Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a popular flowering herbaceous perennial grown for its handsome gray-green foliage and beautiful late-season, lavender-blue flower spikes. Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, it is sometimes referred to as a sub-shrub for the sunny perennial border. A nectar source with a bracing herbal aroma, it also attracts beneficial bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. But … Continue reading Russian Sage – A Late-Season Beauty →

New England Asters ‘Alma Potschke’ (also known as Michaelmas Daisies) provide the perfect nectar source for butterflies and bees beginning in early September. They form abundant clusters of flowers at the tips of sturdy stems. They are also valued for the quality of their cut flowers. And they are unpalatable to browsing deer and rabbits! … Continue reading New England Asters Provide Nectar →

Zebra Grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’) is a perennial clump-forming ornamental grass that can grow 5 to 10-feet tall. In early fall, it sends out attractive, fan-shaped, creamy-tan color blooms/plumes. It is known by many other names, including Chinese Silver Grass, Eulalia Grass and Maiden Grass. It can spread quickly and is considered invasive in some … Continue reading Zebra Grass Creamy-tan Blooms →

A hummingbird feeder provides nectar for bees, honeybees, wasps, hornets and on occasion, even some ants. The garden pollinators are welcomed, as most of the precious hummers have already left for Mexico or Central America for the winter. The majority of bees and wasps will hibernate during the winter. Honeybees, however, don’t go dormant and … Continue reading Nectar For Our Other Friends →

As the summer season winds down, we see that our gardens are full of plants that have self-seeded like never before. However, not all are bad, and one standout is the Shiso (Perilla frutescens). An annual Japanese herb from the mint family, ours are red/purple/green in color. They add lots of interest to the garden … Continue reading Shiso – A Summer Garden Standout →