Story and Photos by Michelle Reynolds I’ve always had an appreciation for sumac (Rhus spp.). During summer vacations and weekend trips, as I travel across the state to various destinations, our native sumacs keep my eyes and my mind alert. Looking for sumacs on roadsides, hillsides, along power lines and railroad rights-of-way, in fallow fields, …
Story by Peggy Hill I asked Blair Durant, owner of Niche Gardens in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to suggest a plant for this article. Blair said, “Baptisia (false indigo) is a fantastic, long-lived, native plant for many reasons. It’s one of the first perennials to bloom in the spring, providing food for early pollinators. It …
Plant collector and protector Story and Photo by Katie Jackson Tucked behind two houses on Woodfield Drive in Auburn is a hidden garden where both history and plants are nurtured and protected under the watchful eye of Ken Rogers. Rogers, now a retired conservation agronomist, grew up on a Jackson County farm where his gardening …
Growing your own vegetable transplants Story by Katharine Musso Starting seed indoors is a favorite ritual of many home gardeners. It’s a commitment to a new growing season and an antidote to the weariness that accompanies a fading season. That being said, it’s not uncommon to get a little carried away. If all of your …
Overcoming the problem of planting under trees Story and Photos by Katharine Musso We’ve all seen those meticulously groomed lawns with one or more handsome specimen trees dropped seamlessly in the emerald green seas of turf. Maybe we saw it in a movie or maybe we saw it across town. What we do not see …
Story and Photos by Peggy Hill “We think Carex ‘Everillo’ is one of the most exciting shade plants of the last decade, and as such we’ve already planted dozens in our own garden.” That is high praise from Tony Avent, proprietor of Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, North Carolina. After growing it myself, I see …
Creating cozy outdoor rooms in your Alabama landscape Story and Photos by Loretta Gillespie An outdoor room can be many things to many people. It can be a kitchen with all new appliances and gadgets galore; it can be rustic with natural elements, and anything in between. In today’s eclectic world of décor, there is …
Top tips for keeping critters out of your vegetable garden Story by Rachel Williams Gardening is harder than it looks … just when we think we know what we’re doing, our beds are attacked by outside forces. How to prevent ultimate defeat? Rather, how to be at war with nature, when you’re trying to be …
Summer Christmas trees for the garden Story by Bob Westerfield I sometimes think of banana peppers as summer Christmas trees for the garden. These dark green plants adorn themselves with abundantly spaced, light-colored, ornament-like peppers. As a member of the chile pepper family, banana peppers get their name simply because of their shape and color. …
A love of all things fruit Story by Kate Musso Mention Dr. Arlie Powell’s name to a dedicated Alabama gardener and you’re likely to get a smile and an anecdote. The smiles comes from the enthusiastic and effusive manner Dr. Powell brings to every encounter. The anecdote likely relates to a fruit the gardener had …
