
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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Hate Pruning? Plant These 8 Low-Maintenance Hedges for No-Fuss Borders That Look Great Year-Round
A beautiful hedge shouldn't take constant effort. Discover eight reliable shrub varieties that offer year-round appeal with minimal tending.
By Teo Spengler
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How to Care for Hydrangeas in Winter So They're Bursting With Beautiful Blooms Next Summer
How you care for hydrangeas in winter can determine whether your shrubs are bursting with blooms next summer or not. Here's how to protect them from the cold.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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Soil Not Deep Enough? These Shallow-Rooted Plants Can Thrive With Barely Any Dirt
Think you can't grow a garden because you barely have any soil? Think again! These shallow-rooted plants are perfect for landscapes that lack soil depth.
By Teo Spengler
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What Weeds Are Really Trying to Tell You About Your Soil – How These 11 Wild Garden Guests Can Help You Assess and Improve Your Yard
They might seem like a nuisance, but don't underestimate the importance of weeds as a soil indicator. Here’s what 11 common garden weeds can tell you about your soil – and what to do next
By Teo Spengler
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Sweet Autumn Clematis Care – How to Grow This Stunning Vine (Without Letting It Get Out of Control)
Sweet autumn clematis have many benefits, including its abundance of beautiful blooms. But it can become invasive. Here's how to grow it safely.
By Teo Spengler
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Boost Your Curb Appeal By Planting These 5 Trees Along Your Driveway – They're Pretty in Every Season
Give your guests a warm welcome with these 5 trees that stay beautiful all year long.
By Teo Spengler
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Your Birth Month Has a Fruit Tree! Find Yours & Plant It This Fall for a Sweet Harvest
What delicious fruit does your birth month have in store for you? Find out what your fruit tree is and get growing!
By Teo Spengler
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Building a Fence? Here's What You Need to Discuss With Neighbors So You Don't Cross a Line
Do you need to talk to your neighbors about building a fence? It' s good to get neighborly buy-in before a fence installation. Learn how to navigate the topic.
By Teo Spengler
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Hydrangea Meaning: The Fascinating Symbolism Behind One of the World's Most Popular Flowers
Explore the rich symbolism of hydrangeas, from their Greek name ("water vessel") to their conflicting meanings in Japan and Europe.
By Teo Spengler
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So You're Trying to Grow Organic, But Your Neighbors Use Chemicals – Here’s How to Keep Your Garden Green & Avoid Drama
You grow a pristine organic garden, but your neighbor sprays every weed with chemicals. Here's the right way to talk to them, plus tips to protect your plants.
By Teo Spengler
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Want to Grow More Trees and Shrubs for Free? Collect These 7 Seeds Now to Plant in Spring
Grow more of your favorite trees and shrubs for free by collecting seeds now to sow next spring. Here are the 7 best species to collect.
By Teo Spengler
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8 Must-Have Japanese Maple Varieties for Gorgeous Foliage This Fall
If you want stunning fall foliage and year-round interest, these 8 types of Japanese maples are sure to make your garden shine.
By Teo Spengler
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5 Best Ways To Get Rid Of Leaves Without A Rake – Quickest & Easiest Leaf Clean Up Methods To Try This Fall
Don't hurt your back raking leaves this year. Try a tree expert's favorite leaf clean up methods and hang up the rake for good.
By Teo Spengler
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I’m a Tree Expert – Here Are 7 Landscaping Rules I Always Follow Around Trees (and the Mistakes I Avoid)
Work with your trees, not against them. Follow these 7 simple dos and don'ts to craft a landscape that keeps you both happy.
By Teo Spengler
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Add Some Fall Sparkle to Dull Corners: 5 Shade-Loving Shrubs and Trees for Sizzling Autumnal Foliage
Shade-dwelling trees and shrubs may sound unassuming, but they are more than capable of putting on a show in autumn. You’ll love these vibrant shade shrubs with fall interest
By Teo Spengler
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Neighbor’s Weeds Taking Over Your Garden? A Lawyer Shares Expert Tips on How to Talk to Neighbors & What You Can (and Can't) Do
We all want to get along with our neighbors, but what if their weeds are creeping into your pristine beds? Here's how to handle a potentially prickly situation.
By Teo Spengler
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7 Deer-Resistant Spring Bulbs That Keep Your Garden Safe from Grazing
These bulbs stand the best chance against hungry winter deer. Plant them this fall for a beautiful spring.
By Teo Spengler
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Should You Leave the Leaves This Fall? Why Leaf Litter Could Actually Help Your Yard (And When to Bag It Up)
Before you grab your rake for the big fall cleanup, read this: you might find it’s better for your garden to leave the leaves. Here’s how to get leaf litter working for you
By Teo Spengler

