Fine Gardening Magazine

Written for passionate gardeners, Fine Gardening provides inspired ideas backed by detailed instructions for creating healthy gardens, outdoor rooms, and beautiful landscapes suited to the region. Horticulturists, nurserymen, and designers share their expertise on plants, care, soil, eco-friendly pest control, propagation, design, and landscaping.

Do you have a muse plant?

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OVER THE FENCE • READER COMMENTS AND OPINIONS

Fine Gardening Magazine

CONTRIBUTING THIS ISSUE

READERS’ TIPS • FROM ONE GARDENER TO ANOTHER

GARDEN SHED • PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE HEAT AND SUN THIS SUMMER

SUPER COOL PLANTS • FIND OUT WHAT THE EXPERTS ARE GROWING

YOU’RE GONNA LOVE IT

STRATEGIC SITE WATER MANAGEMENT FOR GARDENERS

Is it time to hire a professional? • Use this quick checklist to decide whether to tackle the work yourself, or bring in help.

The Best NEW PLANTS for 2026 • Spice up your beds and borders with something exciting this year

Embrace the Wild Beauty of OUTDOOR LIVING • A simplified plant list arranged in thoughtful masses creates a relaxed yet energetic atmosphere

AT A GLANCE

Tips for getting your garden back to nature • A design that evokes the beauty of wild places and makes the most of unique site attributes will imbue the landscape with a sense of place. Here are a few ideas for bringing tranquility to your own garden sanctuary.

poppies are for everyone • From perennial favorites to ephemeral gems, these versatile selections add seasonal flair to any space

How to grow poppies from seed • While you can find some poppies available for purchase online as bareroot plants, many are only available in seed form. Even if established, they will need to be replenished to be a permanent part of the garden. Knowing how to collect and start seed is crucial in maintaining a poppy show for years to come. Luckily, the process is fairly straightforward.

Reinventing A MATURE GARDEN • When an established landscape starts getting tired, a few dynamic strategies will give it a fresh look

From overgrown to the envy of the neighborhood

Don’t forget the containers

Great plants for reinvigorating a garden • An older garden doesn’t need a complete makeover to feel fresh again. The right plants—chosen for their vigor, season-long interest, or transformative presence—can put a new spin on tired areas, stitching old favorites together while adding renewed energy and purpose. These standout selections do the heavy lifting, helping an established garden look intentional, colorful, and inspired.

10 WATER-WISE WOODIES • Anchor a sustainable design with resilient trees and shrubs that laugh in the face of drought

“Water-wise” starts with proper care • Putting the right plant in the right place is only half the battle of creating a truly water-wise garden. The care and maintenance you provide in getting new additions well established will set them up for drought tolerance, stress resistance, and long and healthy lives.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST

SOUTHWEST

MOUNTAIN WEST

MIDWEST

SOUTHEAST

MID-ATLANTIC

NORTHEAST

THE USDA PLANT HARDINESS ZONE MAP

CAPTIVATING COMBINATION