ArcaMax

Q: We have a new pond, and the question came up about lining the pond with pea- or quarter-size gravel. My water garden friends say they have done it and taken it out. What is your opinion?

A: There is a great deal of confusion and discussion about gravel in a pond. It helps to know the size and style of pond you want to add the gravel to. ...Read more

In an astonishing occurrence, all of my Superbells Pomegranate Punch calibrachoas came through the winter of the weekly polar vortex. OK, I’ll admit I did take some to the garage. Those in the heavy pots that I left outside have come through with an incredible display of beauty.

Superbells Pomegranate Punch is like the garden’s version of ...Read more

If you loved the glowing plants in the movie "Avatar," you can now have one of your own. The company Light Bio has genetically engineered a petunia to glow a light green that is visible in a dark room. The firefly petunia glows a faint green when exposed to a lot of light during the day. Even though it is always glowing, the green glow is only ...Read more

It is May and The Garden Guy is here to tell you that your garden really needs more snow for the long growing season ahead. I’m talking about one of the best flowers you can add to the design of your mixed containers. That would be Snow Princess sweet alyssum, a Lobularia hybrid.

Snow Princess and I go way back to April 2009. That was the ...Read more

Q: Mother's Day is May 11, and I want to give my mom flowers because she loves them and instilled a love of plants in me. I don't have a green thumb or much money, but I want to show my love by buying some plants and putting them together in some pots I know she likes. Can you give me some tips to make them look better?

A: Isn't it wonderful to...Read more

The Unplugged group of salvias is doubling in size this year with the addition of Unplugged Red and the new passion of my heart, Unplugged White. I wrote about the group a few months ago but Unplugged White deserves its own column now.

I’ve explained before that I am new to white. I know that sounds crazy coming from a guy who will try every ...Read more

Q: What can you tell me about ladybugs? We have aphids on our iris and rose plants. Do ladybugs really help by eating them? Should I buy some or wait for the ones living nearby to come?

A: There are about 5,000 species of ladybugs worldwide with about 500 species in the United States. They start out as yellow, orange or red eggs laid in small ...Read more