A pretty insect lays its eggs on a stone. That stone is part of a global supply chain that starts in Asia, arrives in Pennsylvania — and now threatens North Carolina’s tourism, wine and Christmas tree industries. A thin line of North Carolinians stands between us and this invading menace.
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Recently, I was asked to give a presentation on the use of bulbs in the garden. While protesting that I knew very little about bulbs…
I’d never thought much about Baptisia until recently. For some unaccountable reason, this genus has been much on my mind. Perhaps it’s because I vaguely feel guilty about not having incorporated more native plants in my garden…
As we hunker down in our homes and shelters to deal with the current viral epidemic, practicing social quarantine and distancing is essential. Keeping away physically from those outside our households can protect them as well as ourselves.
Recently Lise wrote an article describing invasive exotic plants that caused me to ponder over plants we consider invasive and those we do not. Obviously, kudzu is an invasive exotic plant but what about Helleborus x hybridus?
Eventually we all leave home, only to have someone take our place. Sometimes the newcomers are like us and occasionally they are different. If enough “different” newcomers arrive the character of the area changes.
One of my main glories as a gardener is that I’m a talented hand puller of weeds. And, the older I get, the less trustful I am of garden chemicals.
For years I struggled to find a good marking system for my plants. When I first started to garden, I had a large area to fill.
During our recent, brief snowfall, many bird lovers made sure to replenish food supplies for our feathered friends.
“Excuse me, do you have jumper cables?” a young woman said as she approached me at the gas station. Turning, I saw her car, hood propped open, in the bay next to my car. “I’m sorry, I don’t,” I replied…
Don’t hesitate! Online Ticket Sales for the Chapel Hill Garden Tour, April 25 & 26, 2020, are NOW AVAILABLE at the link below!!
It has become increasingly clear to me that the longer I garden, the more often I return to the basic questions about gardening.
Many of us visit garden centers and nurseries to find new plants to beautify our natural surroundings or we receive cuttings and seeds from friends and neighbors.
In the plant world, North Carolina can claim a plant that is unlike any other: the Venus Flytrap, aka Dionaea muscipula. Location is everything — and North Carolina offers its Venus the perfect site.
When poring through the catalogues, you’ll inevitably come across exciting descriptions of Monarda. Before making the plunge, you might want to learn more about this popular native plant.
Our town is fortunate to have county workers who collect yard debris, Christmas trees and leaves during the autumn and winter seasons. The county then sells the processed vegetative material as yard mulch. But rather than buy mulch from them or from stores, it’s worthwhile if we just participate in leaving the leaves on neighborhood and town properties.
Beginning Dec. 26, the garden catalogues start to pour in. The planting season is short – and growers know that they have to get the word out on their new products as soon as possible.
Book Review: Gardening in the South by Mark Weathington. Recently, I had occasion to meet Mark Weathington, director of the JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University — and immediately bought his book.
A shagbark hickory tree in the Meadowmont neighborhood has been named Chapel Hill’s first-ever Mayor’s Tree of the Year.
We have a new puppy — although he’s been part of our family for nearly a year. As our last dog was with us for 15 years, this little guy will hold the “new puppy” title for a bit longer. Maybe it’s how he came into our lives or maybe because I think this will be our last dog, that he seems so precious. I’m weirdly picky about everything related to this critter. I shudder at the thought of any chemicals near “new puppy…”
Two things incur my wrath when it comes to gardening: certain wildlife and nurseries that sell the wrong plants. There are few serious gardeners who haven’t felt fury at wildlife. You see, wildlife has to eat — and many creatures savor the meals we unwittingly prepare for them in our garden. We call graceful does “giant rats.” We reread Peter Rabbit, only this time we sympathize with Mr. McGregor. Deer and I share one attribute in common: We happen to enjoy the same plants.
The North Carolina Botanical Garden will host the 2019 Environmental Summit on Wednesday, Dec. 4, as the first step toward identifying wildlife corridors in the Eno River and New Hope Creek watersheds.
I have never thought much about coreopsis until recently, when I had some spaces to fill in the perennial border — and then I was faced with the fact that there are an awful lot of coreopses to choose from. Even the name doesn’t inspire: The Greek “koris” means bedbug while “opsis” means to shear. Its common name, tickseed, also does not engender great enthusiasm.
I dream of native plants thriving in my suburban garden — I’m here to confess, reality doesn’t resemble my dreams.
In June 2019, the Town of Chapel Hill initiated a voluntary Tree Committee to help “engage the entire Chapel Hill community in enhancing and protecting the town’s tree canopy and urban treescape.”
THE ABSENTEE GARDENERS By Kit Flynn and Lise Jenkins For a long time, I was into instant gratification in the garden. The acre allotted for the garden had large bare…
THE ABSENTEE GARDENERS By Kit Flynn and Lise Jenkins It started with some herbs in pots in our kitchen window. I happily snip while I cook, feeling righteous about growing…
THE ABSENTEE GARDENERS By Kit Flynn and Lise Jenkins The genus phlox is comprised of approximately 60 species that are native to the U.S. Recently, the Mount Cuba Center in…
THE ABSENTEE GARDENERS By Kit Flynn and Lise Jenkins “What is it about echinacea? Why can’t I grow it?” my neighbor asked me. I assured her that for some inexplicable reason…
THE ABSENTEE GARDENERS By Kit Flynn and Lise Jenkins A year ago, I developed what I thought was an original idea: Why not plant a clematis with a rose? To me…
THE ABSENTEE GARDENERS By Kit Flynn and Lise Jenkins Many of us look forward to the arrival of autumn with its cooler temperatures and brilliant colors. We know that there is…
NATURE Guest Column by Mary Parker Sonis Our native southern wolf was declared endangered in 1967. By 1980, it was declared extinct in the wild, and the last survivors were…
