Plants are the lens Jessie views the world through because they’re all-sustaining. (“They feed, clothe, house and heal us. They produce the air we breathe and even make us smell pretty.”) She’s a garden writer and photographer with degrees in both horticulture and plant biology from Purdue and Michigan State Universities. Her degrees were bolstered by internships at Longwood Gardens and the American Horticultural Society. She has since worked for many horticultural institutions and companies and now manages communications for Sun Gro Horticulture, the parent company of Black Gold. Her joy is sharing all things green and lovely with her two daughters.
“What is the best soil mix to plant my desert rose (Adenium obesum) in?” Question from Sara of National Park, New Jersey
Answer: Plant these beautiful succulents in very sharply drained soil that also retains water and has a slightly acid pH of 6.0. Of course, we recommend Black Gold Cactus Mix for planting, but you might also want to add a bit more perlite as well as some additional peat moss, which retains water and is acidic. Potted desert roses look nice when a layer of decorative pebbles is added at the top.
Plant these succulents in pots with good drainage. The water should run from the bottom of the pot at watering time. The potting soil should never become totally dry, so monitor soil moisture levels. In winter, water less. The mix should remain lightly moist to dry.
“I’m looking for a low-maintenance shrub rose that produces highly scented flowers that will thrive in Las Vegas, NV.” Question from Katherine of Las Vegas, Nevada
Answer: There are several fragrant shrub roses that can withstand high heat in your dry USDA Hardiness Zone 8-9 location. But, there are no classic, cultivated shrub roses that can withstand extended drought. There are, however, some native shrub roses that may fit the bill. I will give you a selection of heat-tolerant cultivated shrub roses, and a native, all with good fragrance. These roses will require watering in Las Vegas, but they are otherwise carefree. Rose fungal diseases are not problematic in dry climates.
Heat-Tolerant Shrub Roses
A classic floribunda shrub rose with good heat tolerance is ‘Angel Face’. It was bred in 1969, has deep lavender-pink flowers that are fully double, a citrus fragrance, and its leaves are a lustrous green.
‘Graham Thomas’ is another heat-tolerant shrub rose bred in 1983 that has golden blossoms with a strong sweet-tea fragrance. Another similar shrub rose is ‘Molineux’; its yellow, double flowers have a musky tea-rose scent.
The rugosa rose ‘Hansa’ is highly fragrant with an intense clove scent and well-adapted to sharply drained soils and heat. Its double flowers are a pretty purplish red. The white-flowered rugosa rose ‘Alba’ is also very pretty and fragrant. Both of these roses have spectacular, large, edible hips in fall, which are also very pretty. (Click here to read more about Rosa rugosa).
Southwest Native Shrub Rose
The semi-double California wild rose (Rosa californica ‘Plena’) is a spring-blooming shrub rose with pretty pink flowers. It can tolerate dry conditions better, and its flowers are lightly fragrant.
When planting roses in poor, dry soil, I recommend amending it with fertile amendments, such as Black Gold Garden Compost Blend and Peat Moss. Both products are OMRI Listed for organic gardening. Alfalfa meal is a natural fertilizer that also helps roses grow to their fullest.
“I have a large area to plant flowers in that gets full sun but I am not sure what design and mixture to use.” Question from Karen of Cannon, Kentucky
Answer: Most garden flowers grow best in fertile soil with excellent drainage. I recommend working up your soil to increase aeration and adding a fertile blend of compost (Black Gold Garden Compost Blend) and peat moss (Black Gold Peat Moss) to ensure they get off to a great start. Adding a slow-release fertilizer formulated for flowers will also help them grow and perform at their best. It may also be wise to get your soil tested for pH. The University of Kentucky does soil testing.
Creating Flower Beds
As far as design, the finest flower gardens edge the periphery of key yard spaces, such as home foundations, fencelines, patios, shrub borders or other signification structural areas of your yard. Flower borders such as these can be designed in straight lines, which provide a classic, formal look, or sweeping curves that give a garden space a more full, curvaceous look.
I recommend planting taller perennials towards the back or centers of the flower garden while leaving space for ground-covering perennials and colorful annuals towards the front of the beds. It is also essential to consider flower color and bloom time when designing with flowers. Dot the garden with flowers in complementary colors that are pleasing to your aesthetic preferences. Then consider bloom time: choose bulbs and perennials for spring, flowers for early summer, and flowers for late-summer and fall. That way, your garden will never look dull and colorless. Everblooming annuals will extend the floral effect.
Choose flowers that are best suited for the heat of your Kentucky summers. Hellebores and bulbs are great for the early season; salvias, daylilies, baptisia, and perennial geraniums are perfect for early summer; coneflowers, perennial blanket flower, tall phlox, and black-eyed-Susans are great for midsummer; and great fall perennials include goldenrods, asters, and Japanese anemones. (Click here to read more about the best garden asters.) Bold, ornamental, perennial grasses also look great in perennial borders.
“I was gifted Sinocrassula yunnanensis seeds. What’s the best way to germinate seeds.” Question from Lizzy of Ocala, Florida
Answer: The seeds of the rare Asian succulent Sinocrassula yunnanensis need some care for effective germination. The beautiful plants have nearly black foliage and form dense, succulent clumps. Bloom time is in fall or early winter, and the flowers are ivory with red tips.
The seeds should not be covered when sown. They need to be planted in winter and kept under cool growing conditions (65 to 55 degrees F) beneath grow lights. Plant them in a well-drained Seedling Mix with lots of extra perlite. The seeds should take 2-3 months to germinate. After germination, water the seedlings very little to avoid any chance of rot. The soil should be kept just lightly moist. When they get large enough to transplant, plant them in a very well-draining potting mix, such as Black Gold Cactus Mix.
Red Maple is one of many trees tolerant of shade and wet, clay soils.
“What are the best trees and shrubs for western NC that can take shade and wet, clay soil?” Question from Vickie of West Palm Beach, Florida
Answer: I am assuming you have another home in North Carolina. There are several great trees and shrubs that will grow well in shady spots with wet, clay soils. Here are some of my recommendations.
Shade Trees for Wet, Clay Soils
American snowbells (Styrax americanus, 6-10 feet): This little tree is a real southern beauty. It’s bell-shaped, white spring flowers are fragrant, and it grows beautifully in wet clay. The blooms even attract butterflies.
Canadian serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis, 15-30 feet): This multi-stemmed, small tree is an all-around winner for good looks and grows beautifully in partial shade and moist, clay soils. It has beautiful white spring flowers that bloom before the trees leaf out, edible summer fruits, and great fall color. They are also native to the forests of North Carolina.
Cucumber Tree (Magnolia acuminata, 40-70 feet): This large magnolia is admired for its huge, showy summer leaves and fragrant greenish-yellow flowers that bloom in late spring. It is also a regional native for your area that thrives in moist soils and shade.
Mayhaw (Crataegus opaca, 12-36 feet): This southern classic for your area with edible fruits used to make jam. In spring it has white flowers. It grows best in low, wet woods.
Red Maple (Acer rubrum, 40-70 feet): There are many varieties of red maple that are known for their beautiful fall color. All can withstand partial shade and wet soils. This tree is also a North Carolina native.
Shade Shrubs for Wet, Clay Soils
Black Cat Pussywillow (Salix chaenomeloides Black Cat®, 10-13 feet): In very early spring this large pussywillow produces dark purple flowers, and it grows beautifully in shady spots with wet, clay soils.
Sugar Shach Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis, 3-4 feet): This attractive shrub has round, fragrant, white flower clusters in summer. The cultivar Sugar Shack® is much shorter than wild forms and will thrive in your soils and shade.
Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea): These are some of the prettiest shrubs for winter with their super colorful red, orange, or yellow twigs. Some are very compact, and they all grow well in wet, clay soils and shade. (Click here to read more about great varieties of this shrub.)
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata): This is another amazing shrub for winter. The moisture-loving holly produces brilliant clusters of red or yellow berries in winter and withstands shade. (Click here to read more about great varieties of this shrub.)
“What is the best thing to do about peach leave curl?” Question from Craig of Big Bar, California
Answer: This disease of peaches and nectarines is caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans, and it is really damaging, causing deformations of flowers, leaves, fruit, and even shoots. It can cause real problems with tree health and fruit production. There are a few things that you can do to help infected trees. But, if you plan to plant new trees in the future, there are several peach-curl-resistant varieties, such as ‘Frost’ and ‘Redhaven’ peaches and the ‘Kreibich’ nectarine.
Here are a few steps for controlling the disease on susceptible trees:
Apply a fungicide to the trees every year after the leaves have fallen.
Clean up the fallen, diseased leaves from the base of the tree in fall.
Prune off dead or damaged stems when trees are dormant.
Apply a second fungicide treatment again in spring before the trees have leafed out.
The safest, most effective fungicides for homeowners are liquid copper fungicides approved for organic gardening. These are what I recommend using.
I hope that these steps bring you better luck with your peaches this year!
Certain flowers attract bees more than others. These are some of the best flowers for bees. All of these bee flowers look great in the garden and bloom for a long time. This list includes both annual and perennial flowers.
“What are the Best Plants for Mother’s Day?” Question from Catherine of St. Louis, Missouri
Answer: Well, it really depends on what your mother likes in terms of flowers, but there are several standby flowers and flowering shrubs that are pretty, sweetly scented, and bloom all summer. These are good qualities in a Mother’s Day plant. Here are five great choices that are recommended and easy to find at any garden center.
Roses: Not all roses are equal. Ask your garden center specialist for one that is colorful, everblooming, and disease resistant. Some excellent roses include Gertrude Jekyll®, a rich double pink David Austin rose with outstanding fragrance and disease resistance, the uncommonly beautiful double pink ‘Geoff Hamilton‘, and golden ‘Buttercup‘. (Click here to read our article about organic rose care.)
Reblooming Azaleas: There are several reblooming azaleas that perform well and are pretty. Bloom-A-Thon®Pink Double is a good choice with bubblegum pink flowers that will bloom in spring and again in late summer and fall.
Reblooming Lilacs: Everyone loves the looks and smell of lilac flowers and Bloomerang® Dwarf Pink lilac grows to just 3-4 feet and has bright pink flowers that will appear all season long.
Carnations: There are several super fragrant perennial carnations that bloom over a very long time over summer. Try one in the Fruit Punch® series. The coral-pink ‘Classic Coral‘ and raspberry pink and white ‘Raspberry Ruffles‘ are both winners.
Fuchsia: There is nothing more beautiful than a big basket of blooming fuchsia. The flowers feed hummingbirds and are a delight all summer. Pick any fuchsia at your local garden center. All are worth the effort!
Miniature vegetables and fruits, such as tomato ‘Patio Choice Yellow’ are truly patio perfect. (Image by AAS Winners)
Why grow small vegetables? Because they are cute, great for children, and delicious garden novelties fit for small-space yards, patios, or balconies. Many are perfect for crudités, snacking, and look impressive in their diminutive cuteness.
Tiny vegetables do not always grow on compact plants, so I have chosen those that are small all around. Grow these, and you will have the most darling vegetable garden on the block!
Miniature Vegetables
Baby Beets
True baby beets, like ‘Babybeat’, remain small and develop quickly.
There are two ways to achieve baby beets: Harvest standard beets when young or grow true baby beets that remain small. Itty bitty beets are very sweet and tasty and grow to a harvestable size fast. Of these, try ‘Babybeat’. Its dark-red beets are tiny, almost perfectly round, smooth-skinned, and look great in salads. They are also ready to harvest in just 40 days. Don’t discard the tops, which can be sauteed or added to salads.
Tiny Carrots
The crisp, thin-skinned ‘Thumbelina’ is an award-winning mini carrot. (Image by AAS)
True baby carrots are either perfectly round or small and cylindrical. They are often Nantes types, which means they are blunt-tipped, thin-skinned, and very sweet. All tiny carrots are good candidates for container gardens or gardens with shallow soils. The best for looks and flavor include the perfectly round and sweet ‘Parisian’ (55 days), the 1992 AAS-Winning ‘Thumbelina’ (60 days), and the round, blunt-tipped ‘Atlas’ (70 days), which hardly lives up to its grandiose name. The crisp, sweet, classic baby carrot ‘Adelaide’ (50 days), is my personal favorite for looks and flavor.
Of all the tiny cucumbers, I like ”Green Fingers’, which is a beit-alpha-type cucumber that bears super crisp 3- to 5-inch cucumbers on 4- to 6-foot plants. Trellising is recommended for its productive, disease resistant vines. For homemade pickles, try the highly disease resistant ‘H-19 Little Leaf’ (58 days), which has 3-4-inch cucumbers borne on short vines with smaller-than-average leaves that make for easy harvest. For a unique, short-vine, mini cucumber try ‘Miniature White’ (50 days). The white-fruited cucumber has small, pickling-sized fruits on bushy plants that are perfect for containers.
Little Lettuce
Little-gem-type romaine lettuce, like ‘Tintin’, takes up little space and has small, crisp heads.
Baby romaine lettuce, commonly referred to as little gem romaine, is the most satisfying to grow because it’s all crisp, sweet, heart. All are fast-growing, generally reaching harvestable size in 55 days. Reliable varieties to try include the bright green and crisp ‘Green ‘Dragoon’, the purple-headed ‘Truchas’, and my favorite, the super sweet and dense ‘Tintin’. I harvest mine as whole heads when they are full, dense, and 4- to 5-inches high.
The short-vined ‘Sleeping Beauty’ muskmelon produces 1.5-pound fruits that are turban-shaped and have sweet orange flesh. Each vine bears as many as 6 fruits in just 85 days. For a unique watermelon of tiny proportions try ‘Golden Midget’ (70 days). The compact vines produce 2- to 3-pound fruits that turn gold on the exterior when they are ripe and have salmon-pink flesh. The little watermelons are sweet and produce fruit earlier than most watermelons.
Mini Bells (75 days) is a bell pepper mix that has red, yellow, and orange fruits that are just a couple of inches high. They are perfect for stuffing, and grow on 18- to 24-inch plants. Yum Yum mix (55 days) is another equally colorful and tasty mini-sweet-pepper mix with more elongated fruits reaching 2.5-inches long. These hybrid peppers are disease resistant and very fast to produce. The tiny, red ‘Sweetie Pie’ (65 days) bell pepper is a 2017 All-America Selections (AAS) Winner that produces loads of peppers on heat- and drought-tolerant plants.
Small Squash
‘Honey Baby’ butternut squash has super sweet, small fruits that grow on very short vines. (Image by AAS)
Baby squashes typically grow on bushes fit for containers and small gardens and include both summer and winter types. Tiny, rounded zucchinis are the product of ‘Poquito’ (40 days), a spineless, bush variety that is very fast growing. The butternut squash ‘Honeybaby’ (90 days) has very little fruits that are only a few inches long but big on sweetness. This 2017 AAS Winner grows on 2-3-foot vines that produce squash faster than full-sized varieties.
Tom Thumb Tomatoes
The cherry tomato ‘Terenzo’ is a cascading dwarf that’s just right for hanging baskets. (Image by AAS)
The 2017 AAS Winner ‘Patio Choice Yellow’ (45 days) is an exceptional mini cherry tomato with mild, golden fruits and plants that only reach 18 inches. Despite its small size, it can produce as many as 100 tomatoes on one plant. Those that prefer red tomatoes can try the cherry tomato ‘Terenzo’ (56 days), a 2011 AAS Winner that is perfect for hanging baskets due to its slightly cascading habit. Its sweet tomatoes are plentiful.
Growing Miniature Edibles
All of these edibles require full sun and regular irrigation for best plant growth and yields. Before planting, fortify containers or beds with amendments, such as Black Gold® Garden Compost Blend and Black Gold® Earthworm Castings Blend, to provide needed organic matter and fertility. At planting time, be sure to feed with an organic fertilizer formulated for vegetable growing.
“Where would you get Lithops? Where would they grow? Are they hard to grow?” Very interesting. Question from Debbie Hildebrand
Answer: Lithops are cool, unusual succulents from the dry, upland regions of Africa. They are called “living stones” because they resemble flowering rocks on the dryland floor. They are not too difficult to grow, if you give them the right care. Here is what they need to thrive.
Lithops Culture
These little, colorful succulents look great in small containers. They survive in USDA Hardiness Zones 10-11 and are best suited for outdoor growing in the American Southwest where summers are mild. Otherwise, they can be grown in containers and grown outdoors in summer and indoors in winter. Choose a low, decorative pot to best show off their beauty and diversity. Plant them in Black Gold Cactus Mix. Plant them so their roots are fully covered, but their tops are completely uncovered. The top of containers should be covered with a layer of fine, decorative rocks, chicken grit, or gravel. They require full sun but should be protected from hot direct sun midday.
Watering is tricky. Give them light water in summer, and refrain from watering them in winter. In the wild, winter is their dry period. If watered too much, these little succulents will quickly rot.
Lithops Sources
Specialty succulent nurseries carry these plants. They can easily be purchased online. We recommend three reliable sources: Living Stones Nursery, Mountain Crest Gardens, and The Succulent Source. You can also call specialty garden centers in your area to see if they carry any.
