Beyond the Garden Gate

Author: GardenDan

  • What’s Blooming – Mar ’25

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    GardenDan
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    Piedmont azalea, Mountain azalea Rhododendron canescens Pagoda dogwood Cornus alternifolia Baptisia Baptisia alba Ashe magnolia Magnolia ashei

  • What’s Blooming – Feb ’25

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    GardenDan
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    Elliot’s blueberry Vaccinium elliottii Beach rosemary, Conradina Conradina canescens Dwarf quince Chaenomeles ssp. Red pentas Pentas lanceolata

  • What’s Blooming Jan ’25

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    GardenDan
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    Dwarf quince Chaenomeles japonica Darrow’s blueberry Vaccinium darrowii Geraniums Pelargonium ssp. Diascia (left) & Namesia Diascia ricdii & Namesia fruticans

  • Our first interview / tour

    Our first interview / tour

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    GardenDan
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    We are happy to present our first interview & tour! We visited Ashley of Native Plant Company. Please watch to learn about her wonderful nursery! Click the image above to play and pause.

  • What’s Blooming Dec ’24

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    GardenDan
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    Turk’s cap mallow (Malvaviscus arboreus) lion’s ear (Leonotis leonurus) firecracker (Russelia equisetiformis)

  • Building Nest Boxes

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    GardenDan
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    Think of the delight children and adults both experience when they watch birds building their nests, and the awe they feel when they spot the first fledglings peeking out, then learning to fly!  Erecting a properly designed nest box promises not only education and entertainment, but the potential for significant increases in local bird populations.…

  • Citrus Recipes

    Citrus Recipes

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    GardenDan
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    Updated Oct. 2025 Citrus Curd: (Calamondin, lime, or lemon) In a small saucepan, over medium to medium-low heat, combine juice, sugar, and egg yolks. Whisk constantly until sugar has dissolved and the curd begins to thicken slightly. (Approx. 10 min.) Remove from heat. Add butter, one tablespoon at a time, stirring until dissolved. Continue adding…

  • Drying & Preserving Herbs

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    GardenDan
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    To dry bay leaves (and most other herbs), rinse them well and let them thoroughly dry. Most can be “air-dried” at this stage by hanging in a dark, climate-controlled space until dry. They can be placed in a paper bag to hang, if there is no convenient dark place. In several days to a week…

  • What’s Blooming Nov ’24

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    GardenDan
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    fall cassia (Senna bicapsularis) red basil (Clinopodium coccineum) seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) blue curl (Trichostema dichotomum) woody goldenrod (Chrysoma pauciflosculosa) Georgia savory (Clinopodium georgianum) forsythia sage (Salvia madrensis) Philippine violet (Barleria cristata)

  • What’s Blooming

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    GardenDan
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    Some examples of colorful blooms out and about these days: dwarf firebush (Hamelia patens) Mexican sage (Salvia leucantha) wax mallow (Malvaviscus drummondii) red calamint Also called red basil and scarlet calamint (Clinopodium coccineum) firespike (Odontonema cuspidatum)