potted perennials in winter at Mischler's in Williamsville NY

Clever perennial planter from spring still looking good into winter at Mischler’s

We’ve had snow and cold, yet this perennial container that was planted up in the spring is still going strong. Mark Yadon of Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, 118 South Forest Rd., Williamsville, designed this creation called “Winter Green.” He planted it up as a demonstration at the Lewiston GardenFest in the third week of June this year. As we told you in September, there are two tricks to this planter. First, Yadon chose perennial plants that keep their color after…...

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here
daffodil at Buffalo Botanical Gardens by Connie Oswald Stofko

Do you need to refrigerate daffodil, tulip bulbs before forcing them indoors?

I got this question from reader Trudy Stern: “I have a daffodil question: Should I keep them in the deep freeze for awhile before I force them indoors in January or February? Tulips? Any special tips? I am looking forward to having some bulb beauty in my house throughout the winter.” I thought this was a question many readers might be interested in, so I contacted Jeff Thompson, director of horticulture at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. Each…...

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here
poinsettia decorations 2014 at Buffalo Botanical Gardens

See the holiday exhibits at Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens

Whether you have out-ot-town company, are looking for something to do with the kids or just want to drink in the colors of the season, stop by to see the holiday exhibits at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. Expect the Unexpected, the poinsettia show, is in full swing and the displays are stunning. Admission includes the Garden Railway Exhibit, with a Harry Potter scene as well as a traditional set-up. Hours are 10…...

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here
sparkling punch & ice punch poinsettias at Mischler's in Williamsville NY

Enjoy your poinsettias for weeks or months with proper care; see new varieties at Mischler’s

by Connie Oswald Stofko You can enjoy your poinsettia plant for weeks or even months if you care for it properly. “The main thing is don’t overwater them,” said Mark Yadon, vice president of  Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, 118 South Forest Rd., Williamsville. “They don’t need to be watered nearly as much as people water them.” If the plant is in foil, take the foil off, water the plant at the sink, let the excess water drain out of the…...

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here

Wreaths don’t have to be round; see creative decorations at Lockwood’s

by Connie Oswald Stofko If you want something a little different for the holidays, choose a wreath that isn’t round. You can find creative shapes at Lockwood’s Greenhouses, 4484 Clark St., Hamburg. The handmade wreaths at Lockwood’s can be shaped like a heart, Christmas tree, cross, square or rectangle as well as the traditional circle. You can custom order wreaths, too. Some people come in year after year for the same wreath, said Jill Kisker, grower at Lockwood’s. Others come…...

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here

Replace Botanical Gardens’ storm-damaged plants & 4 more ways your donation helps

by Connie Oswald Stofko During the recent Snowvember storm, the wind and the weight of the snow broke 150 panes of glass in two greenhouses at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical  Gardens. The storm destroyed 154 plants indoors. It will cost roughly $6,000 to replace them. That’s not taking into account damage done to plants outside. But you can help by making a monetary donation today. Not only did the Botanical Gardens lose plants in the storm, it lost…...

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here
Native-Plant-Guide from Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper

Illustrated guide to native plants for WNY available for free from Riverkeeper

UPDATE APRIL 13, 2023 To see the guide on native plants, go here: https://bnwaterkeeper.org/nativeplantguide/ by Connie Oswald Stofko There are lots of reasons to use native plants in your garden. I like them because they’re low maintenance. Because they have adapted to our climate, they can survive hot, dry summers without me having to get out the hose. They can take cold, snowy winters without any fuss, too. Native plants attract birds and insects, which can help pollinate our plants…....

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here
Traditional wreath from Mischler's

Get creative and decorate a fresh wreath in this hands-on workshop at Mischler’s

Back again this year is a popular hands-on workshop where you can let your creative juices flow and decorate a fresh wreath for the holidays. Workshops will be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, 118 South Forest Rd., Williamsville. Each workshop will begin with a brief explanation and decorating demonstration by a member of Mischler’s staff. Afterward, you will be given a fresh, 24-inch evergreen wreath and red bow. You will…...

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here
dandelion late November 2014 in Amherst NY

For the record, it’s not winter yet in Western New York; let’s make the best of our weather

by Connie Oswald Stofko It sure felt wintry in Western New York before Thanksgiving. When people ask me how much snow I got, I say: “Just 10 inches.” I emphasize the word “just.” In other years, 10 inches of snow before Thanksgiving might feel like a lot, but compared to the seven feet that other people got, it’s hardly worth mentioning. Yet after Thanksgiving, the weather got so warm it felt like the calendar was going backwards. It seemed as…...

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here
wrwreath from Lockwood's Hamburg

Make holiday decorations in hands-on workshops at Lockwood’s

Decorate your house outdoors and indoors with these projects you can make in workshops at Lockwood’s Greenhouses, 4484 Clark St., Hamburg. Register online or call (716) 649-4684. Make an evergreen wreath using freshly cut fir boughs under the guidance of gardening expert Sally Cunningham in a workshop at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29. The cost is $30 and includes the bow. Make a mixed greens & berries wreath under the guidance of gardening expert Sally Cunningham in a workshop at 10:30…...

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here