Blue Fescue ‘Elijah Blue’ has been greeting visitors at the front border of the Garden Drama test garden for over 10 years. How does one make blue fescue (Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’) happy? From my experience — sun, sun, sun. Bake it to get that great, matte-blue cast to its spiky blades. And really well-drained soil, … Continue reading »
Author Archives: Garden Drama
More Garden Heidi-ology
A big part of the fun of gardening is getting to know your fellow gardening peeps. This past year, I got to get up close and personal with great gardener Heidi Heiland of Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens of Plymouth, MN. My profile of Heidi and her gardening lab and studio — which also happens to be … Continue reading »
A water garden in an hour
Water gardens are something I have dipped my toe into in only in the last few years. I always thought they were for someone else. They struck me as too expensive (though they can be), too involved (that can happen, too), and too high-maintenance (oh, yeah, sometimes). But, my overarching garden theory is that it’s … Continue reading »
Establish your signature garden emblem; your own personal logo
I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Heidi Heiland this past year. She is a great Minnesota gardener and a profile of her and her Plymouth waterfront yard and garden will be in the May issue of Northern Gardener magazine. The issue will be online and on news stands soon. I picked up so … Continue reading »
The pent-up spring garden
Clearly, winter has overstayed his welcome. Enough said. No more complaining from me. No more overstating the obvious. Winter is the one-night stand who wants you to cook him breakfast. Like at the dinner party that won’t end, I’ve conspicuously yawned, I’ve brought up the lights and I’ve even opened the front door. “This has been fun, … Continue reading »
Succulents are succulent; they make me happy
Fine Gardening magazine recently had an article on 10 outstanding succulents to try, which prompted my thinking – midst continuous snow fall and crazy temps – of how happy succulents make me. They teach us snowbunnies much about surviving the winter. They tolerate dryness by holding onto any moisture they can muster up, as best as they can. This … Continue reading »
Full-frontal gardening spotted in the Twin Cities
So, the title is a little racy, a little out-there, but it describes to a tee what front-yard and community gardeners do. They put it there, they expose themselves in their gardening exploits. They don’t keep it in the backyard — they bring it out front, full-front, where it can change lives and make a … Continue reading »
Creating a garden mosaic: Could it be knitting for gardeners and a perfect winter gardening activity?
The art and craft of mosaic seems to have suffered an identity crisis as of late — maybe a few too many uninspired stepping stones have popped up here and there and it’s been done to death — but I would like to encourage you to consider creating one for your garden. Mosaic is like … Continue reading »
Garden clubs ignite the gardening spirit, soothe the tired winter soul
I had the pleasure of speaking at two garden club meetings this week at opposite ends of the city — the Hennepin County Horticultural Society and the Dakota Gardeners. They were both lively, spirited groups with gardening enthusiasm for days! I spoke of the winter gardening turning point in my head; that moment when you … Continue reading »
Terrariums Take 2: Terrific plants make the terrarium
Check out part 1 on making your own terrarium. Read my article at Northern Gardener (it’s the sample article this month). Consider a membership or subscription while you are there. Planting the garden. When selecting your terrarium’s plants, use the same design principles you use in your outdoor garden. Look for a contrast of textures, sizes, … Continue reading »
