Matthew Olson

2 months ago | hortmag.com | Matthew Olson

When I was in high school, my mom and I went plant shopping and came across several lemon trees at the garden center. Living in Wisconsin, the idea of growing citrus trees seemed far-fetched, but seeing them in the nursery inspired me to take on the unique challenge of growing lemons in a container. Of course, it took some trial and error to understand the best way to care for that lemon tree, and I'm still learning today. Why grow potted citrus?

Dec 16, 2024 | hortmag.com | Matthew Olson

What is your ideal garden? Perhaps you're thinking of beautiful flowers, inviting paths and insects eating the plants. Yes, you read that right. While it sounds odd, insects are integral to holistic gardening, a gardening method that uses native plants to enhance our local ecosystems. As natives become more popular, gardeners are digging deeper into how these plants help their local ecosystems. What is holistic gardening?

Nov 7, 2024 | hortmag.com | Matthew Olson

What shrub would you recommend for structure in the garden? Some of us might suggest boxwood (Buxus), and for good reason. These popular evergreens have been cultivated for thousands of years, beginning with the Egyptians and continuing into the 21st century. However, for more than a decade now a fungal disease called boxwood blight has been spreading across the United States, causing the loss of many boxwood plants and forcing gardeners to look for alternatives to use in the landscape.

Jun 18, 2024 | hortmag.com | Matthew Olson

No plant is 100-percent deer resistant, but deer generally avoid plants with certain features, like fragrant or fuzzy foliage. Of course, your local deer population will have its own preferences, but here are some perennials that I've grown with little to no problems in my Wisconsin garden:BLEEDING HEARTSBleeding hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis; USDA Zones 3–9) may be old-fashioned, but they're a great choice if you have deer problems.

Jun 10, 2024 | hortmag.com | Matthew Olson

Dry shade can feel like a gardener's nightmare. After all, you don't have enough sunlight for plentiful blooms, and the dry soil makes it hard for plants to get a toehold. Happily, though, there are some perennials that can succeed in dry shade. Ground covers are typically the easiest perennials to grow in the toughest of these spots, but you can expand your palette if the site offers a little moisture and sunlight.