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

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

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

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

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

Since 2018, Superbells Double calibrachoa varieties have won 67 awards, yet in my travels, gardeners seem to rarely venture off the single-petaled path. I admit that I have a flaming passion for the punch varieties like Superbells Grape Punch, Pomegranate Punch and Black Currant Punch. The last four years, however, I have gotten to try some ...Read more

As I write this, I am on Day 211 of hummingbirds feeding at The Garden Guy’s house, marking the longest date on the calendar that I have had them, until hopefully tomorrow and the day after. I don’t use feeders, just plants. This year has opened my eyes about their choices in plants.

2022 started off fast and blooming, and then March 13, we...Read more

Chenille, taffeta and velvet may sound like the hottest designer fabrics for 2023, but they are the newest Upscale Monarda, or bee balm, coming out this spring. The Upscale Monarda series from Proven Winners packs native DNA from 23 states and Canada that will allow you to create the pollinator habitat of your dreams.

As you probably have ...Read more

My bride, Jan, said, "Those ornamental sweet potatoes you planted this year look better than they did last year." She was referring to a big display of Sweet Caroline Medusa Green that was draping over a rock wall.

Sheepishly, I bowed my head and sort of muttered that I didn’t plant any sweet potatoes this year. I feel like I am about to ...Read more

Soprano impatiens made their debut this year and I can truthfully say I wish every flower I planted was this easy to grow. They arrived in 2022 with four colors: Orange, Bright Red, Violet Shades and White. In 2023, Salmon and Rose will be added to the Soprano series.

If you have read any of my previous columns, you understand The Garden Guy is...Read more

There is a real upside to two new sweet potatoes making their debut in 2023. I mean that tongue and cheek as that is actually part of their name, but their application in the landscape looks to be amazing. So here is the skinny, so to speak: Sweet Caroline Upside Key Lime and Sweet Caroline Upside Black Coffee, two climbing sweet potatoes, will ...Read more

Flame Proof, Perfect Score All Season, Leader of the Pack, and Top Performer are just a few of the award designations for Truffula Pink Gomphrena. It has now taken in 50 such trophies. If your state has a flower trial competition, my guess is Truffula Pink has been a winner.

If you don’t know, Truffula Pink it is a globe amaranth. It is ...Read more

Just when you thought the gardening world would be content and that we didn’t need another new coleus, Mini Me Watermelon is rocking scorecards in university trials. Mini Me Watermelon is part of the ColorBlaze series. It will be making its debut in 2023 and is climbing the must-have plants chart.

Photos of trial plants at Mississippi State ...Read more

The first instant I saw the coneflower, I thought it was one in a million, with its giant 5-inch-plus golden blooms that at first reminded me of a gloriosa daisy. I am talking about the new Color Coded 'One in a Melon' coneflower, making its debut next year. Last week I told you about the new Double Coded or double coneflowers Butter Pecan and ...Read more