‘Knock Out’ roses are some of the longest blooming flowering shrubs we grow. They keep blooming all the way through fall until the first frost. Gardeners should focus on removing spent blooms, weak stems, and damaged branches. Doing so not only tidies the plant but also directs its remaining energy into the root system, which … Continue reading Knock Out Roses until First Frost →

The New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae) lights up the late season landscape. The bloom color can be shades of pink, violet, purple, or lavender. Large and showy, they can grow up to six feet high. The flowers are an important source of nectar for late season pollinators, especially Monarch butterflies as they stock up for … Continue reading New England Aster – Late Season Bloomer →

The name digitalis derives from the Latin word for “finger,” and it includes about 20 species of herbaceous plants. The best-known species is the “common foxglove” (Digitalis purpurea). Its beautiful bell shaped flowers range in color from purple tints through pinks and whites. The flowers can also exhibit various marks and ‘spottings’ inside the blossoms. … Continue reading Foxgloves – Beautiful But Toxic →

Peonies are known for their large, fragrant blooms and have a rich history. They have been cultivated for more than 1,000 years. They come in various colors except blue, and with proper care plants can live for more than 100 years. There are thousands of different peony varieties, with some boasting blooms up to 10 … Continue reading It’s Peony Time →

Cornus kousa, commonly called a Japanese dogwood, is native to East Asia. The small, deciduous flowering tree blooms in late spring to early summer (May-June) in the Greater Boston area. Kousa dogwood “flowers” are four petal-like white bracts surrounding a center cluster of yellowish-green, bright berry-like “fruits” or “drupes” which will mature to an edible … Continue reading Cornus Kousa – A Tree for All Seasons →