Best Privacy Trees for Natural Screening. When designing a privacy screen, the goal isn’t uniformity, it’s layering. As a matter of fact, a mix of native upper-canopy trees and lower-canopy shrubs forms a natural green wall that’s long-lived, wildlife-friendly, and visually interesting. People love Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), but it’s overdone and typically short-lived, often declining […]
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Bonsai Tree Care Bonsai trees can light up the interior world of your home, bringing a peaceful, living sculpture into your daily space. For those who garden much of the year, experimenting with Bonsai creation is also a wonderful way to stay connected to plants indoors—and to upcycle pruned branches or seedlings into new living
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family). Native range: Widespread across North America, including all of New York State. Bloom time: July – September. Flower color: Lavender to pale purple. Height: 2–4 feet. Preferred conditions: Full sun to partial shade; thrives in dry to medium, well-drained soils but tolerates clay
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Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) is certainly one of the most cheerful native perennials to grace the late-summer garden. The pure species bears sunny, golden-yellow flowers with distinct raised centers that attract countless bees and butterflies. Blooming from August into October, it thrives in full sun and moist soils—especially thriving along
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Fall Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana — Basically a Bright, Reliable Native Wildflower If you’re looking for a native perennial that lights up the late-season garden and keeps hummingbirds coming back for more, Physostegia virginiana, or Obedient Plant, might be your new obsession. Blooming significantly from late summer through fall, this species adds vertical rhythm
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Bulbs to Plant in Fall Fall is the perfect time to tuck bulbs and tubers into the soil for a show of spring and summer blooms. In New York’s native gardens, we have some remarkable native “bulb-type” plants that store energy underground and reemerge year after year—beautiful, resilient, and ecologically valuable. Liatris. Among true New
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The Catskills, New York Fall Foliage. Every autumn, the Catskill Mountains of New York transform into a landscape of brilliant reds, oranges, and golds. Just a short drive from Albany or New York City, the Catskills offer some of the most accessible and awe-inspiring foliage displays in the Northeast. Rolling hills, waterfalls, and winding country
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Preparing Your Garden for Winter the Eco-Friendly Way. As autumn settles in, many homeowners feel pressure to tidy up every inch of their yards — raking leaves, running blowers, cutting down stems, and striving for that “perfectly neat” look. But here’s the truth: less fall cleanup is better for your garden, your soil, and your
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Vermont Fall Foliage: Nature’s Most Spectacular Show. Every autumn, Vermont puts on one of the most breathtaking natural displays in North America. Hillsides blaze with fiery reds, brilliant oranges, and golden yellows. For many, a road trip north to Vermont in late September or early October is a seasonal ritual — and it’s easy to
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Native Gardens 101: The Benefits of Native Plants for Your Sustainable Garden Imagine your garden bursting with life, every plant thriving effortlessly. You’re not dreaming—this is the magic of native gardens. By choosing local plant species, you not only create stunning sustainable gardens but also offer a haven for local wildlife. Native plants adapt perfectly
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