PA Herb and Garden Festival

PA Herb and Garden Festival Annual Festival promoting and educating the public on growing and using herbs along with everything related to gardening.

Small yellow foxglove (Digitalis lutea) is a graceful perennial that was grown in the historic gardens of Monticello, wh...
06/10/2026

Small yellow foxglove (Digitalis lutea) is a graceful perennial that was grown in the historic gardens of Monticello, where it reflects the interest in ornamental plants cultivated during Thomas Jefferson’s era. Producing slender spikes of pale yellow, tubular flowers in late spring to early summer, it reaches 2–3 feet tall above evergreen, strap-like foliage. Hardy to USDA Zone 3 and tolerant of drought once established, it grows best in sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Although individual plants are short-lived, they readily self-sow, allowing them to return year after year and continue the centuries-old gardening tradition preserved at Monticello.

Hydrangeas are beautiful flowering shrubs known for their large clusters of blooms and lush green foliage. One of their ...
06/09/2026

Hydrangeas are beautiful flowering shrubs known for their large clusters of blooms and lush green foliage. One of their most remarkable features is that some varieties can change flower color—producing blue blooms in acidic soil and pink blooms in alkaline soil. Their long-lasting flowers attract pollinators, and many varieties provide interest from spring through fall. Native to Asia and the Americas, hydrangeas are prized for their beauty, versatility, and ability to thrive in gardens with consistent moisture.

Blue hydrangea — understanding, sincerity, apology, forgiveness
Pink hydrangea — love, romance, sincere feelings
White hydrangea — purity, grace, remembrance
Purple hydrangea — royalty, pride, deep admiration
Green hydrangea — renewal, health, prosperity

In older traditions, hydrangeas were also associated with vanity or boastfulness because of their large, showy flowers. Today, they’re more commonly seen as symbols of appreciation and emotional connection.

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) plant known for its spikes of tubular, bell-shaped blooms in shades of purple, pink, white...
06/09/2026

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) plant known for its spikes of tubular, bell-shaped blooms in shades of purple, pink, white, and yellow. Often grown in cottage gardens, foxgloves provide dramatic color and height while serving as an important nectar source for pollinators.

Pollinators, especially bumblebees, are attracted to foxgloves by their bright colors, abundant nectar, and distinctive spotted markings inside the flowers. These spots act as "nectar guides," directing insects toward the nectar deep within the bloom.

The tubular shape is perfectly sized for bees, which often crawl completely inside the flower. As they move from flower to flower, pollen sticks to their bodies and is carried to other blooms, helping the plant reproduce.

Shell Ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) is a tropical plant in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae, the same family as culinary gin...
05/31/2026

Shell Ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) is a tropical plant in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae, the same family as culinary ginger and turmeric. Native to East Asia, it is prized for its lush foliage, fragrant flowers, and easy-care nature.

Shell ginger grows best in USDA Hardiness Zones 8–12, thriving in warm, humid climates. In colder regions, it can be grown in containers and brought indoors during winter.

One of the most interesting facts about shell ginger is that its dangling flower buds resemble tiny pink-and-white seashells, giving the plant its common name. The flowers open to reveal creamy white blooms accented with yellow and red markings. The large arching leaves create a dramatic tropical effect, and variegated forms display beautiful green leaves striped with cream or yellow.

05/25/2026

I used to pull these without thinking twice 😅 Now I look a little closer first:
🌸 Violets are native wildflowers in many areas, not just “lawn weeds.”
🦋 They support fritillary butterflies, which use violet leaves as host plants.
🌿 They do well in shady spots where grass often struggles.
💧 Once settled, they usually don’t need much attention.
✂️ If they spread too much, I just thin them instead of wiping them out completely.
I don’t let them take over every bed, but I do think they deserve a little more credit.

05/24/2026

The honeybee gets the attention. These eight do most of the work.

Native bees pollinate earlier in spring, fly in cooler weather, and visit flowers honeybees skip entirely. Most of them nest in the ground or in hollow stems — not in hives. Most of them can't sting you. And most of them are in your yard right now without you knowing it.

The metallic green one on the coneflower is a sweat bee. The one cutting perfect circles from your rose leaves is a leafcutter. The large one hovering near the deck is a carpenter bee — and the males can't sting at all.

Natal plum is an easy-to-grow, spiny, evergreen, perennial shrub with dense, leathery, green leaves, fragrant, white flo...
05/21/2026

Natal plum is an easy-to-grow, spiny, evergreen, perennial shrub with dense, leathery, green leaves, fragrant, white flowers and showy, edible, red fruits. It is a member of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) native to tropical East Africa. It has naturalized in Florida, Texas, and parts of Asia.

Galphimia gracilis, commonly called Slender Goldshower or Gold Shower, is a tropical flowering shrub valued for its deli...
05/18/2026

Galphimia gracilis, commonly called Slender Goldshower or Gold Shower, is a tropical flowering shrub valued for its delicate green foliage and clusters of bright yellow flowers that bloom over a long season. Native to Mexico and Central America, it attracts butterflies and pollinators while adding vibrant color to landscapes and gardens. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and grows best in USDA Hardiness Zones 9–11, where it can bloom nearly year-round in warm climates.

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York Expo Center Memorial Hall
York, PA
17404

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+17174332776

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