Welcome to the first edition of the Country Living Garden Club—a new newsletter filled with garden tours, expert advice, and seasonal planting ideas.
Hello, Fellow Gardeners!
You might be curious why I’m the one writing this, especially since I’m the Food and Crafts Director at Country Living. Well, before I made my way to New York City to attend cooking school, I studied environmental science and even worked on an organic farm in Maine. Gardening has been my passion ever since, and I’ve been writing more about the subject as of late.
In Birmingham, Alabama, where the Country Living offices are located, spring comes very early, and I’ve been prepping outside for about a month—pruning, working compost into the soil, cleaning tools. I know many of you are just starting to dig out after a wild winter in other parts of the country, but no matter where you are in your gardening journey this year, I’m thrilled to be here with you. Let’s enjoy this time together, get outside, and get our hands dirty!
—Charlyne Mattox
Food & Crafts Director
A Moment for: Pretty Potting Sheds
A potting shed is not just a work space—it’s where you sip your coffee, shuffle seed packets, and daydream about what will bloom next, which is why you want it to be as pretty as it is practical. I love the window-wrapped one here, which is in verdant Georgia, but we also have two more to share that are just as dreamy.
In the Dirt: Bunny Williams on Garden Design
I’ve been a fan of this Virginia-born tastemaker for a long time, and we recently caught up with her to talk about designing a good garden, her favorite plants for this time of year, and her must-have garden tool. Here’s just a little of what we learned, but you can find even more of our conversation here.
What do you think makes for a good garden?
A good garden has to have a basic design plan and then a really unusual combination of plant material. It’s very exciting when a garden can have both formality and informality at the same time.
What are your favorite plants or flowers?
Asking me to pick my favorite flower is like asking me to pick a favorite child. Some of my favorites are tuberoses, passionflowers, and dahlias.
READ MORE (AND TOUR HER POTTING SHED!)
Add to Cart: Garden Finds I’m Loving Right Now
I’m fully in the garden groove and realizing I could use a few upgrades this season. These three practical pieces will make the work easier, the garden prettier, and my dermatologist happy!
A Gardening Smock: I’m excited that this denim garden smock by Gardenheir (P.S.—the guys behind this brand made our inaugural Country Design 100 list!) will not only help keep the sun off, but it has pockets for stashing tools and weeds when I pluck them.
All-Weather Planter Boxes: I have officially run out of space in the ground thanks to all of my perennials and fruit trees, so I need planters—and these from our Country Living collection with Polywood fit the bill. I’m thinking of adding more kitchen herbs and another citrus tree... or maybe an over-the-top filler, spiller, and thriller planting (more on this formula in a later newsletter!).
Fine-Point Garden Snips: I have several pairs of heavy-duty pruners that I like, but these delicate snips will come in handy for clipping herbs and thin-stemmed flowers. They’re by the trusted brand Felco, so they’ll last for years if properly cared for.
Dig In: How to Prep Garden Pots for Spring
I’ve found that a little work at the beginning of the season will ensure your plants stay healthy longer. For example, cleaning your garden pots before reusing them can help prevent the spread of diseases and pests that can harm your plants. You basically just need a little white vinegar and a good scrubber.
P.S.—Don’t forget your tools! Here’s my foolproof way to get rid of rust.
New Blooms to Know
Because I write about gardening, I’m often the first to hear about new plant varieties. Most recently, I attended a webinar with Ball Horticultural, where they showcased their new plants for 2026. Here are three I’m excited about. Look for them at your local garden center.
Zinnia Elegant Hot Mix
I love a zinnia! Toss them out in the garden and enjoy blooms all season long! This new mix features warm, vibrant colors—think orange, bright pink, and deep red. Check out my tip to know when your zinnias are ready to be harvested.
Lantana Bloomify White
I’m looking forward to all the pollinators this new lantana will attract! Its long bloom time (spring through summer) and its ability to handle a hot Alabama summer make it especially appealing. Click here to learn about more plants that attract pollinators.
Sedum Spectacular
Also called stonecrop, sedums are easy-to-grow succulents that don’t require much beyond well-drained soil and sun. This new variety has pinky-mauve flowers and bright green foliage that I’m excited to nestle into my garden. Want to know about more low-maintenance plants? Check out this story.
In With the Old: Flower Frog Collection
These colorful ceramic frogs aren’t just for arranging blooms (though if you are, here’s my go-to formula for the perfect arrangement)—set one on your desk and use it as a pencil holder, or insert pieces of wire fashioned into picture holders to create a sweet photo stand. You can even stack a few into a tree shape for a playful display.
Garden to Glass: A Spring Collins Cocktail
No meeting of the Country Living Garden Club—this counts as a meeting, right?—is complete without a refreshing beverage. This delicious cocktail is loaded with fresh garden herbs, honeysuckle vodka, and a whole lotta fun. Cheers!
To make:
1. Combine 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup each fresh basil and mint, and 1 cup water in a small pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, cover, and steep for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer. Chill in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
2. Combine 1 1/2 oz. honeysuckle vodka, 3/4 oz. each fresh lemon juice and herb syrup, and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake until well chilled, 10 to 15 seconds. Strain into a Collins glass or mason jar. Top with ice and soda water. Garnish with a lemon wedge and mint and basil sprigs.
Until next time!
