by Kathy Van Mullekom, a lifelong gardener and gardening writer living in York County, Virginia
Have you ever had a hummingbird come pecking on your window?
I almost did last year when I forgot to fill my hummingbird feeder.
The little rascal flew right up to my sitting room window, hovered for a few seconds and flew toward the feeder. Guilt filled my heart because I knew his feeder was moldy from the humid heat and empty from his frequent visits.
Looking for easy ways to add pizazz to your deck or patio? There's nothing better than a container garden to jazz things up. Just follow this classic formula for guaranteed success! First, choose a container as it will set the tone for the space. Container options are limitless, including pots, boxes, baskets, urns, hanging baskets, and window boxes... just get creative. Once you've selected your container, start selecting the real stars of the show, the plants.
One of the easiest-to-grow plants is the daylily. Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are blooming perennials available in an amazing variety of colors and sizes. The name Hemerocallis comes from the Greek language and means 'beauty for a day' -- hence we get daylily since each flower only lasts for 1 day. Daylilies are often referred to as the perfect perennial for lots reasons. Not only do they come in a variety of colors and sizes, but they also survive in a wide range of climates, often with very little care.
Many things come to mind when we think of growing and using herbs. For example, the delightful fragrance of an aromatic bath with lavender, a scrumptious dish with basil, and the piney scent of rosemary when you're barbecuing. These easy-to-grow plants provide fragrance, flavors to our favorite dishes, look great in our yards, attract pollinators -- the list goes on and on. Turns out these beloved plants can also keep the bugs at bay. Yep, there's a handful of herbs with strong scents that we find pleasant but not the mosquitos and other insects.
by Kathy Van Mullekom, a lifelong gardener and gardening writer living in York County, Virginia
Mom was not a gardener but she loved beautiful flowers in her yard. Roses were always her favorite, and the roses bushes in her 43-year-old yard still bloom, even though she’s been gone four years this month. As a child, my father was the yard man – mowing the grass, trimming the bushes and planting and caring for a very large vegetable garden. When I was old enough, I began to help and a life-long love for gardening formed.