Eleanor Wells 
Dealing with scale in the garden? These minute, ancient insects can cause major stress to some plants by sucking out their vital nutrients. Typically kept in check by their natural enemies, ecological disruption can lead to unexpected infestations. Learn about the varieties of scale and pest management techniques now.
‘Cherokee Purple’ tomatoes produce delicious and bountiful fruit with a sweet yet smoky flavor, perfect for sandwiches, pizzas, and pastas. This indeterminate variety is emblematic of all heirlooms, and a story of seed exchanges, passed from one hand to another, mark this variety with character and history.
Intrinsic cultural and habitat value shape the history of the California toyon plant. Small, white, rose-like flowers in summer lead to vibrant red berries in winter, providing abundant nectar and forage for pollinators and birds. Fire resistant and drought tolerant, this plant is a chaparral and oak woodland staple.
Lemon thyme is a compact, aromatic herb that’s easy to grow and even easier to love. It attracts pollinators, repels pests, and is a delicious culinary herb. Drought tolerant and low maintenance, it’s ideal for growing in beds, borders, rock walls, or as edging for walkways. Learn how to plant and grow lemon thyme now.
With its dense, mat-like form, creeping thyme makes for a beautiful and aromatic living mulch between stepping stones. Come summertime, lilac flower clusters attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Drought tolerant, low maintenance, and edible, this plant is sure to put a smile on your face in any season.
With snow-white pom-pom inflorescence and exfoliating, textured bark, wild hydrangeas are sure to wow any garden aficionado. Hydrangea arborescens attracts pollinators, stabilizes slopes, and is a natural border plant with showy blooms that make for an elegant cut flower. Learn how to grow wild hydrangeas now.