Topsoil is a necessity for plant growth and photosynthesis to occur. While it is true that naturally occurring topsoil erodes quickly, it is possible for man to take components and make a substitute close to the original.

It's not like it has never bloomed before, but this is the first time I have actually seen this funky flower. Stapelia gigantea usually waits for me to leave town and then blooms for everyone else to see; the dry cleaner delivery guy, the vacation pot-watering guy, and the flies that are specifically attracted to the putrid perfume for pollinating.

This succulent plant, sometimes known as starfish cactus or carrion flower started with the spiny nub of a passalong plant propagated...Read the rest at The Garden Buzz

With sod, it used to be that you just took what Mother Nature gave you. Today, you have a lot more choices. But before you pick out the one that best catches your eye, there are some considerations which you cannot ignore. Do you live in a heavily shaded area? Does the sun beat down 24/7? How much use will the sod get out of family barbecues, camping out under the stars, or neighborhood wiffleball games? Knowing the answers to these questions will ultimately determine which of the following is the best sod for you:

I'm not talking about fancy fennels; not bulb fennel, not bronze, but green fennel. Foeniculum vulgare, yet there's nothing vulgar about this versatile herb. Fennel, fennel, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

With apologies in advance to Elizabeth Barrett Browning....

Read more at The Garden Buzz

I've been on vacation; Griswold-style with my husband and two college-age children. It's still possible at this stage to tolerate a little togetherness and have fun too.  Working around everyone's schedule we managed a visit to the greater Seattle area.

I thought it best to explain my absence as I'm en route home. You never know who might have your address and want to pilfer a petunia or perhaps a flat-screen TV.

Until I can post again, enjoy these photos of landscaping with foliage at the Chateau Ste. Michelle winery...at The Garden Buzz

Rarely do I lose a game of 'stump the gardener'. If you can identify this allium from the rest of the usual suspects, I'd love to hear from you.

See the photos at The Garden Buzz

Thanks!

Artist and educator, Mark Granlund, has been leading a discussion about online learning and botanical art. A couple of weeks ago, readers were invited to take a poll asking them to state their interest in online classes. Of those polled, 96% said they would take an online class in botanical art.

It was about time for a pink hydrangea with all the star qualities of Annabelle. Always fresh looking and ever dependable, blooming profusely until frost and PINK; that's Invincibelle Spirit.

But there's more...

With every purchase of an Invincibelle Spirit by Proven Winners, $1 will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  What a great way to pay tribute to survivors and fallen fighters of this pervasive and cruel disease.

Read the rest at The Garden Buzz

Grandma flowers, you know 'em when you see them. My first thought would be those red and white pinwheel petunias. But for many it's the moss rose.

Turns out Grandma was one pretty smart lady. She didn't have time for fussy flowers. Today that quality tranlates to 'green'.

Read the rest at The Garden Buzz