
Teo Spengler
Raised in Alaska, where the sun never rises in the winter and the trees are stunted by permafrost, Teo Spengler fell in love with plants when she moved to California for college. Gardening became more of a passion than a passtime, as she studied horticulture and took master gardening courses. Spengler completed an intensive sixteen-week program to qualify as a docent at the San Francisco Botanical Garden and has given public tours there for some years. (She has also earned a BA in politics, an MA in English, an MFA in creative writing, and a JD from Berkeley Law School). She has written about nature, trees, plants, and gardening for 20 years for a variety of websites including Gardening Know How, Hunker, Home Guides, San Francisco Chronicle and Gardening Guides as well as publishing two novels. Spengler currently splits her life between San Francisco and the French Basque Country where she has practiced her skills in both personal and public gardens for the past two decades. Her extended family includes some 30 houseplants and hundreds of outdoor plants, including 250 trees - mostly oaks, birches and beeches - that she planted on her land in France.
Latest articles by Teo Spengler
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Grow These 6 Fragrant Native Plants for Low Maintenance, Pollinator Friendly Flowers and Shrubs to Fill Your Garden with Scent
Support your local ecosystem and simplify your growing with these 6 fragrant native plants – ideal for a thriving pollinator friendly garden that is filled with aromatic bliss
By Teo Spengler
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Thinking of Adding a Fire Pit to Your Yard? What You Need to Know First for a Safe & Beautiful Fire Feature
Before buying that fire pit you've been eyeing, consider these 5 important factors first for a safe and beautiful backyard fire feature.
By Teo Spengler
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Love the Look of Roses, But Not the Hassle of Growing Them? Plant One of These 5 Flowers That Look Like Roses Instead
Great looks and simple care! Plant these unique and gorgeous flowers that look like roses, but are so much easier to maintain.
By Teo Spengler
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Avoid These 5 Invasive Ground Covers at All Costs! Plant a Stunning Native Variety Instead
If you grow one of these invasive ground covers, it's time to replace them with a native variety. Find out which plants you need to swap now.
By Teo Spengler
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Does Cat Hair Deter Rabbits? Your Kitty May Be the Key to a Better Garden
Rabbits can quickly ruin your flower or vegetable garden. Could cat hair be the trick to deterring the fluffy-tailed menaces?
By Teo Spengler
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Hummingbirds Adore These 7 Native Plants and so Will You – Grow These Low-Maintenance Flowers to Keep Hummers Happy
For hummingbird-friendly plants and flowers that are easy to establish and maintain, you need to go native. Here are the best native plants for hummingbirds
By Teo Spengler
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How Big Does a Hydrangea Get? 9 Lovely Large & Small Varieties That Will Fit Perfectly Into Any Landscape
Thinking of planting a new shrub, but wondering how big that hydrangea will get? Here's what you need to know, plus some of the best big and small varieties.
By Teo Spengler
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Go Gaga for Pawpaws at These 5 Pawpaw Festivals This Fall – Find Out When & Where You Can Feast on This Unique Native Fruit
Add these pawpaw festivals to your fall itinerary for a truly unique and delicious trip! Find out where and when you can try tasty pawpaw dishes and activities.
By Teo Spengler
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Late Summer is Tough on Birds – These 6 Vital Feeding Tips Will Help Them Make it Through Hard Times Ahead
Give garden birds a helping hand with these essential tips to ensure they can feed and drink in safety.
By Teo Spengler
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I've Grown Hundreds of Shrubs in the USA and Europe – These 5 Flowering Stunners Are My Non-Negotiables
Expert gardener Teo Spengler has experience in growing shrubs in different climates and landscapes, but there are some varieties she always comes back to.
By Teo Spengler
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How & When To Harvest Sweet Peas for Seeds – Save Seeds Now To Grow More Fabulous, Fragrant Blooms for Free Next Year
Sweet peas are an annual garden staple. When you find a variety you love, why not save the seeds to grow more for free next year? Here's how and when to do it.
By Teo Spengler
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How To Grow Fire Light Hydrangea For A Beautiful Blaze Of Color From Summer Into Fall
The gorgeous 'Fire Light' panicle hydrangea will add bold color to your garden from late summer and into autumn. Learn how to grow this beauty in your garden.
By Teo Spengler
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6 Types of Hydrangeas Every Good Gardener Should Know – And Grow for a Garden Full of Gorgeous Blooms From Spring to Fall
There are so many different hydrangeas, it can be a bit overwhelming. I've made it easy for you. Here are the 6 most common types of hydrangeas you should know.
By Teo Spengler
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Don’t Toss That Dryer Lint In The Trash! Here Are 6 Surprising (But Handy) Ways To Use Lint In The Garden
Think that dryer lint isn't good for anything? Think again! Here are 6 surprisingly handy ways to use lint in the garden.
By Teo Spengler
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How To Build a Wildlife Pond in Your Backyard to Attract & Support Your Local Wildlife
Creating a wildlife pond in your yard is a great way to help your local native species and also add a gorgeous water feature to your landscape.
By Teo Spengler
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4 Best Types Of Full Shade Grass That Thrive In Even The Darkest Corners – Plus, Tips For A Stunning Shady Lawn
It's possible to grow a stunning lawn even in the darkest corners of your yard. Just choose one of these full shade grass species and follow a few simple tips.
By Teo Spengler
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“I Created A Forest For Free” – A Gardening Writer Shares How She Planted 250 Trees Without Buying A Single One
Have you ever wanted your own forest or even just a few new trees? Learn how one of our writers planted an entire forest for free and how you can do the same.
By Teo Spengler
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Lawn Looking Fried? These 7 August Lawn Care Tasks Are Absolute Musts to Keep Grass Green for the Rest of Summer
Keep your lawn looking lush for the rest of summer and into fall by following these basic August lawn care tips. Find out what you need to do now.
By Teo Spengler