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

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 — 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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