mollis, the beautiful lady’s mantle herb
Alchemilla mollis, a fabulous perennial, deserves a spot in every garden. Alchemilla mollis key facts: Name: Alchemilla mollis Common names: lady’s mantle, alchemilla Family: Rosaceae Type: perennial
Campanula carpatica, the Carpathian bellflower: violet dots, lush growth
The Carpathian bellflower is different from its cousins in that its magnificent blue-violet blooms are a lighter color.
Comfrey, a multi-purpose powerhouse plant
Comfrey is a versatile plant that has many uses in the garden. Comfrey key facts: Latin Name: Symphitum sp. Common Name: Comfrey Family: Boraginaceae Type: perennial Height: 1 to 4 feet (30 cm to 1.20 m), depending on species Planting Density: 6 to 8 plants for 10 square feet (1 m²) Exposure: preferably semi-shaded Soil: […]
Botrytis, a formidable fungal opponent – Fear not! These tips will eradicate it!
One of the most aggressive killers in the garden, Botrytis is a fungal disease that can attack all sorts of plants. It forms gray mold after it enters through wounds
