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  • About Us
    • History Of The Collection
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    • Testimonials
    • Botanical Gardens
    • Why Choose Plants from Southern Living® Plant Collection?
  • The Plants
    • Shrubs
    • Trees
    • Berry Plants & Fruit Trees
    • Annuals and Perennials
    • Groundcovers/Grasses
    • Tropicals
    • Vines
    • New Introductions
  • Where to Buy
    • Find a Retailer
    • Online Retailers
    • Local Landscapers
  • In the Garden
    • Plan Your Garden
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    • Planting & Care
  • Connect With Us
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Garden Writer, Carmen Johnston

Carmen Johnston

Get garden advice and plant care tips from industry expert, Carmen Johnston. Carmen integrates her first-hand experience with plants in The Southern Living Plant Collection with her vast knowledge of gardening to help readers solve garden problems.
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Articles by Carmen Johnston

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Pretty white, pink and green including Hydrangeas and Camellias
Inspiration & Projects

A DIY Valentine’s Bouquet

Use flowers and foliage from the garden to create a Valentine’s bouquet.
By: Carmen Johnston
|
February 1, 2024
New bronze foliage matures to dark green; pendulous buds appear in summer and last through winter before opening in early spring with beautiful ivory flowers
Inspiration & Projects//Plan Your Garden

DIY Winter Border Project

Create a lively winter border in less than 45 minutes!
By: Carmen Johnston
|
February 1, 2024
Glass frames containing cut foliage from Soft Caress Mahonia
Inspiration & Projects

DIY Garden Project for Winter: A Glass Garden

Cold weather is no excuse to pack up your gardening tools!
By: Carmen Johnston
|
February 1, 2024
Wooden table with silver runner, silver candle holders and cut Dear Dolores Hydrangea blooms
Inspiration & Projects

Bring Beauty Indoors

Two simple ways to bring fresh cut hydrangeas into your home.
By: Carmen Johnston
|
February 1, 2024
Photo collage showing finished blue container of Southern Living plants and a close-up view of the plants in the container
Inspiration & Projects

A Winter Wonder Garden: Creating containers with colorful foliage

How to create a container with colorful foliage
By: Carmen Johnston
|
October 24, 2023
Blue containers next to everglow grass in brown Southern Living Plant container
Inspiration & Projects

Stack it up: How to create an easy vertical container garden

Create an eye-catching vertical container garden with hardy ‘Everillo’ Carex.
By: Carmen Johnston
|
October 24, 2023
Mahonia and tulips in spring garden container
Inspiration & Projects

Video: Welcome Spring with ‘Soft Caress’ Mahonia

Our video will help you warm your garden this winter
By: Carmen Johnston
|
October 24, 2023
Hand inserting Nandina foliage into Thanksgiving centerpiece
Inspiration & Projects

DIY: Create your own Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Below is the step-by-step process on how to make a beautiful centerpiece
By: Carmen Johnston
|
October 24, 2023
Fall foliage color with Southern Living Nandinas, willow wreath swag and fall leaves
Inspiration & Projects

A Fresh (and Simple) Fall Fireplace Garland

Southern Living® Nandinas offer the perfect fall color palette for harvest decor
By: Carmen Johnston
|
October 24, 2023
Large yellow sunflowers and coffee beans with brown centers pressed into floral foam in a wooden centerpiece
Inspiration & Projects

A Stunning Fall Centerpiece

This quick and easy floral design is a tried and true recipe.
By: Carmen Johnston
|
October 24, 2023
Trio of ceramic containers with Obsession Nandina and Purple Pixie Loropetalum
Inspiration & Projects//Plan Your Garden

A Fall Container Garden Face-Lift – Recipes for Sun and Shade

Update your summer porch or garden containers for fall
By: Carmen Johnston
|
October 24, 2023
Copper container of mixed Southern Living plants including Purple Pixie Loropetalum, pink annuals and Lemon-Lime Nandina
Inspiration & Projects

A Container Recipe for Fall Beauty

This delectable color palette makes putting together container gardens a delight
By: Carmen Johnston
|
October 24, 2023
Bare root potted plants in a row include Southern Living Agapanthus, Dogwood and Nandina
Inspiration & Projects

Vow to Go Green – DIY Wedding Decorations from the Garden Center

This particular ceremony space is definitely one for keeps!
By: Carmen Johnston
|
October 24, 2023
Tablescape of white table cloths, bamboo chairs, and large green swag cascading off the table
Inspiration & Projects

Create a Green Garland Wedding Reception Tablescape

Create a verdant setting for your wedding with green garland.
By: Carmen Johnston
|
October 24, 2023
Blue glazed ceramic container with Southern Living plants including Soft Caress Mahonia
Inspiration & Projects

DIY: Easter Container Garden

This container garden incorporates some of our most favorite shade loving plants
By: Carmen Johnston
|
October 24, 2023
Showy pink flowers and rich purple foliage all season
Inspiration & Projects

Video: Add a Pop of Purple to Your Table Top

Carmen Johnston shows you how to add a pop of purple to your spring tablescape with Purple Pixie Loropetalum
By: Carmen Johnston
|
October 24, 2023
Groom's back with Bride's arms draped around his back holding a bouquet made of Empress of China Dogwood
Inspiration & Projects

Something Borrowed, Something Bloomed – DIY Bridal Bouquet

An all-green wedding bouquet is such a breath of fresh air!
By: Carmen Johnston
|
October 24, 2023
Ignite the Fire(pit)!
Inspiration & Projects

Video: Ignite the Fire(pit)!

In this video, learn how a shallow fire pit pairs well with shrubs that don’t like wet feet!
By: Carmen Johnston
|
October 24, 2023
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Three pots with different plants in them.

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Also of Interest
  • Video: 5 Easy to Grow Plants with Carmen Johnston
  • 5 Easy to Grow Plants with Carmen Johnston
  • Erica Glasener
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  • Annuals and Perennials
  • Berry Plants & Fruit Trees
  • Groundcovers/Grasses
  • Shrubs
  • Trees
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  • Vines
  • Annuals and Perennials
  • Berry Plants & Fruit Trees
  • Groundcovers/Grasses
  • Shrubs
  • Trees
  • Tropicals
  • Vines

About Us

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  • History Of The Collection
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  • Testimonials
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  • About Us
  • History Of The Collection
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