Tonya Barnett
Having grown up in a densely-populated urban area, Tonya Barnett’s first growing season proved to be one which was filled with calamity. Despite several setbacks and a complete lack of experience, her new-found love of gardening quickly flourished. Soon, her small backyard had transformed into a lush, outdoor oasis.
Though her formative growing years focused mostly on self-sufficiency and the production of a thriving vegetable garden, an increased interest in ornamental plants would lead to the collection of both common and rare species for the landscape. Today, Tonya maintains most of her focus on the seasonal establishment of a large, backyard cutting garden.
The cut flower space serves as a donation garden; where arranged flowers and bouquets are gifted to hospitals, nursing homes, and other non-profit organizations. Tonya’s continued garden journey is documented on her YouTube channel, @TONYAwiththeflowers. To date, she has produced over five hundred videos, which chronicle the evolution of her small growing space.
Tonya also manages a personal garden blog, and is responsible for the publication of several gardening ebooks related to cut flower production. In addition to the content produced for Gardening Know How, Tonya has contributed her growing tips to the Martha Stewart blog, as well as several local publications.
Plant breeding and hybridization are among Tonya’s favorite garden topics. In recent years, she has taken special interest in the selection of new ornamental plants, which have been grown from seed. Though many of these new crosses will require patience, and may not begin to bloom for several years,the results are often well worth the wait.
Latest articles by Tonya Barnett
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Gardens And Friendship: Spending Time With Friends In The Garden
If you don’t have access to gardening groups where you live, you can still enjoy gardening with friends. Exploring new ways to invite friends in the garden will help to further create a growing environment that truly thrives – in more ways than one. This article will help.
By Tonya Barnett
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Forcing Amaryllis Bulbs Indoors During Winter
Click here to learn about how I started growing colorful amaryllis flowers for the holiday season.
By Tonya Barnett
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Supporting Foxglove Plants – Tips For Staking Foxgloves That Get Too Tall
Due to the wide variation in available cultivars, many growers may be left wondering about foxglove flower support. Although dwarf varieties of foxglove are very common, others may reach heights as tall as 6 feet (2 m.). Learn more about foxglove plant support here.
By Tonya Barnett
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Festive Poinsettia Colors To Try This Christmas
What are some different poinsettia varieties to grow this holiday season? Click here to find out.
By Tonya Barnett
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Evergreen Plant Info: What Does Evergreen Mean Anyway
Growers in colder regions often find themselves looking for ways to add visual interest to their yards throughout the winter growing season. One way is through the incorporation of evergreen plants, shrubs, and trees. But exactly what is an evergreen plant? Find out here.
By Tonya Barnett
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What Is Canistel – A Guide To Growing Eggfruit Trees At Home
As orchards expand, fresh fruit harvests offer growers a wide array of choices, as well as a diverse landscape. This is especially true in the case of some tender tropical plants, such as with canistel fruit trees. Learn more about growing canistel eggfruit in this article.
By Tonya Barnett
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Grow A Balcony Flower Garden - Balcony Flower Care
Many gardeners find themselves severely limited by space. This is especially true for those living in apartments and condos. It is for this reason that balcony gardening continues to grow in popularity. But what are the best flowers for a balcony?
By Tonya Barnett
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Full Sun Annual Flowers - What Type Of Annuals Do Well In Full Sun
If you have exceptionally sunny garden spaces, options for full sun annual flowers abound. Read on to learn more.
By Tonya Barnett
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Clay Soil Full Sun Plants - What To Plant In Full Sun Clay Soil Sites
Finding flowers that grow well in full sun and clay soil may seem difficult, but it’s not impossible. Read on for more info.
By Tonya Barnett
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Garden Zoning - Tips For Splitting A Garden Up
Backyard and garden spaces can serve many different purposes. Click to learn about splitting your outdoor space into garden zones.
By Tonya Barnett
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10 Classic Cottage Garden Plants
Those who wish to create a cottage garden of their own are limited only by their imagination. Here are our top ten cottage garden plants.
By Tonya Barnett
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Flowering Pond Plants - Growing Aquatic Flowers
Adding flowering pond plants to natural and manmade water features can be an easy way to quickly beautify a space with lush greenery and vibrant bursts of seasonal color. Read on for more.
By Tonya Barnett
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Crimson Glory Grapevines – Growing A Crimson Glory Vine Plant
Also known as Crimson Glory grapevines, the Crimson Glory vine plant is actually an ornamental type of grape. Read on for more info.
By Tonya Barnett
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Fragrant Climbing Vines For Arbors And Trellises
Adding height to the landscape is a sure way to help the space appear more lush, interesting, and vibrant. Achieve it with fragrant climbing vines.
By Tonya Barnett
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How To Grow Phuopsis Stylosa
Creeping crosswort is a beautiful flowering groundcover, but it can have its issues, too. Click to learn more about this plant.
By Tonya Barnett
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Ancient Flowers - Learn About Flowers From The Past
Many may be surprised to learn that these prehistoric flowers are not so different from many of those which grow today.
By Tonya Barnett
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What Is A Flower Frog - Flower Frog Uses
Have you heard of flower frogs? Your great grandmother probably used them to secure cut flower arrangements. Read on to learn all about flower frogs.
By Tonya Barnett
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Flower Shapes And Pollinators – Attracting Pollinators With Flower Shapes
By Tonya Barnett
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Full Sun Perennial Plants - What Perennials Do Well In Full Sun
While it would be impossible to make a complete list of full sun perennials, exploring those which do thrive under full-sun conditions may be the first step in creating a truly welcoming garden oasis. Read on for more.
By Tonya Barnett
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Yellow Blooming Annuals - Growing Bright Yellow Annuals
Annual flower beds may require more work than many perennial plantings, but they let you easily change style from year to year. Read on for our best yellow annuals.
By Tonya Barnett
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Yellow Perennial Flowers - Growing Yellow Color Perennials
Flowering perennials and shrubs allow for garden design suited to even the most discerning grower. This includes those in search of specific colors. Read on to learn about yellow perennials.
By Tonya Barnett
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Best Heat Tolerant Annuals - Choosing Annuals For Heat
Hot weather annuals can add diversity and interest to your growing spaces. Read on to learn more about heat tolerant annuals.
By Tonya Barnett