
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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9 Orchid Leaf Problems To Watch Out For: Diagnose & Cure Common Issues
If the leaves on your orchid aren't looking as lush and green as usual, this can indicate a problem with the plant. Spot and solve issues before it's too late.
By Teo Spengler
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12 Compost Bin Ideas: Perfect Solutions For Every Space & Budget
You don't need much to start making your own garden gold – discover easy, affordable bin options as well as solutions to take home composting to the next level.
By Teo Spengler
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I'm a Professional Gardening Writer and Have Planted My Own Forest – These 5 Big Trees Are My Absolute Favorites
There is nothing that can put the world in perspective quite like standing under an enormous old tree. Here are my favorite big trees that you can plant too.
By Teo Spengler
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People Hate This Toxic Weed, But I Secretly Love It – Discover The Unexpected Benefits Of The Beautiful Pokeweed Plant
Sure it's poisonous and invasive, but to me, pokeweed is the perfect plant for a wildlife garden. Here's why I love this noxious weed no matter what people say.
By Teo Spengler
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How To Get Rid Of Boxelder Bugs Naturally – Safe Ways To Make Nuisance Bugs Buzz Off!
Boxelder bugs can be a major nuisance around your house, but how do you get rid of them naturally? Learn tips and tricks to take care of these pesky bugs.
By Teo Spengler
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Hydrangea Arborescens Is The Elegant Native Shrub That Deserves A Spot In Every Garden – How To Grow This Summer Stunner
Hydrangea arborescens, a native variety with snowball-like blooms, makes a wonderful addition to any garden. Learn how to grow this shrub in your landscape.
By Susan Albert
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Growing Blueberries In Pots – Container-Based Blues For Yummy Summer Fruits
Everyone should be making room in their garden for a superfruit, but if you’re short on space, worry not. You’ll find that growing blueberries in pots is just as rewarding and well within your reach
By Teo Spengler
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10 Deer-Resistant Pollinator Plants To Create A Harmonious Wildlife Paradise
Deer grazing getting you down? Try these deer-resistant pollinator plants to help improve your garden without it being decimated by deer!
By Teo Spengler
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Beware! These 5 New Types Of Pests Could Plague Your Garden This Summer
Just when you thought you had seen the scariest garden pests, along come five new troublemakers. Swot up on these new types of pests so you know what to expect
By Teo Spengler
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Grow Seeds For Garden Birdies: 7 Bird Seed Plants For A Garden You & The Birds Will Love
Cheap birdseeds are messy and may be filled with seeds that birds won’t eat. All too often, budget birdseeds contain noxious weed seeds that may take over your garden. Who needs that?The solution? Grow you own birdseed! This article will help get you started.
By Teo Spengler
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Grow Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea Shrubs: Try Vanille Fraise Hydrangeas For Sweet Blooms Every Summer
For a dreamy shrub that brings soft color variations and long lasting visual interest, grow a Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea. Here’s how to care for Vanille Fraise shrubs
By Teo Spengler
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Common Nevada & California Backyard Birds Western Gardeners Should Know
Birdwatching in your own yard can be fun and rewarding. Check out these common Nevada and California backyard birds and have your binoculars at the ready!
By Teo Spengler
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How And When To Transplant Hydrangeas So They Survive & Thrive In A New Location
If transplanting hydrangeas is on your to-do list, you're in luck! Our garden experts will walk your through step-by-step how to move hydrangeas to a new home.
By Teo Spengler
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How To Grow A Shirley Temple Peony – For A Touch Of Sweetness In Your Spring Garden
'Shirley Temple' peonies add delicate refinement to any yard. Their beautiful double blooms and gradually changing color are sure to charm.
By Teo Spengler
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Grow These Eye-Popping Purple Hydrangea Varieties For A Lively On-Trend Tonal Treat
From subtle indigo to rich violets, a purple hydrangea captures the imagination and adds elegance and verve to borders. Here are some of the finest purple bloomers
By Teo Spengler
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Strawberry Plant Not Producing Fruit? Here’s 6 Reasons Why – Plus, How To Boost Your Berries
A strawberry plant not producing fruit is understandably frustrating. If you’re puzzled by the lack of strawberries on your plants, it’s time to take action with this checklist
By Teo Spengler
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How To Propagate Lilacs For More Of Your Favorite Fragrant Shrubs: Easiest & Most Effective Methods
Love lilacs and want to grow more in your garden? Learn how to propagate lilacs and fill your garden with these sweet-smelling spring beauties for free.
By Teo Spengler
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Best Blue Hydrangeas: Stunning Blue Hydrangea Varieties For A Sapphire-Studded Garden
Whether you’re a mophead or a lacecap lover, blue hydrangea varieties present breathtaking profusions of cool, lush floral displays. Here are 5 of the best to try
By Teo Spengler