In Full Bloom

Th PHS Philadelphia Flower Show will be “In Full Bloom” June 11 to 19. It will be held outdoors in FDR Park for the second year in a row.

This year’s theme, “In Full Bloom,” was chosen to suggest good health, well-being and a passion for life. The result? A gorgeous and colorful show.

2022 Exhibitors

The show includes numerous events and garden displays. One major element of the show are the large, intricate displays by the world’s premier floral and landscape designers. Another not-to-be-missed facet every year: the entries of horticultural specimens by individuals and clubs. The competitions are highly prestigious and competitive. There are separate divisions for amateurs and professionals.

Continue reading Get Ready to See Philadelphia →

Early Spring: Golden Alexanders, Zizia aurea

Need a spot of sunshine in your garden? Golden Alexanders, Zizia aurea, cheery golden flowers bloom from as early as April continuing through early June.

A native of Maryland, its natural range includes Eastern Canada and the United States from the Atlantic Coast to the eastern Great Plains. They grow in zones 4 to 9.

It attracts butterflies and other insects but it is deer resistant.

This carefree, very low maintenance little plant grows 1 to 2 feet high and wide. In the proper setting, it will quickly colonize and your garden, meadow or meadow/forest border should be filled with them. Within three years, one plant has become over three dozen in my garden. They transplant easily so you can fill in bare spots, give them to friends or pot them for plant sales. This highly underappreciated garden gem would be a great addition to any garden or meadow in Maryland.

Continue reading Natives for Every Season →

Wonder which plants grow best in sunny, moist soil? Looking to attract more butterflies and bumble bees to your garden? Want to create your own personal National Park in your backyard?

Come to “Gardening with Native Plants.” The three-hour class will be held at Carroll Community College Thursday evening from 6:30 to 9:30 PM, April 14.

You will learn techniques that will help you create a beautiful garden that supports wildlife and our region’s ecosystem. Explore which native perennials, shrubs, and trees look best in spring, summer and fall. Learn how to use color to best effect.

Make your garden multi-level with a design that draws the eye. The class will examine how to support birds, butterflies and other wildlife through plants. Various lists of plants will be provided to help participants choose the best plant for their home.

Class participants will design a garden using native plants that are beneficial for pollinators and other wildlife.

The class will be taught by Laura O’Callaghan. A Master Gardener since 2014, she is a Finksburg resident and native plant enthusiast. She started this website, IntheGardenwithLaura.com, in 2016. Laura was a founding member of the Finksburg Library gardens and is vice chair of the Carroll County Forestry Board.

Registration ends April 14 at noon. The non-credit course will be held April 14 from 6:30-9:30 pm at Carroll Community College. The course costs $55 with a $5 supply fee. To register or for more information, click on the link below.

https://carrollcc.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=8170&int_category_id=11&int_sub_category_id=49&int_catalog_id=0