Some plants are genetically blessed with great flowers AND leaves. I’m thinking of heucheras and tiarellas, while others have names that might fool you into thinking they have super-awesome flowers (i.e. Rex begonias), but they’re really all about the leaves. When you’re thinking of spaces to fill in the garden, figure out which role your leafy plant can play and set the scene. Foliage plants can act as a backdrop, highlighting the attributes of other plants; they can provide a variety of interesting textures and shapes; they add multi-season colour; and leaf hues can complement and contrast with both annuals and perennials....

Before you place a garlic order, or toss a bag of bulbs in your cart at the nursery, it’s important to understand the difference between hardneck and softneck garlic. If you’re hoping for that bonus harvest of garlic scapes, choose hardneck varieties, which also are better adapted to colder climates. Softneck garlic grows better in warmer climates, but keeps longer in storage. This is generally the type of garlic you’ll find at the grocery store....

Flowers Are you confused about how much water your chrysanthemums actually need? These hardy plants do require regular moisture, but how much and how frequently will depend on your climate. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen walks through how much water your chrysanthemums need, and how often you should be watering them. By Liessa Bowen Last updated: October 28, 2022 | 4 min read Chrysanthemums, commonly called Mums, are a spectacular fall favorite....

If you love chives as much as I do, then you’ll want to savor that fresh flavor all year long – and freezing them is the best way to do it! Freezing chives is super easy, and a great way to enjoy them all year round. They hold their flavor and texture very well when frozen, and you can use them in your recipes any time you need them. There are a couple of different methods you can use to freeze chives....

Far as I’m concerned, a berry patch is summertime incarnate. Ooh boy, summertime. There’s a lot to love about a summer day spent outside, isn’t there? Let’s set the scene: Pollen wafts on the warm winds while the sun beats down, a hummingbird flits by and the hyperactive beating of its wings buzzes through your ears; you feel it more than you hear it. Warm soil beneath your feet and calico cloud shapes in the sky above....

Mint is a delicious herb that can be grown in both water and soil. If you have a limited room, then don’t worry! Here are some great ways on How to Grow Mint in Small Space like a balcony, porch, rooftop & a windowsill. Want to grow Mint indoors? Get the best tips here How to Grow Mint in Small Space? The best thing about mint is it can be grown in small pots, teacups, coffee mugs, buckets, or practically anything!...

I’ll tell you about my tree’s second chance later in the article – just keep in mind that these conifers are more resilient than you might expect. Araucaria heterophylla How about bringing an evergreen tree into your home for the holidays, one that you won’t have to put on the curb once the festivities are over? Norfolk Island pine is a living Christmas tree that you can keep as a houseplant and enjoy throughout the seasons, year after year....

By Jennifer Poindexter I love overlooking garden spaces that have full trees and thick ground cover growing beneath them. If you’d like to create this look for your yard or garden area, try growing pachysandra as a ground cover. This plant is a perennial evergreen which grows in a thick carpet due to its root system. It does produce small blooms in the spring, but it’s mainly grown for its beautiful green foliage....

Roses are not the easiest plants to grow, but they are one of the most satisfying. Whether you enjoy them in the garden or cut them for indoors, watching a rose open petal-by-petal and smelling its sweet fragrance is a true delight for any gardener. Volumes have been written on the types of roses and how to grow them. Following are basic instructions for growing roses in a temperate garden. They are not that easy, but they’re not that difficult either!...

Making DIY newspaper pots for growing seeds is a really easy project, and doesn’t require a lot of time or materials. It also economical and environmentally friendly. Plus it’s better for the seedlings, since the pots can be planted directly into the ground. Your plantable pots don’t need to be incredibly strong either. The whole point is that they will break down quickly so you can plant the entire pot directly into the soil without worry....

Using the right type of cactus soil is extremely important, and I get asked about it a lot. So in this post, I’ll tell you everything you need to know, including what it is, the best type, and how to make your own. Cacti are beautiful and they make great houseplants, but they require a very specific kind of soil in order to thrive. They’re extremely picky, and can quickly die if planted in the wrong medium....

Overwintering begonias is easy, and a great way to save your favorite varieties every year. In this post, I’ll talk about three different ways to do it. Then I’ll show you how to dig and store the tubers, leave them in the ground, or keep them in their pots. Though they are most commonly sold as annuals, you can keep begonias over winter and enjoy them year after year. This is great news, because they’re so pretty, and I hate to watch them die in the fall....

Vegetables Iceberg Lettuce is one of the most common vegetables used around the world. Due to it's extreme popularity, many gardeners look to add them to their own garden. In this article, organic gardening expert Logan Hailey walks through every step you'll need to follow in order to plant, grow, and care for iceberg lettuce in your garden. By Logan Hailey Last updated: April 14, 2022 | 13 min read Iceberg lettuce isn’t the trendiest or sexiest vegetable by any means....

Native to the Mediterranean region and the Middle East, oregano grows one to two feet tall and two feet wide at maturity. Origanum vulgare Oregano, or Origanum vulgare, is a bushy, woody-branched perennial member of the mint family, Lamiaceae. Used extensively in a variety of cuisines, it is known for its earthy, robust, aromatic flavor. A staple of Italian-American cooking, oregano is found in everything from pizza and grilled meats to salad dressings and sauces, with delicious results....

And make no mistake – this perennial is aggressive. Unchecked, it may become invasive in the garden. Parthenocissus quinquefolia Virginia creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, is a fast-growing native vine in the Vitaceae or grape family. Also known as woodbine and five-fingered ivy, this species is common in the eastern United States and Mexico. The leaves change to a variety of colors in the fall, and wild birds are attracted to the berries....

It’s easy to just nab whatever pot and soil your local store has available, but if you really want to foster big, beautiful plants, you should put a little extra consideration into your choices. Potting soil and the container it sits in are literally the foundation for your houseplant. Without them, your plant can’t access nutrients, doesn’t have a base of support, and won’t be able to thrive. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

Once you know what challenges your beet plants face, you can take steps to head many of them off before they get a toehold. Beets often top lists of “perfect plants for beginners” because they aren’t too much of a challenge to grow. So it’s extra devastating when you step into your garden to discover that those plants you were counting on have been struck by some mysterious ailment. Don’t lose heart....

Do you enjoy growing tropical plants? Maybe you’ve never grown tropicals but you’d like to try. The jackfruit tree could be your first foray. This fruit tree from Southeast Asia is widely cultivated for its plentiful fruits and sturdy wood. With the right conditions, you can grow jackfruit too! Table of Contents The jackfruit is the national fruit of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. It’s also a state fruit in several countries in tropical Asia....

If you do not know about Maryland’s State Flower, we are happy to help you! Keep reading to find out How to grow It! Check out our post on flowers that grow in Hawaii here State Flower of Maryland In 1918, Black-Eyed Susan was declared the official State Flower of Maryland. You can easily spot the State Flower on roadsides and fields in Maryland. The colorful yellow-gold petals encircle a large black center....

Growing poinsettias outside is not only possible, it’s easier than you might think. In this post, I’ll tell you everything you need to know in order to enjoy them outdoors for many years to come. Poinsettias are a popular holiday flower most commonly sold around Christmas time, but did you know they can also grow outside too? Many people are surprised to learn that they can live outdoors, and flourish in the garden or landscape with the right conditions....