In springtime, Easter lilies are a common sight in grocery stores, churches, and on dining room tables. With their large, white, trumpet-shaped blooms and delicate fragrance, they are a true symbol of the Easter season. But did you know that spring isn’t the only time these plants can be enjoyed? If you want to keep…
Category: Home Gardening
The History of the Shamrock in Ireland (and How to Grow Your Own American Version)
Every March, many storefronts, restaurants, and homes turn green as Irish Americans celebrate their heritage through St. Patrick’s Day. Of course, many without Irish ancestry join in the celebration, too. During the St. Patrick’s season, the shamrock becomes a universal symbol of all things Irish. And rightfully so—the shamrock is the national plant of Ireland…
In Praise of Parsley
As the St. Louis Herb Society prepares its first-ever online herb sale, the group sings the praises of parsley, its herb of the year. “My goal is to bring parsley back as a valued and important herb in cooking. It is too easily dismissed,” says Anne Cori, Herb Society member and owner of Kitchen Conservatory….
The St. Louis Herb Society Celebrates 80 Years with First-ever Online Herb Sale
The St. Louis Herb Society marks its 80th birthday in 2021 in a way its founders could have never imagined back in early 1941—with an online sale of more than 8,000 herbs and pollinator plants. The St. Louis Herb Society Online-Only Herb Salestlouisherbsociety.orgMarch 26–April 2 | Online shopping for Garden membersApril 9–16 | Online shopping…
Protecting Plants from Fungus Gnats
As you wait for the winter to thaw so you can get back to your garden, you may be paying more attention to your houseplants. And, it’s possible, dealing with pest issues. One very common plant pest if the fungus gnat. Infestations of these small, flying insects can range in severity from just being a…
Your Amaryllis Can Bloom Again!
Amaryllis are a popular holiday plant because when potted indoors, they tend to bloom around Christmas. Plus, the red variety adds some festive color to any room. While their blooms fade after holidays, the plant’s life is far from over. In fact, if cared for properly, amaryllis can bloom over and over. All About Amaryllis…
Keeping Your Plants on the Bright Side
How to Make Sure Your Plant is Getting Enough Light in Winter The shortest day of the year has passed, but St. Louis days are still averaging only about 9 and a half hours of daylight. That’s a far cry from the summer solstice in June, a day when we see almost 15 hours of…
Cold Weather Kale and Cabbage
Cabbage and kale are popular cool-weather vegetables known for their many health benefits, but did you know these lovely leafy greens come in ornamental varieties, too? Ornamental cabbages and kales have showy, colorful foliage and are typically grown as annuals in fall container plantings or massed for a late-season bedding display. The leaves come in…
All About Pumpkins
From pumpkin spice lattes to jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins have become a universal symbol of fall. Pumpkins also come from an enormously diverse plant family, Cucurbitaceae, which contains more than 100 genera and over 700 species. In the U.S., any round, orange squash is likely to be called a pumpkin, but the term “pumpkin” has no real…
Overwintering Plants
When fall approaches and temperatures begin to dip, many home gardeners wonder when it’s time to bring houseplants indoors. As a general rule of thumb, the Garden’s Kemper Center for Home Gardening recommends tropical houseplants be moved inside once temperatures drop below 50°F. If left outside, most indoor plants will suffer from cold damage. Growing…
Adding Panicle Hydrangeas to Your Home Landscape
During St. Louis summers the fluffy white or pink flowers of panicle hydrangeas are easy to spot in many home landscapes. Panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) are native to Japan, China, and eastern Russia where they grow on sparsely wooded mountain slopes and valleys. In the wild they can reach up to 15 feet tall with…
Home Herb Gardens
Herb gardens are popular with many home gardeners because they can be grown with little space and yield crops that can be used in many favorite recipes. Many chefs prefer the taste of fresh herbs over dried products you purchase at the store. Some popular herbs to grow in your garden include basil, rosemary, chives,…