Andy Connolly
Catmint is one of those plants that you can’t help but fall in love with. The silvery greenish foliage, those lavender-blue flowers that seem to bloom forever and let’s not forget – the cats that roll around in ecstasy when they find it in your garden! I planted my first catmint (Nepeta) about five years …
Sedum is a great plant. It’s hardy, drought-resistant and makes for a beautiful low maintenance addition to any garden. So no surprise it’s become so popular with both beginning gardeners and the more seasoned. But not all plants make good neighbors for sedum. Some can compete for resources, create unfavorable growing conditions or just don’t …
Hollyhock is a gorgeous, towering flower that brings that classic cottage garden feel to any space. They can reach impressive heights and produce flowers in practically every color of the rainbow. But like that one friend who just doesn’t get along with everyone at the party, hollyhocks can be a bit particular about their garden …
There are few flowers that are as charming as violets. Their purple blossoms have been capturing hearts for centuries. I still remember my grandmother’s violet-lined garden path that looked like something out of a fairy tale. But not all plants make good neighbors for violets. Some can literally bully them out of existence while others …
I’ve always been a sucker for drama in the garden and nothing delivers quite like wisteria. The cascading blooms that seem to drip from above like a watercolor painting come to life – wisteria is nothing if not dramatic. But it’s not exactly the friendliest neighbor in your garden. Last spring I watched my carefully …
Snapdragons are one of those flowers that just make me happy. Their unique dragon mouth blooms have been staples in my garden for years. But I learned the hard way that not everything plays nice with these beauties. After making mistakes with companion planting I realized that with snapdragons it isn’t just helpful – it’s …
Black eyed Susans (also know as Rudbeckia) is one of my absolute favorite flowers for adding that a punch of golden color to a garden. Those signature black-eyed blooms just stand out against everything else. But not every plant plays nicely with them. I learned this one summer when half my rudbeckia bed looked stressed …
I’ve seen plenty of carnation catastrophes over the years. I remember Elaine from my garden club who planted her prized carnations right next to her mint – within weeks her carnations were struggling while the mint thrived. These mishaps happen more often than you’d think. I’m going to share what I’ve learned about planting carnations …
Begonias are stunning flowers that add a pop of color to any garden. With their vibrant blooms & unique foliage it’s no wonder so many gardeners fall in love with them. I know I did when I first planted them along my front walkway three years ago. But begonias can be a bit picky about …
Lobelia is one of those flowers that had me at hello. The first time I spotted those beautiful blue cascades tumbling from a hanging basket at my local nursery, I was smitten. So no surprise it’s become a staple in my garden design projects over the years. But lobelia is not exactly the most sociable …