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.

how to revive a dying hydrangea

Shrubs

How to Revive a Dying Hydrangea Plant

If your hydrangea looks like it might be dying, there could be several different causes that contribute to its poor health. In this article, gardening expert and hydrangea enthusiast Jill Drago examines the most common reasons for a dying hydrangea, and how to revive it once it's started to die off.

Annabelle Hydrangea growing in garden with beautiful white flowers

Shrubs

How to Plant, Grow and Care For ‘Annabelle’ Hydrangea

Thinking of adding an 'Annabelle" hydrangea to your garden, but aren't sure where to start? These beautiful flowering shrubs are easy to care for if they are provided proper growing conditions. In this article, gardening expert and hydrangea enthusiast Jill Drago shares everything you need to know about 'Annabelle" hydrangeas, including their maintenance and care.

april perennial flowers

Flowers

15 Perennial Flowers to Direct Seed in April

April is when temperatures start to heat up, and winter starts to leave. It's also the perfect month to start direct seeding perennial flowers into your garden beds. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago shares her favorite perennial flowers you can direct seed into your garden during the month of April!

Large pink dinnerplate dahila flower growing in garden

Flowers

21 Plants with Massive Blooming Flowers

Are you looking for a few plants with massive flowers to add to your garden this season? There are many different plants that have enormous blooms that you'll love. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago shares some of her favorite plants that will bring extremely large flowers to your garden!

hydrangeas as hedges

Shrubs

11 Tips For Growing Hydrangeas as Hedges

Are you thinking of adding hydrangeas as a flowering hedge in your garden this season? Despite what you may have heard, hydrangeas can make great hedges if you pick the right variety. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago shares her top tips for planting hydrangeas as hedge plants this season.

Close up of two bunches of flowers. The ones on the left have five petals that are light pink on the edges and white with a splash of pale yellow on one petal. The leaves are green. Each flower has five thin light pink stamen. The flowers on the right grow in a ball shape, or truss, and are also white with light pink edges but they have a splash of dark pink freckles on one of the five petals. The leaves are dark green and long, hanging down away from the flower truss. Each flower has 10 stamen with dark tips.

Shrubs

Azaleas vs. Rhododendrons: What’s The Difference?

Are you trying to figure out the difference between an azalea and a rhododendron? These two shrubs can confuse even the most experienced gardeners. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago looks at the differences between these two flowering shrubs, as well as thier similarities.

Hydrangea Nikko BluemGrowing in garden with bright colored flowers.

Shrubs

How to Grow and Care for Hydrangea ‘Nikko Blue’

Are you thinking of adding a Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue' to your garden landscape this season? There are many qualities that make this particular hydrangea variety a popular choice amongst gardeners. In this article, gardening expert and hydrangea enthusiast Jill Drago shares everything you need to know about this type of hydrangea, including maintenance and care.

Purple Coneflower blooming in the garden up close

Flowers

When Should You Plant Coneflower Seeds This Season?

Are you thinking of planting coneflowers by seed in your garden? These popular perennials will come back each season if properly planted and cared for. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago shares the best time to start planting coneflower seeds in your flowerbeds this season!

grow sunflowers from seed

Flowers

How to Grow Sunflowers from Seed This Season

Are you thinking of growing sunflowers from seed in your garden this season? Sunflowers are one of the easiest flowers to grow from seed, no matter your hardiness zone. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago shares all the very simple steps you'll need to follow when growing sunflowers from seed this season!

Perennial Lupines Growing from Seed in Garden Many Different Colors

Flowers

15 Flowering Perennials To Start Seeding in March

Thinking of seeding some perennials in the month of March, but aren't sure where to start? There are plenty of different perennial plants you can choose from depending on your hardiness zone. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago shares her favorite flowering perennials to start seeding in March!