
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 pastime, 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, following a long career as an attorney and legal writer. 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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I Asked Bird Experts Why My Feeders Went Quiet and Learned Birds Change Spots Each Season – Here's How I Keep Up
Have all the birds disappeared from your feeders? I asked bird experts why and learned the surprising answer. Plus, how to bring birds back.
By Teo Spengler
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People Say This Shrub Is Boring, But As An Evergreen Expert Here’s Why I Think This Box of Delights is Such a Gift for Gardeners
Commonly known as Christmas box, sarcococca has a reputation for being dull – but this fragrant evergreen deserves a place in every yard as the gift that truly keeps on giving
By Teo Spengler
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Don’t Pull This Weed! This Flower is One of the Only Food Sources for Bees in Winter
Groundsel can be written off as a weed, but it is well worth a place in the thriving ecosystems of our backyards. Here’s why it matters to the future of your overwintering pollinators
By Teo Spengler
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How to Prune Raspberries: A Guide for Summer-Bearing and Everbearing Types
Pruning raspberries isn't just about avoiding thorns – it keeps the berries coming! We break down which cuts to make for summer, fall, or even double crops.
By Tyler Schuster
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This Easy Winter Weed-Killing Hack Stops Unwanted Plants Springing Back in the New Year
Winter weeds are never far away, but they are also some of the easiest to tackle. Make a few moments to try this easy winter weed killer for fewer problems in spring
By Teo Spengler
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Why Mulching Blueberries in Winter Guarantees Better Fruit – and How to Do It Right to Boost Your Blues
The one thing guaranteed to get your blueberry plants off to the best start next year is mulching blueberries in winter. Here’s how to give your blues the acidic boost they need
By Teo Spengler
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As a Tree Expert, I Know These 11 Trees Shine in Winter – From Textured Bark to Seasonal Blooms, They Brighten Even the Dreariest Landscape
The winter garden doesn't have to be dull! Grow one of these outstanding winter trees for a landscape that looks lovely during the dead of winter.
By Teo Spengler
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Are Your Pothos Leaves Turning Black? These Common Mistakes Could Be the Cause – Here's How to Fix It
Pothos leaves turning black is devasting. They are supposed to be easy-care plants, but sometimes catastrophe strikes. Learn how to save your beloved pothos.
By Teo Spengler
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9 Perfect Houseplants to Brighten Your Entryway and Welcome Guests – Discover Their Special Meanings, Too!
Add these houseplants to your entryway to bring new life and vibrant beauty to an overlooked area of the house.
By Teo Spengler
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Is Snow Really the “Poor Man’s Fertilizer”? Here’s What It Does for Your Garden
It turns out the folklore may have some truth to it! Learn about snow's role in keeping your garden happy and healthy.
By Teo Spengler
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I've Been Writing About Trees for 20 Years, These Are the 5 Native Species I Recommend Everyone Plant in Their Own Yard
After decades of reading, writing about, and planting hundreds of trees, these are the species I absolutely adore. Here's why they deserve a spot in your yard.
By Teo Spengler
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Proper Bougainvillea Care in Winter Is the Key to Stunning Blooms Next Summer – Here's How to Do It Right
Keep these stunning tropical vines blooming year after year, no matter where you live! Just follow this simple guide to bougainvillea care in winter.
By Teo Spengler
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8 Vegetables You Can Plant in December – No Greenhouse Required
Beat the winter gardening blues by planting vegetables in December! If the soil's not frozen, you can enjoy root crops and leafy greens all season long.
By Teo Spengler
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How to Create Winter-Proof Window Boxes That Shine All Season Long – Zero Maintenance Required!
These window box ideas are bursting with winter beauty – and there's so easy to copy! Here's how to create your own boxes that will add sparkle all winter long.
By Teo Spengler
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I Thought Plants Didn’t Need Winter Watering, But It Turns Out These 3 Types Actually Do – Now They’ve Never Looked Better
Think your plants don't need water in winter? Think again! Here are the three types of plants that need year-round irrigation to thrive.
By Teo Spengler
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Want the Prettiest Holiday Pots on the Block? This Pro Trick for Gorgeous Christmas Planters Needs Just 3 Easy Elements
Forget throwing random greens into a pot this holiday season. The thriller filler spiller method is the foolproof recipe you need! Discover which common holiday elements play the starring roles for sophisticated Christmas planters
By Teo Spengler
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Hide an Ugly Fence & Add Privacy With These 7 Stunning Trees That Are Perfect for Fence Lines
Beautify your borders with these trees for fence lines! These expert picks add privacy and quickly hide an unattractive fence you'd prefer not to see.
By Teo Spengler
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It’s Cold Outside, but These 4 Plants Still Need Pruning in December – Plus the Ones You Should Leave Until Spring
Some plants benefit from a winter trim – others can be ruined by it. Here are the four you should prune in December, plus the ones to avoid until spring.
By Teo Spengler

