Garden Planning

Boxwoods are the standard when it comes to hedges and foundational plantings for a good reason: their elegant style and easy maintenance makes them a true hero in the landscape. While they look stately and refined flying solo, boxwoods can be sheer perfection when paired with companion plants. The right mix of foliage and blooms complements their tidy form, creating a layered, dynamic garden display that elevates the whole space. Let’s take a closer look at the four varieties within the Better Boxwood line, all of which thrive in USDA Zones 5-9, and pair them with shrubs and perennials to...

Creating an exceptional entryway garden is like rolling out the “green carpet,” welcoming your guests with fantastic foliage and dazzling blooms! Entryway gardens are a wonderful tool for showcasing your personal style, boosting curb appeal, and translating your home’s architectural design themes into a plant palette. Plus, it’s not just eye candy; a vibrant entryway garden can actually boost your property value. Talk about a win-win!  North Carolina gardeners Tyler and Brian of Gardener In Love had quite the opportunity on their hands when they decided to augment their home’s gorgeous gray herringbone brick walkway with a brand-new 25-foot raised...

Welcome to the Better Boxwood collection, where innovation meets elegance. This collection features four unique varieties, each meticulously bred for specific landscape uses and traits. Whether you're aiming for a formal garden, a lush ground cover, or a striking hedge, there's a Better Boxwood variety perfect for your needs. Let's dive into the distinctive characteristics and ideal applications of each variety.  Renaissance. Low-Growing Elegance.  Growth Habit: Renaissance boasts a low-growing habit with a slow growth rate, making it a perfect choice for those who prefer minimal maintenance.  Leaf Characteristics: This variety features small, glossy, dark green leaves that retain their...

Whether you love lush trees, joyful planters, abundant blooms, or artful hedges, Erin Schanen’s Wisconsin landscape is a garden designer’s dream. A skillful gardener, writer, and content creator whose videos chronicling her gardening journey have educated and inspired millions, Erin is always eager to introduce new plants to her garden - and to the world. However, three years ago, her garden saw the addition of one particularly unwelcome visitor: boxwood blight. Erin first spotted “splotchy” black lesions on the leaves of a boxwood grouping on her property, and a little searching soon uncovered the disease’s telltale black streaks on the...