Kier Holmes

2 weeks ago | gardenista.com | Kier Holmes

Australian Astroturf, Scleranthus biflorus Some hear the word “astroturf,” and they recoil and roll their eyes. But rest assured, this is not what you think it is. Australian astroturf is a real, living plant, not plastic faux grass. And while its common name is admittedly not the most appealing, this verdant, charmingly squishy ground cover is—and worth searching out.

1 month ago | gardenista.com | Kier Holmes

The humble hummingbird has always been a pollinator favorite among gardeners, but lately it’s been attracting more (and new) buzz. Katie Tamony, chief marketing officer and trend spotter at Monrovia, tells us she’s been seeing increased interest in drawing hummingbirds to the garden. “I’ve heard it called the next glamour animal—the one they most want to take a photo of, the one that stops them in their tracks when they encounter it in the garden,” she shares.

1 month ago | gardenista.com | Kier Holmes

Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’ This year I promised myself that I would incorporate more plants that can multitask and require less work and stress. One such plant that I have added to my ever-expending must-have list is Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’. Trust me on this—you’ll soon be adding it to yours, too. Please keep reading to learn about this fantastically functional plant: Let’s start with the plant’s name.

2 months ago | gardenista.com | Kier Holmes

Sure, you can be predictable and buy flowers or chocolates for Valentine’s Day, but there are better, more enduring, more sustainable options out there. This year, give your significant other a small plant that announces your love with heart-shaped leaves. (Or maybe just gift yourself one of these sweethearts and consider it self care). This trailing plant gifts delicate and petite green and silver heart-shaped leaves.

2 months ago | gardenista.com | Kier Holmes

Pitcher Sage, Lepechinia When I first learned about these plants, I thought they were simply unfamiliar salvias, and as a true salvia fan I felt a wee bit remiss. Turns out, salvias and lepechinias are related, and lepechinias are actually known as “false sage.” I also found out that pitcher sage is in the mint family, Lamiaceae, but they aren’t scary spreaders that you’ll later regret adding to your garden; rather, they share the family’s pleasantly aromatic trait.