ArcaMax

Winning a Perfect Score says a lot about a plant that goes through rigorous trials. But that is just what happened to one of my favorite lantanas by the name of Luscious Orange Marmalade. The location was at Oklahoma State University. Then it took the Director’s Select at Penn State and Leaders of the Pack at North Carolina State University’...Read more

Q: Last year, our yard was infested with voles. They ate the bark off several shrubs during the winter. We called somewhere to take care of this problem. They came out and sprinkled some poisoned food down in the vole holes and in their tracks. We spent about $300 for this first-time procedure, and then the company wanted $49 a month to do any ...Read more

LOS ANGELES -- Some people see trash and weeds and walk on by. Others rail against the slobs of the world, or agencies that don't do their jobs.

And some, like environmental scientist Marie Massa, roll up their sleeves and get to work.

In Massa's case, that's meant spending six to nine hours a week since early 2023 working mostly alone to ...Read more

This has been a breakout year when it comes to my prized, golden needle conifers by the name of Fluffy. Don’t get me wrong, I have loved them from the start, but they were trial-sized in the beginning, which was 5 years ago. So proper spacing meant they would look a little lonely for a while.

This year the partnerships with azaleas were ...Read more

This is the Easter season, during which we celebrate Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday. So, I thought we could look at some plants that have the word resurrection in their name. There is a fern native to the U.S. commonly called the resurrection fern; a spike moss from the Chihuahuan desert is commonly called the resurrection plant; and there...Read more

The last few weeks, I have been showing my followers on Facebook their favorite flowers used in combinations. Last week someone requested that I post combinations with hostas. Now, the hosta pros would probably choose a different hosta as a partner. While that works, I’ve been on a 6-year adventure trying special partnerships. I get more ...Read more

Q: My home state of Kansas is going to ban Bradford pear trees in 2027. I like this tree and was thinking of buying another one as a local nursery is having a sale. Is the tree as bad as they say it is?

A: Bradford pears are probably worse than they are saying. Let's start at the beginning and bring you up to date. Bradfords are a variety of ...Read more

If you’ve ever thought about caladiums for use in containers, you are part of a trend sweeping the country. Whether they are used as the only plant in the container or part of a mixed container design, they will create drama in containers from late spring through frost.

The past few years I have been growing a lot of Heart to Heart caladiums....Read more

In honor of April Fools' Day, let's take a look at some foolish advice gardeners sometimes get and give about garden soil.

No. 1: Throwing banana peels or eggshells around the base of potted plants or your garden vegetables will help the plants grow.

Let's look at the reasoning. Banana peels contain a lot of potassium, and eggshells contain ...Read more

As you are planning this year’s mixed container designs, The Garden Guy wants to give you some ideas to "punch up" your verbenas. I fear your first question is, "What verbenas?" The verbena is that flower your grandparents grew in long beds at the streetside. At least mine did, in Merkel, Texas, west of Abilene.

Today verbenas are the darling...Read more

Potting Mix

Q: A gardener friend moved and left me with several bags of ingredients for making potting soil. I have never made potting soil before. What proportions should I use? Do these ingredients go bad at some point?

A: First, I want to make a slight distinction between potting soil and potting mix. When you use the word soil, it implies ...Read more

Thirty years ago, I started trialing verbenas as part of the Mississippi Medallion award program for outstanding plants. I’ve been an avid verbena promoter and gardener ever since. I can tell you the Superbena Whiteout verbena is the best white variety I have ever grown.

Superbena Whiteout verbena has been around for about seven years, which ...Read more

Q: I heard from a friend that since I have some shrubs that bloom early in the spring, I can prune some branches early to bring indoors. I thought that spring-blooming shrubs were supposed to be pruned after they bloom. What do you think?

Many spring-blooming shrubs and trees are best pruned by what is called the shrub renewal method of pruning...Read more

As spring approaches at jet speed and you start thinking about planting mixed containers (but perhaps with a little fear of the partnerships) keep in mind three-part harmony. It certainly works in church music, and it is perfect for gardeners too!

In the world of garden color, we call it triadic harmony. Simply put, triadic harmony is three ...Read more

Q: I have seen so many headlines saying that vegetables are contaminated with E. coli bacteria. I grow a lot of my own vegetables, and I am wondering how this happens and how to prevent it. Why do commercial farms that have so many ways to protect their product seem to be the worst at this?

A: I am not sure you are right in your premise that ...Read more

A few months ago I wrote a column called "Let Loose the Chartreuse." This is my go-to color to make all companions or combinations literally "POP WITH PIZZAZZ"! In that column I dabbled here and there with some of my favorites, both new and old selections.

There is one I didn’t mention as it really deserves its own column; it offers a ...Read more

Q: After two years of trying to grow a vegetable garden, I am almost ready to give up. You know -- three strikes and you are out. I have been doing some reading and am now more confused than ever, but it appears that the soil is the problem. The garden is in full sun, and I use a drip hose to keep it watered. There are so many things I could buy...Read more

A garden. Is there a more potent image, carrying as it does such hefty biblical weight?

Certainly British writer Nick Newman would have been hard-pressed to keep the implications out of mind as he put fingers to keyboard to create “The Garden.” Like the one populated by Adam and Eve, two people reside in Newman’s version: sisters Evelyn (...Read more

Last year was an eye-opening year for me, when it comes to Jamesbrittenia. I’m sure you are like Microsoft Word, and underlining in red already and asking, "Who is Jamesbrittenia?" I still struggle with it too.

Jamesbrittenia is a genus with about 83 species of plants, mostly from South Africa, Sudan and Egypt. James Briton, for whom the ...Read more

Q: I was digging around in the back of my refrigerator and found a sealed package with leftover vegetable seeds from last year. There are some that are in the original packaging and some seeds in baggies that I harvested from a few tomatoes and peppers. How do I know if the seeds are still good? I don't want to plant them and not have them grow ...Read more