Category Archives: Bushes, Shrubs, Trees

How to Trim a Golden String / Thread Cypress into a Pyramid

Posted on March 10, 2016 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

The pair of Golden String / Thread (sometimes called Mop) Cypress, seen in the two cover photos for this blog post, that are major focal points in my back garden, did not always have pyramidal shapes. The natural growth habit … Continue reading →

Posted in Bushes, Shrubs, Trees, Garden Design Principles, The Autumn(Fall) Garden, The Spring Garden, The Winter Garden | 3 Comments

A Garden Tour of My Property. It might be Spring, but You should be thinking Winter Interest when Planning your Garden

Posted on April 12, 2014 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

After getting over a Winter here in upstate New York that was snowier and colder than recent years past, everyone I know is soo glad it’s finally getting warmer and signs of Spring are showing up. All the garden folk … Continue reading →

Posted in Bushes, Shrubs, Trees, Fred's Garden at Whimsey Hill House, Garden Design Principles, The Spring Garden, The Winter Garden | 2 Comments

Putting Foundation Plants across the Front of your House

Posted on October 21, 2013 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

These days a lot of people, as well as landscapers, are planting foundation plants across the front of a house, siting them on both sides of the front sidewalk and running them all the way to the edge of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bushes, Shrubs, Trees, Garden Design Principles, The Autumn(Fall) Garden, The Spring Garden, The Summer Garden | 10 Comments

Foundation Planting, Laying out Foundation Plants in Front of Your Home

Posted on September 28, 2013 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

Putting foundation plants around you home is a way of tying your house to the land it is set on. The softness of the foliage helps to transition / move the eye from the flatness of the land up to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bushes, Shrubs, Trees, Garden Design Principles, The Autumn(Fall) Garden, The Spring Garden, The Summer Garden | 48 Comments

My Hydrangeas Don’t / Won’t Bloom is a Lament uttered by Many

Posted on June 21, 2012 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

My hydrangeas don’t / won’t bloom is a lament uttered by many gardeners who are new to growing the much loved-old-fashioned plant. Getting your plant to bloom is really all about proper Pruning, Winter weather conditions, and Light.

Posted in Bushes, Shrubs, Trees, The Spring Garden, The Summer Garden | Leave a comment

Distance Foundation Plants from your House when Planting

Posted on May 3, 2012 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

Planting bushes along the front, sides and even back of your house helps to visually tie the house to the land that surrounds it. The foundation plantings, have a way of softening the transition from the rolling lawn, to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bushes, Shrubs, Trees, Garden Design Principles, The Autumn(Fall) Garden, The Spring Garden | 5 Comments

Some ideas about Planting Trees by your House for Curb Appeal

Posted on April 26, 2012 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

When getting ready to purchase a tree(s) to plant on your front lawn, or other parts of your property, the tree’s height, when mature should be taken into consideration. The right sized tree can set off your house and landscape, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bushes, Shrubs, Trees, Garden Design Principles, San Francisco Chronicle / eHow references or resources, The Autumn(Fall) Garden, The Spring Garden | 7 Comments

It’s Easy to Grow PUSSYWILLOWS

Posted on February 15, 2012 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

Over the years both my parents and I have had pussywillow trees at our houses. Our pussywillows came to us, via my Mother’s sister Mary’s garden. Aunt Mary, garden maven that she was, most likely started her own tree from … Continue reading →

Posted in Bushes, Shrubs, Trees, The Spring Garden, The Winter Garden | 18 Comments

Looking at Evergreens in the Garden

Posted on January 31, 2012 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

Evergreens to me provide the most interest in the Winter garden, and are really the backbone or foundation on which a really nice year-round garden is built. They can be planted along with herbaceous perennials in the garden, to add … Continue reading →

Posted in Bushes, Shrubs, Trees, Garden Design Principles, planting a SHADE GARDEN, The Autumn(Fall) Garden, The Spring Garden, The Summer Garden, The Winter Garden | 7 Comments

Evergreens are the Winter Interest in My Garden

Posted on January 24, 2012 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

As much as I like a garden filled with flowers, there is another part of me, The Zen Part, that likes the look of just the evergreens, standing alone, in the Winter Garden.

Posted in Bushes, Shrubs, Trees, Fred's Garden at Whimsey Hill House, planting a SHADE GARDEN, The Winter Garden | 4 Comments