That’s why you shouldn’t write off your more ornamental plants. A shocking number of them are far more than just pretty faces. Most of us are chowing down on flowers all the time without realizing it. Broccoli, cauliflower, and artichokes are all flowers, or flower buds. Clearly, the part of the plant that we often think of as only being valuable for its looks can be incredibly tasty as well....
Unfortunately, at this time of year my yard takes on its own version of “fall decor.” Leaves. Lots and lots of leaves billowing in the wind and finding their way into just about every crevice of my garden. The long days of summer are starting to draw in, the trees taking on the warm, earthy tones of autumn, and the prospect of crisp mornings and cozy nights in front of the fire lie ahead....
In this article, we talk about reasons why your non-native bushes may not change from green to their signature scarlet color in autumn. The burning bush, Euonymus alatus, is famous for its showstopping autumn leaves. Unfortunately, this non-native woody shrub in the Celastraceae family is classified as invasive in almost half of the United States. In our guide to growing burning bushes, we discuss the cultivation of non-native E. alatus, in areas where it is not prohibited, as well as an alternative native species, E....
by Jennifer Poindexter Are you considering growing sweet potatoes in your garden? It’s important to do your research prior to growing this crop. You should understand all the things you must do to find success with this vegetable. And importantly, it’s also vital to avoid the most common mistakes the gardeners before you have made. It also saves you from wasting time and unnecessary frustration. I’ve been raising sweet potatoes for a few years and here are a few lessons I’ve learned the hard way, so that you won’t have to!...
Some plants are easy to propagate by simply putting a stem cutting in water. But some types of cuttings will only rot if you try rooting them in water because they need a more controlled environment. That’s where a propagation box comes in handy, and it makes rooting cuttings much easier! There are many different types and styles of propagation boxes. Some are very fancy (and expensive) and others are not so fancy, but cheap (or free!...
You might be thinking about getting started with hydroponic gardening. I was in the same situation a few years ago. One of the questions I wanted to know was whether my plants would grow faster and larger with hydroponic gardening compared to growing plants in soil Great News: Hydroponic plants grow faster and larger than growing plants in soil and require less space to grow than soil based plants. What Is Hydroponics?...
by Robert Pavlis Tree descriptions refer to two classes of trees: some with shallow roots and others with deep taproots. Those with taproots have most of their roots deeper in the ground, where they get most of their water and nutrients. These deep-rooted trees are claimed to be better for gardens because digging in the garden will not damage their root system, and there is less competition with other landscape plants....
I finally decided to add a hellebore to my garden in 2015. I thought the perfect person to consult for growing advice would be Gary Lewis, the owner of Phoenix Perennials, a nursery and mail-order company that ships 63 varieties of hellebores across Canada. Gary himself has 185 hellebores in his garden and says he’s still collecting. In fact, Gary is so passionate about the plant, he hosts an annual Hellebore Hurrah event....
Information If you've found squirrels in your garden, it's agitating to say the least. These little critters can be notorious for making off with some of your harvest. So once you've found them lurking around, how do you get rid of them? And more importantly, how do you prevent them from coming back? In this article, we walk through everything you need to know. By Jason White Last updated: February 17, 2022 | 7 min read Squirrels are often one of the most noticeable pests in your garden....
By Jennifer Poindexter If you have a window in your home that receives full sunlight and stays warm throughout the day, you might be struggling with finding a plant that can sit in the windowsill of such a location. This can become frustrating because many people assume that having a window in your home which receives full sunlight is a goldmine. What many fail to see is that when the sun becomes overpowering or the temperatures too warm, even some sun-loving plants can’t withstand such a situation....
I’ve been growing cacti since I was a child, but I’ve never seen one die of old age. I can’t say I’ve kept every cactus I’ve owned thriving and happy to this day, but it’s usually been my less than stellar care that has been the problem, rather than the limit of the lifespan of my cactus. It got me thinking, just how long do cacti live? There are loads of different species of cactus, over 1500 in fact....
It does this by causing three different types of diseases: Botryosphaeria obtusa The fungus Botryosphaeria obtusa can cause devastating losses to apples and crabapples over a wide geographical range and especially in warm humid climates. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. Black rot cankers (primarily in northern states) Fruit rot (primarily in southern and central states) Frogeye leaf spot (primarily in southern and central states) Part of the reason why this fungus is so widespread and ready to attack your apple and crabapple trees is that it grows on the dead tissue of many other host plants....
By Erin Marissa Russell Thrips are tiny insects that vary in color from yellow through brown and darkening all the way to black. They are about the same size, shape, and color as a splinter of wood. Adults are incredibly small, most no larger than one sixteenth of an inch, with hairy wings and asymmetrical mouthparts for slashing and sucking plant tissue. In all their stages, thrips have six legs, and the immature versions resemble smaller adults that are paler in hue....
As if that’s not enough to recommend them, they aren’t attractive to voles, deer, and rabbits. Being part of the garlic family, they resist a lot of the common pests and diseases that may plague other flowers as well. Allium spp. I’m an equal opportunity plant lover, but there’s something extra appealing about a plant that offers a whole lot of visual impact without requiring a whole lot of work....
Heck, as I was putting this together I realized our readers don’t need a growing guide for Sansevieria. Sansevieria Trifasciata (aka Mother-in-Law’s Tongue) Ever wonder why you never see artificial snake plants? It’s because you don’t need artificial versions. The real thing is pretty much unkillable and survives in almost any growing condition. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission....
It is an aggressive grower prized for its late season lavender-blue, yellow-centered blossoms. In this article, you will learn all you need to know to cultivate Tatarian aster in your outdoor landscape. Aster tataricus The Tatarian aster, Aster tataricus, is a non-native perennial in the large Asteraceae family that includes chrysanthemums, daisies, and sunflowers. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission....
Spring blossoms enrich the landscape with often fragrant cream, pink, and white hues. In the fall, the leaves turn vibrant shades of orange, purple, red, and yellow. Viburnum spp. The Viburnum genus contains more than 150 different ornamental woody shrub species. These are members of the Adoxaceae family, which also includes elderberries. There are species suited to cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones ranging from 2 to 8. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....
If you live in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 7, I encourage you to add this charming ornamental to your landscape. Aurinia saxatilis Also known as basket of gold, rock goldentuft, and yellow alyssum, Aurinia saxatilis is an enchanting perennial that will charm your garden with an explosion of color. The stunning yellow flowers will be on full display for up to six weeks in late spring and early summer....
The leaves are best enjoyed fresh, but a bumper crop freezes readily and retains flavor well. They can be dried for the spice rack as well. Aromatic, fast-growing, and flavorful, parsley is an essential herb in the kitchen garden. And it’s easily cultivated in pots or planters for convenient and readily available freshness. The tasty leaves are also highly nutritious and used to add savory flavor to a huge variety of dishes, from herbed butters to smoothies to hearty stews....
I have an area in my backyard that hardly gets any water. It’s up against the house where it’s protected from most rainfall, and gets full sun all day long. Plus, since it’s in a corner by the house, it gets very hot – so it’s a really tough spot for most garden plants to grow. The inspiration for my DIY zen garden (the solution to my hot, dry, sunny corner) came on a trip to California....
