When You Garden You Grow

Gardening has taken me to new places and given me new experiences that I never imagined. I began gardening to relieve stress and bring a bit of nature into a harshly artificial environment in the city. Little did I know that first bag of daffodils would be the beginning of a life-changing hobby. Gardening in the city has helped me grow -- socially, environmentally, nutritionally, and spiritually.

The Top Azaleas

Flame Azalea is common to the Appalachians where it lights up the late spring woods with every pale and brilliant shade of yellow, orange, red, and salmon. The 2 inch, non-fragrant flowers are borne in open trusses just as their leaves are beginning to come out. Read more about the other top azaleas in our database.

The Top Hippeastrum and Amaryllis

Last year was my first introduction to growing Amaryllis, the cultivar was Red Lion, and I fell in love with its striking red blooms on the one scape it produced. I let it grow in a sunny window all summer. In early September I let it go dormant and put it in a cool dark cupboard for about 8 weeks, then potted it up in fresh soil. It bloomed beautifully. It was bigger and better than ever with two sturdy scapes, each of which produced four large and gorgeous long lasting blooms.

All About Crocus

A sure sign of spring, crocuses have low-growing, colorful, cup-shaped flowers that are a welcome sight in garden beds and lawns.

The Top Sempervivums and Sedums

I just don't know how any plant can be easier than Sedum Autumn Joy. It is not bothered by deer, rabbits, bugs, or insects, and difficult weather seems to have no effect on it. It is a prolific grower.

The Top Tulips

Tulipa tarda is an easy to grow species tulip. It will come back year after year and will naturalize well in good growing conditions. Very low growing. Multi-blooms per stem. Native to sub alpine meadows in central Asia. In cultivation since about 1590. Only species bulb ever honored with the title of 'Flower of the Year' in Holland in 1997. Uses: Rock gardens, in beds, border fronts or naturalized around trees or shrubs.