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.

Shrubs

When Should You Prune Hydrangeas?

Do you need to prune your hydrangeas, but aren't sure if it's better to prune them in the spring or the wintertime? Picking the perfect time to prune them can be the difference between full or failed blooms come summertime. In this article, gardening expert and hydrangea enthusiast Jill Drago examines the best time of year to prune your hydrangeas.

Problems

11 Common Problems With Rhododendrons You Shouldn’t Ignore

Are you Rhododendrons looking a bit worse for wear this season? There are many common issues that can impact the way your rhododendrons look. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago shares the most common problems that may plague your Rhododendrons, and what to do about each issue.

Big flowering hydrangeas growing in garden with green foliage.

Shrubs

How Big Will Hydrangeas Grow When Fully Mature?

Curious to know how big your hydrangeas will grow when fully mature? While this will depend on many factors, including the type of hydrangea you grow, there are some basic characteristics of this popular shrub. In this article, gardening expert and hydrangea enthusiast Jill Drago examines the typical hydrangea size by species, with a comprehensive growth chart for each.

Hydrangea flowers blooming in a bright blue color with green foliage in the background.

Shrubs

Myth or Fact: Can Vinegar Make Hydrangeas Turn Blue?

There are many different gardening myths that can be de-bunked when it comes to hydrangeas, and what exactly turns their flowers blue. In this article, gardening expert and hydrangea enthusiast Jill Drago shares her thoughts around using Vinegar to have an impact on the bloom color of hydrangeas, and if it will actually turn their flowers blue.

Shrubs

How to Plant, Grow and Care For Hydrangea ‘Strawberry Sundae’

Are you looking for the perfect hydrangea variety to add to your garden this season? There are many to choose from, but hydrangea 'Strawberry Sundae' is a gardener favorite. In this article, gardening expert and hydrangea enthusiast Jill Drago shares all you need to know about this popular hydrangea, including its maintenance and care needs.

Early summer blooming flowers in the garden

Flowers

37 Flowering Plants That Bloom in Early Summer

Are you looking for some flowering plants that will bloom in early summer? There are many different plants to choose from, depending on your hardiness zone. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago shares her favorite early summer flowering plants you can plant this season!

eggshells hydrangeas

Shrubs

Are Eggshells Good or Bad For Hydrangeas?

Thinking of using eggshells with your hydrangeas this season? Many gardeners swear by eggshells as a fertilizer component, but will they have a positive or negative impact on your beautiful hydrangeas? In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago examines this common garden practice and if it's one you should avoid this season.

May Blooming Perennial Flower in Garden

Flowers

17 May Blooming Perennials to Plant Right Now

Are you looking for some perennials you can plant now that will bloom in the month of May? There are a number of different flowering perennials you can plant right now, and have blooming this month! In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago shares her favorite May blooming perennials to get into the ground as soon as possible.

Problems

15 Common Problems With Coneflower Plants

Is your coneflower plant looking a bit worse for wear, but you aren't sure why? Coneflowers are fairly hardy, but they can still succumb to some common issues during their growth cycle. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago looks at the most common issues with coneflower plants, and how to address them.

Gardener using coffee grounds with rhododendrons in the garden

Shrubs

Are Coffee Grounds Good or Bad for Rhododendrons and Azaleas?

Coffee grounds have many uses in the garden, including as a popular compost item. But are they good for rhododendrons and azaleas, or is this a practice that you should avoid? In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago examines if this practice is one you should actually do, or skip this season.

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 Blue' Growing 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.