Outdoor

Astilbe × arendsii

Astilbe

Planted ~2022 · about 3–4 years old

Feathery pink plumes that thrive in the shady, damp corner where almost nothing else will flower. The fern-like foliage looks good long after the blooms fade.

WaterConsistently moist soil — astilbe crisps at the edges if it dries out. The thirstiest plant in my beds.

LightPart to full shade. A little morning sun is fine; hot afternoon sun is not.

CareDivide the clumps every 3–4 years to keep them vigorous. Leave dried plumes for winter texture.

Outdoor

Gypsophila paniculata

Baby’s Breath

Planted ~2023 · about 3 years old

A cloud of tiny white flowers that softens every hard edge in the bed and glows when the low evening light passes through it.

WaterLow. Sharp drainage matters far more than frequent watering — it rots in wet ground.

LightFull sun.

CareLikes slightly alkaline soil; a little garden lime helps. Cut back after flowering.

Outdoor

Hydrangea macrophylla

Bigleaf Hydrangea

Planted Spring 2024 · 2 years in

My corner anchor, with mophead blooms that drift between pink and lavender depending on the year's soil. She leans toward the hives like she knows where the bees live.

WaterDeeply 2–3× a week in summer heat. She wilts dramatically by afternoon but recovers by evening.

LightMorning sun, afternoon shade. Too much NJ afternoon glare scorches the blooms.

CarePrune spent flowers in late winter, not fall — next year’s buds form on old wood. Mulch before frost.

Outdoor

Rudbeckia hirta

Black-Eyed Susan

Planted ~2022 · about 3–4 years old

Golden, dark-eyed daisies that take over the bed from midsummer into fall. Native, cheerful, and completely unbothered by heat.

WaterLow to moderate. Drought-tolerant once rooted in.

LightFull sun — six-plus hours for the best flowering.

CareDeadhead to extend bloom, then leave the final seedheads for the goldfinches.

Outdoor

Buxus sempervirens

Boxwood

Planted ~2019 · about 6–7 years old

The evergreen backbone of the garden — tidy green spheres that hold the structure together all winter while everything else disappears.

WaterModerate and even. Established plants are fairly drought-tolerant, but don’t let them bake.

LightFull sun to part shade — very adaptable.

CareShear once or twice in the growing season to keep the form. Give them airflow to avoid blight.

Outdoor

Acer palmatum

Japanese Maple

Planted ~2016 · about 10 years old

The quiet centerpiece of the back bed — ten years of slow branching into a burgundy canopy that turns the evening light to embers.

WaterWeekly when young; now established, deep-water only in dry spells. Mulch to keep roots cool.

LightDappled or part shade. The lace-leaf foliage scorches in harsh afternoon sun.

CarePrune only in winter dormancy, lightly, to open the canopy. Avoid heavy feeding.

Outdoor

Echinacea purpurea

Purple Coneflower

Planted Spring 2023 · about 3 years in

The hardest-working flower in the garden. From July on it’s never without a bumblebee — the bridge between my beds and my hives.

WaterOnce established, only in real dry spells. Hates soggy soil.

LightFull sun, all day. The more sun, the more bees.

CareLeave the seedheads standing through winter. Divide every 3–4 years.

Outdoor

Salvia rosmarinus

Rosemary

Potted ~2022 · about 4 years old

Tucked right beside the hive so its little blue flowers are the bees’ first stop. Overwinters in the garage when the Jersey cold turns serious.

WaterLet it dry fully between drinks — overwatering is the only reliable way to kill it.

LightSix-plus hours of direct sun. A south-facing spot is heaven.

CareSnip often to keep it bushy. Not winter-hardy below ~15°F — bring the pot in.

Outdoor

Salvia nemorosa

Salvia

Planted ~2022 · about 3–4 years old

Upright spikes of deep violet-blue that the bees work from morning to dusk. One of the hardest-flying favorites in the whole bed.

WaterLow once established — salvia is drought-tolerant and hates wet feet.

LightFull sun. The more sun, the denser the flower spikes.

CareShear back spent spikes for a strong second flush. Cut to the base in late fall.

Indoor

Alocasia × amazonica 'Polly'

Alocasia Polly

Acquired ~2024 · about 2 years home

Dramatic arrow-shaped leaves with bright white veins — the diva of the shelf, and worth indulging.

WaterKeep evenly moist; never bone-dry, never soggy. Loves humidity.

LightBright indirect. No harsh direct sun

CareKeep it warm and steady. May go dormant in winter — don’t panic.

Indoor

Epipremnum aureum

Golden Pothos

Acquired ~2022 · about 4 years home

The vine that started the whole jungle. Nearly unkillable, endlessly shareable, and happy to trail several feet down from a sunny shelf.

WaterWhen the soil is dry an inch down — roughly weekly. The leaves curl slightly when it's thirsty, so it tells you.

LightMedium to bright indirect. More light brings out more of the gold variegation; it tolerates low light but grows slower.

CareTrim leggy vines to keep it full, and root the cuttings in water — endlessly shareable. Wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them glossy.

Indoor

Philodendron hederaceum

Heartleaf Philodendron

Acquired ~2022 · about 3–4 years home

A waterfall of glossy heart-shaped leaves off the middle shelf — one of the easiest, most forgiving trailers there is.

WaterWhen the top inch is dry, roughly weekly. Forgiving if you forget once.

LightMedium to bright indirect; tolerates lower light than most.

CarePinch back to keep it full; root the cuttings in water to share.

Indoor

Monstera deliciosa

Monstera

Acquired 2022 · 4 years home

The first big plant I ever bought and still the centerpiece — now throwing fenestrated leaves the size of dinner plates every spring.

WaterEvery 7–10 days, only when the top 2 inches are dry. Drooping means thirsty.

LightBright, indirect. A few feet from an east window is the sweet spot.

CareWipe leaves monthly, give a moss pole to climb, rotate for even growth.

Indoor

Philodendron hederaceum var.

Philodendron Micans

Acquired ~2024 · about 2 years home

Velvety, bronze-green heart leaves that catch the light like suede. The softer, moodier cousin of the heartleaf.

WaterKeep lightly moist; let the top inch dry between. Likes a little humidity.

LightMedium to bright indirect. Direct sun dulls the velvet.

CareTrails or climbs happily; trim to shape and propagate easily.

Indoor

Philodendron erubescens 'Pink Princess'

Pink Princess Philodendron

Acquired ~2023 · about 3 years home

The collector’s prize — dark leaves splashed with bubblegum pink, no two the same. Worth every bit of the fuss.

WaterWhen the top inch is dry. Don’t let it sit wet.

LightBright indirect is essential — the pink fades to plain green in low light.

CarePrune above a pink-marked node to encourage more variegation; support to climb.

Indoor

Dracaena trifasciata

Snake Plant

Acquired 2022 · 4 years home

The one I recommend to everyone who insists they kill everything. Architectural, drought-proof, quietly cleaning the air.

WaterEvery 2–3 weeks, less in winter. When in doubt, skip it.

LightLow to bright — genuinely doesn’t mind a dim corner.

CareFast-draining mix and a pot with a hole. Root rot is its only real enemy.

Indoor

Ceropegia woodii

String of Hearts

Acquired ~2024 · about 2 years home

Delicate trailing strands of tiny silver-marbled hearts spilling off the top shelf.

WaterLet it dry fully between — it’s a semi-succulent and rots if overwatered.

LightBright indirect to a little direct sun for the best marbling.

CareUntangle the strands occasionally; propagates from any node laid on soil.

Indoor

Curio rowleyanus

String of Pearls

Acquired ~2024 · about 2 years home

A cascade of little green beads — the trickiest of my trailers, but mesmerizing when happy.

WaterSparingly. Soak, then let it dry completely. The #1 killer is overwatering.

LightBright light, including some direct sun.

CareShallow pot, gritty mix. Tuck broken strands back on the soil to root.

Sunroom

Strelitzia nicolai

Bird of Paradise

Acquired ~2022 · about 4 years home

Huge paddle leaves that turn the sunroom corner into something tropical. The biggest personality in the house.

WaterKeep evenly moist in summer; let the top inch dry in winter.

LightThe brightest light you have — it wants near-direct sun to thrive.

CareWipe the broad leaves; the natural leaf splits are normal. Feed in growing season.

Sunroom

Aglaonema commutatum

Chinese Evergreen

Acquired ~2024 · about 2 years home

Patterned silver-and-green leaves that bring color low to the ground — tough, lush, and undemanding.

WaterWhen the top inch is dry. Tolerates occasional neglect.

LightAdaptable — medium to bright indirect.

CareOne of the most forgiving houseplants there is. Keep it warm, out of drafts.

Sunroom

Ficus lyrata

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Acquired ~2021 · about 5 years home

The tall standard-form tree by the sunroom windows — the plant everyone asks about, and the one that taught me patience.

WaterWhen the top 2 inches are dry, roughly weekly. Hates both drought and soggy roots.

LightAs much bright indirect as possible; gentle direct sun is ideal.

CareHates being moved — pick a spot and leave it. Dust the leaves; rotate slowly.