It’s time to design your spring garden — here’s how to get started
You know you need to rethink your garden plan this year. But with so many plants and ideas to choose from, where do you start? It's tempting to start picking...
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How to handle trees when they grow too tall
When a tree grows taller than expected, casting unwanted shade or colliding with buildings or other structures, it may seem obvious to just cut off the top. "That's not a...
Wait for spring to prune evergreens — and be careful with those hedge trimmers
When you're outdoors pruning bare-branched trees and shrubs in winter, it may seem obvious to prune the evergreens too. That's not a good idea, according to Julie Janoski, Plant Clinic...
Everything you need to know about pruning shrubs in winter
Many gardeners know that winter is a good time for pruning shrubs but hesitate because they're not sure how to go about it. Since different shrubs have different needs, pruning...
Don’t worry about how your plants will handle winter — but watch the salt
When you're coping with harsh winter weather that lashes your face, makes driving treacherous and batters your house, should you also worry about your trees, shrubs and other garden plants?...
‘Winter beauty is subtle’: How to bring cold-weather color into your garden
On a December night, colored lights disarm the darkness. But even in the gloom of a winter day, the colors of a walk in the woods can lift the heart....
How to grow holly for the winter holidays even in the Midwest
Green holly with red berries adorns many holiday cards and wreaths, a legacy of ancient celebrations in northern Europe. The classic English holly (Ilex aquifolium), native to England and other...
Burlap can protect shrubs, but don’t wrap them up
With memories of boxwoods ravaged by last January's bitter cold spell, many gardeners are trying to protect shrubs this winter by wrapping them in burlap. "That can do more harm...
A perennial plant whose wood stems are wrapped in bark is a …
What is a tree and what is a shrub? It's surprisingly hard to draw the line. "Biologically, there's no clear difference between trees and shrubs," said Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge...
Prepare your garden’s defenses against winter’s hungry animals
Winter means hard times for deer, rabbits, and other animals — and that can be rough on your garden plants. "Animals can do a lot of damage over the winter,...