July 2, 2025

A Visit to Scotts Miracle-Gro Headquarters

As a passionate gardener, I am always very interested in learning how I can improve my gardens.

This past spring, I travelled to Marysville, Ohio, to visit the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, the world’s largest marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products.  The Scotts Company was founded in 1868 by O.M. Scott as a premium seed company for the United States agricultural industry. In 1995, the company celebrated a significant milestone when Scotts, the leading lawn care brand, merged with Miracle-Gro, the leading gardening brand, creating the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. During my day-long visit, I was happy to meet the Research and Development and Brand teams, and to hear about and provide insights on key strategies and new innovations they are developing.

Here are some photos.

July 1, 2025

Transforming My Greenhouse Gardens

Totally transforming an existing garden bed is a good way to revitalize an outdoor space.

The two garden beds in front of my main greenhouse were once home to my currant bushes. Six years ago, I moved the berries and created more formal gardens with hostas and white lilies. Recently, I decided the beds would be perfect for displaying my new Martha Stewart Hybrid Tea Roses. I wanted them to be planted in a grid pattern alternating each rose with boxwood. In the center of each bed, I planted four tall conical boxwood. I know these gardens will grow so beautifully in the coming years.

Here are some photos.

June 30, 2025

Limbing Up Trees

As the owner of many gardens, groves, and allées, I am constantly looking at all the trees, making sure they are in good condition.

Pruning is one of the biggest and most important gardening chores. Not only does pruning improve the overall health of the plants, it also prevents disease, and encourages better growth. When assessing my trees, I also think about general appearance as well as safety. Last week, I noticed the allée of lindens that grows in two horse pastures needed some attention. The lower branches had grown so much, my horses could not walk under them for shade. I asked Pete Sherpa from my outdoor grounds crew to "limb up" the trees, meaning remove all the lowest branches to allow for more clearance and air circulation.

Here are some photos, enjoy.