Shari's Planthouse

08/07/2025

I’ve been so happy to find patches of swanflower (Aristolochia erecta) at a few of the properties we maintain. Today, I found swallowtail butterflies in every stage from egg, to caterpillars big and small to adults, leading me to the swanflower that is their larval host. If you watch where a swallowtail butterfly hovers, they will almost always lead you to a cool native plant

07/19/2025

05/03/2025

Super successful plant sale today. Thank you to everyone who came by. I made so many new plant friends, many right here in my neighborhood! 🤩 Message me if you see something you need in your yard!

02/22/2025

Seed starting is full speed ahead in the planthouse! Every gardener I know is anxiously watching their seed trays looking for any sign of life. I was excited to see these loofah seeds coming up.

I loved growing loofah last year and have sooo many seeds. I’ve always heard the white seeds won’t germinate (some folks actually toss them out!) so I decided to do an experiment. I planted 36 white seeds and 36 black seeds in this tray. The first ones coming up are from the white seed side of the tray.

The important thing is the thickness of the seed - it should be thick like a pumpkin or watermelon seed, not flat like paper. Just like in life, it’s what’s on the inside that matters, not the color on the outside. Plant away!

01/12/2025

We just had a cold spell that’s lowest temperature was 23. The planthouse is in its 13th year and still protecting everything phenomenally! Every year I have a surprise cold night and learn what it’s really capable of without added heat. As I opened the door after the extended freeze, “All my love” was playing. So appropriate since it’s My love who helps keep it up and protecting everything! All of my love to you babe!!! ❤️