November/December 2024

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Features in this Issue

Indoor Blossom Power by Tovah Martin

As winter descends, flowering houseplants can keep your gardening spirit flourishing.

Rethinking the Winter Garden by Marianne Willburn

Rather than just for “interest,” it’s time to design gardens that offer a layered, patient vision worth savoring in the colder months.

Native Conifers by Richard Devine

Adding regionally native conifers to your garden will boost its wildlife appeal.

Spotlight on Grevilleas by Rebecca Sweet

These colorful flowers hailing from the Southern Hemisphere are perfectly at home in many parts of North America.

Origin Stories by Nancy J. Ondra

Botanical names can be tongue-twisters, but they prove valuable for offering clues to a plant’s use in the garden.

Highlights from our Departments

News from the AHS

Former AHS Board member Marcia Zech receives AHS Gold Medal during September Gala and announces $5 million donation for AHS endowment, three new members of the AHS Board, and more.

AHS News Special

Find out what five former AHS interns are doing now.

Garden Destinations

Gardens and other attractions in Oahu and the Big Island.

September/October 2024

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Features in this Issue

Fall for Hardy Mums by Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp

These late-blooming, hardy perennials offer underrated flower power for the autumn garden.

The Allure of Black by Janet Davis

Like the perfect little black dress, black is always in style in the garden, no matter the season.

Adapting to Climate Change by Caroline Grass

Creating climate-resilient spaces is a new necessity in a warming world.

Shrubs with Altitude by Mary Ann Newcomer

These reliable native shrubs and small trees have proven resilient in Intermountain and Western gardens.

The Environment Above by William P. Mueller

A newly recognized natural habitat means gardeners should spend as much time looking up as they do gazing down at their plantings.

Highlights from our Departments

Two new gardening books from the AHS, fall offerings in AHS’s Lifelong Learning Program, two new members of the AHS staff, recipients of the 2024 Growing Good Kids Book Awards, three additional gardens join the AHS Reciprocal Garden Network.

Garden Destinations

Gardens and other attractions in and around Austin, Texas.

Gardening with Wildlife

Supporting habitat for cavity-nesting bees in the garden.

July/August 2024

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Features in this Issue

Hue and Cry Over Heucheras by Tovah Martin

For help in choosing among Heuchera species and selections, here are some suggestions from trial gardens and regional experts.

Diagnosing Plant Problems by Arthur James Downer

There is an art to finding out what may be ailing a plant, and it involves a thorough, big-picture approach.

Bird Bath Basics by Mary Yee

When picking and situating a bird bath in your garden, look beyond its ornamental value and consider the needs of your avian neighbors.

Small Deciduous Native Trees by Richard Devine

Boost the beauty and ecological potential of your garden by selecting regionally-appropriate natives.

Create an Everlasting Wreath by Hannah Rose Rivers Muller

A Northern California florist who learned how to preserve the fresh flowers of summer while growing up on her family’s organic farm shows how to use them in a wreath to enjoy year round.

Highlights from our Departments

News from the AHS

Children’s nature library opens at River Farm, Marcia Zech steps down from AHS Board and James Folsom is new Board member, six new gardens join the AHS’s Reciprocal Garden Network, new native plant garden unveiled at River Farm, save the date for the 2024 AHS Gala.

Garden Destinations

Gardens and other attractions in and around Madison, Wisconsin.

Gardening with Wildlife

Trapping and relocating can be a harmful way to manage wildlife. Try these exclusion techniques instead.

May/June 2024

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Features in this Issue

A New Look at Hardy Geraniums by Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp

Hardy geraniums are workhorses in the garden that deserve wider use. Here are some recommendations for various regions of the country.

The Doyenne of Ornamental Grasses by Gail Hudson

If you’ve appreciated the wispy beauty of ornamental grasses in a garden, you can thank Mary Hockenberry Meyer.

Cycads: What’s Old Is New by Derek Carwood

Thanks to plant explorers, conservationists, and plant breeders, these ancient and endangered plants are finding their way into modern gardens.

Flowering Lawns for Pollinators by Kim Toscano

There are millions of acres of lawn in the United States. Adapting even some of them to habitat will benefit a host of pollinators and other wildlife.

Perennial Matchmaking 101 by Nancy J. Ondra

Finding the perfect match for any perennial starts with considering all the attributes at play.

Highlights from our Departments

News from the AHS

Trish Gibson Memorial Internship is established, 2024 AHS Environmental Awards at flower shows across the country, two new gardens join the AHS Reciprocal Garden Network, AHS Advisory Council is launched, and more.

AHS News Special: National Children & Youth Garden Symposium Preview

See what the symposium will be offering this July in Chicago’s North Shore.

Garden Destinations

Gardens and other attractions in and around Sonoma County in California.

Edible Gardening

How to stake and prune tomatoes.

March/April 2024

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Features in this Issue

Native Ephemerals for Spring Color by C. Colston Burrell

A wide range of native bulbous plants offer color and life in the spring and early-summer garden, no matter where you live.

Planting into the Future by Mary-Kate Mackey

By sorting plants into two categories, you improve your chances of selecting ones that will truly grow into your landscape and provide enduring value.

For One and All by Leslie Bennett and Julie Chai

How one family’s garden became a wonderland for social gatherings, a deeper connection to cultural identity, and a place of beauty and calm.

Supporting Vines by Rita Pelczar

When selecting vines for your garden, be sure to match the plant to the support structure that best enhances it.

A Lemony Twist on Herbs by Jim Long

These easy-to-grow herbs will delight your senses in the garden and infuse a wide range of foods with the scent and flavor of citrus.

Highlights from our Departments

News from the AHS

The AHS launches its first online course, new Lifelong Learning programs for spring/summer 2024, youth garden symposium registration now open, five new gardens join the AHS Reciprocal Garden Network, River Farm to participate in Virginia’s Historic Garden Week, AHS’s Spring Garden Market in April.

AHS News Special: 2024 “Great American Gardeners” Awards and Book Awards

Meet the recipients of this year’s AHS awards.

Garden Destinations

Gardens and other attractions in and around Birmingham, Alabama.

Gardening for Wildlife

How to create a wildlife-safe zone in your garden.

January/February 2024

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Features in this Issue

New Plants for 2024 by Claire Splan

They’re bright and bold, exciting and different. And they’re coming soon to a nursery near you.

Dealing with Drought by Nan Sterman

Drought is a growing issue for gardeners across North America. Here are some ideas to help make your garden more drought resilient in the face of climate change.

The Rise of Plantfluencers by Georgia Silvera Seamans

Creative online influencers are helping a diverse new generation of gardeners begin a love affair with plants.

Looking Beyond Peat by Gail Hudson

Peat moss is widely used in the horticultural world, but a growing number of gardeners are seeking alternatives to this endangered resource.

Camellias: Proven Performers by Bradford King

Camellias are prized for their evergreen foliage and beautiful, roselike flowers that bloom sometime between fall and spring.

Highlights from our Departments

News from the AHS

The AHS introduces new vision and branding in 2024, Reciprocal Admissions Program is renamed as AHS Reciprocal Garden Network, two new gardens join the network, Marketplace Events home and garden shows discounted for AHS members, KidsGardening is media sponsor of the AHS’s 2024 National Children & Youth Garden Symposium, save the date for the AHS’s Spring Garden Market.

AHS News Special: Introducing AHS’s Domestic Travel Program

The inaugural trip in August will include a look at the farm-to-table movement in Portland, Oregon.

Garden Destinations

Gardens and other attractions in and around Seattle, Washington.

Edible Gardening

A new growing season is around the corner. Get a jump on it by starting seeds now.

November/December 2023

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Features in this Issue

Winter’s Promise by Karen Bussolini

Buds protect new growth and herald the coming spring while contributing a subtle charm to the winter landscape.

Getting Tropical with Palms by Scott Zona

You don’t have to live in the tropics to grow palm trees. These iconic plants come in a wide range of heights and habits, and several species are surprisingly hardy.

California’s Monarch Man by Kathleen Brenzel

A mild-mannered general manager of a California nursery during the week, Ron Vanderhoff transforms into “Monarch Man” on weekends in a quest to save endangered western monarch butterflies and other pollinators.

Checking Out Gardening by Noah Lenstra

Across North America, public libraries are embracing a broader role in promoting gardening, creating green spaces, and serving the changing needs of local communities.

In Defense of Gardening Unplugged by Marianne Willburn

Unplugging, at least temporarily, from social media, may help us focus on pursuing the garden of our dreams.

Highlights from our Departments

News from the AHS

Highlights from the AHS’s 50th anniversary-at-River Farm gala, four new gardens join the AHS’s Reciprocal Admissions Program, magazine contributor Marianne WIllburn is in the running for Garden Writer of the Year from a UK media guild, and the 2024 National Children & Youth Garden Symposium is set for Chicago’s North Shore next July.

Garden Destinations

Gardens, unique garden centers, and other attractions in and around Tucson, Arizona.

Insect Insights

Learn about ways we can all become community insect conservationists.

Edible Gardening

The growing season may be over, but there are still tasks for getting the garden through winter and into a new year.

September/October 2023

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Features in this Issue

Wildlife-Friendly Groundcovers by Amy Ellsworth

Creating a living tapestry of low-growing native plants provides a healthy habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.

All the Colors of a Green Space by Florence Nishida

The LA Green Grounds Teaching Garden brings the world together in South Los Angeles.

Captivating Toad Lilies by Bill Johnson

Once you get past the common name, the tiny, jewellike flowers of these shade-loving herbaceous perennials will enchant you.

Beautiful Barriers by Viveka Neveln

Protect the perimeters of your garden with prickly but pretty plants.

In Defense of Independent Plant Trials by Marianne Willburn

By examining data from independent plant trials nationwide, gardeners who do their homework are given a great advantage over those who select plants based solely on the growers’ descriptions.

Highlights from our Departments

News from the AHS

Highlights from the AHS’s National Children & Youth Garden Symposium, five books receive the 2023 Growing Good Kids Book Awards, three new Board members, 2024 destinations in the AHS’s Travel Study Program, AHS receives grant for new pathway at River Farm headquarters.

AHS News Special: Lifelong Learning Programs

Find out about the AHS’s new national educational offerings.

Garden Destinations

Great gardens and garden centers abound near Burlington, Vermont.

Insect Insights

Learn about the many contributions ants make in the environment.

Edible Gardening

Plenty of crops can be grown for harvesting well into fall.

July/August 2023

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Features in this Issue

Spectacular Salvias by David J. Ellis

Looking for something to liven up the late summer and fall garden? Add floral fireworks from the genus Salvia.

Firewise Landscaping by Kim Toscano Holmes

With the threat of wildfires on the rise across the country, implementing firewise techniques in our landscapes is more important than ever.

Taming America’s Wild Roses by Julie Bawden-Davis

North America’s native roses are rugged, ravishing, and ready to rock your garden.

Kicking the Plastic Pot Habit by Gail Hudson

With concern about plastic pollution rising, home gardeners and the gardening industry are looking for sustainable solutions.

In Defense of Poisonous Plants by Marianne Willburn

When daffodils and hellebores make popular media lists of poisonous plants that gardeners should probably stop growing, it’s a sign that we’ve grown too disconnected with the natural world and our knowledge of it.

Highlights from our Departments

News from the AHS

AHS ‘s Conversations with Great American Gardeners webinar series continues, save the date for the AHS’s gala in September, and nominations are being accepted for the 2024 Great American Gardeners Awards.

One on One With….
Jazmin Albarran of Seed Your Future talks about the importance of helping career seekers enter the field of horticulture.

Garden Destinations

Des Moines, Iowa, offers a host of garden venues for plant lovers.

Insect Insights

Learn about the many contributions beetles make in the environment.

Edible Gardening

If you’re new to edible gardening, try these six easy-to-grow herbs to add flavor to your summer meals.

Books

Looking for garden-related summer reading? Here are some noteworthy new books to consider.

May/June 2023

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Features in this Issue

Evening Primroses by Jim Locklear

Add drama to the evening garden with evening primroses, a diverse genus of native perennials and subshrubs that cater to intriguing pollinators.

Designing Natural Gardens by Benjamin Vogt

With a little research, anyone can create a natural garden using regionally native plants.

Flavorful Homegrown Grapes by Charlie Nardozzi

Enhanced flavors and improved hardiness give home gardeners more growing options.

Tips for Container Gardening by Mary-Kate Mackey

Beautifully designed containers can thrive in challenging environments if you know these tricks of the trade.

In Defense of The Garden Journal by Marianne Willburn

In a world of cell phones and apps, keeping a record of plants, successes, and failures in an old-fashioned journal may be the best way to make ourselves better gardeners and more in tune with the environment.