The English Gardener

05/20/2025

05/20/2025

Installed some insectivorous “pitcher”plants (Saracenia) next to the pond a couple of years ago. Flowers and new pitchers look great this year.
I planted 3 plants in a buried plastic tub filled with peat and rainwater next to the shallow point by the pond. When we have a heavy rain, the overspill gently fills the tub and keeps the Saracenia soil moist.

04/12/2025

Pretty obvious what’s going on here: honey bees on white tree peonies I grew from seed. I will add though, if you’re a fan of bees, and peonies, try and get ones that when they flower they show off their stamens so the bees can get a look in. The double flowered jobs, with all the goodies hidden don’t do a lot for the pollinators other than look good .

03/13/2024

Boom! March, but feels like mid April.

02/24/2024

Late winter flowers here in VA

09/04/2023

Just found this on my front path. It’s a Saddleback Caterpillar. Avoid it at all costs. Those 4 hairy spikes on the corners contain MOLTEN LAVA and will burn you and prickle and itch for at least a couple of hours. You only have to gently brush past them with bare flesh. I got stung by a 5mm long one (a mere baby)a couple of weeks ago and man it hurts. This one is about an inch long, which I believe is pretty much fully grown.

06/02/2023

Had a visitor at work yesterday

04/25/2023

Wildflowers in my orchard. American Meadows south east mix fyi.

04/15/2023

Here’s a picture of garden spiders doing a great job of catching adult leaf miners in their web. I’ve noticed lots of the adults (orange gnat-like flies) around clients’ box bushes now there’s new growth. The adults will lay their eggs in between the leaf lamina resulting in damage seen in pic 2. Defoliation occurs over time.

02/18/2023

It’s very nearly spring here in Virginia and we are hiring!
If you’re in the Charlottesville area (or surroundings) and would like to work in a friendly, educational and varied work environment, give us a call or message us here. Full or part time positions. Some experience in gardening, and a willingness to be outside in “most” weathers, would be beneficial.

02/10/2023

It’s 65F in central Virginia and this beauty is very happy. Smells amazing, like I’ve been saying for the last 7/& years or so.

09/22/2022

Soooo, there’s a business called The English Gardener based out of Maryland USA. My business is based in Charlottesville, Virginia. A Few of my friends and family have “liked” the other business. That’s fine, it’s just not Me. I barely post anything 😂😂😂