Queen Bee Gardencraft

Important information to note: not all "wildflower" seed mixes are created equal - some contain harmful invasive species!

Most people correctly understand “wildflowers” to be those that grow freely, without human intervention. However, the poor quality of the generic “wildflower” seed mixes now being offered in big-box stores and some garden catalogs prompts us to warn, be cautious when planting wildflowers!

Most of the “wildflower” mixes created to meet popular demand are, in fact, not good for wildlife or the environment. Most contain Asian or European flowers which crowd out plants that are truly native to North America. This degrades the environment and displaces the native sources of food and shelter upon which birds, butterflies and other wildlife depend. Flowers to avoid include Oxeye Daisy, Dame’s Rocket, Bouncing Bet and Queen Ann’s Lace, to name a few. Better choices are authentic native forbs, grasses and trees.

For more than 40 years, we have been selling exclusively North American native plants; native plants that are undeniably what our native butterflies, birds and all pollinators need to survive. Reach out to us to learn more about the importance of true North American natives like the ones pictured here.

Please, – As your native garden flourishes, providing much-needed food and habitat and beautiful blossoms, you can observe first-hand the critical link between native plants and native wildlife.

It's almost firefly season, y'll!

Fireflies are fun to see on a warm summer night, but not all is twinkles and flight in their worlds as we think it is. Fireflies have their own language of love and while some use it for good … others have disturbing motives. Firefly femme fatales lure unsuspecting males of other species to their deaths. The females of one group of fireflies, called Photuris, literally nicknamed femme fatales, mimic the flash patterns of other firefly species to lure unsuspecting males in closer. Thus duped, a male will serve as the main entrée for her dinner. Preying on the males of other species allows Photuris females to acquire their toxins, called lucibufagins, which the females then deposit into their eggs as a chemical defense. Sounds like an episode from Criminal Minds.

A great article on an unsung hero in the garden and a great plant for living mulch - sedges!
https://www.izelplants.com/blog/getting-sedgy-with-green-mulch/

Getting Sedgy With Green Mulch Why do we insist on going against nature and applying wood mulch every spring in our urban landscapes?

If you follow the design world at all, you may be aware of the Pantone Color of the Year. Simply put, the Color of the Year is a trend forecast for the coming year. For 2022, the Color of the Year is a fantastic blue called Very Peri - and it's a great color for gardens!
Remember that periwinkle crayon in your box of Crayolas? Well, this is pretty close, but I find it to be a more intense blue with a red-violet undertone. In the garden, I think it will work wonderfully with both cool and warm color schemes.
This color should be fairly easy to find at garden centers (well, when the ground isn't covered in snow!). Better yet, there are plenty of North American native plants with bloom times from April until October that you can use to add this color to your own landscape. I'm going to be looking at these in more detail in the coming week, but here's a preview!
Over the coming week, we'll talk about each of these plants in more detail.

This is fantastic! We all struggle sometimes, even in our gardens. :)

It's a rainy - but surprisingly warm - day here in Massachusetts. It seems like a good day to share the most recent update on the hillside landscape I designed. This is from September, so you'll notice things have begun to fill in. I can't wait to see what this does next year!

Great info from Doug Tallamy, an entomologist and well-known author.

Why is Reducing the Area of Lawn Important? Learn the 4 benefits that reducing your lawn and planting native will provide.GET ON THE HOMEGROWN NATIONAL PARK MAP!Add your new or existing native planting...

Here's an interesting article on contemporary garden trends from the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival. This is held in England, but many of the ideas suggested here can apply to gardens around the world.

https://www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/12-very-attractive-contemporary-garden-ideas-rhs-hampton-court/

12 very attractive contemporary garden ideas from RHS Hampton Court - The Middle-Sized Garden Brilliant contemporary garden ideas: 1) Naturalistic planting 2) Re-wild the lawn 3) Recycle paths, pavers and pots. See more...

There are so many wonderful native plants to choose from, no matter where you're located!

Y'all, I am so excited to share with you one of the projects I've been working on.

This bed was in a tough spot. Erosion, road salt, full sun, covered in poison ivy? Good times!

Click on the photos to get a better look at how the whole process went - and to see the gorgeous new hillside garden my client planted today!

Y’all, I think it’s time we have a talk.

A talk about milkweed.

It is so satisfying to see a landscape design translated from paper to plants!

My office assistant is hard at work today as we finish up a design for a client.

Don't forget to plan a spot to sit and enjoy your garden!

What a great place to enjoy a glass of wine and the sounds of the birds as sunset approaches - it's in my yard, but this little spot would be easy to tuck into most yards.

Design tip: create a destination in your yard. Give yourself and guests a reason to get out there among the plants.

Woo! Excited to be attending this in September! (Well, virtually...)

2021 MA Gardening Symposium For everyone's safety and convenience, we're virtual this year! Join us for inspiring lectures about specialty gardens by Ken Druse ('The Scentual Garden'), Jeff Epping ('Gravel Gardens: Gardens That Rock'), John Lonsdale ('Unusual Bulbs for the Garden') and Annie White ('Ecosystem Gardening'). Ques...

Y'all, I am SO excited to help with the installation of this planting in Maryland this weekend! Thanks to the internet, I'll be able to do a virtual "site visit" to help my clients install this, without having to leave New England.

This has been such a fun experience, and I'm thrilled that I get to help people across the country make their yards their sanctuaries.

My next virtual garden design after this? Let's just say... Laissez les bons temps rouler! 💚💛💜

Today, I'd like to talk to you about one of my favorite garden plants: creeping phlox. It always feels like springs has truly arrived here when it starts flowering.

Creeping phlox - Phlox subulata
A charming, low-growing ground cover, creeping phlox is smothered in flowers in blues, purples, pinks and whites in early spring. As a matter of fact, mine is currently loaded with flower buds right now and I expect it to burst into bloom any day. This plant that's native to the most of the Eastern US is great for early pollinators that are out and about right now.

It spreads to form a low mat of foliage that is an attractive green even after the bloom period is complete. Some sources recommend trimming back after flowering done for the season. Otherwise, this plant is about as low-maintenance as it gets.

This plant does well in full sun and well-drained soil, though in many cases it will do fairly well in light shade. Although it can tolerate, creeping phlox may benefit from occasional top dressing of the soil with compost.

There are many different colors and cultivars available of this delightful garden plant, but please be sure that pesticides weren't used on them prior to planting them in your garden. I encourage you to check out your local independent nurseries and ask questions.

Design tip: Creeping phlox looks stunning planted en masse on a hillside or trailing over a retaining wall.

Hello, and welcome to Queen Bee Gardencraft, the business side of my personal garden, Middle Earth Gardens. I'm so very excited to be able to offer this design service to help you make your yard your sanctuary. See below for photos of my work.

In Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire, I offer in-person site visits (socially distanced and masked - I'm vaccinated, but let's be super careful!) to discuss your garden dreams and a plant list to help you carry that out, or even a planned out garden design to help you place your plants in a pleasing manner. I am also glad to create containers for your seasonal enjoyment!

Outside that region, I am delighted to do site visits via Zoom, help you plan your garden and even help with your plant shopping online or at your local nurseries via Zoom. I am also available to help you lay out and install your garden - again, via Zoom! Isn't the internet grand?

Stay tuned for more, including our first Zoom-based garden design and installation, in the lovely state of Maryland!