Tracy Ilene Miller

About Tracy Ilene Miller

Tracy Ilene Miller is a freelance writer and editor who covers several topics, including gardening. She can be reached at tracyilenemiller@gmail.com.

Tough, tall and reliable

By Tracy Ilene Miller — Posted November 30, 2020

Honeylocust provides abundant shade, grows quickly and adapts well to extreme conditions Acer (maple) and Quercus (oak) may monopolize spotlights on shade trees, but Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis (honeylocust) holds its own as a major crop and it’s an important addition to the catalog of reliable tall trees. Oregon nurseries grow more honeylocust than any […]

The rise of the tupelo tree

By Tracy Ilene Miller — Posted July 30, 2020

With the steady introduction of new cultivars, Nyssa sylvatica gains prominence in the trade Nyssa sylvatica — commonly known as sour gum, black gum and black tupelo — is a shade tree to watch in the 2020s. Right around the turn of the century, several factors came into play, including successful breeding programs, the tree diversity […]

Creative crape myrtles

By Tracy Ilene Miller — Posted July 1, 2020

Covering many climates and color options, Lagerstroemia is a reliable seller for growers Lagestroemia (crape myrtle) is thought of as a southern U.S. plant, yet it is on the City of Portland street tree list and has grown in Oregon for more than a century. A pair of crape myrtle Portland Heritage Trees can be […]

White and woody

By Tracy Ilene Miller — Posted May 26, 2020

This palette of white-blooming trees and shrubs provides strong design options White blooming plants can provide balance in the garden or landscape, and landscape designers’ plans. “I do find clients who have an approach of a modern or more formalistic garden, that tend to go for white [blooming plants],” said Roxy Olsson, a landscape designer […]

Visions of white

By Tracy Ilene Miller — Posted March 27, 2020

These white-blooming plants brighten up landscapes Part 1 of 2: This month: Perennials, groundcovers, bulbs, vines, edibles and Hydrangeas. June: Woody trees and shrubs. Blooms come in all variations of color and hue, but there is a special place for white blooms in a garden or landscape. “White goes with everything,” said Justin Hancock, senior director […]

The healing power of trees

By Tracy Ilene Miller — Posted January 23, 2020

Science is finding that, figuratively speaking, a tree a day keeps the doctor away. Regular exposure to trees and nature can help people recover from illness and lead to better mental and physical health, according to an ever-growing body of research. To the working members of the green industry, such declarations may seem like a […]

In the beginning

By Tracy Ilene Miller — Posted November 22, 2019

Startup nurseries draw on inspiration, entrepreneurial desire and the mentorship of others Every nursery has a different story, and every story has a beginning. Although one of every five small businesses is family run, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, the percentage of nurseries that are family run is undoubtedly much higher. The ownership […]

Retail for the holidays

By Tracy Ilene Miller — Posted September 26, 2019

Garden centers transform themselves into destinations for fall and Christmas The months leading up to December can lead to a slowdown in business at many garden centers, as gardening activity decreases. But some retailers have made these months quite profitable, and without going too far off mission, if at all. After all, nurseries and garden […]

Beauty from the ground up

By Tracy Ilene Miller — Posted September 4, 2019

These bulbs offer great color and fragrance with disease resistance, and some are native to boot When gardeners, landscapers and restoration managers look to buy bulbs, they’re finding exceptional and versatile material that meets their design goals and gardening aspirations. Breeders and growers are providing an outstanding selection of commercial bulbs, including tulips, daffodils, corms, […]

Green from the ground up

By Tracy Ilene Miller — Posted July 26, 2019

Whether the customers are landscapers or retailers, the most sought-after characteristics in ground cover plants for pathways and walkways are the same. People want low-growing, low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, evergreen, flowering, noninvasive, deer-tolerant, durable and — gaining in popularity — rabbit-resistant plants. And it would be nice if they could also help with the dishes! Customers […]