Astilbes have long been a Seacoast favorite, but hotter summers, shifting rainfall, and coastal winds are making them more demanding than ever. With thoughtful care — shade in the heat, steady moisture, and protection from stress — they can still thrive, or be paired with resilient companions to keep gardens lush and vibrant.

Are your irises full of green leaves but missing their blooms this year? You’re not alone. Many gardeners on the New Hampshire Seacoast—from Rye to Hampton Falls—are facing the same issue. While irises are known for being low-maintenance, several common problems can stop them from flowering. In this guide, Seacoast Gardener walks you through the top reasons irises fail to bloom, including overcrowding, planting depth, lack of sun, and more. If you're ready to restore color to your iris beds, this article offers expert-backed tips—and help if you need it.

September is a turning point in the garden, and not every plant should be treated the same. Some, like coneflowers, coreopsis, daylilies, and even roses, benefit from light deadheading to conserve energy and stay healthy through fall.

Hydrangeas thrive on New Hampshire’s Seacoast, bringing bold color and seasonal beauty to local gardens. From bigleaf to panicle varieties, success comes down to choosing the right type, preparing soil, and following simple care steps like proper watering, pruning, and winter protection. With the right approach, these versatile shrubs will reward you with stunning blooms year after year.

Pruning is essential for healthy, beautiful gardens, but the wrong cut at the wrong time can do lasting damage. On the NH Seacoast, where the growing season is short and the weather unpredictable, mistakes show up quickly. From pruning old-wood bloomers too late to over-shearing or cutting too much at once, small errors can weaken plants and reduce blooms for years. Learn the most common pruning mistakes—and how to avoid them—to keep your landscape thriving.

Evergreen hedges are the backbone of Seacoast gardens, offering privacy, structure, and year-round greenery. Without proper pruning, they can quickly lose their shape, develop bare spots, or struggle under coastal stresses like wind, salt, and sandy soils. Learning how to prune and care for them correctly keeps hedges dense, healthy, and attractive in every season.