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And while the rich color makes them striking late-season specimens, under ideal conditions, self-sowing and rhizomatous root networks may result in invasive growth. Chinese lanterns (Alkekengi officinarum, syn. Physalis alkekengi) are appreciated for their bright orange seed pods or calyces that resemble fanciful paper lanterns. Suited to cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9, these non-native perennials thrive in organically-rich soil and full sun to part shade. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

Their long stems, sparkling flowers, and strong, spicy scent are ideal in beds, borders, containers, edging, and rockeries as well as butterfly, courtyard, gravel, and zen gardens. Dianthus superbus A classic in the cottage and cutting garden, dianthus species are beloved for their sweetly spicy fragrance and bright, cheerful flowers that rise above cool, glaucous green foliage. Large pinks feature feathery flowers in intense shades of burgundy, lilac, pink, scarlet, and white with deeply cut, fringed edges that can be delicate and silky or wildly plumed....

There are hundreds of known species, and most are native to Asia. Because of their beauty, they’ve been cultivated throughout the Northern Hemisphere for hundreds of years. Pop quiz: which perennial, flowering vine is super hardy; offers large, spectacular blooms in a rainbow of colors that open from last frost to first frost; and is right at home in a container? That’s right – it’s clematis! No doubt you’ve probably seen one beckoning to the pollinators around a neighbor’s mailbox or dazzling in the summer sun along a trellis or fence....

By Bethany Hayes Every herb gardeners need to try their hand at growing echinacea in their garden. Echinacea has a long history as a potent medicinal herb and a favorite stop for the local pollinators in your garden. Bees, birds, and butterflies all love to stop, so it’s a great addition to your pollinator garden as well. You might be worried that growing echinacea is hard, and I’m here to tell you that it’s not....

Sometimes referred to as “monkey cups” or “monkey jars,” tropical pitcher plants will require a little more work to care for than your average pothos or ficus, but doing a little research ahead of time will make you much more prepared to meet that challenge. Get ready to learn! Nepenthes spp. Some carnivorous plants are difficult to grow indoors. Pitcher plants like species of the Sarracenia genus are among those that are a challenge to grow as houseplants because they have very specific needs....

More than 100 species of Phytophthora cause a complex of diseases on hundreds of kinds of plants. Several different species can infect temperate fruit trees such apple and crabapple, pear, peach, apricot, plum, and cherry and also tropical fruit trees such as oranges, limes, and lemons. Phytophthora While the name Phytophthora might not mean much to you, these organisms are a menace to agriculture and forests alike. The name is derived from Greek and tells you what you need to know about them: plant destroyers....

We will describe methods you can take to keep slugs from devouring your cole crops. With the possibility of having up to 200 slugs on every square yard of your garden in cool humid climates, your cabbage plants and other brassicas may be in peril. Such a robust population can strip your garden of cole crops and other veggies. And each of these terrestrial gastropod mollusks can produce 400 eggs a year; and they are hermaphrodites meaning they all have both male and female sexual organs and can lay eggs....

Philodendrons can be a great addition to your houseplant collection. They are quite versatile, easy to grow, and gel in with their surroundings quite easily. If you already have one and want to know How to Make Philodendron Plants Bigger & Bushier, then we have got your back! Check out the most amazing types of Philodendrons you can grow here How to Make Philodendron Plants Bigger & Bushier? 1. Keep them at Right Temperature Philodendrons grow best in the temperature range of 65-85°F (19-29°C)....

The banana is an attractive herbaceous flowering plant that grows to a mature height of 12 to 18 feet tall. Its large leaves, purple flowers, and brightly colored fruit make a dramatic statement in the garden. Before we talk about how to overwinter banana plants, the first thing we need to get straight is that the banana tree (Musa spp.) is not actually a tree. It’s an herb! A rather sizeable herb....

When you realize what a powerhouse S. indicum is, you’ll want to grow some in your garden! And if you’re into cultivating drought-tolerant edibles, this is an excellent choice. Sesamum indicum Sesame is one of the most ancient cultivated crops, and it may be the first seed that was grown for oil. The tiny nutrition-packed seeds carry a robust nutty flavor enhanced by lightly toasting them. Sesamum indicum is responsible for the existence of many mouth-watering dishes, as well as snacks and desserts, in kitchens across the globe....

Suitable for cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9, they bloom in midsummer and are a favorite for cottage gardens or perennial borders. Leucanthemum x superbum Shasta daisies occupy a quiet corner of my mind. I remember the glow of white flower petals in my parents’ garden at night, reflecting the moonlight as we roasted hotdogs on bonfires and hunted for fireflies. Daisies as a group are garden favorites. The Shasta variety is no exception, and not only for its big bloomed, beautiful looks....

Taking care of your lawn is very rewarding. However, things may not always go as planned. Clover loves to infiltrate lawns, and there are many positives and negatives of having it grow in your lawn. But is clover a weed? Should you get rid of it? Is clover a weed? Clover is generally considered to be a weed as it is a wild plant that grows in competition with cultivated plants, usually your lawn grass....

QUESTION: Is the southern magnolia a messy tree? I’ve had trees before that constantly make a mess that requires a lot of raking or blowing, so I’d like to avoid that. – Wesley H ANSWER: Unfortunately, the southern magnolia tree is considered a messy tree by most standards. So you might want to keep looking if that’s your biggest criteria. These trees drop their old leaves each spring and also drop seed pods during the later portion of summer....

Mother of millions plants are easy to care for and fun to grow. In this post, I’ll show you all you need to know to keep your Kalanchoe delagoensis thriving for years to come. The mother of millions plant is a beautiful addition to any collection, and adds character to your home or garden. With its fast-growing nature, you can enjoy the unique foliage and flowers both indoors and outside....

What is soil amendment, and do you need it? Soil amendment is when material is added to soil to enhance its properties, such as retaining water or improving aeration, drainage function, or structure. Don’t get this confused with fertilizer: the purpose of fertilizer is to provide plants with the elements they need so they can grow faster/more productively. Instead, a soil amendment will improve your soil’s quality when mixed in, which can be used in conjunction with fertilizer....

Butterflies are not only beautiful, they’re one of nature’s top pollinators (after bees, of course). That being the case, they’re usually welcome in any garden — and you can attract them to yours by creating a specialized butterfly garden. Your first task is to find out which species of butterflies are local, and then plant the various herbs, flowers, and veggies they prefer. If you’d like to go a bit further and actually provide places where they’ll be willing to lay their eggs — and you don’t mind having a lot of caterpillars around — then plant the species that their larvae prefer to eat....

Plant new bulbs in the ground as soon as possible after they’ve been delivered or after you’ve brought them home from the garden centre. If you need to store bulbs for a couple of days, make sure they’re in a cool, dry location. It’s generally suggested that you plant your spring-flowering bulbs once nighttime temperatures dip to between 40°F (4°C) and 50°F (10°C). In the growing zone where I live, this is usually around October....

by Jennifer Poindexter Do you grow crepe myrtles around your home? Would you like them to look a little more landscaped? Consider planting gorgeous flowers beneath them to really make these trees pop. If you’re feeling unsure of what grows well beneath crepe myrtles, you’re in the right place. The main things to consider are root depth and sunlight requirements. Crepe myrtle roots are relatively shallow. Therefore, you need plants that won’t disturb the roots as they grow beneath it....

Fruit Are you planting strawberries in your garden that happens to fall in USDA hardiness zone 7? If so, understanding the timing around when to plant is critical. In this article, gardening expert and former organic farmer Logan Hailey examines all you need to know about planting strawberries in this hardiness zone. By Logan Hailey Last updated: November 27, 2022 | 3 min read You’re wanting to grow strawberries in your zone 7 garden, but you have no idea when to plant them....

Advantages of a High-Power Cordless Trimmer and Edger I’ll start out by telling you why I favor cordless electric trimmer/edgers in general, and then move along to give my opinions of the Worx WG184 specifically. Need some help with weeding and edging your lawn, but you’re not prepared to work with a hefty, gas-powered piece of lawn equipment? The lightweight, cordless Worx WG184 Power Share 2-in-1 40V Trimmer/Edger could solve your issues....