The September 3rd edition of the Wayside Gardens Gazette included a "Getting to Know You" survey. The very first question was a simple one, but it unleashed a lovely flood of fond memories and great gardening stories. The question: How did you first get interested in gardening? Many of the responses focused on family–mothers, fathers, [...]
It's September – temperatures are dropping. The fall planting season is upon us, and Wayside Gardens has plenty of fresh flower bulbs stacked and ready to go. You can smell them walking through the coolers, a crisp, earthy smell. By the middle of this month, we will be shipping to most zones, and these living [...]
Understanding cardinal directions in relation to your home and garden is one of the most basic gardening skills. The fundamental task of orienting your property will help you to plan a garden with the greatest chance of success. Above the equator, where almost all of our readers live, south-facing walls receive all day sun, and [...]
Drought can be one of the most disappointing things to happen to a gardener. You work all year long, growing beautiful plants, and your yard looks exactly how you want it to look. All of it can be taken away in just a few dry weeks in August. There are a few things you can [...]
You've invested a lot of time, money, and energy in your garden, and the result is a gorgeous landscape you're extremely proud of! Yet, you and your neighbors aren't the only ones admiring your hard work – nighttime marauders are treating your prized perennials and favorite flowers like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Sound familiar? Well, there [...]
The fluffy, full, bright blooms of many Hydrangea varieties serve well to fill out decorative floral arrangements. They are used classically by many florists and are keenly fit for this purpose. Hydrangeas are hardier than most cut-flower blooms, and the blooms last for a while after being snipped from the bush. They also produce many [...]
People often search for drought tolerant plants, or plants that can tolerate soggy soil to meet specific conditions of their local climate. But there are a few plants that satisfy both needs, plants that can take a lot of moisture abuse and still shine in your garden. These special plants are mostly varieties that thrive [...]
As gardeners we have an opportunity to be a little more in tune to the changes and happenings as the seasons change. Migrating birds, the coming and going of pesky insects, clouds of pollen, budding, blooming, and eventually, seeding are all things that pass under the nose of the ever-observant gardener. Watching nature can teach [...]
A truly beautiful lily, a customer favorite, Lilium 'Blackbird' puts on a spectacular show, adding depth and dynamic quality to any garden. The deep red, three to six inch blooms make a great companion for roses, cone flowers, and other lilies. The striking deep red of these blooms is satin shaded and speckled in black, [...]
Use Mulch and Ground Covers Planting ground-covers and using mulch to fill in your fall beds will make it more difficult for unwanted weeds to establish themselves, helping you to naturally maintain your garden. The ground-cover both smothers potential weeds, blocking out the light, and helps your current plants by holding in moisture and maintaining [...]