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Tag Archive for: roses

VIDEO: Edible Landscaping 🫑 🍓🌿 | Flock Finger Lakes

September 29, 2025/in Blog, Fruits & Vegetables, Summer Rayne Oakes

Summer Rayne Oakes @FlockFingerLakes takes us on a tour of her garden packed with edible plants. From fruit trees and berry bushes to roses and kale, Summer shows how beauty and function can grow side by side. Along the way, she nourishes her plants with Espoma Organic products to build strong roots, vibrant blooms, and thriving harvests.

Espoma Products Summer Uses in Her Edible Landscape:

Summer Rayne with Bio-tone Starter Plus

  • Bio-tone Starter Plus
    Summer uses Bio-tone Starter Plus when planting apple trees and preparing new beds. With mycorrhizae and beneficial microbes, it jumpstarts root growth and helps plants establish quickly—like “planting insurance” for long-term success.

Summer Rayne with Raised Bed Mix

  • Espoma Organic Potting Soils 
    To build the foundation of her new garden beds, Summer used a mix of Espoma Organic Soils, including Raised Bed Mix, Potting Mix, Land & Sea Compost, and others. These mixes improve soil structure, boost microbial life, and provide the organic matter plants need for healthy growth.

Espoma Organic Rose-tone in a garden

  • Rose-tone
    For her roses, Summer sprinkles Espoma Organic Rose-tone around the root zone. With its 4-3-2 blend, it encourages lush foliage and beautiful blooms while being safe for the soil and pollinators.

Espoma Organic Soil Acidifier

  • Soil Acidifier
    Blueberries thrive in acidic soil, and Summer keeps them happy with Espoma Organic Soil Acidifier. Made from elemental sulfur and gypsum, it naturally lowers pH to match the needs of acid-loving plants.

Espoma Organic Tomato! liquid fertilizer

  • Tomato! Liquid Fertilizer
    Summer gives her tomato plants a boost with Espoma Organic Tomato! This easy-to-use liquid concentrate provides balanced nutrition and added calcium to prevent blossom end rot, ensuring plump, juicy fruits all season long.

Bringing It All Together

Summer’s edible landscape is proof that food gardens can be as beautiful as they are bountiful—with the right soil, thoughtful plant choices, and natural care. Ready to start your own edible landscape? Explore Espoma Organic products and discover how to feed your garden naturally. 🌱

*****

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus Bag Image Espoma Organic Rose-tone bag Espoma Organic Soil Acidifier BagEspoma Organic Potting soil Mix Big bag Espoma Raised Bed Mix bag Espoma Organic Land and Sea Espoma Organic Tomato! Liquid Plant Food Image

 

 

Where to Buy

https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Edible-Landscaping-in-Small-Backyard-frame-000003.jpg 1080 1920 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2025-09-29 12:49:082025-09-29 12:49:08VIDEO: Edible Landscaping 🫑 🍓🌿 | Flock Finger Lakes

VIDEO: Planting Beautiful Rugosa Roses! 🌹🌿 with Garden Answer

September 19, 2025/in Blog

From planning to petals, follow along as Laura from Garden Answer plants ten Rugosa roses in three beautiful varieties: the classic single pink Rosa rugosa, the crisp white Rosa rugosa ‘Alba’, and the fluffier double white ‘Blanc Double de Coubert.’ These own-root roses (no grafts here!) were chosen for their strength, fragrance, and show-stopping hips that carry color from summer into winter.

Laura’s #1 Planting Tip:

Always plant with a high-quality organic starter fertilizer like Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus!

When Laura plants, she reaches for Espoma Organic Bio-tone® Starter Plus. It’s her go-to because it:

  • Builds stronger roots fast. Bio-tone is packed with beneficial microbes and mycorrhizae that help new plantings establish quickly.
  • Reduces transplant stress. Healthier roots mean better water and nutrient uptake—so plants settle in and start growing.
  • Feeds gently and naturally. An organic, starter-grade fertilizer that supports early growth without pushy top growth.
  • Works for everything you plant. Ideal for shrubs, perennials, trees, veggies, and roses of all kinds. If it’s going in the ground, mix in Bio-tone.

How Laura uses it: At planting time, she mixes Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus into the backfill soil and sets each rose at its current soil level (since these are own-root roses). Then she waters in well to activate the microbes and help eliminate air pockets.

Planting Pro Tip: Always backfill, then water deeply to settle soil around roots. Consistent moisture after planting helps Bio-tone’s microbes go to work.

Rugosa Roses: Tough, textural, and full of seasonal interest

Laura is planting Rugosas for their resilience and beauty:

  • Cold-hardy and adaptable. Depending on variety, Rugosas can thrive from roughly Zones 2–10, making them a great choice for many climates.
  • Size & presence. Expect a medium to tall shrub—often 5–7+ feet at maturity—so give them room to show off.
  • Sun & low maintenance. They love full sun and don’t need deadheading. Occasional shaping and removal of dead wood keeps them tidy.
  • Iconic hips. Big, colorful hips provide long-lasting interest—and look gorgeous against evergreens and conifers, just like Laura’s pairings.
  • Own-root reliability. Because these roses are grown on their own roots, if they die back and regrow, they’ll still return true to variety.

No matter what you’re planting, success starts below the soil line. Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus sets roots up to thrive—from shrubs like Rugosas to perennials, edibles, and young trees—so your garden establishes faster, stays healthier, and looks better, sooner.

Let’s get growing—with roots first. 🌱

Learn more about Garden Answer here:

🪴 YouTube

🪴 Website

🪴 Facebook

🪴 Instagram

Featured Products: 

Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus Bag Image

 

Where to Buy

https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Espoma_0925_10Roses_Thumbnail-copy.jpg 720 1280 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2025-09-19 13:56:342025-09-19 14:00:45VIDEO: Planting Beautiful Rugosa Roses! 🌹🌿 with Garden Answer

VIDEO: How to Fertilize Roses 🌹 with Skye Hamilton

July 8, 2025/in Blog, Espoma Videos, Flowers, Skye Hamilton

Skye Hamilton @hamiltonhousedesigns shares her secret to achieving multiple flushes of gorgeous rose blooms—feeding them with Espoma Organic Rose-tone! In this video, Skye walks us through her process, showing exactly how to apply Rose-tone to keep roses healthy, vibrant, and blooming repeatedly throughout the season.

 Skye’s top tips for feeding roses:

1) Fertilize & Prune Regularly: Consistent pruning and fertilization encourage repeat blooming and healthier plants.

2) Monthly Feeding: For the most spectacular blooms, feed your roses at least once every month during the growing season.

3) Choose a Quality Fertilizer: Skye recommends Espoma Organic Rose-tone, specially formulated for roses. Rose-tone is a granular, slow-release organic fertilizer enriched with humates and beneficial microbes, providing a rich blend of natural and organic ingredients that promote bigger, more beautiful blooms.

4) Apply Around the Dripline: Skye emphasizes applying fertilizer around the dripline of the plant. The dripline is the area directly beneath the outer circumference of the plant’s branches, where rain naturally drips off the leaves. This is the most effective spot for feeding, as the feeder roots, which absorb nutrients, are concentrated in this location.

5) Water Thoroughly: After applying Rose-tone, water it in thoroughly to ensure nutrients penetrate deep into the soil and reach the roots.

Ready to give your roses the royal treatment? Try Espoma Organic Rose-tone for roses that flourish all season long!

*****

Learn More about Skye Hamilton:

🌹Website

🌹 Instagram

🌹 Facebook

🌹 YouTube

🌹 Pinterest

🌹 TikTok

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Rose-tone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to Buy

 

 

 

https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/SKYE_Rose-tone_Edited.jpg 1920 1080 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2025-07-08 12:59:202025-07-08 12:59:20VIDEO: How to Fertilize Roses 🌹 with Skye Hamilton

VIDEO: Planting ‘Evelyn’ Roses 🌹 with Garden Answer

June 5, 2025/in Blog, Espoma Videos, Flowers, Garden Answer

Laura from Garden Answer teams up with her mom to spruce up her parents’ garden by planting David Austin Evelyn Roses. Laura amends her soil with her favorite organic starter fertilizer, Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus, and Espoma Organic Land & Sea Compost.

Laura also spends some time weeding and repotting plants into the garden beds. The hearty soil combo of Bio-tone Starter Plus and Land & Sea Compost will help ensure all the roots stay strong and healthy blooms are forthcoming.

Learn more about Garden Answer here:

https://www.youtube.com/@gardenanswer/featured

https://www.gardenanswer.com/

https://www.facebook.com/gardenanswer

https://www.instagram.com/gardenanswer/

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus Bag Image Espoma Organic Land and Sea gourmet compost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to Buy

 

 

https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/05.04.25-Planting-‘Evelyn-Roses-in-My-Parents-Garden-copy.jpg 1080 1920 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2025-06-05 11:53:162025-06-05 11:53:16VIDEO: Planting ‘Evelyn’ Roses 🌹 with Garden Answer

VIDEO: How to Care for Roses 🌹 & Hydrangeas 🌸 with Garden Answer

May 2, 2025/in Blog, Espoma Videos, Garden Answer

Laura from Garden Answer Preps Her Garden for Blooming Success!

Spring is in full bloom, and Laura from Garden Answer is busy giving her garden the nutrients it needs to thrive! In her latest video, Laura shares essential care tips for roses and hydrangeas, starting with careful pruning to encourage healthy new growth. After pruning, she feeds these beautiful flowering shrubs with Espoma Organic Rose-tone, a gentle yet effective slow-release fertilizer specially formulated to deliver vibrant blooms without the risk of burning plants—something common with synthetic fertilizers.

While Rose-tone is primarily designed for roses and other flowering plants, it’s safe for use on hydrangeas as well. However, for optimal results, especially if you’re aiming for blue blooms, Espoma Organic Holly-tone is typically recommended. Holly-tone is formulated for acid-loving plants and contains elemental sulfur, which helps lower soil pH—a key factor in achieving those sought-after blue hydrangea flowers . That said, using Rose-tone won’t harm your hydrangeas and can still provide beneficial nutrients.

Meanwhile, her husband Aaron works to ensure the rest of the garden plants get some love too, applying Espoma Organic Plant-tone to arborvitae and boxwoods. Plant-tone is enriched with beneficial microbes and humates, promoting robust growth and enhancing overall plant vitality.

Watch Laura’s full video for detailed tips on how to care for your garden and learn why Espoma Organic fertilizers are her go-to choice for healthy, flourishing plants!

For more hydrangea care tips, check out our complete guide to growing hydrangeas!

*****

Learn more about Garden Answer here:

https://www.youtube.com/@gardenanswer/featured

https://www.gardenanswer.com/

https://www.facebook.com/gardenanswer

https://www.instagram.com/gardenanswer/

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Rose-tone

Espoma Organic Holly-tone Organic Fertilizer for all acid loving plantsEspoma Organic Plant-tone organic fertilizer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to Buy

https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/How-to-Care-for-Hydrangeas-Roses_Thumbnail_WP.jpg 338 600 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2025-05-02 15:42:052025-05-02 16:36:28VIDEO: How to Care for Roses 🌹 & Hydrangeas 🌸 with Garden Answer

Meet The Hydrangea Queen: Skye Hamilton

April 17, 2025/in Blog, Skye Hamilton

🌸 Meet Skye Hamilton: The Hydrangea Queen with a Designer’s Eye and a Gardener’s Heart

It’s no secret that Holly-tone has been one of our most beloved products for generations. Introduced in the 1940s, it was the first fertilizer created specifically for acid-loving plants—and it’s been a go-to for gardeners ever since, helping hydrangeas, azaleas, rhododendrons, and evergreens thrive. With hydrangeas continuing to be one of the most sought-after blooms in gardens everywhere, it feels only natural that the Hydrangea Queen herself, Skye Hamilton, not only uses Holly-tone but proudly recommends it. We find ourselves inspired by Skye’s passion, authenticity, and eye for beauty in the garden and are thrilled that we can share more about her with you.

Skye Hamilton with Espoma Holly-tone

Before being known as the Hydrangea Queen, Skye spent 18 years as a professional interior designer. Her belief? That your outdoor spaces should be just as beautiful and personal as your indoor ones. “I’ve always loved the idea of a storybook life,” she shares. “So many of my favorite books revolve around beautiful homes and gardens—and I wanted to create that in real life. That love of beauty and intention shows up everywhere in Skye’s world. Whether she’s hosting a backyard BBQ or a birthday party, she’s curating an atmosphere that’s warm, inviting, and totally magical. “Tending to my yard and garden is not only self-care—it’s how I care for others.”

How She Became the “Hydrangea Queen”

Skye’s love for hydrangeas began with a vision. While renovating her old farmhouse in the Pacific Northwest, she knew it needed a hydrangea hedge. “I didn’t know the first thing about them, but I made it my mission to learn,” she says. Then, during the pandemic, she joined several Facebook gardening groups and found that she enjoyed answering questions and sharing her newfound knowledge and experience with others. Then came the Instagram reel that changed everything. Skye posted a reel about hydrangeas to her design account—just for fun—and it took off. “It was so much more fun talking plants than working with clients and contractors. It just felt like a no-brainer to shift to gardening content creation.” And if you’re wondering about her brand name, Hamilton House Design, that’s a holdover from her design business. “I just never changed it,” she laughs.

Skye Hamilton with hydrangeas

Her Garden Favorites & Best Advice

While hydrangeas are front and center in her garden, when asked if they’re her favorite plant, she admits they are tied for first place. “I love hydrangeas so much, but roses are right up there too,” she admits. We asked her to share the most common misconception about hydrangeas. “Hydrangeas aren’t one-size-fits-all. There are six main types, each with different growing needs. When people say they can’t grow hydrangeas, I always ask which kind they tried. There’s a variety for almost every climate—you just need to find the right one for your garden.” Skye’s approach to gardening is refreshingly honest. Some of the best advice she’s ever received: If you aren’t killing plants, you probably aren’t doing it right. “Gardening is often best learned through trial and error and moving things around.” And the tip she loves to share with others: “Know thyself.” She encourages new gardeners to be realistic about their time, energy, and interest. “If you love flowers but don’t have a lot of time, go with easier, low-maintenance varieties. You’ll thank me later.”

Skye Hamilton's hydrangeasSkye, Beyond the Garden

Skye describes herself as “kind of a weirdo”—in the most charming way. “Ask any of my family or friends,” she says with a laugh. “I don’t take myself too seriously. I love kitchen dance parties with my husband and kids. I love throwing elaborate dinner parties, but most days I’m in sweats or a bathrobe, drinking coffee in bed while binging Bravo.” Raised by a mom from Virginia and a dad from Idaho, Skye blends the classic charm of the East Coast with the laid-back vibes of the Pacific Northwest. Her life, like her garden, is full of beautiful contrasts.

Skye Hamilton interviewWhy Community Matters

Skye’s found something special in the gardening community. “In my day-to-day life, none of my friends or family garden,” she says. “So, finding this community online has been amazing. I’ve learned so much from other gardeners all over the world—and you’re never done learning. I’ve formed real friendships and found support in this community.” But while she loves the community, she’s also honest about what can be frustrating. “Sometimes there isn’t enough transparency. People only want to showcase the highlight reels with the perfect blooms, and not the dead plants or weeds. That can be really discouraging for beginners,” she explains. “A green thumb isn’t something you’re born with. It’s just hard work, education, and lots of trial and error.”

We love Skye’s goal of not only educating others but also shining a light on the real side of gardening—the trial and error, the messy moments, and the magic in between. Her honest, joyful approach is exactly what we believe gardening is all about, and we’re so excited to share more from Skye and her garden in the seasons ahead.

Skye Hamilton Garden

*****

Learn More about Skye Hamilton:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Pinterest

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus Bag Image Espoma Organic Flower-tone bag

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to Buy

https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/896F1363-4487-4C1B-9828-4C21E6709A4C.jpg 2304 1537 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2025-04-17 13:08:332025-04-17 13:13:14Meet The Hydrangea Queen: Skye Hamilton

VIDEO: Planting MUMS & BOXWOODS + Pruning TREE ROSES & More! with Garden Answer

August 15, 2024/in Blog, Garden Answer
Follow along as Laura from Garden Answer pots up heirloom mums, prunes tree roses, and plants boxwoods—all with a little help from Espoma Organic Potting Mix and Bio-tone Starter Plus. ?? For deeper roots and bigger blooms, Espoma Organic makes all the difference.
Learn more about Garden Answer here:

https://www.youtube.com/c/gardenanswer

https://www.gardenanswer.com/

https://www.facebook.com/gardenanswer

https://www.instagram.com/gardenanswer/

Featured Products:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to Buy

https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Thumbnail3-1.jpg 1080 1920 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2024-08-15 16:46:502024-08-15 16:47:05VIDEO: Planting MUMS & BOXWOODS + Pruning TREE ROSES & More! with Garden Answer

VIDEO: Planting Unusual Colored ROSES ? with Flock Finger Lakes

November 1, 2023/in Blog, Espoma Videos, Flowers, Fruits & Vegetables - None, Summer Rayne Oakes, Summer Rayne Oakes

Everyone knows the classic red rose, but how about mocha-colored roses, or even purple? Follow along with Summer from  Flock Finger Lakes as she uses a variety of Espoma Organic products, like Rose-tone, and Espoma Organic Land & sea Gourmet Compost to transform a once-weedy bed into a beautiful rose patch!

Learn more about Flock Finger Lakes here:

Website: flockfingerlakes.com

Instagram – @flockfingerlakes

YouTube –Flock Finger Lakes

Twitter – @flockny

Facebook –Flock Finger Lakes

 

Featured Products:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Planting-Roses-frame-000000.jpg 1080 1920 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2023-11-01 12:16:062023-11-01 12:16:06VIDEO: Planting Unusual Colored ROSES ? with Flock Finger Lakes

VIDEO: Planting Roses ? // Garden Answer

May 5, 2023/in Blog, Fruits & Vegetables - None

Are you adding roses to your garden this season? 

 Follow along with Laura @Garden Answer as she helps her mom beautify her garden by planting a variety of bare root roses. Laura demonstrates a clear approach to handling bare root roses, from hydrating the roots prior to planting, proper spacing and planting depth as well as the importance of using a good starter fertilizer to help mitigate transplant shock as well as provide the proper nutrients for the plant to mature successfully. Laura uses Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus to enrich the soil and create an ideal growing environment for all her new plantings. 

 

Learn more about Garden Answer here:

https://www.youtube.com/c/gardenanswer 

https://www.gardenanswer.com/

https://www.facebook.com/gardenanswer

https://www.instagram.com/gardenanswer/

 

Where to Buy

https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Planting-Roses-thmn.jpg 1080 1920 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2023-05-05 17:04:552023-06-28 16:06:50VIDEO: Planting Roses ? // Garden Answer

Video: Planting Roses with Garden Answer

June 25, 2021/in Blog, Flowers, Garden Answer

Laura from @Garden Answer plants some new roses in her backyard with the help of some Espoma products! Follow along and learn some tips to ensure your roses are in tip-top shape!

 

Featured Products:

 

 

Where to Buy
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screen-Shot-2021-06-25-at-3.01.46-PM.png 1034 1950 Danielle Kirschner https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Danielle Kirschner2021-06-25 15:04:472021-06-25 15:04:47Video: Planting Roses with Garden Answer
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  • VIDEO: Edible Landscaping 🫑 🍓🌿 | Flock Finger Lakes
  • VIDEO: Planting Hydrangeas 🌸 with Wyse Guide
  • VIDEO: Planting Beautiful Rugosa Roses! 🌹🌿 with Garden Answer
  • VIDEO: Planting in BIG Reused Planters 🪴🌿 with Summer Rayne Oakes
  • VIDEO: Planting Hydrangeas and Yews 🌸🌲 with Wyse Guide

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