The Black Sheep Blog

Design Thinking View all

Planting by Mood: Calm, Vibrant, Structured or Wild?
Planting by Mood: Calm, Vibrant, Structured or Wild?
by Mouton Noir
Layer It On: How to Use Height and Texture for Gorgeous Garden Beds
Layer It On: How to Use Height and Texture for Gorgeous Garden Beds
by Mouton Noir
How to Create Drifts and Repetition Like Piet Oudolf
How to Create Drifts and Repetition Like Piet Oudolf
by Mouton Noir
How to Create a Four-Season Garden That Shines All Year
How to Create a Four-Season Garden That Shines All Year
by Mouton Noir

Plant Profiles View all

Geranium macrorrhizum: Fragrant, Tough Groundcover
Geranium macrorrhizum: Fragrant, Tough Groundcover
by Mouton Noir
Epimedium - Delicate Flowers, Tough Plant—The Woodland Wonder You’ll Fall For
Epimedium - Delicate Flowers, Tough Plant—The Woodland Wonder You’ll Fall For
by Mouton Noir
Brunnera: The Quiet Star of Spring Shade Gardens
Brunnera: The Quiet Star of Spring Shade Gardens
by Mouton Noir
Pulmonaria – Spotted Leaves and Early Blooms That Steal the Spring Show
Pulmonaria – Spotted Leaves and Early Blooms That Steal the Spring Show
by Mouton Noir
Hellebores - The First Signs of Spring
Hellebores - The First Signs of Spring
by Mouton Noir

How-To & Maintenance View all

Pull, Smother, Repeat
Pull, Smother, Repeat
by Mouton Noir
Spring Clean-Up: When and How to Cut Back Ornamental Grasses
Spring Clean-Up: When and How to Cut Back Ornamental Grasses
by Mouton Noir
How to Divide Perennials in Early Spring (and Which Ones to Skip)
How to Divide Perennials in Early Spring (and Which Ones to Skip)
by Mouton Noir
Waking Up the Garden - Spring Cleanup Without Disturbing Wildlife
Waking Up the Garden - Spring Cleanup Without Disturbing Wildlife
by Mouton Noir

Themes & Mini-Guides View all

Potted & Powerful
Potted & Powerful
by Mouton Noir
Deer-Resistant Garden Planning: How to Keep Your Perennials (and Your Sanity)
Deer-Resistant Garden Planning: How to Keep Your Perennials (and Your Sanity)
by Mouton Noir
Native Plants for Shade: A Beginner’s Guide to Beautiful, Low-Light Gardens
Native Plants for Shade: A Beginner’s Guide to Beautiful, Low-Light Gardens
by Mouton Noir
Gardening for Pollinators - What to Plant First to Welcome the Buzz
Gardening for Pollinators - What to Plant First to Welcome the Buzz
by Mouton Noir

Cut Flower Friday View all

When to Harvest Flowers for the Longest Vase Life
When to Harvest Flowers for the Longest Vase Life
by Mouton Noir
Top Long-Stemmed Perennials for Early Season Cutting: Cut Flower Garden Favourites
Top Long-Stemmed Perennials for Early Season Cutting: Cut Flower Garden Favourites
by Mouton Noir
Why Foliage Matters – Perennials That Add Structure to Bouquets
Why Foliage Matters – Perennials That Add Structure to Bouquets
by Mouton Noir
Perennials That Pull Double Duty in Garden and Vase
Perennials That Pull Double Duty in Garden and Vase
by Mouton Noir

Mythbusting & FAQs View all

Plant in Threes? Why It Works—And When to Break the Rule
Plant in Threes? Why It Works—And When to Break the Rule
by Mouton Noir
Should I Fertilize My Perennials in Spring?
Should I Fertilize My Perennials in Spring?
by Mouton Noir
Mythbusting "Native Means Messy": How to Design Beautiful Gardens with Native Plants
Mythbusting "Native Means Messy": How to Design Beautiful Gardens with Native Plants
by Mouton Noir
Can I Start Planting Now? The Real Deal on Soil vs. Air Temperature
Can I Start Planting Now? The Real Deal on Soil vs. Air Temperature
by Mouton Noir

In the Garden Now View all

Late April Garden Tasks: Prune Back Winter Interest
Late April Garden Tasks: Prune Back Winter Interest
by Mouton Noir
Mid-April Tasks That Make May Magic
Mid-April Tasks That Make May Magic
by Mouton Noir
Frost Watch in the Garden - How to Protect Tender New Growth in Zone 5
Frost Watch in the Garden - How to Protect Tender New Growth in Zone 5
by Mouton Noir
What’s Emerging in Early April – Shoots, Surprises, and What to Watch For
What’s Emerging in Early April – Shoots, Surprises, and What to Watch For
by Mouton Noir