Blog

A Somewhat Dry Response
By Michael
Feb 23, 2021
Writing that piece last week about how useful it would be to have info about the extent to which a plant’s performance is compromised by drought (and not just whether it’ll sur
PLANT OF THE WEEK #45: Melianthus 'Purple Haze'
By Michael
Feb 23, 2021
I’m guessing that you know Melianthus major.  As a shrub, there’s nothing else even faintly like it.  The most prominent and valuable characteristic are its pinnate pewter-gr
Tolerance v Preference
By Michael
Feb 16, 2021
It’s not surprising that one of the things we consistently want to understand about a plant is its drought tolerance. But it’s not at all clear what we mean by that.  The defa

PLANT OF THE WEEK #45: Melianthus 'Purple Haze'
By Michael
Feb 23, 2021

I’m guessing that you know Melianthus major.  As a shrub, there’s nothing else even faintly like it.  The most prominent and valuable characteristic are its pinnate pewter-green leaves, which in ...

Tolerance v Preference
By Michael
Feb 16, 2021

It’s not surprising that one of the things we consistently want to understand about a plant is its drought tolerance. But it’s not at all clear what we mean by that.  The default position is to e ...

You really want the outside in?
By Michael
Feb 16, 2021

I love that so much talk in garden design is about bringing the outside in. And that gardeners (mostly) have a deep longing to be more intimate with, and more familiar with, nature. But when it comes ...

PLANT OF THE WEEK #44: Itea ilicifolia
By Michael
Feb 9, 2021

First, let’s establish that we at The Gardenist don’t deliberately choose impossible-to-source plants for our Plant of the Week.  It may appear that way.  But name me an interesting plant that i ...

PLANT OF THE WEEK #43: Clematis viticella 'Polish Spirit'
By Michael
Feb 1, 2021

It’s not surprising that plants that you yearn for but have no hope of growing are infused with a sense of magic and mystery.  What is surprising is that even some plants that you can grow can reta ...