News Articles

Stay updated with the latest developments and discoveries in the world of plants and horticulture with our News Articles category. Here, you’ll find timely updates on conservation efforts, botanical breakthroughs, gardening trends, and industry news. Whether it’s a new species discovery, tips for sustainable gardening, or global botanical initiatives, this section keeps you informed and connected to the ever-evolving plant world. Perfect for enthusiasts, researchers, and nature lovers looking to stay in the know.

March Treasures

March Treasures

Camellia ‘Magnoliaflora’ and Pieris ‘Valley Rose’


Buds are budding, flowers are emerging, and the garden is getting greener. Excitement builds! It seems like it is all happening too soon and that is probably the case since the winter has been so mild. There are also mutterings about a “false spring” which is certainly understandable. It is not uncommon here to get a big snow in April. It has happened many times since we’ve lived here. 

Proceed with caution…
I would not dream of putting any delicate plants out yet so they will remain in the garage. However, there is a flurry of activities that needs to be done. Rose pruning, cutting back perennials and grasses, transplanting, etc. etc. 
It is all worth it – the garden rewards –
Crocus

Daffodils
Anenome

Hellebore

Camellia ‘Donation’

Euphorbia wulfenii

Tree Heath (Erica arborea)

Hebe ‘Pretty in Pink’

Pieris ‘Valley Rose’

Pieris ‘Passion Frost’

And last, but certainly not least, is the Azara which is just spectacular this year. I’ve never seen so many blooms. The garden is filled with the fragrance, which to me, smells like cigars. Some describe it as vanilla or a cake baking in the oven. However you describe it, it is divine.

Azara microphylla

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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Want to preserve biodiversity? Go big

Want to preserve biodiversity? Go big

Large, undisturbed forests are better for harboring biodiversity than fragmented landscapes, according to recent research. Ecologists agree that habitat loss and the fragmentation of forests reduces biodiversity in the remaining fragments. But ecologists don’t agree whether it’s better to focus on preserving many smaller, fragmented tracts of land or larger, continuous landscapes. The study comes to a clear conclusion.

Want to preserve biodiversity? Go big Read More »

Dr. Allan Armitage on Common Sense Answers for Retail Garden Center Customers (Video)

Dr. Allan Armitage on Common Sense Answers for Retail Garden Center Customers (Video)

With spring approaching, many consumers will visit garden centers with common-sense questions. Dr. A provides some common-sense answers you can give them.

The post Dr. Allan Armitage on Common Sense Answers for Retail Garden Center Customers (Video) appeared first on Greenhouse Grower.

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A pyrrosia scavenger hunt, at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden

A pyrrosia scavenger hunt, at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden

This year, during my annual February stop at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, I tried to stick to a few themes when snapping photos. Typically I just point the camera at anything that catches my eye (not a bad way to experience a beautiful garden), but not this time. One of my themes, pyrrosia, a scavenger hunt of sorts. The RSBG covers 22 acres. Within that space there are several main paths, and many others that are less traveled. I try to vary my route and I am often rewarded by something unexpected, like a pyrrosia growing in a downed log. The trick is being able to find that planting again the next time I visit.

I started in the Rutherford Conservatory, where I knew there were a few pyrrosia worth visiting. This handsome fellow is without signage.
At the base here is Pyrrosia sp. SEH#1511 (if my records are correct).
Out in the garden, and on one of those secondary paths, is a favorite log (branch?) planting. I think this is also Pyrrosia sp. SEH#1511.
The rhizomes are reaching out… look at that happy little frond!

Another NoID, although it’s very P. lingua-esque.
This was a new find on this visit.
Which is also P. lingua-esque (the sign above is referencing something else).
Pyrrosia sheareri in the RSBG/HFF stumpery. 
Also in the stumpery, this tiny little fellow. It looks a lot like one I bought from Far Reaches Farm as Pyrrosia davidii.
And more of that Pyrrosia sp. SEH#1511.
I think this one might be P. sp. SEH#12547 (but don’t quote me on that).
Last summer when I visited the RSBG with the Fling group I snapped this shot of a nice Pyrrosia sheareri clump, darned if I could find it again on this visit!
I did stumble across this planting though, which was new to me.
Lonicera crassifolia
And more Pyrrosia sp. SEH#1511, I believe (if you’ve got it, flaunt it!).

Perhaps P. sp. SEH#12547 again?
Okay that’s it for the pyrrosia scavenger hunt, but I have a few more more fern photos to share. This cutie (Polypodium scouleri?) was growing tucked in a mossy tree crotch (sorry, I just can’t think of another word to describe it)…

Headed to the stumpery I took the long way around the pond…
And was rewarded with a spectacular lichen sighting… I think this might be Peltigera membranacea…

Pretty cool!
Finally, a few photos from the stumpery, which was looking fine in February.

Chrysosplenium macrophyllum
They (Chrysosplenium macrophyllum) carpeted this area…

We will return to the RSBG for Friday’s blog post and a look at a few of the plants (non fern) that I grow which are also growing in the garden, and a few other “lust worthy” plants I photographed on my visit.

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All material © 2009-2025 by Loree L Bohl. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

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This may not exactly fit the subreddit but I have a question on no till.

This may not exactly fit the subreddit but I have a question on no till.

I’m trying to start a large flower field to grow commercially. Last year I used weed block but it was very hard to direct sow and also cutting holes for every start was beyond miserable. I know the basis for a no till garden and how to start one (like cardboard or a burn, then compost, then mulch, and do cover crops). That being said trucking in compost and mulch that I don’t make myself is EXPENSIVE for me at least. I have access to a bunch of straw blankets that are 8’ x 50 and 8’ x 100. do you think I could lay these down over my soil (which i’ve been amending for the past year) as a weed block and mulch layer? Maybe do this for walking paths and then just put compost in between rows to make it cheaper. Any ideas are welcome for how I can do this cheaply and effectively. Thankyou

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This may not exactly fit the subreddit but I have a question on no till. Read More »