ARTICLE FIND: Chrysanthemums Are Not Just for Autumn

You see them every year: Chrysanthemums flooding garden centers for fall planting. But learn how they can be year-round assets to your landscape and accent plant desires in this article from Gardenista:

Gardening 101: Chrysanthemums

Photograph by Britt Willoughby Dyer

Got Bugs? This stuff will wipe them out!

I recently discovered mealybugs on my Hoya plant. Grrrrrr. I couldn't understand how they got into my pristine plant environment: I hadn't added anything new in that room for a while yet there they were, sticky white remnants where the leaves met branches.

After hosing down the plant in the sink, I immediately ordered a container of "Systemic Houseplant Insect Control" and got to work, adding it in the prescribed amount to all of the plants in the environment. After a few weeks, no more infestation.

Now you don't want to go using a product like this on food you're going to eat, nor do you want pets or kids getting into the stuff. But it works, and works well, eradicating the little buggers by poisoning them from the inside of the plant. "Systemic" insecticides work by introducing itself via the roots and circulating throughout the entire plant, killing off various bugs that dare dine on it.

Highly recommended that you keep an eye on your plants, for apparently infestations can hit you even after a few years of a clean environment.  Here's the product I purchased:

From Amazon.Com

ARTICLE FIND: Why Some People Hate Cilantro

Many people love fresh Cilantro added to salsas, salads and many more creations from the kitchen. But is it possible those that despise the taste of Cilantro have it in their genes?

This article from THE KITCHN could explain things:


There's a Very Specific Reason Why You Hate Cilantro

Image credit: Africa Studio (shutterstock)

ROAD TRIP: Daniel Boone Native Gardens

To learn more about native plants (and to escape one of those hellacious hot Charlotte days), we journeyed up to Boone, NC to visit the Daniel Boone Native Gardens.

Tucked up winding road on a hillside, the gardens are certainly impressive. At first glance, it doesn't seem like much, but wait... there's more! Discovering many winding paths leading to more winding paths, the gardens are certainly worth the trip and larger than one might think.

You'll find hundreds of native plant varieties, mostly marked with signage so you may determine what you are looking at. Wildflowers, ferns, trees and a "bog" area, plus cabins and a large gathering spot for weddings make a place that's perfect on a sunny afternoon. You won't want to leave.

The gardens are open to the public from May through October. "Admission" is a small donation to the box at the entrance. Afterwards, travel back down the hill, park your car and wonder through Boone's beautiful and vibrant downtown. Enjoy a meal at one of the many great restaurants there, "front porch" dining and people watching made for a beautiful day, along with a stop at Blowing Rock on your journey back home.

All in all, it's a great way to spend a day outdoors, for up in the mountains the Summer temperatures were about 15 degrees cooler than Charlotte and the Piedmont the day of our trek.  Visit the Daniel Boone Native Gardens Website to learn more.

Photo Credit: Daniel Boone Native Gardens

ARTICLE FIND: Innovative Raised Beds

We LOVE gardening outdoors with vegetable and flowering plants. This article features some pretty awesome designs for the creative folk out there that are interested in building their own:

Savvy Gardner Article on Raised Beds

Photo Credit: KITCHN