Articles written by Susan Mertz

Lately my spring garden planning has been interrupted with an endless barrage of requests from daughter to buy her a horse. All I want to do is buy bulbs.

Aug 20, 2006 - Susan Mertz

A friend of mine says it was easier to move than kill off the invasive plants. I'm too stubborn for that.

Aug 14, 2006 - Susan Mertz

Do you want your tree with or without soil? Today's article gives you the pros and cons. And, there are tips for searching for a tree with healthy roots.

Aug 11, 2006 - Susan Mertz

Start planning for your 2007 flower gardens with a trip to a local trial garden this summer.

Aug 5, 2006 - Susan Mertz

Winterberry Hollies add color to the winter landscape with red and gold fruit. But not every female holly likes every male holly...

Aug 3, 2006 - Susan Mertz

Finding retail garden centers that sell native plants has become easier with a new website. Read today's article to learn more about American Beauties.

Aug 1, 2006 - Susan Mertz

It's planting day for the Japanese gardens and the temperature is soaring. Will the inspiration garden be inspiring?

Jul 27, 2006 - Susan Mertz

The homeowner said yes to a Japanese inspiration garden. Now it's time for the interior designer and landscape designer to visit the nursery and finish their plan.

Jul 26, 2006 - Susan Mertz

What happens when an interior designer looks out the window? A whole house redo results in the creation of a Japanese inspiration garden.

Jul 25, 2006 - Susan Mertz

Have you ever had a plant pop up in the garden and wondered if you should leave it alone and see what happens?

Jul 21, 2006 - Susan Mertz

Do you want to give your garden a tropical look without the trouble of over wintering plants that aren't cold hardy? Blackberry Lily may be just the plant you need.

Jul 20, 2006 - Susan Mertz

Some plants do best air dried, others with glycerin or silica. Tips for preserving plants and suggestions for plant varities to harvest are in today's article.

Jul 18, 2006 - Susan Mertz

Are you thinking of buying a crabapple but have heard that they are disease prone? Today's article will help you select a crabapple that is disease resistant.

Jul 15, 2006 - Susan Mertz

A listing in a local garden magazine told of a garden with 800 varieties of daylilies. There was no way I could stay at work and miss this garden tour.

Jul 8, 2006 - Susan Mertz

There is never a bad time to fill a container with colorful plants to give the garden a fresh look. Today's article is full of ideas and tips for Colorful Containers.

Jul 1, 2006 - Susan Mertz

The slogan "The Track That Will Blow You Away" not only refers to the action on the track but the windy conditions. What plants will survive at the Kansas Speedway?

Jun 28, 2006 - Susan Mertz

There are many shrubs available to choose from for summer flowers. Today's article takes a look at ones that are both loaded with flowers and easy to care for.

Jun 25, 2006 - Susan Mertz

Put some plants side by side and you end up with jarring combinations. In today's article, a landscaper shares some of her favorite plants that help colors blend.

Jun 20, 2006 - Susan Mertz

Many gardeners have discovered that using gold foliage in the landscape is an easy way to add color without depending on flowers.

Jun 18, 2006 - Susan Mertz

At the nursery this year, we have many landscape customers buying tropical plants. Cannas are a top seller because they are easy to use in the garden and in containers.

Jun 15, 2006 - Susan Mertz

Today's article tells how a few plants will make a living wall out of a dry stack rock wall.

Jun 13, 2006 - Susan Mertz

With the way the winds blow in Kansas, I'm wondering if I should have skipped the Japanese laceleaf maple and planted a Black Lace Sambucus.

Jun 8, 2006 - Susan Mertz

Garden tours can be a source for creative ideas to take home and recreate in your own gardens. Today's article will help you create your own birdbath full of sedums.

Jun 6, 2006 - Susan Mertz

The garden shouldn't be skipped when looking for treasures to share with your children. Peonies are perfect plants to share with future generations.

May 30, 2006 - Susan Mertz

You'll be glad you gave Glads a try in your cut flower garden.

May 25, 2006 - Susan Mertz

Spring 2006 is the best time to begin planning for Spring 2007. My neighbor's yard is full of spring flowering bulbs and I have a few crocus. Do you have this problem?

May 23, 2006 - Susan Mertz

Bamboo. Is it under control in your garden or in control of your garden? This week I turn to a couple of experienced horticulturists for assistance.

May 16, 2006 - Susan Mertz

Frosty Morn Sedum is a problem solving perennial in my garden. It has earned a place in the garden by being a low maintenace plant that looks great without flowers.

May 9, 2006 - Susan Mertz

Included in the wide array of summer flowering bulbs, you will find cut flowers, fragrant blooms and colorful foliage plants.

May 2, 2006 - Susan Mertz

When I first saw Purple Robe Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Purple Robe’) in flower, I knew I had to have it.

Apr 25, 2006 - Susan Mertz

We know drinking and driving don’t mix. How about bulbs and alcohol? This week’s article reports on some surprising research by Professor William Miller of Cornell.

Apr 18, 2006 - Susan Mertz

Does your garden design make you hum? Or, do you look at the layers of plantings and hear a symphony? If you want a symphony, include Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil Holly'.

Apr 11, 2006 - Susan Mertz

"Show me some Dr. Seuss trees" a customer requested. Cascade Falls Weeping Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum ‘Cascade Falls’) is a good selection to accent water gardens.

Apr 4, 2006 - Susan Mertz

Persian Parrotia has a lot to offer the garden. Unfortunately, late winter flowers are not on the top of the list. Witchhazel is the choice for winter flowers.

Mar 28, 2006 - Susan Mertz

White Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) is a small native tree to North America with long white fringe flowers. It was the delicate fragrance that caught my attention.

Mar 21, 2006 - Susan Mertz