Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries, Ask Mary Stone, New Jersey Garden blog
groundhog in a partially snowy yard

Groundhog Day- Ancient Origin and Accuracy

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. The ancient origin of Groundhog Day dates back thousands of years, and while its success in predicting winter’s end is marginally accurate, it’s a fun tradition that celebrates nature. At about 7:25 a.m. this morning, Punxsutawney
Read More
a covered footbridge in an early morning snowy scene with foot steps, a slivered moon peaking through hemlock trees,

Welcoming Winter Sights and Silence

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. I have an artful ornament given to me by a lifelong friend. The denim-dressed gardener with flowers on her skirt looks like she’s flying, carrying a pole with dangling garden tools. Like a perennial border decorating a backdrop of trees
Read More
dry seed heads of Black-eyed Susan in snow.

Encouraging Self-Seeding

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. The perennial rock garden is full of dry perennials remaining. It has nothing to do with being lazy or too busy tending to others’ gardens. Leaving seed heads on your dormant perennials over winter will encourage many plants to spread. P
Read More
a seed catalog opened to assorted colors of peppers on a wooden table.

Spring Urges Satisfied by Seed Shopping

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green, “Seems timely,” wrote Anita from Blairstown, NJ, in her email I received with a Rose is Rose cartoon (a syndicated comic strip by Pat Brady) that leads to seed shopping tips to satisfy your Spring urges. It starts with a woman dres
Read More
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
Read More
Mary Stone in a yellow jacket with Jolee in front of Ellie's memorial holly.

Merry Season of Memories

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. Last week’s surprise snow was lovely to wake up to, inspiring outdoor decorating. While doing so, I thought about Christmas memories and created a new season of memories in the galivant. Miss Ellie had learned to flail her tail by the do
Read More
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
Read More
A Meadow Katydid on a white petal

Nighttime Chorus of Garden Insects

Hello, fellow lover of all things green. While we don’t often see the nighttime chorus of insects from mid-to-late summer into fall, we indeed hear them, and some continue to sing by day, joining the daytime ruckus of the cicadas we spoke about last week. What a choir! They don&
Read More
Mary Stone, Garden Dilemmas, Ask Mary Stone,Gardening tips, Garden Blogs, Stone Associates Landscape Design, Garden Blog, Cicada

Cicadas Sing Back to School

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. In recent weeks, while recording the podcast, I’ve apologetically mentioned the ruckus of cicadas in the trees. The sounds remind me of a cicada encounter during a garden installation and a reminiscence of how the late summer sounds of c
Read More
a course green leafed Munchkin Oakleaf Hydrangea with pinkish flowers spotted with freckles.

Oakleaf Hydrangea for All Seasons

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. Bonnie of Stillwater, NJ, has a Burning Bush planted by her parents, who once lived in the home. She is attached to it and continues to prune it to keep it from rising above her bay window, which may help prevent its invasiveness. But I sugges
Read More