The Iowa State University Department of Entomology recently presented the results of a study on common catnip. They concluded that an essential oil in catnip is very effective at repelling mosquitoes. When placed in a garden, small doses of catnip oil were 10 times more effective than DEET. While the researchers don’t know why mosquitoes […]
BASIL
The Folklore and Magical side of BASIL … While most of us associate basil with Italian food, it is actually native to India and Southeast Asia. The earliest known reference stretches back 5,000 years to Indian Vedic texts. And true to its long history, it […]
STAYING COOL
People sweat to cool off, and plants do something similar. We call it transpiration. Thank you Freepik ! As summer heats up, some of the water drawn up through the roots exits the plant through pores – or stomata— which are in its leaves. As it evaporates, heat is removed, providing a cooling effect. However, […]
Oh No ! Spider mites !!
Thank you Utah Public Radio ! Summer arrived and so did the spider mites. Which by the way like both indoor and outdoor plants. Even plants that are toxic to us seem to succumb! Anything broad leaf, and in a warm, dry spot (garden or indoors), that has little to no air circulation is game. […]
The NYBG
Or for those in the know The New York Botanical Gardens – a truly magical place to get lost in or even find yourself in ! For me after working all week with plants – guess where you will often find me ( they have a bar and a great restaurant – did I mention […]
A Fungus Among Us
Scared ? You should be ! Root rot is one of the top reasons why people call me for help with their Indoor plants. They send me pictures of their plants in dire straits and looking stressed. Pictures like these: Thank you ourhouseplants.com! For these sick little specimens ! ! Their cause for […]
Some useful Tips to think about when planning a ...
Plant Specialists has been creating spectacular rooftop retreats in Manhattan for over 50 years ( that’s a lot of gardens ! ) Here are a few tips that we consider with every garden that we design. If you are looking for good terrace design – consider these, then call Plant Specialists ! Tip 1 […]
Now that’s shady !
If you cant keep anything alive (let alone grow) in a dark shady garden then listen up – we have a few choices for you that we have tried in our gardens for many years, and are very happy with the results. They hold up well without much effort – certainly proven winners ! Having […]
Hello sweet Lily!
from The Rape of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Her lily hand her rosy cheek lies under, Cozening the pillow of a lawful kiss; Who, therefore angry, seems to part in sunder, Swelling on either side to want his bliss; Between whose hills her head entombed is; Where like a virtuous monument she lies, To be […]
