Posts By

Jill Drago

Jill is currently a hobby gardener and stay at home mom. Her love for gardening came from a high school job at a local garden center. Jill then earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Horticulture and Turfgrass Management from the University of Rhode Island. She has spent her years post college as a plant recorder at a botanical garden, golf course horticulturist, and high end gardener. Jill specializes in coastal plantings in zone 6b.

In the garden, the big round boxwood bushes stand with elegant symmetry, neatly arranged in rows. Their dense foliage forms perfectly spherical shapes, creating a polished and manicured look. The vibrant green leaves exude a lush and healthy vitality.

Shrubs

27 Varieties of Boxwood for Your Garden

Are you looking for the perfect boxwood for your garden? Boxwoods are stunningly beautiful and low-maintenance evergreen shrubs. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago lists 27 boxwood varieties for your garden.

A schlumbergera with browning leaves and no blooms sits in a small pot.

Houseplants

11 Signs It’s Time to Repot Your Christmas Cactus

Does your Christmas cactus look a little tired? While these succulents do not need to be repotted too frequently, it does need to be done from time to time. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago will list 11 signs that it may be time to give your Christmas cactus a new pot!

A vibrant Christmas Cactus blooms in a terracotta pot on a brown table. Its red flowers, in full bloom, add festive charm. The succulent green leaves cascade gracefully, accentuating the cactus's beauty amidst a garden's lush green backdrop.

Houseplants

What’s the Best Potting Mix For Christmas Cactus?

Are you seeking information on the right kind of potting mix for your Christmas cactus? These succulents need well-draining soil to keep them healthy and happy. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago will detail what makes the best potting mix for your Christmas cactus and why.

A Christmas cactus, adorned with delicate pink blooms, elegantly spills over the edges of a brown pot. Positioned gracefully on a pristine white windowsill, it adds a festive touch to the surroundings, creating a visually enchanting holiday ambiance.

Houseplants

5 Christmas Cactus Diseases: How to Identify, Prevent, and Treat

Does your Christmas cactus look less than its best? Do you suspect diseases could be at play? Just like many other houseplants, Christmas cacti are no stranger to diseases. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago breaks down five of the most common diseases you may run into while growing Christmas cacti and how to identify, prevent, and treat them!

A vibrant pink Christmas cactus in full bloom. Delicate, ruffled petals gracefully cascade from slender, elongated tubes, forming a mesmerizing symphony of pink hues. The delicate petals, slightly darker at their edges, exude a subtle ombré effect, adding a touch of elegance to this floral masterpiece.

Houseplants

9 Christmas Cactus Pests: How to Identify and Manage Them

Are you noticing some insects dining on your Christmas cactus? There are a few common insects that can affect your cactus. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago will list nine of the most common pests you will find on your Christmas cactus and how to identify, prevent, and manage them!

Closeup of Blue Holly covered in frost

Shrubs

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Blue Holly

Would you like to add hollies to your landscape? With many attractive species of holly to choose from, it can be hard to decide which is best for you! In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago will detail why blue hollies make the best addition to your garden and how to care for them.

View of a Christmas cactus isn't flowering in a large pot. Christmas cactus is characterized by flattened, segmented stems of green color. These segmented stems are glossy with scalloped edges.

Houseplants

Why Isn’t My Christmas Cactus Flowering?

Christmas cactus plants are adored for their brightly colored flowers that appear throughout the winter months. Did the winter months pass without flowers blooming on your Christmas cactus? In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago discusses four reasons your Christmas cactus may not bloom.

Close-up of a non-blooming Christmas cactus with fallen leaves on a wooden table. The plant is in a large plastic terracotta pot. The plant has elongated, drooping, segmented green stems. These segments resemble flattened leaves with scalloped edges.

Houseplants

Why is my Christmas Cactus Dropping Leaves?

Leaves falling from your Christmas cactus can be alarming! These steadfast plants are known for their ease of care, so it's distressing when they look unhealthy. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago will list reasons why your Christmas cactus may be losing its leaves and how to remedy the problem.

A Christmas cactus blossoms in full glory. Its slender petals, like delicate brushstrokes, unfold to reveal a mesmerizing dance of colors. Nestled within a terracotta pot, this botanical masterpiece rests upon a wooden table, its presence radiating warmth and elegance.

Houseplants

Is Christmas Cactus Safe for Cats?

Are you a cat owner looking to expand your houseplant collection? Christmas cacti are very popular and low-maintenance plants that are easy to grow. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago will share if this plant is toxic to cats.

Close-up of small round shaped Boxwood shrubs in a sunny garden. The Boxwood shrub is an evergreen plant renowned for its dense, compact nature and small, leathery, glossy green leaves.

Shrubs

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Boxwood Shrubs

Are you looking for a dependable and beautiful evergreen shrub for your yard? Boxwood shrubs are easy-to-grow, low-maintenance shrubs that can be used in various ways throughout your garden. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago will detail the best ways to grow and care for boxwood shrubs at your home.

A close-up of red winterberries glistening in the warm sunlight, showcasing their glossy, rounded shapes. The brilliant crimson hue of the berries contrasts beautifully with the deep green, oblong leaves.

Shrubs

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Winterberry Holly

Are you searching for a shrub that will instantly beautify your winter gardens? Look no further than the winterberry holly. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago will detail everything you need to know to plant, grow, and care for winterberry hollies.