Tree Canopy in Maryland
Taking care of existing large canopy trees has gained great momentum throughout Montgomery County. Tree Canopy is any area covered by...
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Holly Shimizu's Blog
Explore the blog for gardening tips, information about seasonal considerations, native plants, design recommendations, benefits of gardening, helpful books and tools, and much more! Browse articles below, click on the categories to explore by topic, or use the search button to find what you are looking for.
The Mighty Oak
"From little acorns grow mighty oaks" Proverb, Geoffrey Chaucer, 1374 The mighty oak has been revered for centuries and is considered...
Roger Tory Peterson in Glen Echo
During a recent trip to Upstate New York, I was inspired by my visit to the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown which is part of...
Help Save Our Fireflies
My appreciation for fireflies soared when my friend who lives in Tokyo came to stay with me last June. Seiko had never seen fireflies. ...
Bird Plants
Since 1970, 2.9 billion birds have been lost, according to Cornell University. This staggering decline is primarily due to pesticides,...
Plants for Your Edible Landscape
Incorporating certain edible plants into your garden is an easy way to enjoy the benefits of their beauty, harvestability, and health...
Snag Trees
Have you seen a snag lately? You probably have seen many as you walk in the woods. Snags occur naturally when trees die, so essentially,...
Changes in How We Garden in Times of Climate Change
It’s a great time to think creatively about our outdoor spaces. Major shifts in the way we approach our gardens and gardening decisions...
Treasured Snakes
The first snake I encountered in my Glen Echo garden took place in my early days of composting. Unfortunately, my first composter allowed...
Birds in the Garden
I have been listening to and observing many birds as my garden has matured. In the morning, I love hearing the peaceful cooing sounds of...
Mulches – the do’s and don’ts
I love winter mulches for many reasons. However, I dislike some of the current mulch types and practices that are not only ugly, but...
Scott Garden and Horticultural Medal and Award presented to Holly Shimizu
On October 18, Claire Sawyers (Director, Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College) and Paul Meyer, (Director Emeritus, Morris Arboretum)...
Certify Your Garden as a Wildlife Habitat
Want to make a commitment to healthy gardening practices for people, wildlife, and the environment? You can do so by having your garden...
Native Perennial Grasses for the Garden
For many years ornamental grasses from Asia and other countries became popular in American gardens. However, once people realized how...
Putting the Garden to Bed for Winter
January is the time to put your garden to bed. It is tempting to leave any gardening chores until the first signs of spring but your...
Organic Lawn Care
September is the best time to work on the lawn. In fact, Fall is a better time than in Spring. As the days get shorter and the...
Keeping Critters out of the Garden
Exciting news! If you have trouble with deer, chipmunks, or rabbits, I recently learned about two new products that could really help to...
Mosquitoes – what are the options?
It is mosquito season – what to do? Before you even call a commercial company for mosquito control to treat your yard consider some of...
Designing a Tranquil Garden
published in Fine Gardening No. 167, February 2016 By Holly H. Shimizu My ideal garden is a serene place, one in which you feel...
Insect Hotels – Habitat and Garden Art Combined
Insects abound in healthy gardens. They are necessary to keep ecosystems working as they pollinate plants, provide food for birds and...
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