Category How
What Can I Plant There? Shady, Dry, Root-Filled
Many of us have large trees in our landscapes. Often people struggle with trying to maintain lawn grasses under them, with varying degrees of success. This area can be considered a blank slate for a perennial planting full of seasonal interest. There are some reasons why it is challenging to create a stunning garden beneath […]
Variegation’s True Stripes
How do you feel about variegation? Some people love it; others despise it – rarely do you find someone who can take it or leave it. Our own James Brown doesn’t meet too many variegated plants he can’t live without- which may help explain our limited selection of variegated plants. Some of the variegated plants […]
Considering Root Diversity
When planning projects we are often considering diversity: the diversity of the animals who will be using them, pollinators, beneficial insects, birds, mammals; the diversity of seasonal interest: flowering time, showy fruits, good fall color, winter structure; the diversity of texture, shape and size. But have you considered the diversity of the roots of plants […]
Miss Jackson if you’re nasty…
Janet Jackson’s classic “Nasty” let people know she demanded respect. Her full name in the song is Janet Privacy Control 💪. Her first name ain’t baby. But if you are nasty you can call her Miss Jackson. If you are unsure of the reference – is that possible? – here is a video: We have […]
Beyond Sedums: Native Plants for Green Roofs
Green roofs abound. Even little bird houses, like these at the Smithsonian Gardens, are popping up with their own garden rooftops. In our opinion, there are not enough yet and some serious research needs to be done in adaptive reuse, engineering and regulation for turning existing asphalt roofs into heightened oases. Whether it’s a tool […]
Conversation Topic: Nursery Propagated Endangered Species
At the recent Native Plants in the Landscape Conference at Millersville earlier this year, Mike Berkeley, co-owner of GroWild,Inc was asked what his favorite native plant is. Of course this is an unfair question to ask of any self-proclaimed “certified native plant nut”. He did have an answer though: Echinacea tennesseensis (Tennessee Coneflower) When asked […]
Research: Spacing Perennial Plugs with Existing Grasses in a Restoration Site
In easy order multiples, our “Deep Plug” offers more roots for the money. More roots means quicker establishment when planted directly in the landscape with less post installation maintenance. The “Deep Plug” when potted into larger containers can improve “turn around” by as much as two weeks. When you compare our “Deep Plug” to […]
We Have a Confession
Spring is here and business is ramping up. And we have greenhouses full of Carex of all types. If you know us, and know James, we have a thing for Carex. Generally we have nothing but good things to say about sedges. We want to talk them up because they are underused in the landscape, […]
Take Time to Stop and Smell the Native Plants
Fragrance is a magical attribute. ~ Carolyn Summers Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East Native plants delight the eye, enhance our environment and provide for the local fauna ensuring, with careful attention to the soil, a healthy and enhanced ecosystem. While we are planting for the butterflies and bees and ants and birds, let […]
Pest or Pollinator?
In the native plant world that we here at New Moon are a part of, we sometimes engage in conversations with folks wondering what is so great about native plants? Why would a person, when there is a global selection of horticultural wonders available at any number of locations, choose to plant the same old […]
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