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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Spindly Knockout Roses: Pruning Knockout Roses That Have Gone Leggy
Knockout roses have the reputation of being easy care plants. So, what if your knockout roses are spindly rather than full?
By Teo Spengler
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Palm Tree Seed Germination: What Does A Palm Tree Seed Look Like
Palm tree seed germination is not a matter of weeks but months or even years. Click here for more information on growing palms from seed.
By Teo Spengler
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Can You Grow Store Bought Oranges - Planting Grocery Store Orange Seeds
Anyone looking for a cool indoor gardening project may want to try growing an orange tree from seeds. Click here to learn how.
By Teo Spengler
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Winter Solstice Gardening: How Gardeners Spend The First Day Of Winter
Winter solstice is the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year. If you are hoping to celebrate winter in the garden, click here.
By Teo Spengler
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Can I Prune Conifers – Pruning Coniferous Trees
While pruning deciduous trees is almost an annual ritual, pruning coniferous trees is rarely required. For pruning information, click here.
By Teo Spengler
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Christmas Topiary Ideas: Best Plants For Christmas Topiaries
If you are interested in Christmas indoor topiary, click here for ideas so you can start making a Christmas topiary yourself.
By Teo Spengler
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What Is A Columnar Tree: Popular Columnar Tree Varieties
What is a columnar tree? These trees are narrow and slender, perfect for small spaces. Click for more information on columnar tree types.
By Teo Spengler
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Unusual Christmas Trees: Growing Christmas Tree Alternatives
Using different plants for Christmas trees can be creative and fun. Ready to try unconventional Christmas trees? Click here.
By Teo Spengler
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Scale Leaf Evergreen Varieties: What Is A Scale Leaf Evergreen Tree
What is a scale leaf evergreen? If you’d like to get an overview of evergreens with scale leaves, click the following article.
By Teo Spengler
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Common Plants Found On Sand Dunes
What are some plants for growing on sand dunes? Click here to find out.
By Teo Spengler
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Dogwood Shrub Varieties – Growing Shrub-Like Dogwoods
Is there a dogwood shrub? Shrub-like dogwoods do exist and work well in smaller gardens. Click here for more information.
By Teo Spengler
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Clay Soil Shrubs: Are There Shrubs That Like Clay Soil Sites
Most shrubs grow better in light, well-draining soil than in heavy clay. Click here for tips on amending clay soil or finding shrubs for such sites.
By Teo Spengler
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Old-Fashioned Shrubs – Memorable Bushes For Old-Time Gardens
To select bushes for old-time gardens, choose those you remember from grandma’s or click here for a short list of favorites.
By Teo Spengler
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Aponogeton Plant Care: Growing Aponogeton Aquarium Plants
Aponogetons are a truly aquatic genus with a variety of different species that are planted in fish tanks or outdoor ponds. Click here to learn more.
By Teo Spengler
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A Healthy Harvest
Gardening helps me stay healthy, physically and mentally, as well as the resulting nutrition it produces. Click for more.
By Teo Spengler
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Pollinator Plants For Nevada And California Bees
Plants that feed pollinators vary from region to region. Learn about the best pollinator plants for California.
By Teo Spengler
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What Is A Korean Maple – Learn How To Grow A Korean Maple Tree
You've heard of silver maples and Japanese maples, but what is a Korean maple? It's a small maple tree that makes a wonderful substitute for Japanese maple in colder regions. For more Korean maple information and tips on how to grow a Korean maple, click here.
By Teo Spengler
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Pruning An Empress Tree – Learn About Royal Paulownia Empress Pruning
Royal empress trees grow fast so you need to start pruning royal empress trees early to help them develop a strong branch structure. If you want to know how to prune a paulownia and when to prune these trees, the following article will help.
By Teo Spengler
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What Is Boxleaf Azara: Learn About Azara Microphylla Care
Azara shrubs are gorgeous little evergreens for the garden. They offer showy flowers in early spring and shiny berries in summer. For more Azara microphylla information and tips on how to grow boxleaf azara, this article will help.
By Teo Spengler
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Zone 8 Blueberries: Choosing Blueberries For Zone 8 Gardens
The period of low temperatures is critical to the next season's fruiting of blueberries. This can be an issue for zone 8 blueberry growers. Can blueberries grow in zone 8? Some types can, but not all. For information about growing blueberries in zone 8, click this article.
By Teo Spengler
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Small Conifer Trees – Growing Dwarf Conifer Trees In The Landscape
Conifer trees that are small can add shape, texture, form, and color to your garden. If you are thinking of growing dwarf conifer trees or just want tips on choosing dwarf conifers for the landscape, this article will help get you started.
By Teo Spengler
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Pendula Information – Tips On How To Grow A Weeping White Pine Tree
The most famous weeping tree might be the weeping willow. On the other hand, you may never have heard of weeping white pine. What is a weeping white pine? Click this article for information on "Pendula" and tips on how to grow a weeping white pine.
By Teo Spengler