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Aaron Diener

5 Proven Ways to Keep Rabbits from Eating your Shrubs

February 14, 2025October 2, 2024 by Aaron Diener
Example image of a rabbit chewing on clover

Rabbits can cause a lot of damage in the garden, and have done in ours! Learn the tips and tricks we’ve tried that actually work to protect your shrubs.

Categories Troubleshooting & Pest Control Leave a comment

Picea rubens (Red Spruce)

April 7, 2026September 16, 2024 by Aaron Diener
Red spruce tree growing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina

SPOTLIGHT ON SPECIES – Tall, stately conifer native to New England and the Appalachian Mountains. Deep green needles with pleasant scent, grows well in shade. Supports conservation efforts.

Categories Canopy Trees - Conifers 2 Comments

Think Twice Before Raking and Bagging Your Leaves This Fall

February 14, 2025September 10, 2024 by Aaron Diener
Cover image of raked pile of leaves

While fall cleanup has traditionally consisted mostly of raking leaves, there are plenty of advanages of leaving the leaves, or at very least shredding and composting them. Instead of spending hours cleaning up leaves, read this article for some of the benefits fall leaves have for your garden.

Categories Gardening for Wildlife, Nature-Driven Landscape Design 2 Comments

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium (Aromatic Aster)

April 7, 2026September 5, 2024 by Aaron Diener
Aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydon's Favorite') in bloom in October

SPOTLIGHT ON SPECIES – A free-flowering, late blooming aster with purple to sky blue flowers. Extends the garden bloom season, providing pollinators with critical nectar and pollen. Easy-to-grow and drought tolerant.

Categories Flowering Perennials - Meadow and Grassland (Sun) Leave a comment

Pinus pungens (Table Mountain Pine)

April 7, 2026September 4, 2024 by Aaron Diener
Table mountain pine main article image

SPOTLIGHT ON SPECIES – Common pine from driest sites in the Appalachian Mountains. Extremely drought-tolerant, disease resistant native pine that makes a good replacement for disease-prone Austrian and Scots pines.

Categories Canopy Trees - Conifers Leave a comment

Polemonium reptans (Jacob’s Ladder)

April 7, 2026August 27, 2024 by Aaron Diener

SPOTLIGHT ON SPECIES – Easy-to-grow woodlander with light blue flowers. Attracts specialist pollinators. Perfect for a medium-moisture spot in shade to part shade.

Categories Flowering Perennials - Woodland and Forest (Shade) Tags Ground Covers, Perennials, Pollinators, Shade Leave a comment

Sedum ternatum (Woodland Stonecrop)

April 7, 2026November 14, 2023 by Aaron Diener

SPOTLIGHT ON SPECIES – Bulletproof groundcover for shade. White flowers in mid-Spring cover the plants. Drought-tolerant.

Categories Flowering Perennials - Woodland and Forest (Shade) Tags Ground Covers, Living Mulch, Perennials, Shade Leave a comment

Why Don’t Young Oaks Lose Their Leaves in Winter?

February 14, 2025November 10, 2023 by Aaron Diener
Image showing oak leaf marcescence

Have you ever wondered why it is that some oak trees hold on to their dead leaves through the winter? Read on to dig into some of the possible reasons.

Categories Nature-Driven Landscape Design Leave a comment

Where and How do Native Bees Nest?

August 31, 2024November 8, 2023 by Aaron Diener
Example of bee nesting site

In old plant stems, tunnels in wood, underground – Learn some of the unique nesting habits of these incredibly important pollinators.

Categories Gardening for Wildlife Tags Native Bees, Pollinators 2 Comments

Small Yard? You Can Still Make A Difference for Biodiversity

February 12, 2025November 8, 2023 by Aaron Diener

Do you have a small yard? Do you think you can’t make an impact on biodiversity and sustainability? Think again! This article will give you some tips to start making a difference today.

Categories Nature-Driven Landscape Design Leave a comment
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