Avoid Lawns in Dry Shade
Don’t even think of trying to grow a lawn in the dry shade of a wooded area. Grass is alreadyContinue Reading
Author: Larry Hodgson
Garden writer and blogger, author of 65 gardening books, lecturer and communicator, the Laidback Gardener, Larry Hodgson, passed away in October 2022. Known for his great generosity, his thoroughness and his sense of humor, he reached several generations of amateur and professional gardeners over his 40-year career.
Thanks to his son, Mathieu Hodgson, and a team of contributors, laidbackgardener.blog will continue its mission of demystifying gardening and making it more accessible to all.
Be Prepared for That Early Frost
Starting in September, gardeners in temperate climates need to be ready to protect certain vegetables against that first frost. You know, theContinue Reading
The Plantain Lily: More Than Just a Hosta!
The first time I saw a plantain lily (Hosta plantaginea), I thought someone was playing a prank, that they had stuck stemsContinue Reading
Rainbow Rose Seed Ripoff
A reader asked me about “Rainbow Rose” seeds, offered on the Internet with a photo of a spectacularly multicolored rose. She wantedContinue Reading
A Fall-Blooming Shrub/Tree to Discover
The seven-son flower (Heptacodium miconioides) is a relatively recent addition to the palette of autumn-flowering shrubs and trees. It’s an obscureContinue Reading
Beautiful Flower, Strange Name
Among the stars of the fall garden is a truly unique perennial, the turtlehead (Chelone spp.). What I love aboutContinue Reading
Plants that Attract Seed-eating Birds
You’ll see lots of advice on the Internet about shrubs and trees with colorful berries that attract birds: serviceberries, hollies,Continue Reading
Fall is for Division
Yep, while it’s true you can divide a perennial in almost any season, summer division is more stressful for theContinue Reading
Prickly Canna Capsules: Nothing to Worry About
In recent days, I’ve received several questions from gardeners worried about the spiky round growths their cannas are producing. OneContinue Reading
Bring Your Plants Indoors… Without the Bugs
I know, I know, it’s only the beginning of September, your outdoor gardens are thriving and autumn seems soooo farContinue Reading