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Alena Samoylenko

Alena Samoylenko

Sustainable gardening, plant combinations, practical gardening advise for beginners

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Planting Plans and Plant Combinations

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What to Plant Next to Bigleaf Hydrangea – Best Companion Plants for Hydrangea macrophylla

Hydrangea macrophylla, also known as bigleaf hydrangea, is a cherished favorite among gardeners for its breathtaking blooms and luxuriant foliage. With its versatile varieties, including mopheads and lace-caps, bigleaf hydrangeas can seamlessly integrate into any garden style, whether it...

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What to Plant with Oakleaf Hydrangea? 3 Ready-to-Use Plant Combinations for Hydrangea quercifolia

Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a resilient and visually striking shrub, thriving in gardens across Zones 5-9 with its unique oak-like leaves and enduring four-season allure. Spring heralds its grand display of large, dramatic foliage, followed by cone-shaped panicles...

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Enhancing Your Garden with Smooth Hydrangeas: Care Tips and Planting Ideas for Hydrangea arborescens

Gardeners cherish hydrangeas for their stunning mid to late-season blooms, and among the various hydrangea species, Hydrangea arborescens, or Smooth Hydrangea, stands out for its large globe-shaped flowers and ease of care. In this blog post, we’ll delve into...

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What Can I Plant Next to Hydrangea Paniculata? 3 Ready-to-Use Planting Schemes for Unique Plant Combinations

Hydrangea paniculata: a garden favorite cherished for its reliability, ease of care, and timeless beauty. From the latter half of summer through autumn, its structural elegance captivates, and even in winter, its dried inflorescences continue to grace the garden...

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Asters in Garden Design: Top 5 Varieties and Ready-to-Use Plant Combinations

Asters are a gardener’s delight, gracing our landscapes with blooms just when many perennials have finished their show. Their vibrant hues stand out against the backdrop of yellowing foliage and grasses, creating a stunning late-season spectacle. But with a...

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Plant of the Month: Amsonia hubrichtii  (Narrowleaf Bluestar)

In the world of gardening, there’s always that one plant that catches your eye and captures your heart. For me, this month, that plant is Amsonia hubrichtii. From its captivating blue star-shaped flowers in the summer to its golden...

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Creating a Thriving Drought-Tolerant Garden: Ready-to-Use Drought-Tolerant Plant Combinations for Your Landscape

Our prior posts discussed drought-tolerant trees and shrubs, providing insights into creating sustainable, water-efficient gardens. Today, let’s explore a balanced composition with low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants. These selections are perfect for smaller gardens or enhance more extensive flower beds and...

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My Top 5 Hardy Geraniums: A Garden Must-Have

The hardy geranium, also known as cranesbill, is the one plant that I firmly believe should grace every garden. Not only do these lovely plants provide visual delight, but they also offer immense benefits to wildlife, are incredibly low-maintenance,...

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