Rita’s Garden Path

02/26/2026

🌎🌱 What USDA Hardiness Zone Are You In?

Did you know your garden’s success starts with knowing your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone?

This map breaks down the contiguous U.S. zones (3–10) and shows common plants that thrive in each region — from cold-hardy lilacs and hostas to tropical hibiscus and banana plants.

🌸 Zone 3–5: Built for winter strength
🌹 Zone 6–7: Perfect for classic roses and hydrangeas
🍊 Zone 8–9: Citrus and heat lovers shine
🌴 Zone 10+: Tropical paradise plants thrive

Knowing your zone helps you:
✔ Choose plants that survive winter
✔ Avoid costly planting mistakes
✔ Build a garden that flourishes year after year

Tell me your zone in the comments 👇 I’d love to know where you’re gardening from!

02/06/2026

If you grew up with a black walnut tree, you probably remember those green husks dropping every fall and staining everything in sight.

If you have one now, you know the harder part: tomatoes wilt, favorite flowers struggle, and it starts to feel like you forgot how to garden.

You didn’t.

Black walnut trees release a natural chemical called juglone, and many common garden plants can’t handle it.
The good news: your yard is not a lost cause. With the right plant choices, you can still build a beautiful, healthy garden around it.

We put together a practical guide that covers:

- what juglone does
- what grows well near black walnut
- how to harvest and use the nuts

Read it here: https://ritasgardenpath.com/blog/black-walnut/

Thinking about planting a black walnut tree? Learn how juglone affects nearby plants, what to grow under it, and how to manage nuts, cleanup, and long-term care.

02/04/2026

When alliums bloom, the garden feels taller and calmer all at once. Those violet spheres don’t shout, they steady the whole scene. They’re the kind of
plant that makes a space feel intentional, even if you’re just learning as you go.

If you’ve ever stood in your garden and wished it felt a little more timeless, this guide is for you. It covers when to plant, how to design with alliums,
and how to choose the right varieties for your USDA hardiness zone.

Read the guide here: https://ritasgardenpath.com/blog/allium-how-to-grow-design-and-care-for-this-architectural-garden-favorite/