Author: Susan Tito

 Above: prepare for spring by cooking up new color schemes with the help of Gertrude Jekyll’s “Colour Schemes for the Flower Garden” Cornell Cooperative Extension photo). By Susan Tito  Mother Nature has a timetable that we all follow to ensure continuity in the garden, yet it’s good for your soul to shake things up and try something new, if for no other reason than to have fun. Because a new

Pictured Above: A closeup of variegated Japanese aucuba. Its colorful leaves look like they have been sprayed with gold-colored paint, enabling the plant to stand out in low light. By Susan Tito  Say the word “evergreen” and most people think of a pine, spruce, yew or other common coniferous plant. Don’t get me wrong, I love them all, but “evergreen” conjures up a different image for me: I think of

Pictured Above: This photo of Japanese forest grass is pretty enough to grace the front of a holiday card. | Janet Draper photo by Susan Tito Now that fall cleanup is in full swing, it’s time to assess how you get things done in the garden. Are you knocking yourself out by trying to cut back and remove every last depleted bloom and dried-out plant stalk? Are you so overwhelmed

by Susan Tito Strategically placed near my front door, my culinary herbs have served me well all summer long, seasoning many a tasty meal for my family and friends. Now that the days are getting shorter and nights are noticeably cooler, it’s time to decide what to do with these indispensable plants. Should they be overwintered indoors? Harvested and dried? Or should I (tearfully) bid them farewell and start from

Pictured Above: Purple passionflower is about as tropical looking as it gets. With the proper protection, this beauty can survive a Long Island winter. | Loren Moss Meyer photo By Susan Tito  Emily Dickinson, who was more widely known for her gardening prowess than for her verse during her lifetime, said it best: “The heart wants what it wants.”  Those words ring true for every northern gardener who wanted to

Pictured Above: A single planting of Madagascar periwinkle pops in this wooden planter. All photos by Susan Tito by Susan Tito Even though my garden beds keep me more than busy throughout the growing season, I always plant up a few containers for my front porch and deck as a way to bring more color and variety into my designs.  The appeal of container gardening lies in its versatility. Have

Pictured Above: Planting pollinator-friendly flowers, such as sunflowers, is one way to sustain bee populations. | Laura Klahre photo By Susan Tito  I have a confession: There was a time not long ago when I didn’t like bees. I know, that’s crazy talk coming from a longtime gardener! After all, most people (assuming they didn’t snooze through sixth grade science class) know how beneficial bees and other pollinators are to

Pictured Above: The vibrant colors of this magnificent eastern redbud complement those of the tulips growing underneath it. | Vincent Simeone photo by Susan Tito  There’s no denying that we gardeners love our spring-flowering trees. The natural world abounds with many attractive species, but to me our native flowering dogwood and eastern redbud represent the best of the bunch. When they are in bloom, it’s easy to forget that winter