By P. Allen Smith // Photography by Mark Fonville and Jason Masters One of the pleasures I enjoy about a garden is watching all the wildlife that comes to visit. I am particularly fond of those little acrobats of the sky: butterflies. They really bring a flower border to life as they flutter from bloom to…
By P. Allen Smith As a public service, I’d like to remind everyone that Valentine’s Day is almost upon us. I find that the most successful sweetheart celebrations are those that have the benefit of a little planning and forethought. Spouses and partners seem to know when a Valentine’s Day gift, token or dinner has…
By P. Allen Smith Photography by Steven Veach, Ward Lile and Mark Fonville More than 40 percent of people in this country make new year’s resolutions, mostly related to saving money, losing weight, or starting a new hobby. But I’m not going to talk about my exercise goals, how I plan to read more, or…
By P. Allen Smith | Photography by Jane Colclasure, Mark Fonville and Karen Segrave I was sitting in my kitchen earlier today putting together menus for the upcoming holidays. I try to create meals that combine some of my family’s classic traditional recipes – think Reverend Smith’s Holy Duck Gumbo and Aunt Jamie’s Cookies –…
By P. Allen Smith | Photography by Hortus, Ltd. It has long been a dream of mine to share some of my favorite plants – those that I have grown for ages at the farm – with fellow gardeners. I like to think that over the years I’ve developed a good feel for plant hardiness…
By P. Allen Smith As cooler weather approaches, a lot of us are spending more time indoors — crafting, cooking or maybe just hanging out in front of the TV. I find that at this time of year, I’m ready to take a break from so many of the gardening and outdoor chores that come…
If the summer heat is wearing out your garden, Zinnias will save the day By P. Allen Smith August has rolled around, and with it, the dog days of summer. If your garden is anything like mine, it’s starting to show a little wear and tear, responding to some extreme summer heat and drought. The…
By P. Allen Smith | Photo by Mark Fonville. [dropcap]I[/dropcap] am hard-pressed to name a shrub that matches the hydrangea for drama, splendor and elegance in the garden. From the subtle white starry-shaped lacecap flower of Hayes Starburst to the dramatic, large white globes of Incrediball — one of my favorites — there’s a hydrangea…
by P. Allen Smith A little extra attention can help keep the perennial garden fresh and blooming all summer long I find that the spring garden can put on a glorious show almost without my help. In my zone 8A garden I have a few favorite perennials and some companion shrubs that never disappoint, such…
by P. Allen Smith | Photography by Mark Fonville I often get asked by gardeners which plants are among my favorites. As a garden designer and lifelong plant connoisseur, that can sometimes feel like a trick question. But if someone is looking for a plant that is hardy, long-blooming and culinary to boot, then it’s…
