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On Gardening: Make it a Double Play for 2023, the Year of the Spirea
It's the Year of the Spirea, as designated by The National Garden Bureau, and The Garden Guy could not be happier. There is a spirea that is a landscape asset from spring through dormancy, but a lot of you simply do not know about it.
First, let’s delve into a little horticulture humor. Yes, the common name is spirea. The botanical name is ...Read more

On Gardening: Limelight Prime garners Hydrangea of the Year
It wasn’t until the summer of 2019 that I realized I lived in a Hydrangea paniculata forest. If you have read my columns, then you know The Garden Guy can exaggerate a little. So, to be more succinct: My neighbors all down both sides of the street have the most glorious monster hydrangeas. I, on the other hand, have the more refined Limelight ...Read more

Miami Gardens' signature music festival returns for 2023. Here's a look at the lineup
MIAMI — Jazz in the Gardens just got a bit more soulful.
The acclaimed Miami Gardens music festival will return for its 16th iteration March 11 and 12 at Hard Rock Stadium. Boasting a lineup featuring Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Charlie Wilson and Ari Lennox, this year’s bill leans heavy into R&B and neo-soul.
“Over the years, Jazz in the ...Read more

On Gardening: Long live magenta with Supertunia Royal Magenta
Viva Magenta, Pantone's Color of the Year for 2023, has certainly caused a stir in the garden world. As typical of our times, there are the lovers, and the haters. Since it is a primary color, I thought I would delve into a little thought on color.
Before everyone screams, especially art teachers, I know it is not a primary color by ...Read more

On Gardening: Superbena Royale Plum Wine verbena is Garden Guy's pick for Viva Magenta, Pantone's Color of the Year
Viva Magenta is the hot new color for 2023, according to Pantone, the gurus of all things color. Specifically, it is Pantone 18-1750. In the garden world, flowers will never be able to be bred so specifically so as to reach a Pantone number. We as gardeners, horticulturists, landscape and container designers, however, want to participate; we ...Read more

On Gardening: Dolce Appletini, Primo Wild Rose create heuchera heaven
Dolce Appletini and Primo Wild Rose were just two of the varieties that gave The Garden Guy’s container designs a touch of heuchera heaven. Now, like you, I find myself longing for spring.
In the South, we love planting heuchera in the fall or anytime from late September through early winter. This doesn’t always sync up with retail, ...Read more

On Gardening: Waikiki Sunset will have you looking on the bright side
Last week The Garden Guy attempted to take your mind off the impending doom from the arctic blast with a little "Mele Kalikimaka" from Hawaii. I know I failed — if you are a gardener, you are suffering. I too was leaning toward a mood of dark hysteria brought on by five days of 11-17 degrees Fahrenheit. Then a lifeline came in the mail: I ...Read more

On Gardening: Award-winning Toucan Cannas will have you singing 'Mele Kalikimaka' in July
Christmas week and the pending arctic blast have put dread in the hearts of most gardeners in the South. But old Bing and The Andrews Sisters and their Christmas rendition of "Mele Kalikimaka" has put a spring into my step and an idea of what we can all do.
The Garden Guy in Georgia has gingers still intact, Rockin salvias blooming and even ...Read more

On Gardening: Cherry Cordials now and debuting for your garden in 2023
If you are like the Winter Family, Cherry Cordials are hanging around your house now and until New Year's. There is just something about that bite that releases a sweet ecstasy of flavor. As you look at those Cherry Cordials, whether at home or on the store shelf, let it be a reminder to you that the hottest new begonia for 2023 is Surefire ...Read more

On Gardening: Poinsettia partnerships will make your holidays beautiful
National Poinsettia Day is fast approaching — Dec. 12 to be exact. While I am sure the powers that be wanted a celebratory day, from what I have been seeing this year is that this may be a deadline day. Have your poinsettias by Dec. 12 or you may not get any. This most likely applies to poinsettia partners, too! If you are asking what a ...Read more

On Gardening: Valentine's Crush is the hibiscus of your dreams
Although the first words have barely hit this column, I am getting a sense of glee. Just think, it took a garden writer, The Garden Guy, to beat the big boys to Valentine's. When you see Valentine’s stuff the day after Christmas, just remember where you saw it first.
In truth I’m not trying to sell you Valentine's stuff, but to alert you to...Read more

16 gardener-approved gifts for plant lovers
It's intimidating to start something new, but having the right tools can be a big confidence booster for beginner gardeners or even fledgling plant parents, nurturing orchids or even cactus in their homes.
These suggestions are tried and true by experienced L.A. master gardener Yvonne Savio and yours truly, who has tried and discarded more ...Read more

On Gardening: Wojo's Jem Vinca is an extraordinary spiller plant no matter the season
I remember the day we were filming "Southern Gardening" as part of my duties with Mississippi State University. Friend and garden designer Lori Hitchcock presented an urn for the front porch of the historical home in Kosciusko, Mississippi. It was all decked out for the holidays with red cyclamen, holly fern and a Wojo’s Jem Vinca, which was a...Read more

On Gardening: Augusta Lavender heliotrope debuts to award-winning performance
Augusta Lavender heliotrope made its debut in 2022, and after having it in my garden for 18 months, I am even more sold on the plant. Keep in mind I also wrote about it in summer 2021 and January 2022 and it continues to demonstrate award-winning traits.
This is an absolute must-have plant for the rare color offered the landscape, and of course...Read more

On Gardening: 2023 looks to create a Gold Rush for this award-winning rudbeckia
Next year will be a horticultural occurrence or phenomenon I don’t ever remember happening. It is going to be like the gold rush, except this time to get an award-winning plant. We can credit Brent Horvath, owner of Intrinsic Perennial Gardens, with this invention that has everyone excited. It is known as the American Gold Rush rudbeckia.
...Read more