Garden Writer at Plant Addicts
About Suellen Barnes
Suellen Barnes is a freelance garden writer and cut-flower grower who works from her farm in Carroll County, Maryland.
Her appreciation for plants began in childhood and grew through years of living in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, and eventually Maryland. Experiencing such different climates gave her an early appreciation for plant diversity and the many ways plants can contribute to gardens, homes, and the environment.
Suellen brings that experience to her work for Plant Addicts, writing about ornamental plants, houseplants, native plants, landscape design, and practical plant care.
Her Approach to Gardening
Suellen values plants for both their beauty and the role they play in everyday life. Her gardening interests span cut flowers, landscape plants, native species, houseplants, and herbs, with an emphasis on selecting plants that add color, fragrance, texture, habitat value, or practical use.
Her cut-flower gardens give her hands-on experience growing ornamental plants for both the landscape and the vase, while her years of gardening in different regions have exposed her to a wide range of plant types and growing conditions.
Education
Bachelor of Arts
Psychology
Georgetown University
Washington, D.C.
Hands-On Gardening Experience
Suellen grows cut flowers on her farm in Carroll County, Maryland, giving her practical experience with ornamental plants from planting through harvest and arranging.
Her interest in plants developed across many different parts of the United States, including the Southeast, Northeast, Texas, Hawaii, and the Mid-Atlantic. Those experiences helped shape her appreciation for plant diversity and the ways different plants respond to climate and growing conditions.
Her gardening interests include cut flowers, roses, dahlias, native plants, landscape design, houseplants, and herbs.
Areas of Expertise
Suellen's gardening experience centers on ornamental plants, cut flowers, home landscapes, native plants, and indoor gardening.
Favorite Plants
As a cut-flower grower, Suellen naturally gravitates toward roses and dahlias. Roses bring fragrance, structure, and classic color to both garden beds and bouquets, while dahlias provide bold blooms in a wide range of colors and forms.
For indoor growing, peperomia is another favorite because of its attractive foliage and generally low-maintenance nature.
Herbs round out her list of favorites because they combine ornamental and practical value. They can add color, texture, fragrance, and flavor to windowsills, gardens, and everyday cooking.
Featured Gardening Articles
Suellen has contributed plant-care guides covering woody plants, perennials, and drought-tolerant landscape plants.
Drought-Tolerant Plants
Ice Plant Care
Planting and care information for low-growing, drought-tolerant ice plants.