tough plants
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Design‘Electric Blue’ Foothill Penstemon Is a Tough Native with a Unique Hue
As a true plant geek, I’ll admit that I’m a sucker for blue flowers. An impressive, truly blue flower is a rarity in nature. Perhaps that’s why I’ve been drawn…
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Design8 Slam-Dunk Perennials for the Midwest
While our gardens are always changing, we certainly put a lot of pressure on our plants to perform and look good, particularly the perennials. The wide range of soils and…
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Design3 Hardy Native Sedges You Should Grow
Being an undercover plant addict is my worst-kept secret. Sedges (Carex spp. and cvs., Zones 3–10) are my current fixation. I think spending so many years hooked on hostas (Hosta…
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DesignDurable Flowers to Grow in Sagebrush Country
The deserts and mountains of the West seem to get all the attention, but between the deserts and mountains is a vast landscape that most people just drive through on…
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DesignGrow a Rock Garden in a Challenging Area
A rock garden can help you overcome a number of challenges in the landscape of the Southern Plains—from poorly drained soil to hot, dry, rocky areas. It provides a means…
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DesignPerfect Plants for a Heavenly Hellstrip in Northern California
Reflected heat, passing foot traffic, poor soil, restricted space, and irrigation obstacles are just a few of the challenges faced by any plant grown in a “hellstrip.” This spot is…
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DesignTough, Low-Maintenance Shrubs for Southern California
Even if we have a wonderful year of rainfall, we need to rethink our Southern California gardens. It’s likely we will have many dry, hot years ahead. So let’s use…
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CollectionTough-as-Nails Shrubs for Your Region
Who doesn't love buying the flashy new plant that catches everyone's eye at the nursery? Or the plant that's just outside your hardiness zone but has always taunted you with…
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DesignDynamic Garden Design Despite Challenging Conditions
“When the going gets tough, the tough get gardening” could describe John Markowski and his garden in Kingwood, New Jersey, where he has powered through suboptimal conditions to establish a…
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DesignFive Natives for Slope Retention in Southern California
At the beginning of the rainy season, our thoughts in Southern California turn to the foothills and the potential for mudslides. Plants are the solution to keeping our slopes intact.…
Fine Gardening Magazine
