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However, before you plant, be sure to check with your state’s extension service to determine if the cultivation of C. cyanus is permitted in your area. Centaurea cyanus Bachelor’s button, Centaurea cyanus, is a European wildflower that has naturalized across the United States. It is a member of the Asteraceae family that includes asters, chicory, daisies, mums, sunflowers, and yarrow. It’s a vigorous plant commonly found growing among the grain crops in farmers’ fields....

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 name refers instead to the center leaves of pink, purple, red, or white, that give the illusion of a blossom surrounded by foliage. Flowering kale, Brassica oleracea var. acephala, is a cool-weather biennial in the Brassicaceae family that includes broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and kohlrabi. It is usually grown as an annual in the cool gardens of fall, and winter. Bred to look attractive, it is edible, but generally has a bitter flavor....

We will introduce you to the major hydrangea diseases, so you know what to look for and how to prevent and treat them. There are few things more beautiful than lush hydrangea bushes. Unfortunately, their beauty can be sullied by a number of fungal and viral diseases (and two bacterial diseases). However, there are steps you can take to keep your beauteous shrubs from falling victim to one of these diseases....

by Matt Gibson The key to a successful vegetable garden is healthy soil. But even if your garden area doesn’t have perfect soil, you can improve it. In this guide, we’ll show you how to prep your garden beds so that you’ll end up with your best vegetable garden yet this season. Clear The Beds When do you want to clear the beds for spring planting? Preferably, in the fall. You may have some flowers planted there or some other plants that you care for during other seasons, but if you are trying to get your beds whipped into shape for vegetable gardening, the best time to start is in the fall....

Rex Begonias has the most unique and intriguing foliage patterns. You can grow them indoors as well, but they are very expensive. But if you know How to Propagate Rex Begonias From Leaf Cuttings, you can make many of them and increase your collection and save money. All you need is one single leaf! Have a look at the best types of Rex Begonias here How to Propagate Rex Begonias From Leaf Cuttings It is one of the very few plants you can grow from a single leaf!...

QUESTION: Is molasses good for tomato plants? ANSWER: Some gardeners swear by feeding their tomato plants molasses, saying that the molasses not only provides tomato plants with energy but also makes ripening tomatoes sweeter and increases microbial activity in the soil. Others disagree, stating that plants don’t need the vitamins molasses contains, and the short-term boost in microbial activity won’t be worthwhile. If you choose to feed your tomato plants molasses, make sure to dilute the molasses in water or add it to a liquid fertilizer blend first....

Squash bugs are destructive feeders that attack members of the cucurbit (gourd or squash) family, especially pumpkins and squash. The insects suck on the underside of the foliage, causing leaves to wilt and eventually appear black or dried out. Adult squash bugs are 5/8-inch long and about ¼-inch wide, gray to black with brown and orange stripes on the abdomen. Young nymphs are about half as long with a green abdomen and red legs and head that turn black with age....

If you love lavender, you’ll definitely want to make these cookies. They are light and decadent, the recipe very easy to make, and they taste great too. They’ll have everyone who tries them coming back for more! These homemade lavender cookies have a rich yet delicate sweetness and subtle floral notes. With only 6 ingredients, it’s simple to whip up a batch, and the flavor will keep you coming back for more....

If you own a South facing balcony, you are luckier than those who have north facing balconies. You can build richest compositions with myriads of plant because the choices of plants that like such space are enormous. When we’re talking about the south faced balcony, let’s assume there is nothing shady. Also, keep in mind that south facing balcony is itself a trap — containers with plants become very hot, and the soil dries out quickly....

In this article, you will find 25 of our favorite hydrangeas for containers and gardens in your outdoor living space. The hydrangea is a deciduous shrub with mature dimensions ranging from dwarf to tree-sized that boasts showy flower heads in an array of forms and hues. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. Here they are:...

If you wonder, How Just a Cigarette of Tobacco is Useful for Plants, you will be surprised that, yes, you can use it in the yard. Let’s have a look at Tobacco Uses in the Garden. Check out the best smokable plants here Tobacco for Gardening According to a study, Tobacco dust can be applied to the soil to recycle essential nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) back into the soil that plants have taken up from the soil....

We’re here to help! We’ll walk you through the process and give you all of our tips and tricks, and then finish up with some preparation and recipe recommendations. So your okra plant is flourishing and has started to bloom. Congrats! But when are the plants ready to harvest and how do you do it? We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission....

But not all varieties of this showy climber are cold hardy, and many can benefit from some preventative winter care. With protection from freezing temperatures and hard frosts, your vines will return with an abundance of flowers year after year. Clematis is rightly known as the queen of the vines for its regal performance in the garden. It happily scrambles up and over arbors, pergolas, and trellises, as well as through other plants, creating beautiful walls of rich color....

Flowers There are many different types of Zinnia varieties, so picking just one type to plant can be extremely difficult to do! These easy to grow annuals are a favorite amongst many flower gardeners. In this article, gardening expert and cut flower farm owner Taylor Sievers looks at over 20 different zinnia varieties you can plant this season. By Taylor Sievers Last updated: August 26, 2022 | 10 min read Zinnias are heat-loving herbaceous annual flowers native to Mexico....

Information Is your Christmas Cactus turning yellow? There are a few different reasons this can happen, and the good news is that most of them are reversible. In this article, gardening expert Paige Foley looks at the most common reasons that your Christmas Cactus has yellowing leaves, and how to fix it. By Paige Foley Last updated: December 22, 2022 | 8 min read Christmas cactus are a popular gift or decoration around the holiday season....

To recap, you need to start seeds 6 to 8 weeks before, or direct sow immediately after the last average spring frost date. China aster, Callistephus chinensis, is a flowering annual suitable for gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 11. It’s a member of the Asteraceae family that includes the chrysanthemum and daisy. Colors range from bold vibrant tones to serene pastels. In our article on how to grow and care for China aster, we discussed all you need to know about cultivation and maintenance....

Plants If you live in USDA hardiness zone 7, you likely have plenty of areas in your garden that get drenched in full sun conditions. If you've decided to add some perennials this season, finding the perfect pairing for sunny climates can be a bit of a challenge! In this article, we take a look at our favorite sun friendly perennial plants for zone 7 gardens! By Jason White Last updated: November 19, 2022 | 9 min read There is just something peaceful about a thriving flower garden in the middle of a hot, southern summer that triggers happy thoughts!...

by Jennifer Poindexter Do you need new shrubs around your home? Would you like a shrub which produces color or even beautiful berries? You’ve landed in the right spot. I’m going to walk you through a few options for shrubs which produce red berries and add a vibrant splash of color during certain parts of the year. I’ll share with you which planting zones and growing conditions the shrubs grow best in....

Check out some highly toxic plants for dogs here If you have young ones, pets, cattle, or frequent visitors who don’t know much about plants, it’s better to be extra careful with what you’re planting because these plants can even kill! 1. Deadly Nightshade Botanical Name: Atropa belladonna We all know that the nightshade family has many edible plants like eggplants, tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. But this one is not! Deadly Nightshade has been used in making poison for centuries now....