Fine Gardening Magazine

Written for passionate gardeners, Fine Gardening provides inspired ideas backed by detailed instructions for creating healthy gardens, outdoor rooms, and beautiful landscapes suited to the region. Horticulturists, nurserymen, and designers share their expertise on plants, care, soil, eco-friendly pest control, propagation, design, and landscaping.

Traveling plants

Fine Gardening Magazine

OVER THE FENCE

READERS’ TIPS • FROM ONE GARDENER TO ANOTHER

SUPER COOL PLANTS • Find out what the experts are growing

GOTTA HAVE IT!

Winter bulbs will get you through

Care and feeding of winter bulbs • Here’s the lowdown for keeping your winter bulbs thriving and pumping out the perks in midwinter.

Architectural plants • The podcast for people who love plants—but not always the same ones

5 tips to improve GARDEN SOIL • The most important thing you can do for your plants’ health is to take care of where they live

Unlocking your soil test results • Though immensely valuable, a soil test is not a crystal ball. A little knowledge goes a long way in making the most out of your test results.

Creating winter interest • Step into the gorgeous gardens of our readers for inspiration in the off-season

Plants that SHINE IN THE SHADE • THESE UNIQUE, DURABLE WINNERS SPORT A SILVERY HUE PERFECT FOR BRINGING A PLANTING TOGETHER

Designing with silver foliage • In the shade, where foliage often trumps blossoms, it is important to take into account the size, shape, color, and texture of leaves and how they relate to each other. Silver foliage is an exciting option to add to the mix. In general, strive to provide enough interest in colors and textures to avoid boredom and enough restraint to avoid visual chaos.

THE CONTAINER CONUNDRUM • Most of the pots we buy, use, and discard are made of single-use materials. Is there a sustainable solution?

The type of green pot should match the crop

BEST of the WEST • We all could be growing these diverse, adaptable plants that are great alternatives to European or Asian cultivars

Grow this, not that—Western edition • The relatively adaptable and easygoing North American native plants in this article are excellent alternatives to commonly grown nonnative plants. These picks are as good—or even better—than the old standbys. Here’s how they compare.

BLENDING STYLES • Why choose between a cottage garden and the New Perennial design? Merge elements from each for a space that looks good longer.

Favorites to help you get the look • Incorporating either the cottage garden style or the New Perennial style into your garden can be accomplished largely by using many of the plants that are hallmarks of each. Here are some options to get you started.

NO ORCHARD NEEDED • Here’s everything you need to know about growing dwarf fruit trees in your backyard

Proper pruning can keep semi-dwarf trees in check

Varieties that won’t let you down • The main problem with many of the dwarf fruit trees available is that the fruit they produce rarely matches up to that of their full-size counterparts. Research continues, though, with the greatest strides made for peaches and nectarines. A number of excellent, full-flavor varieties are now available. Here are a few of my favorites.

Plants to Build a Bed around • For a great garden show, choose tough, multiseason performers for the starring roles

NORTHWEST

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHERN PLAINS

MIDWEST

SOUTH

MID-ATLANTIC

NORTHEAST

PRONUNCIATION GUIDE • Here is a handy guide to help you pronounce the botanical names in this issue.

The USDA plant hardiness zone map

Curling up with catalogs

CAPTIVATING COMBINATION