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Foundation planting with containers
Today’s article is about what I call a “Barbie Doll Garden.” Here’s the story: One of my favorite clients for a number of years is very easy to please as long as she gets exactly what she wants....
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Pruning a Japanese maple
Pruning a Japanese Maple Japanese maples are special and as such they require special treatment. They are such cute little trees when we plant them but after a while they get much larger. It is a...
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Pruning an Overgrown Topiary
I really enjoy creative pruning. My friend Tommy called me the other day. It seems that we had planted a large yaupon holly tree in his front yard a number of years ago and I shaped it into a topiary...
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Pruning for Betty. Japanese Maples, Topiaries and Bonsai
I got a text message the other day saying that the Japanese maples needed pruning. I had been expecting this so I shifted my schedule around, sharpened my Felco pruning shears, grabbed my camera and...
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Front Door Plants—Starting a Topiary Project
I’ve been working with plants professionally for 35 years or so. During that time, one of the most requested tasks has been to “find me something distinctive to go on the front porch (or by the door).”...
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Prune Azaleas in May-June. Fertilize Azaleas, Avoid and Kill Poison Ivy
There is a rather old planting of George Tabor azaleas on the side of our driveway and Sweetie has been reminding me relentlessly for months that they need to be pruned and shaped. The last week in May...
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How do I trim mixed flower plantings to keep them from getting leggy and...
Pruning is an art form. One of the best ways to practice your pruning techniques is by taking care of your mixed flower plantings as the summer progresses. (You may wish to look at my most popular...
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Time: The Fourth Dimension in the Garden
Patsy Hubbard and I were looking around her “yard” the other day. She said, “It sure does look good this year.” I replied, “Yes, and just think, it only took thirty years.” “I hope you are taking...
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The basics of pruning–What Happens When We Prune a Plant
Pruning season is coming up. I wrote this article some time ago in answer to the many questions I receive about pruning. It’s really a very simple process. Growing a plant is one thing. Shaping...
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Shaping Plants of All Sizes. Part one of a series
I was pruning a few bonsai trees for a client. This task allows plenty of time for pondering and I got to thinking about the number of ways I apply bonsai techniques to other pruning situations....
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Pruning Azaleas in May-June. Follow These Instructions For Better Shape and...
Two years after shaping, cleaning, and fertilizing our neglected azaleas we were rewarded with quite a show Late May to early June is the time to work on azaleas. If you prune them, clean them up and...
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Proper Pruning for Petunias—Keep them compact and blooming all season.
Petunias are beautiful, quick, and fun to grow. Here’s how to keep them pretty all summer. Trude visited us the other day. She said, “John, you said you would tell me how to grow a well-shaped petunia,...
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Create a Bonsai in 10 Minutes
Click here to read about or purchase this remarkable book. Be the envy of all your friends! The Basics of Pruning by John Schulz and Dekie Hicks
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