Archives for May 2008

Altering advice to find the best solution for you

When I was studying for my master’s degree in education, the buzz phrase was differentiated instruction. I could plop those two words into any paper and a professor would inevitably scribble “great!” next to them in the margin. Professors threw the phrase around in lectures the way that politicians are using the words on the table this election cycle.

Simply stated, differentiated instruction means one size does not fit all. It’s a great concept, even if it was overused. A teaching method that works for one student won’t necessarily work for all students. And, the same idea certainly applies to organizing.

When a teacher uses differentiated instruction in his classroom, he creates lessons that provide options for students on content, process, and/or product. This means that students may have choices in what they learn (content), how they learn (process), or in how they demonstrate they have mastered the information (product).

When looking for organizing advice, you can use the same technique. If you find an article that makes a suggestion that you know won’t work for you, see if you can alter the content, process, or product to make it personally helpful.

For example, each week on Unclutterer we showcase pictures of readers’ organized workspaces. Without fail, someone writes a comment to the post saying that they don’t like the design style of the office. That’s cool — you don’t have to like the look of every office we feature. However, you still can garner organizing ideas from offices you don’t like. How does the person organize computer cables (differentiate process and product)? Where is furniture located in the room and would a similar setup help your productivity (differentiate content and product)? Does something not appear in the photograph that would be beneficial if you also removed that object from your office (differentiate content and process)?

Consider differentiating the content, process, or product when reading advice that doesn’t specifically address your organization needs and maybe you’ll unveil your perfect solution.

Posted by Erin on May 21, 2008 | 7 Comments | Tweet This

Unclutter unwanted content in your RSS reader with Yahoo! Pipes

We understand that not everyone loves our A Year Ago posts, but a good chunk (an 80 percent chunk) click on the links in these posts and explore the older content. Instead of continuing to annoy our readers who dislike the posts, though, I decided to create a custom Unclutterer feed using Yahoo! Pipes that doesn’t include the A Year Ago posts.

So, if you hate the A Year Ago posts in your RSS reader, subscribe to this new feed instead.

Here’s how we did it, and how you can use Yahoo! Pipes to filter unwanted content from other sites:

Start by going to Yahoo! Pipes and click on the “Create a pipe” link at the top of the page.

You’ll be taken to a login page where you can enter your Yahoo! username and password or create an account if you don’t already have one. Once you’re logged in, you’ll see a grid with links on the left side of the screen and a pop-up window that says “Welcome to the pipes editor” in the middle of the page.

At this point, you can either select “Build your first pipe” to watch an instructional video, or select the X in the red box to close the window.

Your next step is to click on the plus sign adjacent to “Fetch Feed” under the Sources headline:

In the pop-up window that appears, type http://feeds.feedburner.com/unclutterer (or whatever RSS feed you wish to filter). Be sure not to hit enter after you type the link:

Return to the left side bar and click the arrow next to the word “Operators” so that a drop down menu appears. Then, click on the plus sign next to the word “Filter”:

In the pop-up box that appears, choose the action that you want to take place. In the case of A Year Ago posts, I selected “Block” “any” “item.category” and “is” and then entered A Year Ago in the content box (or whatever information you wish to sort on for the feed you’re working with):

Next, connect the boxes. To do this, select the bottom dot on the Feed box and link it to the top dot on the Filter box. Then, select the bottom dot on the Filter box and link it to the top dot on the Pipe Output box.

Press “Save” at the top of the screen to see your filtered link.

As a reminder, we already created a feed for you so that you don’t have to go through this process if you want an A Year Ago-free Unclutterer RSS feed. Just subscribe to this.

Posted by Erin on May 20, 2008 | 15 Comments | Tweet This

Controversy over ‘clutter’ in the halls of Congress

According to The Hill, Congressional staffers have been mandated to remove clutter from the hallways outside their offices. Items that are considered “clutter” include signs honoring soldiers who fought overseas. The instruction to remove the objects isn’t going over well with some members of Congress. The new policy was put in place by Cheif Adminstrative Officer (CAO), Dan Beard, who is worried that the displays outside of the offices will impede people’s exit in the event of an emergency evacuation. The policy is also an attempt to bring House members into compliance with the American’s with Disabilities Act that was passed in 1990.

The controversial issue is the removal of items that honor fallen soldiers:

[Rep] Pomeroy said the CAO should make an exception for the easels honoring dead military servicemen and women.

“I feel particularly bad for those who have to take down the posters of the guys who lost their lives in Iraq,” Pomeroy said. “In my opinion, we want to honor our fallen heroes in every way. That’s the sort of thing that should continue, so if they were to have one exception, that would be it.”

The CAO so far is not budging. While sympathizing with the desire to honor military men and women, a spokesman for the office said it is still necessary to remove the posters from the hallways.

“While we recognize the meaning and significance of the easels honoring our fallen servicemen and women in Iraq and Afghanistan, we would hope that members also recognize the very real need to keep our hallways safe for disabled persons,” said Jeff Ventura, spokesman for the CAO. He suggested that members move the displays into their offices.

Posted by Matt on May 20, 2008 | 16 Comments | Tweet This | Tags: ,

One bag travel

Traveling light is what I prefer. Traveling with one carry-on can make such a difference in your airport experience. The beginning and the end of your trip will be much more relaxed. To help you figure out how to travel lightly take a look at the site One Bag. It is a great resource that simplifies what and how you pack. From the site:

If there is a bottom line, it’s that travelling light is simply a better way to go. You have more time, because packing takes little. You waste less energy hauling stuff. You know what you have, and where everything is (as you pack your bag the same way every time). We’ve all seen those hapless folks at the airport, with too much baggage and panicked expressions, worried that they have lost track of something, or left something behind.

The paragraph above rings true with Unclutterer’s philosophy: living a more simple life without all your stuff getting in the way. This idea definitely applies to travel. One Bag gives you tips on what to pack, how to pack it, and what to pack it in. It is a one-stop shop for all your packing needs.

Posted by Matt on May 19, 2008 | 43 Comments | Tweet This | Tags: , , , ,

How to live simply in a 39 foot RV — From Louise Hornor

The following guest post is from Unclutterer reader Louise Hornor. When I discovered that Louise lives full time in a RV, I asked if she would be interested in sharing her unique perspective on simple living. Thank you, Louise, for writing such a truly inspiring guest post for us!

My husband and I live full-time on the road in a 39 foot tour bus that has been converted into an RV. While this is considered fairly large by RV standards, it is a very small home, especially considering that we share it with one dog, two cats, and four tropical fish.

Keeping things uncluttered is vital for several reasons. First, we travel almost every day. Loose items simply cannot be lying around in a moving vehicle. At best, they will become a big mess as they slide and shift. At worst, they can become deadly projectiles in an accident.

Secondly, clutter can become overwhelming in such a small space. Our bedroom is 9 ft x 8 ft and our kitchen even tinier. Anything left on the counters or floor makes it seem even smaller. Travel is dusty, too, and it is much easier to clean a smooth, empty surface. The good news is that 300 square feet doesn’t take long to clean.

One way we have reduced clutter is by going electronic. Bills are paid online through a service. Paper bills are received at their facility, scanned, and emailed to me. We pay our taxes electronically. All our banking is done over the internet. We keep in touch with friends and family through email, our blog, Twitter, and phone calls. News, weather, and entertainment arrive via the web. We take digital photos and even conduct meetings using on-line conferencing software.

What paper we have left, such as pet vaccination certificates, vehicle registration/maintenance receipts, passports and marriage license, easily fits in a single file drawer.

Because we are on-line often, we each have our own laptop computer. They take up much less space than a desktop unit with a monitor, and are much easier to stow for travel.

We chose a clean, light, simple interior design for our bus to help reduce visual clutter. The plain maple cabinets used in every room have no knobs. The hardware that shows is all the same brushed stainless steel. All the window blinds are cream colored and very simple. Furniture is solid colors and patterns are limited to muted tones on the bedspread and throw pillows.

Items used often, such as the TV remote, reading glasses and camera, are stored in attractive wicker baskets or leather boxes. These neutrally-colored storage containers keep small items corralled and blend nicely with the countertops. They also make it simple for everything to have a place to be put away quickly before hitting the road.

The most important way we reduce clutter, however, is simply by having less stuff. Sometimes less means fewer. For instance, we gave away at least half of our clothing to prepare for RV life. What is left exactly fills the drawer and closet space we have. A strict “one in/one out” rule, which makes it easy to resist buying new clothes. More than 90 percent of our books were left behind. Place settings for four and a handful of knives and kitchen utensils suit us just fine.

By looking for items with multiple uses, we can often get by with less. Our mixing bowls double as serving bowls, a folding stool is used as a footrest, small padded trays are used both for dining and to hold the laptop computers, and bungee cords are used for everything. Washable microfiber towels when damp can clean floors, counters, ceiling, and shower; and when dry can dust, absorb leaks and spills, and pad breakable items.

Sometimes, less means smaller. We use two small scooters as our alternative transportation. They are light, fun and get fantastic fuel mileage. When possible, we look for items that collapse for storage. We have a collapsible ladder, laundry cart, exercise mat, pet carriers, and patio furniture. All were chosen to fit the small storages spaces we have available. Doesn’t fit? We don’t own it.

And sometimes, less means none. We don’t own a car, but when we need one (about once a year), we either borrow or rent. In fact, we choose to rent a number of bulky, seldom used items such as skis, bicycles and golf clubs. We visit laundromats all over the country and don’t need a washer and dryer.

None of these decluttering techniques seem like sacrifices to us. For our life of travel, less is definitely more. The reward has been freedom, simplicity, and happiness, and that’s an article for another day!

Posted by Louise on May 19, 2008 | 43 Comments | Tweet This

A year ago on Unclutterer

  • The landing strip
    We come from work exhausted, often carrying our work bags, groceries, and the mail. A landing strip will help you avoid disorganization from the time you get home.
  • Guest room clothing storage
    If anyone has a guest bedroom in which they host friends and family, storage for your guest’s clothing may be an issue if they are staying for an extended period of time.

Posted by PJ on May 18, 2008 | 1 Comment | Tweet This

Price tag fastening gun: Clutter or clutter buster?

Right around this time last year, we ran the post Sock Purge: Getting rid of mismatched socks. In the comments section of this post, reader Winston wrote:

Tried sock sorters but they were unreliable and took too long to thread socks through them, plus they bunched up and sometimes looked weird. Clips and pins took too long.

So, I bought a tagging gun (uses plastic barbs to attach price tags to clothes, etc) off ebay for $7 and I attach my socks together before I throw them in the hamper. Only takes a sec. Saves me hours of matching. Everyone thinks I’m crazy but it was totally worth it.

When I first read this, I must admit that I thought it was crazy. Then, I met someone else who does the same thing, and she also uses hers for matching all paired items. My mind started mulling over the benefits of the price tag fastening gun.

Now I’m obsessed with thinking about all of the benefits of owning one of these bad boys. Do any other readers have and use a price tag fastening gun in your homes? What do you use it for other than matching socks? Could it help me to curb clutter in my home, or would it become clutter? Help me talk through this decision.

Posted by Erin on May 17, 2008 | 80 Comments | Tweet This

Understanding how you process information to help you get organized, part 2

Now that you’ve taken the quiz to determine if you are a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic/tactile acquirer of information, it’s time for the next step in the process: taking action.

Knowing yourself and your information processing preferences can help you create an organization system that works best for you. Obviously, we can’t cover every possible solution, but these suggestions will hopefully get you headed in the right direction.

Visual processor:

  • Scheduling programs like Google Calendar might work well for you so that you can input and then see all of your appointments on your agenda.
  • In your closet, you’ll want to have a lot of space and only the current season’s clothing on hangers. A hook on the back of a door can be good for displaying your next day’s outfit. You might also benefit from having your folded clothes on a shelf instead of hidden in a dresser drawer.
  • Try your best to have an office with a door. You’re likely to go batty in cubicle land — especially in cubicle land with only waist-high walls.
  • Carry a small digital camera or a cell phone with a camera in it with you at all times so that you can take images of things you need to remember. You may want to use Evernote to process this information.

Auditory processor:

  • Consider setting timers or audio reminders on your computer to help alert you of meetings and other scheduled events.
  • Carry a small recording device with you so that when you have an idea you can record a message to yourself. Most cell phones also have this ability. Jott.com might also be a resource you want to consider using.
  • If you need to share an office, try to get an office with someone who works while wearing earphones. When you talk to yourself, he or she won’t be distracted when you need to talk through ideas.
  • Keep all of your files in alphabetical order to help you find them more quickly.
  • Have a headset for your telephone since you interact more reliably with people over the phone than you do by e-mail.

Kinesthetic/Tactile processor:

  • Feel comfortable pushing your office furniture against the walls so that you have space to move when you need to.
  • Explore non-traditional desks when looking for office furniture. A drafting table or adjustable height table might work better for you than something that has a fixed height and angle.
  • Keep a space for a small fan on your desk and a space heater under your desk.
  • Exercise before going to work in the morning.
  • Have as few objects on your desk as possible so that you’re not tempted to pick them up when you need to concentrate. However, you should also have a stress ball quickly available to squeeze when mulling over ideas or talking on the phone.
  • You probably like to try on different outfits before choosing the best one to wear, so be diligent about returning the non-selected items back to their proper home.

What organization tips and tricks do you employ in your home and office that are crafted toward you information processing style? Please share your insights in the comments!

Posted by Erin on May 16, 2008 | 39 Comments | Tweet This

A year ago on Unclutterer

Posted by PJ on May 16, 2008 | 1 Comment | Tweet This

Workspace of the Week: Communing with nature

This week’s Workspace of the Week is Birdfreak’s outdoor office:

I selected this office because it reminded me that a benefit of owning a laptop is that the world can be your office — well, maybe not those places under water, but you get the idea. A bag with a protective sleeve and a charge on your battery are all you need to make your way into the streets, parks, porches, coffee houses, and libraries. If you’re in the northern hemisphere, the days are getting longer and warmer and you should consider breaking out into the big blue room. Keep your gear minimal, and enjoy all that nature has to offer.

Want to have your own workspace featured in Workspace of the Week? Submit a picture to the Unclutterer flickr pool. Check it out because we have a nice little community brewing there. Also, don’t forget that workspaces aren’t just desks. If you’re a cook, it’s a kitchen; if you’re a carpenter, it’s your workbench.

Posted by Erin on May 16, 2008 | 8 Comments | Tweet This

Saying goodbye to a family home

The Calgary Herald has a helpful article on saying goodbye to the family home. My parent’s are most likely going to be moving out of their home in the next five to seven years. It will no doubt be an emotional and trying time for them. I’ve made a suggestion to them to have a giant yard sale to get rid of a lot of the things that they have accumulated over the years. (It worked well for us when we downsized.) From the article:

Kathy Roberts says there’s no denying saying goodbye to the family home can be tough, but she believes most of the stress that comes with downsizing is due in part to all the stuff people accumulate over the years.

Whether it’s children’s report cards, forgotten birthday presents stuffed in the closet, or old gardening tools and lawnmowers in the garage, Roberts says homes are a nesting ground for clutter.

Taking inventory of one’s belongings is “often a huge (job) because nobody realizes how much they accumulate over time,” says Roberts, who owns and operates Clutter Busters.

Since my parents will be downsizing significantly, they will have to get rid of quite a bit of stuff. If you have parents who are saying goodbye to a home that they have lived in for quite some time, you might want to suggest that they have a yard sale as a good place to start with clearing the clutter.

Posted by Matt on May 15, 2008 | 23 Comments | Tweet This | Tags: , ,

A year ago on Unclutterer

Posted by PJ on May 15, 2008 | Comments Off | Tweet This

Many retirement communities now offer transition management services

My grandmother is in her upper 90s and has been living in a retirement community for the past 12 years. The majority of her possessions from her previous home are in my father’s spare bedroom and garage. The boxes and furniture take up so much space that for more than a decade guests have been sleeping on the couch in my dad’s basement and he has been parking his car in his driveway.

I have asked repeatedly why he’s holding on to all of her things since she no longer needs her blender, coffee cups, or toilet scrub brush. I’ve never received an answer, and I’m not certain that he could give me one if I pressed him on it.

The process of moving a loved one into a retirement community or nursing home is an emotional undertaking for all involved. It wasn’t easy for my grandmother, an independent, spitfire of a woman, to give up her home of more than 50 years and move into a retirement community. And, it has been difficult on my dad and his siblings to accept the fact that she needed to move.

Many families are faced with similar situations as aging parents move into retirement communities and nursing homes. The transition is tough for all involved in the process.

Over the past decade, retirement communities and nursing homes across the U.S. have taken notice of the difficulties families face transitioning loved ones into their facilities and are doing what they can to make the process smoother. Many retirement communities now offer transition management services to their residents.

I spoke with a local nursing home administrator about what these services entail. In his facility, there are two, full-time transition managers who work with every new resident. They go into the residents’ family homes and help them clear clutter, sell/donate/give to family items that won’t move with them to their new home, and help the residents choose what they want to bring with them. The process takes weeks and is an emotional but usually positive experience.

If you’re faced with a situation of helping someone move into a retirement community or nursing home, be sure to inquire if the facility offers transition management services. If they do, talk with residents and children of residents to learn about the quality and value of these programs. If the facility doesn’t offer this service, I highly recommend contacting the National Association of Senior Move Managers. NASMM has a referral system to help you find move managers in your community. You also may want to review this resource list for books relating to this delicate subject.

Posted by Erin on May 15, 2008 | 10 Comments | Tweet This

Unitasker Wednesday: Doggie playpen

Training a dog can be a very rewarding experience. I had the pleasure of training my parents’ black lab when I was in high school. If a dog is brought into one’s home, training it should be a top priority. An unruly dog can wreak havoc on your home and leave a trail of destruction in its wake … and on your chair legs and carpets and shoes and …

So, what can one do to combat an “untrainable” dog? Well, stick it in a playpen, of course! A playpen will surely take care of all of your problems! The Pet Playpen is a perfect way to offset a poorly trained dog when Fido isn’t in his crate. Measuring in at 35″ x 35″ x 24-1/2″ and weighing 25 lbs, it can make any room a whole lot smaller by cornering off a large chunk of it for the out-of-control pup. Putting it next to your pup’s crate will make your room fully impassable.

**Each week, the Unitasker Wednesday column humorously pokes fun at the unnecessary, single-use items that manage to find their way into our homes.

Posted by Matt on May 14, 2008 | 20 Comments | Tweet This | Tags: , ,

A year ago on Unclutterer

Posted by PJ on May 14, 2008 | 5 Comments | Tweet This

Unclutterer on the Precision Change podcast

Live now is an episode for Precision Change I recorded titled Tired of the Crap? Become an Unclutterer! with the wonderful Duff McDuffee. You can download the 22 minute podcast or listen to it by clicking on the “Play Now” link at the beginning of the article.

In the conversation, I talk about:

  • How clutter doesn’t always start out as clutter.
  • Why if you are in a constant state of disorganization now, you absolutely can change.
  • What exactly to start on to begin uncluttering your life.
  • Why getting a storage unit is almost always a bad idea.
  • The machine that will finally give you a paperless office.
  • A simple way to clear out kitchen clutter.
  • Why uncluttering is really just about finding what makes you happy and what really matters to you.

I look forward to reading your thoughts about the podcast! This is the first time I’ve been a part of a podcast and I must admit that it was a lot of fun.

Posted by Erin on May 14, 2008 | 13 Comments | Tweet This

Understanding how you process information to help you get organized, part I

When you read a book or newspaper article, do you instantly commit it to memory? Or, are you someone who likes to pace the floor when you’re thinking? Maybe you are someone who can hear a lecture and have no need to take a single note?

How you process information has a strong correlation to how you may want to organize your home and office. Strategies that work well for an audible processor might fall flat on someone who prefers to intake information visually. Knowing yourself and your preferences can make a difference in how successful you are at creating an organization system. The two posts in our “understanding how you process information to help you get organized” series will hopefully aid you in creating your profile.

The first step is to begin by identifying what type of an information processor you are: visual, auditory, or kinesthetic/tactile. Take the following quiz to help identify where you fall in the information processing spectrum:

Directions: Add one point to your score for each statement that strongly applies to you. The category with the most points is your dominant processing style. You may have strengths in more than one category.

Visual processor –

  1. I can remember that I need to do something if I write it down.
  2. I need to visualize myself wearing something to make a decision about what I want to wear.
  3. I take copious notes during meetings and often can remember what the page of notes looks like before I remember what the notes say.
  4. I need to look at a person when they’re speaking.
  5. It has to be quiet for me to be able to complete my work.
  6. Seeing data displayed in a graph is vital to me understanding numerical information.
  7. I am horrible at remembering jokes.
  8. I can remember phone numbers if I can visualize typing them on a phone’s key pad.

Auditory processor –

  1. I prefer to listen to books on tape or to read books aloud.
  2. The more I discuss a problem with my co-workers, the easier it is for me to find its solution.
  3. In school, I only needed to attend class lectures to perform fine on the tests.
  4. I remember what people have said before I remember who said it.
  5. I like to complete one task before starting a new one.
  6. A train could be passing through my living room and I would still be able to hold a good conversation with my Aunt Sally on the phone.
  7. When I forget how to spell a word, I sound it out.
  8. At the grocery store, I repeat my list either in my head or aloud.

Kinesthetic/Tactile processor –

  1. When I take on a project, I want to start doing instead of planning.
  2. When I need to take a break from working, I have to get up and move around my office.
  3. I can work effectively in a coffee shop or in an airport waiting area — I don’t need to be at my desk to do work.
  4. I can remember a client’s name better if I shake her hand.
  5. I would like to ride my bike to work, if I don’t already.
  6. I think more clearly throughout the day if I exercise before work.
  7. I am often aware of the temperature in my office.
  8. When I pick up something as ordinary as my stapler, my mind drifts to memories somehow associated with a stapler.

Which category best represented your processing style? I am visual processor with a relatively high score also in kinesthetic.

The second post in the series will provide suggestions for how you can take this information you have learned about yourself and apply it to your organization systems. Stay tuned!

Posted by Erin on May 14, 2008 | 72 Comments | Tweet This

Send events from Google Calendar to friends’ and family members’ cell phones

If you are an avid Google Calendar user, then you probably already know that you can send yourself text messages about upcoming events on your schedule. But, did you know that you also can send text messages about events to friends and family members with cell phones (even very, very low-tech cell phones)? Here’s how –

When you create an event, click on “edit event details”:

Once the event page appears, enter the contact information for your friends’ and family members’ cell phones as guests for the event:

The contact information for your friends’ and family members’ cell phones consists of their 10 digit cell phone number followed by the extension for their specific carrier. For example, if the cell number is (555) 555-1234 and they have Verizon as their cell phone carrier, you would list 5555551234@vtext.com as a guest. If their carrier is AT&T Wireless, you would list 5555551234@txt.att.net as your guest.

When you choose “save” for your event, a pop-up screen will ask if you want to send your messages to your guests. Choose “send” so your guests will receive an initial invitation to the event. Please note that they will not receive an event reminder if you have one set unless you log into Google Calendar and choose to “e-mail guests” on the events page the day of the event.

Here are a few extensions to help you figure out your friends’ and family members’ contact information for their cell phones:

#telephone#@vtext.com
Verizon

#telephone#@txt.att.net
AT&T Wireless

#telphone#@messaging.sprintpcs.com
Sprint

Standard message charges apply for all carriers.

Posted by Erin on May 13, 2008 | 12 Comments | Tweet This

Built’s cargo laptop sleeve

Built makes some very handy storage products out of neoprene. I highlighted their alternative to a lunch box back in November. Their new Cargo Laptop Sleeve is made from the same material and also includes some very useful pockets to store computer accessories. From the Built website:

Our Cargo Laptop Sleeve streamlines the transport of your laptop and computer essentials. Composed of extra-thick neoprene, this sleeve stretches to fit your laptop and offers a substantial amount of protection. Three external slip pockets provide snug and convenient storage for various sized gadgets and accessories. The zigzag stitched seams improve water resistance and durability. The Cargo is available in three sizes.

It definitely looks less bulky than any laptop sleeve I’ve seen and with the extra pockets for storage it looks like it can keep all your laptop accessories in one compact device. Another great looking product from Built.

Posted by Matt on May 13, 2008 | 6 Comments | Tweet This | Tags: , ,

Plant low maintenance perennials to create an uncluttered garden

White TurtleheadSpring is a great time to work in your yard before the temperatures get really hot. If you’re looking to create an uncluttered garden this year, here are some perennials that are easy to care for and very low maintenance (via About.com):

  • Armeria (Sea Thrift)
  • Chelone lyonii (Turtlehead — pictured)
  • Echinops ritro (Globe Thistle)
  • Hosta
  • Iris siberica (Siberian Iris)
  • Liatris spicata (Blazing Star)
  • Paeonia (Peony)
  • Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)
  • Thalictrum aquilegifolium (Meadow Rue)
  • Tiarella cordifolia (Allegheny Foam flower)

Now, if you are an experienced gardener, you may like to plant flowers that require more care. My black thumb, however, is a bit of an impediment to a more time-consuming flower garden.

Do you know of other, low-maintenance perennial flowers? Please let us know about them in the comments.

Posted by Matt on May 12, 2008 | 40 Comments | Tweet This | Tags: , , ,