Author: Elisabeth Ginsburg

Born into a gardening family, Elisabeth Ginsburg grew her first plants as a young child. Her hands-on experiences range from container gardening on a Missouri balcony to mixed borders in the New Jersey suburbs and vacation gardening in Central New York State. She has studied horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden and elsewhere and has also written about gardens, landscape history and ecology for years in traditional and online publications including The New York Times Sunday “Cuttings” column, the Times Regional Weeklies, Horticulture, Garden Design, Flower & Garden, The Christian Science Monitor and many others. Her “Gardener’s Apprentice” weekly column appears in papers belonging to the Worrall chain of suburban northern and central New Jersey weekly newspapers and online at http://www.gardenersapprentice.com. She and her feline “garden supervisors” live in northern New Jersey.

Plants with Heart-Shaped Leaves and Flowers

Hearts are on sleeves–and everywhere else–in February. Valentine’s Day, arriving at mid-month, is a high point, celebrating love in its many forms. But Valentine’s hearts are not the only ones in the spotlight. The American Heart Association has designated February as “American Heart Month” to raise awareness of heart health nationwide. Clearly, warm hearts rule in mid-winter.

It is a perfect time to give a loved one, or yourself, a heart in the form of house or garden plants that have either heart-shaped leaves or flowers. From the earliest spring violet leaves to the red flowers of tropical anthurium, hearts and horticulture go hand in hand.

Heart-Shaped Plants in the Garden

Brunnera 'Jack Frost' leaves — *Brunnera* ‘Jack Frost’ has cool, silvery heart-shaped leaves.

When the garden awakens in the spring, common blue violets (Viola sororia, USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9) pop out everywhere, but you can add even more charm to your garden with the gift of violet ‘Freckles’. Each little white flower is delicately freckled with purple. Some people regard violets as weeds, but many welcome the green, heart-shaped leaves and winsome blue-purple blooms, especially if you plant extra pretty varieties.

More hearts appear on false forget-me-not (Brunnera macrophylla, Zones 3-8), low-growing plants with heart-shaped leaves that may be variegated with cream. The variety ‘Jack Frost’ has extra bright white leaf coloration and lots of bright blue spring flowers, which resemble common forget-me-nots, as an added attraction.

'Gold Heart' bleeding hearts — ‘Gold Heart’ bleeding heart brightens partially shaded gardens.

Some of the most visible hearts in the spring garden belong to the classic perennial bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis, aka. Dicentra spectabilis, Zones 3-9). The vigorous plants feature pendant, heart-shaped blooms in red, pink, or white, accompanied by fern-like foliage. Rising two to three feet tall with arching stems, mature plants bear scores of flowers in mid to late spring. The variety ‘Gold Heart’ is extra pretty with its golden foliage. Children and adults love the plump little “hearts”. Gardeners with limited sunny space also love the fact that bleeding heart will bloom happily in part shade. It is also important to remember that a bleeding heart will often naturally go dormant in the heat of summer.

For dramatic heart-shaped leaves on a climbing vine, choose Dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla, Zones 4-8), which blooms in late spring and can climb to 30 feet with a 20-foot spread. The large leaves are heart-shaped and form a dense blanket. Greenish flowers are shaped like smokers’ pipes but flare out into vaguely heart-shaped mouths of brown-purple.

'Grandpa Ott's' morning glory — ‘Grandpa Ott’s’ morning glory is neon purple with a rose-red star.

In summer the heart-shaped leaves of purple morning glories and moonflowers (Ipomoea purpurea and Ipomoea alba) shine on vining stems that will clamber up almost any support. Though the trumpet flowers of these old-fashioned favorites provide maximum visual appeal, the leaves cloth supports in blankets of green hearts. They are easily grown from seed and will self-sow. Try the glowing ‘Grandpa Ott’s’ purple morning glory with its purple flowers with rose-red stars.

Many hostas (Hosta hybrids, Zones 3-9) also sport heart-shaped leaves, including the fittingly named ‘Heart and Soul’, with dark greens leaves brightened by lighter green variegation. Little ‘Mighty Mouse’, with cream and green variegated leaves and a rise of just 6 inches, is perfect for those who need to fit a lot of heart into a small space.

Trees and Shrubs with Heart

'Sensation' lilacs — ‘Sensation’ is a bold, large-flowered lilac that will fill your springs with romance for years to come.

Start spring in a heartfelt way with the romance of a classic lilac bush (Syringa vulgaris, Zones 3-7). Fabled for lush panicles of fragrant purple, blue-violet, white, pink or yellow flowers, lilacs also boast good-looking heart-shaped leaves that add to the garden even after the flowers are a fragrant memory. Two good choices are the double-pale-pink-flowered ‘Beauty of Moscow’ and large-flowered ‘Sensation’ with its abundant, fragrant clusters of white-edged purple blooms.

Eastern redbuds (Cercis canadensis, Zones 4-8) are flowering native trees that bear heart-shaped leaves that appear after their colorful pea-like spring flowers. Standard redbuds are excellent medium-sized specimen trees with green leaves, but you can add landscape interest by choosing a modern variety like ‘Forest Pansy’, with purple leaves, toning somewhat to green later in the growing season. The same hearts may flame in yellow and orange come fall. Speaking of flames, Flame Thrower® features spring foliage that turns from reddish-purple to gold to green and has pale-pink spring flowers.

When planting these big-hearted trees, it is important to get them off to a good start. Amend the soil in the planting holes with a nutrient-filled product like Fafard Premium Natural and Organic Compost. (Click here for tree and shrub planting guidelines.)

Heart-Shaped Plants for the House

Hoya hearts have become all the rage in Valentine’s house plant giving. One heart will become a beautiful, flowering specimen in time.

Heart-shaped flowers are not as common as heart-shaped leaves among houseplants, but Anthurium, sometimes known as flamingo flower, boasts hearts in spades. Flowering plants feature leathery heart-shaped spathes in lipstick red, pink or white. The true flowers are on the spadix that protrudes from the center of each “heart.” To keep your anthurium healthy, plant it in a coarse medium, like orchid mix, and provide bright, indirect light. A warm room will suit its tropical nature, as will positioning the pot atop a tray filled with pebbles and water.

What could be more appropriate for the month of hearts than the sweetheart plant (Hoya kerrii)? Also known as ‘heart-leaf hoya”, young plants are often sold in 4-inch pots, with a single, plump green or green and white variegated heart-shaped leaf protruding from each pot. Additional leaves sprout as the hoya grows, eventually developing into a vine laden with hearts. Indoors, supply bright, indirect light and water sparingly. Provide support as the vine begins to spiral upward.

String-of-hearts wreath — String-of-hearts is an easy houseplant that’s also become a popular plant for sentiments of love.

String-of-hearts (Ceropegia woodii) sports hearts to spare. An evergreen succulent vine native to South Africa, string-of-hearts generally feature multiple vining stems laden with small, green, or variegated heart-shaped leaves that sprawl outward from the plant’s base. This trait makes string-of-hearts good subjects for hanging baskets or pedestals. In warm winter climates, they also make excellent ground covers.

In late summer or early fall, the plants also produce pale, reddish purple tubular flowers.

To keep a string of hearts healthy, treat it to a well-drained potting medium, like Fafard Professional Potting Mix, and bright indirect sunlight. Water when the surface of the soil feels dry. The plants tend to go dormant in winter, so reduce water and food during that time.

Hot New Vegetable Varieties for 2021

With the holidays in the rearview mirror and the New Year launched, it is time to check out the new vegetable varieties from seed vendors. Most 2021 catalogs are up now online, and many companies still send paper editions as well. Whether you aim to grow a simple pot of cherry tomatoes on the balcony or an acre of diverse vegetables, the New Year brings an array of hot new choices.

The trends are easy to spot. Tomatoes of all shapes, sizes, and colors are still champion sellers. Color, in the garden and on the plate, is in fashion, with vendors offering old standard vegetables in new, often brilliant hues. Heirloom varieties remain popular, as are compact plants suitable for small spaces and containers. Micro-greens abound. Ease of preparation (think stringless green beans and thin-skinned squash) are also frequent features of this year’s new varieties.

New Tomatoes

‘Bosque Blue Bumblebee' cherry tomatoes (Image thanks to Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds) — ‘Bosque Blue Bumblebee’, is a standard-size cherry variety that starts out blue and ripens to yellow with a blue blush. (Image thanks to Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds)

New tomato varieties are popping up everywhere, promising great taste and adaptability to small spaces–from the prolific ‘Ella Bella’ cherry variety, with sweet, firm red fruits, to ‘Thorburn’s Lemon Blush’, a large, beefsteak type with pink-blushed yellow skin, the catalogs are packed with new tomatoes. Other notable newcomers are the sweet ‘Bosque Blue Bumblebee’, a standard-size cherry variety that starts out blue and ripens to yellow with a blue blush close to the stem, and the heavy-fruiting, sweet, compact Funnyplums varieties that grow beautifully in containers or hanging baskets and come in red, orange, or yellow-fruited forms.

'Ella Bella' cherry tomatoes — Prolific ‘Ella Bella’ cherry tomatoes are sweet, firm, and bright red.

There is nothing like a tomato sandwich at the height of the growing season, and that is only one of the many uses for large slicing tomatoes. New varieties like ‘Marnouar’ and ‘Cubalibre’ bear large (10 to 16 ounce) fruits on vigorous, disease-resistant plants. The tomatoes have an heirloom look, with near-black streaks on dark red skin.

If you aim to make sauce and need a plum tomato variety, try the new ‘Plum Regal’, with broad fleshy fruits and good disease resistance.

New Ornamental Edibles

'Charbell' Swiss chard — Vigorous ‘Charbell’ Swiss chard is delicious and beautiful.

Modern vegetable gardeners want horticultural daily doubles—plants that look good enough to be grown as ornamentals and taste good enough to win over even the pickiest eaters. It doesn’t hurt that those colorful vegetables also look Instagram-ready on the plate.

Many of the hottest new varieties come in unusual colors. ‘Celine’ bush beans are traditional wax beans with a twist– purple pods and yellow interiors. The ‘Snowball’ bell pepper tastes like a traditional green bell pepper but with white skin that matures to ivory. ‘Charbell‘ Swiss chard is a potential garden brightener, with bright magenta stems, good disease resistance, and high performance.

Acorn squash is normally dark green with orange flesh. Squash lovers can change things up with ‘Mashed Potatoes’ acorn squash, which boasts white rind and flesh. Sellers suggest using the squash as a lower-calorie mashed potato alternative.

The color purple continues in fashion, sported this year by a number of new vegetables. ‘Purple Peacock’ broccoli features tasty, small florets atop frilled leaves. ‘Ultra Violet’ mustard bears purple stems with purplish-green leaves. Chinese cabbage lovers wishing for a little more excitement will relish the purple-leafed ‘Merlot’.

Everything Old is New—The Heirloom Craze Continues

'Pippin's Golden Honey Pepper' (Image thanks to Hudson Valley Seed Co.) — ‘Pippin’s Golden Honey Pepper’ (Image thanks to Hudson Valley Seed Co.)

By definition, heirloom varieties are not new, but some have been rediscovered or reintroduced for 2021. The ‘Iroquois Skunk‘ pole bean looks and tastes much better than the name suggests, with mottled, blue-black pods encasing white beans. ‘Pippin’s Golden Honey’ bell pepper is an heirloom that was long grown and used in Philadelphia’s Black community. The lovely purple flowers develop into fruit that morphs from dark purple to yellow and finally to orange as the peppers ripen. The ‘Tall Telephone’ garden pea from the nineteenth century is a traditional variety characterized by heavy production. For something really dramatic—inside and out—try the ‘Silver Edge’ pumpkin, a Mexican heirloom that is streaked green and white on the outside, with tasty peach-colored flesh and large, edible seeds that are white with silver edges.

More Hot New Vegetables

Fruity ‘Aji Chombo’ from Panama (Image by Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds) — The fruity ‘Aji Chombo’ from Panama are also fire-hot. (Image by Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds)

Gardeners who want to turn up the culinary heat have a plethora of choices this year. Hot peppers abound, including ‘Aji Chombo’ from Panama, which features heat comparable to Scotch Bonnet peppers with a fruity flavor to balance that heat. ‘Black Magic’ jalapeno peppers are dark green-black with traditional jalapeno flavor and intensity.

Fafard Premium Natural & Organic Compost Blend pack

Growing from seed is one of the best ways to try out new and different vegetable varieties. If you are starting seeds indoors, use a quality potting mix, like Black Gold Seedling Mix. For direct-sown varieties, clean and prepare planting beds by amending the soil with organic matter. Enriching your garden soil with Fafard Premium Natural and Organic Compost will get your hot new vegetables (as well as old favorites), off to a great start.

Cheerful Red House Plants

December—when the days are short and light is low—calls for maximum winter cheer. Holiday decorations are great spirit-boosters, but to add some long-term uplift, there is nothing like a splash (or two or three) of red. One of the best ways to create those cheerful splashes is to invest in a few house plants with red flowers or leaves.

The choices are many–from the leathery blooms of Anthurium to the textural leaves of the red-veined nerve plant. The best are relatively inexpensive and easy to grow for maximum joy with minimum effort.

Ruby Red Rex Begonias

Begonia T REX™ ‘Ruby Slippers’ leaves (Image thanks to Terra Nova Nurseries) — Begonia T REX™ ‘Ruby Slippers’ has massive leaves and delicate pink blooms. (Image thanks to Terra Nova Nurseries.)

Beloved since Victorian times, rex begonias are hybrids notable for their gaudy, patterned leaves–often with interesting shapes. The extra large-leaved T REX™ ‘Ruby Slippers’ is a super showstopper bred by Terra Nova Nurseries. It is vigorous and has enormous ruby-red leaves punctuated by dark purple centers. ‘Harmony’s Red Robin’ is another eye-catcher with heart-shaped leaves with black centers, wide scarlet bands, and dark brown, crinkled edges. The variety is small—about 8 inches tall at maturity—but packs a big visual punch. ‘Paso Doble’ is as exciting as the Spanish dance for which it is named, with leaves that swirl in like a snail’s shell. Each curled leaf features a bright red band against a medium green background, accented with touches of silver and maroon.

Rex begonias favor bright indoor light. Restrain the urge to water them before the soil is completely dry, but maintain relatively high humidity around the plants. There are three ways to achieve this: Mist plants regularly, set them atop water-filled pebble trays, or invest in a home humidifier. In the winter, the growth cycle slows, so plants require less water.

Bronzy-Red Bromeliads

Neoregelia 'Fireball’ — *Neoregelia* ‘Fireball’ forms attractive clumps of red rosettes that hold water.

Bromeliads are a group of tropical plants with rigid, strap-like, evergreen leaves that surround a central cup. They are longtime house plant favorites and widely available in nurseries and garden centers. Many have pink or red flowers, and some also feature red or red-blushed leaves. Neoregelia ‘Fireball‘ is compact and features narrow red leaves that spring outward from the plant’s center. The red foliage grows brighter with higher light levels, so grow the plant in the brightest indirect light. The plants reach 6 inches high and form broad, pleasing clumps of multiple rosettes. Fill the centers of the rosettes with spring water to keep the plants looking their best. Small purple flowers may bloom from the water-filled cups, particularly in the summertime.

Cryptanthus 'Red Star' in a pot — *Cryptanthus* ‘Red Star’ is very showy and tough. Plant new starts like this in colorful ceramic containers with good drainage.

Another more compact bromeliad, Red Star Earth Star (Cryptanthus ‘Red Star’), features rosettes of red leaves marked with a band of dark purple. The plant, which grows to about 4-6 inches tall, forms spreading clumps of showy stars as it grows. If it flowers, the blooms are inconspicuous and overshadowed by the brilliant foliage.

If you are looking for something much bigger and bolder, choose hybrid Aechmea, ‘Pinot Noir’. The light-lover can reach 3.5 feet tall and wide and features erect leaves in the shade of its namesake wine. Mature rosettes form tall, upright clusters of showy red and yellow flowers.

To make your rosy bromeliads happy, do your best to emulate conditions in their tropical homes. Free-draining soil and pots, as well as bright light, are key, as is high humidity. Mist plants or place containers atop beds of pebbles in water-filled saucers. The central cups characteristic of most bromeliads serve a practical purpose—holding water. When you water the plants, fill the cups. Springwater is recommended.

Scarlet Anthuriums

Anthurium andreanum, sometimes called “flamingo lily”, is a familiar plant at the florist or garden center. The casual observer might just see one showy red “petal”, but what appears to the be petals is actually a modified leaf (called a spathe) that surrounds an ivory or yellow floral column (called a spadix) like a cloak. Each spadex is covered with tiny flowers.

To keep your anthurium’s red spathes and green leaves in top condition keep them well dusted and clean. The plants thrive when given consistent moisture, and bright, indirect sunlight. They grow best in rich soil with lots of organic matter, such as Fafard Ultra Container Mix With Extended Feed. As with other rain forest tropicals, high humidity is a must. Since the plants often form roots close to or even atop the soil’s surface, cover them with an insulating layer of Canadian Sphagnum peat moss.

Claret Nerve Plants

Nerve plant (Fittonia spp.) is a creeping plant that provides a splash of color even in small living spaces. The “nerves” that give rise to the common name are the networks of colorful veins on the leaves and may be silver, pink, or red.

Growing 3 to 6 inches tall, and sprawling out 12 to 18 inches, nerve plant can enliven terrariums or other enclosed container gardens. It works equally well on windowsills with bright, indirect sunlight. Like other tropicals, these little creepers prefer a free-draining potting medium and consistently high humidity. Under the right conditions, the plants may sprout small, yellow, or red flowers in summer, but the leaves are the main attraction.

Less common, but still dramatic, giant nerve plant (Fittonia gigantea) grows to 2 feet, with purple stems, dark green leaves, and a network of red “nerves”.

Carmine Poinsettias

Like anthurium, poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) bear red, leaf-like bracts that resemble petals and surround the smaller true flowers. They are the archetypical Christmas plants, available in a variety of sizes and forms. Under good conditions, the red bracts may persist long beyond the December holiday season. Those conditions include bright sunlight, if possible and available, and watering when the soil surface feels dry. While most people compost or discard the plants once the bracts fade, they can be grown on. (Click here for an overview of how to keep poinsettias and other holiday house plants happy all year long.)

After the flowers fade, cut back the stems, and repot the plants in fresh potting medium. If you want the plant to rebloom in December, you must give the plants 14 hours of absolute darkness every day, beginning in late September. The poinsettia should spend the remaining ten hours of each day in the light. The best way to do this is to establish a routine of putting the plant in a dark closet a few hours before your normal bedtime and retrieving it the next morning when the 14 hours are up.

Growing Fragrant Eucalyptus Indoors

What do American gardeners have in common with the cute and cuddly Australian koala? Both animals and humans appreciate the aromatic leaves of the eucalyptus or gum tree (Eucalyptus spp.). Eucalyptus trees are primarily Australian natives, so Koalas have no trouble finding their tasty leaves that comprise their entire diet. But, Americans, especially those in cold winter climates, have to look farther afield to find eucalyptus leaves and branches for winter decorating, crafts, and herbal remedies.

Some indoor gardeners shorten the trip by growing eucalyptus trees at home in containers. Since the trees are normally fast growers, pruning is a must, but that just means more aromatic material with no need for a trip to the craft store.

About Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus branches can be used fresh or dried.

A member of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), most eucalyptus species are from Australia, with a few others native to Malaysia and the Philippines. Many lose their leaves during the cold or dry season, but some are evergreen. Depending on which source you consult, there are between 500 and 700 eucalyptus shrub and tree species. The characteristic menthol- or camphor-like fragrance comes from many essential oils present in all parts of the plant. While koalas can digest the leaves, they are toxic to humans and other animals. Eucalyptus has long been used for decoration, woodworking, and medicines.

If you live in a warmer US zone it is nice to know that some eucalyptus trees sport silvery gray bark that peels or exfoliates. The green, gray-green, or blue-green rounded leaves, most commonly used by crafters, are generally the juvenile shoots of the plants. Older leaves are elongated or sickle-shaped but retain the characteristic eucalyptus fragrance. While eucalyptus generally bears small, fragrant white flowers when grown in the ground, it is unusual for container-grown plants to bloom.

Eucalyptus for Indoor Growing

Child watering a potted eucalyptus plant

Nurseries, garden centers, and mail-order vendors carry a number of species that are suitable for container culture. Among them are:

Lemon Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora (syn. Corymbia citriodora)): As the name suggests, this eucalyptus features leaves with an overlay of lemony or citrusy fragrance. Left to its own devices, lemon eucalyptus may reach 6 to 10 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide, but a containerized specimen can be kept much smaller. The bark is smooth and gray, and the evergreen leaves are elongated. It is easily grown from seed and grows very quickly.
White-Leaved Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus albida, Zones 8-10): The young shoots of this shrubby, white-leaved eucalyptus are actually bright grayish blue, eventually growing longer and turning green. It is relatively slow-growing and easy to prune to shape. Outdoor specimens can reach 4 to 9 feet tall if left unpruned.
Cider Gum (Eucalyptus gunnii, Zones 9-11): Native to Tasmania cider gum has several compact varieties good for indoor growing. ‘Silver Drop’ is a compact variety (2 to 3 feet high and 1 to 1.5 feet wide) perfect for pots, with small, silvery leaves. It is also easily grown from seed. Steel Tower is another vigorous gunnii variety of similar dimensions.

Caring for Eucalyptus

Silvery Eucalyptus pots look just at home indoors in winter.

Some garden centers and big box stores carry young eucalyptus trees and shrubs, especially during the growing season. Alternately, you can start eucalyptus from cuttings, which will root readily in water, or from seed. Start seeds, cuttings or young specimens in large pots, because the plants dislike being repotted.

Sun: A full-sun exposure (at least six to eight hours per day) is necessary to keep eucalypts growing to their fullest. It helps to take containers outdoors in summer when the weather is warm. During the cold months, position eucalyptus in the sunniest available space, preferably near a south-facing window. Turn plants to keep them growing evenly if light is one-sided.

Fafard Ultra Container Mix with Extended Feed and RESiLIENCE pack

Soil and Fertilizer: Plant in large, fast-draining pots filled with well-drained soil, and fertilize regularly with all-purpose plant food. It helps to give them a leg up with an enriched potting mix, like Fafard Ultra Container Mix With Extended Feed.

Water: Water regularly when the top few inches of soil feel dry. Reduce watering significantly when you bring pots indoors during winter.

Pruning: To keep growth in check, promote fullness, and ensure an ongoing supply of young branches, the most important thing you can do is pinch off older growth and prune and shape the plant regularly.

Drying Eucalyptus

Dried Eucalyptus wreath — Dried Eucalyptus makes long-lasting dried wreaths.

The most common way to preserve eucalyptus is by drying—hanging branches upside down in bunches, or spreading them on a screen placed in a cool, dry location.

For applications like wreaths, where a more natural look is desirable, it is best to treat stems with glycerin to keep them more pliable and long-lasting. Cut fresh, 12-inch stems, and crush 2 inches at the base of the cuts. Place the branches in jars filled with two parts water to one part glycerin (heat water to 180°F, add glycerin, stir well, and let cool). Allow the branches to cure in the solution for two to six weeks. Refresh the solution as needed within this time.

Using Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus in a bedroom — A little dried Eucalyptus will add soothing fragrance to any room.

Eucalyptus oil should never be taken internally or rubbed directly on the skin, but many books and online resources supply directions for making infusions, ointments, and other aromatic remedies. Insect pests don’t care for the scent of eucalyptus, especially lemon eucalyptus, so it makes a good repellent when tucked into sachets or included in potpourri.

Most of us will only experience koalas via nature shows or zoos, but we can channel their sunny Australian homeland by growing beautiful and fragrant eucalyptus indoors.

Pretty Pink House Plants for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The color pink represents warmth and hope, like the rosy pink clouds of a summer sunset. It is also the color chosen to symbolize breast cancer research, awareness, and support. Some gardeners may be planting Pink Ribbon spring bulbs or Pink Invincibelle III hydrangeas to commemorate October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But it is the time for indoor gardening, so planting or sharing pretty pink house plants is another way to recognize friends and loved ones that have survived or passed from breast cancer.

If gifting one or more of these beautiful house plants, it is also nice to make a donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the highest-rated charity dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer.

Pink-Stripe Spiderwort

One of the easiest plants that you can grow indoors is Pink Stripe spiderwort (Tradescantia spathacea ‘Tricolor’). It’s a popular plant to find at local greenhouses and even big-box stores and it grows well in pots or hanging baskets. The Mexican native is colorful, drought-tolerant, sun-loving, and grows beautifully indoors and out. The leaves are green striped with pink variegation. They grow best with bright indoor light and lightly moist soil with good drainage. Purplish flowers appear throughout the year, but the leaves are the real attraction.

Pink Rex Begonias

Terra Nova's T REX™ Dancing Peacock — Terra Nova’s T REX™ Dancing Peacock is a spectacular Rex begonia with a range of pink hues.

Rex begonias (Begonia rex-cultorum) are longtime house or parlor-plant favorites grown for their colorful, flashy foliage. They combine an array of interesting colors and textures, featuring long, pointed, or rounded leaves that may be ruffled or curled in a way that resembles a snail shell. The leaves are often marked with two or more colors, which can include light or dark pink, depending on the variety.

Those in Terra Nova’s high-performing T REX™ Series have pleasing splashes of rose and pink. The silvery-pink-leaved ‘Andrea’ and the pink-and-green leaved ‘Regal Minuet’ are two more exceptional commercially available varieties with pink in the color mix. Though flowers are not the main attraction of Rex begonias, the blooms may be pink as well.

Provide high humidity, a free-draining soil mix, like Fafard Ultra Container Mix with Extended Feed, and bright indirect light for the best results. Since begonias dislike wet feet, allow the soil to become somewhat dry between watering.

Pink Nerve Plant

Mosaic or nerve plant (Fittonia albivensis) features oval green leaves accented with a network of rose-pink veins. The miniature ‘Autumn Flame‘ is a particularly pretty form with pink and reddish venation. It reaches a few inches but spreads further. Standard forms reach 6 x 12 inches.

Though nerve plant hails from the tropics, direct sunlight will burn the leaves, so place it in a spot with bright, indirect light. Choose well-drained soil and place containers on beds of pebbles in water-filled saucers or trays to help raise humidity levels. Mist regularly in winter and feed in spring and summer with a balanced fertilizer, applied according to package directions. Another option for small Fittonia plants is to grow them in terrariums, which provide more consistent humidity.

Rose-Painted Calathea

Calathea 'Rosy' (Image thanks to Steve's Leaves) — *Calathea* ‘Rosy’ has true pinks in spades. (Image thanks to Steve’s Leaves)

Rose-painted Calathea (Calathea roseopicta) lives up to its name, with fabulous eye-catching foliage painted with rose. One variety, ‘Rosy‘, features large, oval leaves with rose-pink and ivory centers edged in dark green and reaches just 8-inches high with a broader spread. The leaf undersides are pure pink, which is especially evident when the plant furls its leaves together at the end of the day.

On average, rose-painted Calathea is a medium-tall, upright plant that grows 2 to 3 feet high with a 1-foot spread. It is perfect for a warm corner with bright, indirect sunlight. High humidity is a must, so consider a pebble tray or spritz for this plant as well. Allow its soil to become slightly dry between watering. Growth slows down in the winter, so hold off feeding until spring, when active growth restarts.

Pink Echeveria

Echeveria ‘Perle Von Nürnberg’ has lots of pink it its rosettes.

Many of the most popular succulents also feature pink-tinted or accented leaves. Among the prettiest are the rosette-forming echeverias (Echeveria spp.). Two excellent choices are ‘Perle von Nürnberg’ (‘Pearl of Nüremberg’), which has plump gray leaves accented in pink, and the comparable ‘Rainbow’, with its striped variegated leaves of pink, yellow, and green.

If you often forget to water houseplants, succulents like echeveria are a perfect fit. Plant them in Fafard^® Professional Potting Mix leavened with a 1/3 amount of perlite or fine gravel so that water drains freely. Water infrequently and only when the soil is dry. In winter, water monthly.

Silver Urn Plant

The pink bromeliad flowers of Aechmea fasciata are brilliant.

The silver vase or urn plant (Aechmea fasciata) is a bromeliad with dramatic pink, petal-like leaves (bracts) that resemble flowers and surround the much smaller, electric-purple true blooms. The plants have no stems, but stand erect (up to 3 x 2 feet) because the sturdy, strap-like leaves grow upward into an urn shape with a hollow central cup. Those leaves may also be variegated with streaks of silver. Unlike other house plants, bromeliads are watered by filling the central cup whenever it is empty. Reduce the amount of water in the winter but be sure to mist plants regularly to keep leaf edges from browning.

Silver vase plants perform best in bright indirect light. Each plant blooms only once, but the pink bracts may last a month and a half or more. Once the blooms fade, the parent plant dies, but a healthy plant will produce offshoots or “pups” from the side of the parent plant, which can be transplanted when they reach 6 inches tall, ensuring another generation of silver vases filled with bright pink flowers.

Woolly Bears in the Garden: Lore and Ecology

Wooly Bears in the Garden: Lore and Ecology Featured Image

The banded woolly bear caterpillar is only about 1.5 to 2 inches long, but it carries a lot of weight on its small form. Since colonial times, folk wisdom has claimed that even before the caterpillar is old enough to metamorphose into a tiger moth, it has the power to predict winter weather. That is a big responsibility. The gentle caterpillars are also loved by kids and make great teaching tools to explain insect hibernation, insect life cycles, and regional folklore.

It’s All in the Woolly Bear Wool

Woolly bear caterpillars, also known as woolly worms, are the larval form of the Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella). The source of their alleged superpower is the dense coat of bristly hair that covers the thirteen segments of the caterpillar’s body, which helps them hibernate through winter. This “wool” is most often black at both ends and rusty brown in the middle, and its various bands of color supposedly predict winter severity. For example, a longer brown segment augurs a mild winter; a shorter one means that the area is likely to have a more severe cold spell. (See more below)

Weather prediction aside, the woolly bear has other distinctive traits. Native to the United States, Canada, and northern Mexico, the Isabella tiger moth may produce one to two generations of caterpillars per season, the first in May and the second in August. Woolly bears are most prolific in the fall when the caterpillars are on the move–crossing roads and sidewalks in search of food and winter shelter. If you disturb a woolly bear, it will curl up into a woolly ball and “play dead” until danger is past.

What Do Isabella Tiger Moths Pollinate?

Isabella tiger moth (Image by Steve Jurvetson)

The Isabella tiger moth is not a pollinator. The pretty orange moths don’t eat and survive for only a few days after pupation. The adults emerge in spring, mate, lay eggs on the surface of a food plant, and die. The eggs hatch in June or July, and the little caterpillars feed on the leaves of various plants to become fully mature and hibernation-ready. On occasion, two life cycles can be completed in a single season. (Note: The nocturnal moths are attracted to light, so give them a fighting chance by minimizing outdoor lighting in the garden.)

Tasty Leaves for Woolly Bears

Woolly bear climbing on a fall chrysanthemum — A woolly bear climbs across a fall chrysanthemum.

Moths as a group have gotten a bad rap because of the harmful actions of some destructive species, like Gypsy moths. But, the larvae of many, including the Isabella tiger moth, do little damage, feed wildlife, and are cute garden friends. Your garden is probably home to plants with leaves that woolly bears relish, including old-fashioned beauties like sunflowers and asters, not to mention wilder plants like violets, clover, plantain, lambs quarters, and nettles. Though they prefer herbaceous plants, the caterpillars will occasionally snack on the low-tannin leaves of birches, maples, and elms. Unlike the gypsy moths, gentle Isabella tiger moths are not a threat to the survival of any of their host or food plants.

Helping Woolly Bears Overwinter in the Garden

Black woolly bear — All black or rusty woolly bears do exist, but they are less common. (Image from Prairie Sky Sanctuary)

When woolly bears start rambling around in fall, they are looking for the right shelter to help them survive winter. (Humans like a comfy bed and so do woolly bears!) They seek winter shelter under leaves or logs and may also spend the cold months in rock cavities. Keep a corner of your garden a little less tidy in the fall, and you will make it more attractive to woolly bears in search of a quiet, protected spot for their long winter’s nap. Your kids might even help direct them to the best hibernation spot in the yard.

Woolly bears freeze solid in winter. They survive because they have tissues that contain a cryoprotectant, which protects their soft bodies from freezing damage. In spring, the caterpillars thaw with no internal injury.

Do Woolly Bears Predict Winter Weather?

Woolly bear on a wooden structure — Some suggest that the black segments of the woolly bear’s coat lengthen as the caterpillars age, making older bears more likely to “predict” mild winter

The folklore about woolly bears and winter weather forecasting got a big assist from a mid-century American entomologist, who collected the caterpillars at Bear Mountain State Park, north of New York City, over a nine-year period beginning in 1948. The scientist found that in years when the brown band was longer, winters tended to be milder than normal. Experts point out that while the results were tantalizing, the sample size was small and limited to one area. That fact has done nothing to dampen the woolly bear’s reputation. Other sources suggest that the black segments of the woolly bear’s coat lengthen as the worms age, making older caterpillars more likely to “predict” harsh winters.

Six Ways to Read a Woolly Bear

Woolly bear on a twig — How would you read this woolly bear?

The caterpillars have 13 body segments said to correspond to the 13 weeks of winter in some parts of the country. Here are six ways to read them.

Broad Rusty Band = milder winter
Large Black Band = more severe winter
Fuller Wool= more severe winter
Long Black Head and Tail = severe winter at the beginning and end
All Brown =very mild winter
All Black = very severe winter

And, if you have woolly bears with lots of different color variants, it’s anyone’s guess. Whatever the truth, the presence of these distinctive insects in your garden is a good indicator that you have a healthy garden ecosystem. If you have them, help nurture their yearly return.

Everblooming Summer Vines for Gardens

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Savvy gardeners know that flowering vines do more than just hang around. No matter how thick their stems, vines are masters at pulling their weight in the garden, brightening vertical spaces, and providing small-space gardeners with a larger plant canvas.

Everblooming or nearly everblooming annual vines give the most colorful bang for the gardener’s buck and also delight the pollinators that flutter and fly to them. The range of choices is large, from the intricate blooms of climbing nasturtium (Tropaeolum Group) to the old fashioned charm of annual morning glories (Ipomoea purpurea). Most annual vines climb and twine with their own steam. All the gardener needs to provide is support in the form of a trellis, pergola, tuteur, or fence.

To give your vine the greatest chance of success, consider the amount of available vertical space, as well as sun and shade levels. Most flowering vines need full sunlight to look their best. At planting time, whether planting seeds or seedlings, amend the soil with Fafard Ultra Outdoor Planting Mix, to increase fertility, in addition to a slow-release fertilizer formulated for flowering plants.

Vines with Old-Fashioned Charm

'Heavenly Blue' morning glory — Arguably, the best blue morning glory variety is the classic ‘Heavenly Blue’.

The cheerful common morning glory (Ipomoea-purpurea) and blue morning glory (I. tricolor) are probably the best-known annual vines. These familiar cottage-garden favorites feature funnel-shaped flowers that bloom from mid to late summer through frost, with new blooms opening each day against a backdrop of medium green, heart-shaped leaves. Common types bloom earlier than blue and come in a range of colors from white to red, pink, and purple, with some bi-colored varieties. Flower throats may be white, yellow, or even pink, like those of the white-flowered ‘Dolce Vita’. The heirloom variety, ‘Grandpa Ott’s’, features purple petals accented with brighter red-purple star-shaped markings. Blue morning glories have larger flowers that start blooming later and come in shades of sky blue and white. The impressive ‘Flying Saucers’ is splashed with blue and white stripes.

Grow morning glories to full sun and with well-drained soil provided with average moisture. The large seeds are easy to sow directly into the garden right after your area’s last frost date. Nick and soak them the day before for faster sprouting. The plants are liberal self-seeders, so one package of morning glory seeds may give you many years’ worth of climbing displays.

If you live with children or pets, it is wise to remember that morning glory seeds are toxic if ingested.

Vines with Drama at Dusk

Moonflower (Ipomoea alba) is morning glory’s night owl cousin, with huge ivory funnels that glow and become fragrant at night. Pollinated by nocturnal moths, the blooms open at dusk and close up the following morning. Though they are night bloomers, moonflowers need full sun in the daytime, along with good soil and irrigation. Twining up a trellis, moonflower can climb 10 to 15 feet during the growing season. Like other members of the Ipomoea clan, it may also self-sow but less aggressively.

Vines with Tropical Flash

Blooming nasturtium climbing on an old weathered wooden fence

The heirlooms in Jewel of Africa mix are climbing garden nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus). Over the course of summer, the vines can reach up to 8 feet tall, covering a fence or trellis with distinctive flowers of ivory, yellow, orange, and red. Some are exuberantly bi-colored. And the flowers are not the only part of the show. The leaves, which look like scalloped saucers, feature white marbling. For a more classic looking climbing nasturtium, try the 4 to 6 foot ‘Spitfire‘ that features lots of tangerine orange flowers.

If your drains well and is on the lean side, nasturtiums will not mind. Rich soils yield more vigorous vines with more lush foliage, while those with less fertility yield less robust growth but more flowers. These natives of the Andes mountains do not favor high heat, but once established in sunny spots, they can tolerant some drought. Nasturtiums are champion multi-taskers too. If you can bear to pluck them off the plants, the flowers are edible, adding a peppery note to summer salads.

Another eager climber is black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata), which grows three to 8 feet tall at maturity. The most common variety boasts five-petaled, tubular flowers that glow in golden orange with black centers, a combination reminiscent of its namesake, perennial black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta). If you are planting several black-eyed Susan vines and want some color contrast, pick a seed mix that includes varieties with flowers in cream, orange-red, and yellow. All have the same dark centers. A large container with two or more varieties trained up a small trellis makes an excellent summer display. The elongated triangular leaves are toothed and somewhat coarser in appearance than those of morning glory or nasturtium, but black-eyed Susan vines compensate with an abundance of flowers. Grow them in partial to full sun, with regular watering and feeding.

Firecracker vine blooms — No flowering vine has blooms quite as remarkable as firecracker vine.

Firecracker vine (Ipomoea lobata) is another flashy performer for full sun that can climb up to up to 15 feet during its late summer to fall flowering season. The stems are adorned with green leaves shaped like elongated hearts. The flowers are tubular and borne on arching stems. Like any good fireworks display, firecracker vine is full of surprises. Its blooms are color changers, morphing from red to softer yellow over the life of each flower. This changeable nature means that firecracker vines look different from day to day, with a multi-colored effect that draws the eye and holds it.

Collectible, Colorful Coleus for Containers and Beds

If coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides) did not already exist, it would be necessary for gardeners to invent it. Its virtues are numerous—beautiful, easy to grow and propagate, repellent to varmints, available in endless varieties, and lovely from early spring through the first hard frost. You can even overwinter plants that you are especially fond of in the house. As if those qualities were not enough, it is also shade-loving, equally at home in beds, borders, containers, and window boxes.

Coleus Offers More for Less

Coleus cuttings in glass vases — Coleus cuttings can root in water in just a week to two week’s time! (Be sure not to propagate patented varieties.)

When I was a beginning gardener, high on ambition and low on cash, I would pick one or two of the most beautiful or unusual coleus at the beginning of each gardening season. The minute I got the plants home, I took as many cuttings as possible and rooted them in glasses of water. Coleus is a rooting superstar; after a week to ten days, cuttings sprout roots. After another week they can be potted up.

I repeated the process through the first couple of months of the gardening season. Before the arrival of mid-summer, I had all the coleus that I needed for my containers and borders. By the time fall arrived, I had a coleus surplus that I could give away or overwinter. By overwintering and picking new varieties each year I developed a very handsome coleus collection.

Now that I am slightly more solvent, I revel in the annual cavalcade of dramatic colors, leaf shapes, and other innovations. Plant breeders have even come up with sun-tolerant coleus, like the plants in the ‘Stained Glass’ series, which is a boon for those of us who have beds that are sunny at one end and shady at the other.

Coleus Madness

Coleus in bowl containers — Coleus was first popularized in the Victorian era.

So how did this plant-world prodigy find its way to our shores? Hailing from tropical areas in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Australia, coleus made its first appearance in the United States in 1851, during the Victorian era. Then as now, gardeners were mad for colorful plants, and coleus caught on. By the end of the nineteenth-century, gardeners could choose from over 150 different varieties. The colorful leaves were especially desirable for the popular carpet bedding planting schemes, where annuals were massed in designs reminiscent of the patterns found on oriental carpets.

Coleus went in and out of fashion in the twentieth century, but it is definitely back in vogue now. Like the Victorians, we are spoiled for choice.

Coleus with Shapely Leaves

The name Fancy Feathers Copper says it all. (Image thanks to Terra Nova Nurseries)

As card-carrying members of the mint family, all coleus have stems that are square in cross-section and leaves that grow opposite each other on the stems. Many varieties bear toothed or serrated leaves that are shaped like elongated ovals or shields. But breeders have gone out of their way to make sometimes dramatic changes in leaf configuration. Some varieties, like ‘Inky Fingers’, feature maroon and bright green leaves with deeply dissected edges. Going even further, Terra Nova’s Fancy Feathers™ Copper and similar types, produced leaves that are long, narrow, and form mounding mops of leaves. New in 2020, Hort Couture’s Under The Sea™ Fishnet Gold has the benefit of undulating leaves with dissected edges that are gold with brilliant red venation (wow).

Coleus in Fancy Forms

Freckled leaves — Freckles has large leaves that look like a splash of sunshine. (Image thanks to Proven Winners)

With coleus, color is king and leaves come in practically every color except blue. Monochromatic varieties, like lime green Terra Nova® Green Lantern or burgundy ‘Beale Street’ can be used in subtle ways or combined with contrasting colors to make splashy containers or border plantings. But subtlety goes out the window when it comes to fancy-leafed varieties that may combine two, three, or even four colors on a single leaf. For a one-plant-planter that looks like a party, invest in the brilliant orange and yellow Freckles Coleus by Proven Winners or the equally gaudy Under The Sea™ ‘Electric Eel’, which combines splashes of bright magenta with darker red and a wavy chartreuse edge.

Coleus Sizes

Terra Nova® 'Macaw' (Image thanks to Terra Nova) — The tiny Terra Nova ® ‘Macaw’ just reaches 4 to 8 inches. (Image thanks to Terra Nova)

Coleus plants can be relatively tall, sprouting to 36 inches or more, or petite enough to tuck into tight corners. Tiny, showy Terra Nova ® ‘Macaw’, with its pointy, maroon and cream leaves rises to only 4 to 8 inches. A little bigger, at 8 to 10 inches, ferocious ‘Yellow Dragon’ would wake up any container or window box. On the opposite end of the height scale, the appropriately named Coleosaurus reaches for the sky at up to 24 to 36 inches tall. Mid-range plants, like the green and yellow ‘Butter Creme’, stand 18 to 26 inches tall. And sometimes it is not the height that makes plants giants. The 2 to 3 foot Kong Red coleus has giant leaves of red, green, and burgundy that really stand out in the shade garden.

Coleus Growth Habits

Colorblaze Chocolate Drop coleus spills from the container below a purple Pennisetum. (Image thanks to Proven Winners)

Many coleus plants have a mounding habit, while others tend to sprawl or even trail. Trailers, like green-edged ‘Burgundy Wedding Train’ or Proven Winners’ ColorBlaze^® Chocolate Drop, are especially good for hanging baskets, and containers positioned on plant stands or plinths. They also make good “spillers” for the edges of large, mixed container plantings that also feature tall “thriller” plants and mid-size “filler” specimens.

Coleus Growing

Healthy coleus — Remove coleus buds and flowers to keep energy invested in beautiful leaves rather than “meh” flowers.

Fafard Professional Potting Mix with RESiLIENCE pack

Coleus, like many of its mint family relations, is ridiculously easy to grow. Unlike some other mint species, it is not thuggish or invasive. Plant starter specimens in well-drained, fertile soil, like Fafard Professional Potting Mix, and provide consistent moisture. The coleus will grow rapidly in warm weather and partial to full shade. Feed regularly with a balanced fertilizer and pinch back stems to remove any oncoming flower buds or encourage bushy growth. The removal of flower buds is essential because coleus will invest energy in flowers and seeds rather than pretty foliage, which will negatively impact the plant’s looks quickly.

If you neglect your plant and it becomes “leggy” with long stems and fewer leaves, simply cut it back by two thirds. It will look better almost immediately and be completely revitalized within several weeks.

Coleus Vendors

Coleus in garden beds — Adding coleus to garden beds always boosts color in a big way!

Many mail-order coleus vendors are sold out by June, but garden centers and big box stores generally have a good supply. Proven Winners and Rosy Dawn Gardens are two good vendors. If you can’t find named varieties like the ones above, you can usually find specimens with similar colors and shapes. Part of the fun of coleus hunting is discovering wild new combinations amid the tried and true

Creative Four-Ingredient Edible Gardens

Now that spring is well underway, it’s time to think about interesting ideas for simple, productive gardening. Even the most efficient gardeners tend to glaze over when confronted with a long plant list, but most of us can cope with cleverly devised, four-plant gardens.

Below are “recipes” for three different themed planting combinations containing edible and ornamental elements that can be contained or planted in gardens as space permits. The end results combine garden multi-tasking with great flavors and high ornamental value. And, if you want more options, you can create your own!

Herbal Tea Garden

Ingredients:

Variegated Pineapple Mint (Mentha suaveolens ‘Variegata’, USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9)
Everblooming Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis
Lady Godiva® Orange)
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis, Zones 3-7)
Rugosa Rose (Rosa rugosa, Zones 2-7)

Turn leaves or flowers of these easy-to-grow plants into tasty teas. The requirements are simple: full sun (at least six hours per day for roses) and well-drained, average soil. Make sure to avoid spraying the plants with any product not formulated for use on edible crops.

If you have a bit of space, create a dedicated four-ingredient tea garden with a rose at the center, surrounded by lemon balm, pot marigolds, and variegated pineapple mint. Container gardeners can grow the ingredients in separate pots, or mixed in a large container or two.

Rugosa roses are fragrant enough for their petals to be of value in teas, but their hips are the most common herbal tea ingredient. They will not form if the roses are cut, so let the flowers set fruit. Rugosas are noted for their large hips, which resemble cherry tomatoes. Mature hips will be bright orange-red and give slightly when pressed.

Among the best hip producers are those of fragrant hybrids, like the pink-flowered ‘Fru Dagmar Hastrup’ or the double white ‘Blanc Double de Coubert’. They also bear thorny stems, so harvest carefully. Use the hips fresh or dry until brittle in a slow oven (110 degrees Fahrenheit) or dehydrator. Drying time varies depending on the size and quantity of hips.

Lemon balm and pineapple mint are vigorous members of the mint family, but both are wonderfully fragrant with leaves that maintain their flavor when dry. Lemon balm has been known to self-sow and escape garden confinement if neglected, so shear off its tiny blooms as they appear. Likewise, pineapple mint spreads by rooting stems, so it is best contained in a pot. Fortunately, the variegated form is more ornamental and less aggressive. Harvest pineapple mint and lemon balm leaves before the flowers form and air dry by arranging the leaves on trays and setting them aside for several days until dry and crumbly.

Pot marigold is the only annual in the garden, so it will need to be planted yearly. Standard types set lots of seed and tend to self-sow, but Lady Godiva® does not. As a result, it is not messy, and it blooms all summer long, unlike the others. Gather fresh pot marigold flowers for tea. Dry them as you would balm and mint leaves.

Marinara Garden

Roma Tomatoes, Bush Basil, Greek Oregano, Flatleaf Parsley — Plant these to make fresh marinara. Just add garlic–to the sauce or your garden.

Ingredients:

Bush Basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Spicy Bush’)
Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum)
Italian Flatleaf Parsley (Petroselinum crispum var. neapolitanum)
Roma Plum Tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum Roma varieties)

Put an Italian accent in your garden and kitchen with these four plants. Start with the tomatoes. Bush-type (determinate) Roma tomatoes are squat, meaty, and full of flavor for sauces and paste. Provide them with at least eight hours of sunlight per day. Choose quality varieties, such as the high-yielding ‘Paisano‘ or tasty golden ‘Sunrise Sauce‘. A spacious half whiskey barrel filled with a rich potting mix, like Fafard^® Ultra Outdoor Planting Mix, and a caged tomato plant in the center is a great starting point. Install the low-growing herbs around the outside edges of the barrel. Be sure to feed with a fertilizer formulated for vegetables and herbs. (Click here to learn more about growing tomatoes in pots.)

Rich, aromatic annual basil is probably the best-known herb for flavoring tomato sauce and the easiest to grow, given full sun and good soil. There are many available basils, but compact sweet basils, such as ‘Spicy Bush‘, are best for container growing. (Click here to learn more about growing basil in containers.) Use them as an exuberant edging around tomato plants, either alone or alternating with other herbs. Pinch off the flowers before they bloom to encourage foliage, and harvest leaves regularly for best taste. Macerate them in olive oil and freeze to store.

A low-grower with good heat and drought tolerance, Greek oregano is another indispensable marinara ingredient. Grow it along with basil and parsley in beds or containers by the kitchen door, or alternate with basil and parsley in a dedicated tomato bed. Its leaves are best dried for longterm use.

Low-growing flat-leaf parsley is the fourth member of the marinara quartet. With its fresh flavor, it can stand up to the bold tastes of basil, oregano, and tomatoes. It can also stand with them in plantings, brightening up a window box or planted in a large container alongside basil and oregano. Versatile and full of vitamins, flat-leaf parsley is also a champion seasonal edging plant. Preserve it as you would basil.

Summer Fruit Salad Garden

Compact Raspberries, Compact Blueberries, Compact Melon, Everbearing Strawberries

Ingredients:

Everbearing Strawberry (Fragaria x ananasa ‘Tristar’)
Compact Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo ‘Green Machine’)
Compact Raspberries (Rubus idaeus Raspberry Shortcake®)
Compact Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum Jelly Bean®)

You don’t have to own an orchard—or even a garden plot—to grow your own fruit. A mixed planting of blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries will provide snacks and desserts through much of the summer.

Blueberries bushes feature pink or white, bell-like flowers in spring, followed by tasty berries in July and lovely red leaves in the fall. Use a compact variety, like Jelly Bean® (1-2 feet), along with a petite raspberry bush-like Raspberry Shortcake® (2-3 feet) as the centerpieces of your sunny planting scheme. The little shrubs will flourish in garden situations or large containers. Surround them with smaller pots or edge with strawberries, like the everbearing ‘Tristar’, which provides lots of berries in June and then a consistent flow of berries until fall.

A short-vined, small-fruited melon, such as the “ice cream” muskmelon ‘Green Machine’, will provide you with delectable melons in a small garden space or pot. Give them full sun and great garden soil amended with Fafard Premium Natural & Organic Compost or potting mix, and the vines will give you sweet melons that are just the right size for a scoop of ice cream. (Click here to learn more about how to grow edibles in containers.)

Your fruitful garden will need consistent moisture throughout the growing season. Investing in netting or other protection to keep away hungry birds and guarantee you a taste of the sweet fruits of your labors.

5 Fast Cool Season Vegetables for Instant Gratification

Crunchy baby carrots grow quickly and taste the sweetest.

“Patience is a virtue,” says the old adage, but sometimes even the most virtuous gardeners long for a little instant gratification. Succulent tomatoes and winter squash are a great reward for a season of waiting, but not all edible plants require a long growing period. In the cool growing season of early to mid spring and fall, you can have your salad and eat it too—sometimes in as little as 30 days—as long as you choose the right varieties and provide them with a bit of sunny space.

Always check the seed packets of various varieties for specific directions and the approximate number of days to harvest. Quick-growing veggies can generally be harvested in less than 55 days from sowing. The following is a list of five of the tastiest and most popular instant gratification crops.

Mesclun Mix

This widely-marketed greens seed mix usually contains an assortment of early lettuces and other fast greens. Depending on the seed producer, mesclun is sometimes also labeled “early spring mix” or “mixed baby greens”. Some vendors offer a variety of mesclun mixes to suit different tastes and seasons. No matter what the mix, the tiny seeds produce a crop of tasty small leaves in about 30 days, which is lightening-fast by garden standards.

Mesclun is easy to grow in containers, raised beds, or conventional garden beds. Sprinkle the seeds over moist soil, and do not cover because lettuce seeds need light to germinate. Water deeply using gentle spray. Sprouting should occur relatively quickly. The young greens can be harvested when the leaves are 4 to 6 inches long. Succession planting every two weeks in spring and fall ensures a continuous crop.

Relish the Radish

Radishes are ready to harvest in no time!

Radishes add a peppery bite to salads, sandwiches or all by themselves with a little sweet butter and salt. Radish lovers can rejoice in the fact that they are also quick to grow. For fast growth, select extra-early varieties, like ‘Rover’ or Easter Egg Mix. Sprinkle seeds over the soil and cover thinly with soil or mix. When the sprouts reach about 2 inches tall, thin to 3 inches apart. The young radishes should be ready in about 30 days. The best way to detect readiness is to pull one, wash it, and taste it. As with mesclun, succession sowing will provide you with a consistent radish supply.

Baby Carrots

Veggie lovers know that the “baby carrots” you buy in bags at the supermarket were actually sculpted from regular-size carrots at a processing plant. In-a-hurry gardeners can have the genuine article—real diminutive carrots—in about 55 days from sowing. Little carrots are excellent choices for container growing as well. Pick a small-size carrot variety, like ‘Caracas Hybrid’ or ‘Adelaide‘, and sow thinly in loose soil to which compost has been added. A product like Fafard® Premium Natural & Organic Compost is perfect for this, providing the carrots with the lightened growing medium they need to produce straight roots. When seedlings emerge, thin to one inch apart. Water consistently whenever the top of the soil feels dry. At the 55-day point, or even a little earlier, pull one of the carrots. If it seems big enough, you are ready for harvest.

Spinach

Popeye may have eaten his spinach straight from the can, but he knew that the leafy greens are tasty and exceptionally good for you. Spinach is also a boon for impatient gardeners. Like other fast-growing veggies, it is also perfect for container growing, which should be music to the ears of those afflicted with deer, rabbits or other garden varmints. For container success, pick a smaller spinach variety, like ‘Melody’ or ‘Red Kitten’. Sow seeds about one inch apart in a planting medium that is pH neutral and enriched with plenty of compost. When the seedlings emerge, thin to two to three inches apart. The spinach harvest should be ready in about 40 days, depending on the variety.

Bok Choy

Mature bok choi ready for harvest. (Image by Jessie Keith)

Sometimes also known as pak choi, this Asian member of the cabbage family has become increasingly popular for home gardeners, who use the mild-flavored leaves in everything from stir-fries to salads. For speedy results and/or container growing, choose dwarf varieties that can be harvested after about 40 days, when they are less than 10 inches tall. As with other fast growers, sow seeds about two inches apart, cover with a thin layer of soil and keep uniformly moist. Dwarf varieties can be thinned to three inches apart. Harvest the entire head, as you would a cabbage.
Fast-growing vegetables are a great way to hit the ground running in spring, but most have a tendency to “bolt” as the weather warms, flowering and sprouting bitter leaves when summer’s heat sets in. Save leftover seed for the second cool season in the fall, when you can rejoice in baby greens and radishes all over again.

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Using Eucalyptus

Pink-Stripe Spiderwort

Pink Rex Begonias

Pink Nerve Plant

Rose-Painted Calathea

Pink Echeveria

Silver Urn Plant

It’s All in the Woolly Bear Wool

What Do Isabella Tiger Moths Pollinate?

Tasty Leaves for Woolly Bears

Helping Woolly Bears Overwinter in the Garden

Do Woolly Bears Predict Winter Weather?

Six Ways to Read a Woolly Bear

Vines with Old-Fashioned Charm

Vines with Drama at Dusk

Vines with Tropical Flash

Coleus Offers More for Less

Coleus Madness

Coleus with Shapely Leaves

Coleus in Fancy Forms

Coleus Sizes

Coleus Growth Habits

Coleus Growing

Coleus Vendors

Herbal Tea Garden

Marinara Garden

Summer Fruit Salad Garden

Mesclun Mix

Relish the Radish

Baby Carrots

Spinach

Bok Choy