Some Plants Get the Blues
Leaves are green, right? And we’re all supposed to know why because we studied photosynthesis in high school. However, sinceContinue 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.
Yes, There ARE Perennial Tulips
Tulips have the reputation of not being very long-lasting. With most, their bloom decreases from year to year. The firstContinue Reading
Spinach: Sow in Fall for Best Results
Forget everything you learned about vegetables when you try growing spinach (Spinacia oleracea). The spring seeding usually recommended often gives disappointingContinue Reading
The Mountain Cabbage Tree: A Beautiful 4-Season Plant
At this time of year, many gardeners bring in geraniums, fuchsias, impatiens, begonias, etc., which grew in their flowerbeds andContinue Reading
Best Bulbs for Dry Shade
In general, spring-flowering bulbs naturalize better at the foot of trees with a taproot, like an oak, than trees withContinue Reading
What Will Be the First Flower of Spring?
Every spring, as soon as the snow melts, the bulbs we planted the previous autumn race to be the firstContinue Reading
Time to Look for Bargains
Many garden centers and nurseries offer significant deals in the fall, especially on plants that they would have to overwinter.Continue Reading
The Clash of the Titans
Many of the perennials I love are just a little too invasive for my taste. You plant them in aContinue Reading
Northern Gardeners Need Own Root Roses
Most rose bushes sold around the world are grafted (budded) onto the easy-to-produce and vigorous rose ‘Dr. Huey’. And that’s notContinue Reading
Learning to Live with Spider Mites
The red spider mite (also called the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae) is widespread in nature. In fact, it isContinue Reading