Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries, Ask Mary Stone, New Jersey Garden blog
African Violet with a long neck needing Radical Repotting

Fixing African Violets with Long Stems

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. During the recent deep freeze and high winds, I brought my podcast from the screened porch inside and recorded it while sitting in front of my indoor plants. I noticed that the low humidity of the house has already caused them stress. The reme
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A pot of Frozen in Time African Violets next to a small brass watering can on a windowsill.

Caring for African Violets – Frozen in Time

Originally published on December 17, 2015, when my dear Mom was in a nursing home.  Hello, fellow readers, “You can’t water their faces,” recalls brother Rick, one of Mom’s instructions on caring for African violets, as water on their leaves can cause spotting
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A closeup of Paperwhite Flowers in front of a black background

Paperwhites in Water Like to Party

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green, It’s starting already—gardening withdrawals. Margaret of Washington, NJ, asked how to force Paperwhite bulbs, reminding me of a simple winter withdrawal remedy that makes an excellent pick-me-up. It’s as easy as putting the Narciss
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a pile of whilte six-foot long tubes along the Paulinskill Rail Trail

Preservation of the Paulinskill River

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. Over the weekend, we stumbled upon a stack of plastic tubing while walking the Paulinskill Rail Trail. I was delighted to see the tubes, as the trees they were protecting looked like they had outgrown them. This inspired revisiting when I firs
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red rose shrub in front of golden dry grasses along Virginia Beach

Thanksgiving Gardens along Virginia Beach

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. As I write, I am overlooking the ocean, enjoying a respite before heading to my sister’s home near Richmond. It’s a treat to spend cherished time with family on Thanksgiving, and I hope you will, too. To my delight, the Thanksgivin
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the silvery underside of a Silver maple Leaf

Silver Maple, a Native American Treasure

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. Silver Maple, once a Native American treasure, has lost favor in the horticultural industry. Still, I adore its history and marvel over how Mother Nature matched one treasure with another to make a revered tree that is now a trade staple. Silv
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Marigolds-Races-Farm-Blairstown-NJ

The Magnificent Legend of Marigolds

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. Last week, I shared A Butterfly Garden of Growth and added suggestions for annual lovelies to enhance the environment and provide food for our beloved butterflies. Marigolds are one of them, a plant I once was weary of. Learning the magnificen
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Heart-shaped leaf with droplets of dew

Remember Learn Grow and Love

Hello, fellow lover of all things green, As you may know there’s a podcast version of our weekly chats from the screen porch. Last week, I recorded the episode on 9-11 (link below). The sky was bright blue and the air crisp— much like that day our world changed. The anniversary
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Mary Stone, Garden Dilemmas, Ask Mary Stone,Gardening tips, Garden Blogs, Stone Associates Landscape Design, Garden Blog,Northern New Jersey Landscape Designer, Green and White Gardens, Gardens Glow, Oak leaf Hydrangea, Bottle brush buckeye, Horse Chestnut, Variegated ornamental grass

White Flowers in Gardens Glow

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. If I may revisit a remarkable garden design story from a handful of years ago for Morristown Airport and lessons learned from how white flowers in gardens glow. Our not good enough button Do you recall waiting until the last minute to finish y
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a closeup of a flopping limelight hydrangea

Fixing Flopping Limelight Hydrangeas

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. In the spirit of our recent chats about hydrangeas and a heartfelt anniversary, I’d like to revisit a story about flopping Limelight Hydrangeas and introduce you to a newer variety that solves the bowing blossoms of Limelights. Lorraine
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