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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How Close Can You Plant A Tree To A Stump?
Looking to plant new trees near old stumps or where stumps have been removed? Click here to learn how.
By Teo Spengler
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Maypop Vine Care – Learn How To Grow Maypops In The Garden
If you are thinking of growing maypop passion vines in your backyard, you’ll want a little more information about these plants. Click on the following article for tips on how to grow maypops and information on maypop vine care.
By Teo Spengler
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Laurustinus Plant Information: Tips On Growing Laurustinus Shrubs
Laurustinus viburnum is a small evergreen hedge plant, native to the areas around the Mediterranean. It's definitely a shrub to consider planting if you live in USDA zone 8 or warmer. Click here for more laurustinus plant information.
By Teo Spengler
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Bartlett Pear Information – How To Care For Bartlett Pear Tree
Growing Bartlett pears in your home orchard will give you a continual supply of this delicious fruit. For Bartlett pear information plus tips on how to care for a Bartlett pear tree, the following article will help. Click here to learn more.
By Teo Spengler
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What Is Walking Stick Cabbage: How To Grow Walking Stick Cabbage
Walking stick cabbage plants produce cabbage-type leaves atop a long, sturdy stem. The stem can be dried, varnished, and used as a walking stick. It is among the more unusual garden veggies. Click this article for information about walking stick cabbage.
By Teo Spengler
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How To Get Rid Of Tree Sprouts In The Yard From Nearby Trees
Learn the simple way to keep pesky tree seedlings in your lawn from becoming saplings.
By Teo Spengler
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Japanese Tree Lilac Problems – Treating Problems In Ivory Silk Lilac Trees
Generally, the problems with Japanese tree lilacs are few and far between, but you?ll want to know about treating problems in Ivory Silk lilac should they arise. The following article can help with that. Click here for more information.
By Teo Spengler
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Germinating Elderberry Seeds – Elderberry Seed Growing Tips
If you are cultivating elderberries for commercial or personal harvest, growing elderberry from seed may not be the most efficient way to go, however, it is possible. Click here to learn more.
By Teo Spengler
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Japanese Pussy Willow Information – How To Grow A Japanese Pussy Willow
Everyone's heard of pussy willows, but what is a Japanese pussy willow? It's the showiest pussy willow shrub of all. If you are interested in growing Japanese pussy willows, then this article will help with tips on how to grow a Japanese pussy willow and more.
By Teo Spengler
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Southern Magnolia Facts – Tips On Planting A Southern Magnolia Tree
If you are thinking of planting a southern magnolia tree, you'll want to read up on the trees and their cultural requirements. For all the information you need about southern magnolia care, click on the following article to learn more.
By Teo Spengler
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Desert Willow Tree Facts: Caring For And Planting Desert Willow Trees
The long, slender leaves of desert willow make you think of willow, but once you learn some desert willow tree facts, you?ll see that it is not in the willow family at all. Click on this article to learn more about these interesting plants.
By Teo Spengler
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Golden Raintree Information: Tips For Golden Raintree Care
The golden raintree produces tiny canary-yellow flowers in showy panicles that can get 12 inches (30 cm.) long. If you are interested in learning how to grow a golden raintree, click this article for additional golden raintree information.
By Teo Spengler
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Elberta Peach Trees – How To Grow An Elberta Peach Tree
Elberta peaches are called America’s favorite peaches and are among the most prolific around, a winning combination for those with home orchards. If you want to grow an Elberta peach tree in your backyard, this article will help get you started.
By Teo Spengler
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Wichita Blue Juniper Care: Tips For Growing Wichita Blue Junipers
Wichita Blue juniper trees have an attractive broad-pyramid form that works well in a screen or hedge. With gorgeous silver-blue foliage all year long, these cultivars turn heads wherever they are planted. For more Wichita Blue juniper information, click here.
By Teo Spengler
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Live Oak Tree Care: Learn How To Grow A Live Oak Tree
If you want a graceful, spreading shade tree that is an American native, live oak might be the tree you are looking for. Get more information about how to grow a live oak tree and live oak tree care in this article.
By Teo Spengler
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Zone 8 Vegetable Gardening: When To Plant Vegetables In Zone 8
Gardeners living in zone 8 enjoy hot summers and long growing seasons. Spring and autumn in zone 8 are cool. Growing vegetables in zone 8 is pretty easy if you get those seeds started at the right time. Click here for more information.
By Teo Spengler
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Birds I Have Known And Loved
My bird visitors in France often put their babies on my feeding station while they forage for them. Click to read more.
By Teo Spengler
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Strawberry Tree Care: How To Grow A Strawberry Tree
What is a strawberry tree? According to strawberry tree information, this is a lovely little evergreen ornamental, offering lovely flowers and strawberry-like fruit. Click this article for tips on how to grow a strawberry tree and its care.
By Teo Spengler
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Mum Powdery Mildew Symptoms: Treating Powdery Mildew On Chrysanthemums
Powdery mildew on chrysanthemums is one of those diseases that can usually be avoided with good cultural care. Click this article for information about mum powdery mildew symptoms and effective chrysanthemum powdery mildew control.
By Teo Spengler
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Smoke Tree Verticillium Wilt – Managing Smoke Trees With Verticillium Wilt
If you see your smoke tree wilting, it may be a serious fungal disease called verticillium wilt. This can kill a smoke tree, so it’s best to take precautions early. Learn how to avoid verticillium wilt in smoke trees by clicking this article.
By Teo Spengler
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Growing Tropi-Berta Peaches: What Is A Tropi-Berta Peach
Those growing Tropi-Berta peaches rank them among the tastiest August-ripening peaches, and the trees are extremely adaptable. If you are seeking a new fruit tree for a home orchard and ready to bet on a promising but less-known variety, click here.
By Teo Spengler
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Apple Cotton Root Rot Control: Treating Apple Cotton Root Rot Symptoms
If you have apple trees in your backyard orchard, you probably need to learn about apple cotton root rot symptoms. Click this article for what to look for if you have apples with cotton root rot, as well as information on apple cotton root rot control.
By Teo Spengler