There are some pretty confusing things in gardening and one of them is definitely determining if a plant is annual or perennial. Things get even more complicated when growers notice the plant comes back another year but was labeled as an annual. Marigolds are the perfect examples. You may see them growing in gardens as…
What’s the fastest way of turning your garden or patio into a charming rustic setting? Scattering some terracotta planters here and there, of course! It’s not easy finding the best one because you have to get the size, drainage, and quality just right. The ones in the article below are high quality planters that come…
Pruning is a very important part of the fig tree care guide. Learning how to properly prune your fig trees will improve the trees’ health and also maximize fruit production. Timing is crucial when pruning figs – you can either do it at the end of winter or in the late summer. In this article,…
The fall may not be the favorite season of gardeners but since we can’t change it, we should try to make the best out of it. One of the things you should do to finish your garden’s summer story is deadheading. This technique may not be discussed by professionals but every flower bed owner knows…
Sunflowers are a gardener’s favorite. They bring color and vibrancy to your garden, not to mention all the hummingbirds, finches, butterflies, bees, and other beneficial bugs. They look amazing when added to bouquets and flower arrangements, and they can self-seed, so you won’t have to worry about planting them over and over again. Speaking of…
A truly inspiring story from a myeloma patient Fiona Smyth has touched every gardener’s heart, including ours. Fiona is a fellow gardener that enjoys spending time in her garden – “As soon as the good weather comes out, I have my first cup of tea outside… I love to drink in the birdsong and the…
Thunderstorms, windstorms, floods, dust stormes, drought, and heat can all create havoc in the garden. When a big storm is on the way, it’s important to keep your plants safe. Some plants are rather delicate and require protection from crazy weather, while others are naturally strom-hardy and can tolerate various conditions. So, learn your plants’…
Bleeding hearts are a true gardener’s favorite. Their deep purple shade and heart-shaped flowers are all it takes to make a garden special. They do come in other colors, don’t you worry, and they bloom between late spring and early summer, thriving in shaded locations and asking for nothing but a little water in return….
We all love a garden display with various flowering plants, especially when the colors and texture of the plants match. However, we need to be careful if we want to add one plant next to the other. In some cases, plants can inhibit each other’s growth and cause unnecessary issues. Luckily, that isn’t the case…
As the end of summer approaches, it’s time to give your garden some love. Pruning is the secret to a neat and healthy garden. This simply includes removing certain parts of the plant that might be damaged or diseased. Three such plants that require pruning before summer ends include lavender, rambling roses, and wisterias! So,…
If you adore plants but have a busy life, there’s good news! You can still enjoy some green friends without constant care. Low-maintenance houseplants are here to save the day. They bring nature’s beauty into your indoor space, even when you can’t give them all your time. In this article, you are going to find…
My question for many growers is how many hostas they have in their garden rather than if they have any at all. These plants are so popular because they look amazing and their care requirements are way lower than those of some common garden plants. However, there isn’t such a thing as a problem-free plant…
Most of us can’t stand the heat and we spend most of our time indoors with the AC turned on when it gets too hot. Well, imagine how the plants in your garden feel when they have to stay in the same spot under that scorching sun for the entire day! Luckily, there are still…
I’ve often found myself wanting to speed up certain processes in my backyard, whether it’s helping my plants get over powdery mildew faster or making them produce more flowers. I’ve tried just about everything, from commercial products to kitchen ingredients. And one such product is baking soda. Everyone swears by it, especially when it comes…
Tell me! Who doesn’t want to feast their eyes on globulus hydrangea flowers? Their unique ability to change color or remain purely white their entire life is only one reason why we want these flowers in our backyards. But what about their care? Is it too demanding for novice or busy gardeners? Not really! You…
Indoor plants make our lives better! Not only do they look spectacular but they also purify the air and some may even help with anxiety or sleep. If you’re exploring the world of Feng Shui, houseplants can help you achieve it. Arranging plants following the principles of this art can attract wealth into your home…
Some plant lovers don’t have enough space to fit all the green friends they plan on adding to their collection. This is where hanging baskets step in. The other reason why growers use them is because they’re tired of standard floor-standing planters. No matter the reason you decide on them, you must admit that plants…
Hydrangeas are one of the most popular garden bushes out there, loved for their bold colors. Their sophisticated looks might make novice gardeners believe that they are incredibly complex to care for, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. And to make matters easier, I’ve found 15 low-maintenance hydrangeas that can adapt to nearly…
Meet the charming Oxalis Triangularis, also known as the Purple Shamrock. This unusual plant produces distinctive triangular leaves that have a rich purple color, perfect for adding color to your living space. Not only is this plant absolutely gorgeous, but it is also quite easy to take care of – full sun, well-draining soil, and…
I’m sure many rose plant parents will agree with me when I say that these plants can be finicky over growing conditions. Even if you meet all their requirements, the blooms may not be as enormous as they should be. I have great news for you; you can help your rose bush produce enormous flowers…
Aloe plants are some of the easiest houseplants to care for, but even they can suffer from certain issues, such as unsightly brown discolorations. The most common causes are too much or not enough water, surplus of fertilizer, and excess sunlight. To make matters even worse, brown foliage won’t just go back to its usual…
Once hydrangeas start blooming, you don’t really notice any other plants in the garden! Their clustered tiny flowers come in multiple hues so there’s a hydrangea for every garden design. No one likes to see their plants start displaying any changes, especially discoloration. If you notice yellowing, something is wrong and you should determine the…
Lucky bamboo is one of those houseplants everyone seems to have in their living room, whether they’re into feng shui or they just love what it does to their space. But did you know that this plant actually belongs to the genus Dracaena (the same as the snake plant) and is not real bamboo? However,…
Peonies are perfect late spring or early summer flowers, inviting all sorts of pollinators and bringing an explosion of color to your garden. You can multiply the herbaceous varieties by division, while layering works best for tree types. But did you know that you can enjoy the entire process, from seed to flower, by growing…
Whenever someone asks me about the easiest plant to maintain indoors, I instantly think of the jade plant. Well, I have exactly the same thought when asked about the prettiest. Stunning woody trunks and fleshy glossy green leaves make this plant look like a tree, which is the main reason why many decide to turn…
If you had a bountiful pepper harvest, the best thing to do to save their delicious flavor is freeze them. Don’t worry, freezing them won’t make them any less spicy! You can freeze them whole, cut them in half, or even mince them. These frozen peppers can later be used to make delicious meals, salsas,…
The gardening world may seem complicated sometimes, especially for beginners. There are so many plant species and classification is actually the thing that brings confusion. In this article, I’ll answer a common question: what are biennials? You may have heard that these species produce blossoms and are easy to grow, and while that is true,…
If you want to get a cottage garden design, lupines are a must. These captivating plants steal the show as soon as their first blossoms appear. You shouldn’t have much trouble growing these plants but you must meet their basic requirements. I prepared a complete lupines growing guide that will teach you everything you need…
If you’re looking to fill your garden with vibrant bursts of sunshine, rudbeckia flowers are a perfect choice. With their cheerful golden petals and captivating beauty, these plants bring a touch of warmth and color to any landscape! Even if you are a beginner, you won’t have any issues with growing rudbeckias as these lovely…
Plants undoubtedly make a perfect addition to any home! But growers, especially beginners, may have a hard time maintaining the vigor and appearance of their green buddies. Hydrogen peroxide is a secret ingredient for a happy houseplant! I’ll show you why you should always have this potent substance at hand and how to use it. …
Once the fall arrives, everything turns bronze, red, orange, and yellow. Well, not exactly everything – meet ‘October Skies’ asters, beautiful flowers with prominent purple colors that thrive in the fall season. With its vibrant petals and mesmerizing fragrance, this native flower has recently gained many admirers! Keep reading to learn more about its easy-care…
The Christmas cactus is definitely one of my faves! I’ve been told that it’s hard to maintain so I was skeptical about getting one. Luckily, I decided to buy it, and now after so many years the only thing I can say is that it’s among the easiest plants to care for. Once you meet…
Have you ever asked yourself what is the healthiest food in the world? With numerous superfood options, it can be quite hard to determine which is the number 1 food that can improve your overall well-being. Well, the researchers at William Paterson University wanted to know the answer for sure! They tested about 41 types…
A captivating appearance and low care requirements have made the snake plant one of the most frequently chosen plants for indoor environments. Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, the snake plant features fleshy, structural leaves often adorned with yellow margins or stripes. But this plant has one unique feature many growers aren’t aware of: it can…
We’re undoubtedly living in a world of chaos! Everything seems out of place and the harder we try to get things in order, the more complicated they become. This also applies to gardening and many beginners simply give up because they can’t keep up with all the ‘rules’ they must follow. But what if I…
Imagine vibrant hydrangea blooms bursting with vivid colors and lush foliage, all thanks to an unexpected and surprising ingredient – pickle juice! Although hydrangeas can generally thrive in poor growing conditions, adding certain fertilizers can significantly improve their growth and boost flower production. One such fertilizer is pickle juice. Pickle juice is one of those…
When we think of a rose, perhaps its fragrance takes us to the 50s or to the Queen Mary’s Garden in London. But it certainly doesn’t have us thinking about roses as invasive species. And yet, that’s exactly what Rosa rugosa (beach or Japanese rose) is to Maine. It originated in Asia but spread all…
Attracting birds and pollinators, hummingbirds in particular, is one of the great joys of gardening. These little guys look adorable when frantically fluttering their wings and eating their share of the nectar you’ve left for them. It is fairly easy to make their food on your own; dissolve a quarter of a cup of sugar…
Are you dreaming of a vibrant, envy-worthy lawn that boasts a rich, dark green color? Look no further, as we are about to reveal the essential ingredient that can transform your grass in no time! We are talking about a liquid iron that can quickly and effectively turn your lawn dark green. Not only does…
African violets adorn many windowsills all over the world. And the reason for that is their undemanding care. However, there are a couple of things that we need to take into consideration before getting this tiny gem. And one of them is soil. Getting the right growing medium is crucial if you want to give…
Daylilies are one of those flowers that don’t need too much care in order to show you how much they appreciate it. But did you ever have to deal with their slow growth, lack of blossoms, and clustered leaves only to give up on them? You’ll be glad to hear that these signs usually indicate…
Did you know that you’re missing out on an even cheaper way to propagate petunias? And I’m not talking about seeds! You can multiply your own petunias by growing them from cuttings, get the exact same plants faster and for free, and use them for gorgeous garden displays. Let’s compare this propagation method with the…
Unfortunately, not every one of us has a green thumb, and it may be pretty disheartening seeing your friend’s collection full of lush, green, and healthy plants if yours don’t look so good! Well, plants like attention and if your first plant has high care requirements, the possibility you won’t keep it alive is pretty…
The quality of indoor air has been a topic of numerous discussions lately. We’ve been provided with multiple studies on the subject and some date back to the last century. Indoor air contains harmful substances that pose a threat to our overall health, which is why we must do anything to decrease their concentration. In…
It is always a good idea to grow native plants as they can naturally grow and don’t require much maintenance. Luckily for Kansas folks, there are a lot of beautiful native wildflowers that make the garden colorful and vibrant! These plants have evolved to thrive in these unique climates and soil conditions, so you don’t…
If you have potted plants, then you know how important drainage is. Without it, our plants would rot in no time! Many gardeners have been promoting various techniques of improving drainage, including adding rocks to the bottom of planters. However, they are moving away from this technique because it has more drawbacks than benefits. It…
Overwatering frightens beginner gardeners all around the world. So if you thought that you were the only one dealing with this issue, trust me, you’re not! The problem is actually very common and there are many factors that lead to it. It’s not really about adding too much water to a plant at once, like…
Including a couple of hanging baskets brimming with flowers into your landscape can do a lot for it. But not when they’re not flowering! And did you know that there are a couple of simple tricks you can use to have them flourishing all summer long? Let’s check them out! 1. Careful Positioning Whether you…
Is there anything prettier than a garden full of dahlia blossoms? Due to their extraordinary beauty, dahlias have become a part of almost every bridal bouquet nowadays. Their fluffy flowers come in different forms and the only color you won’t find in dahlia blossoms is blue. They can be about 10 inches in diameter and…
Succulents are known for being hardy plants that can thrive in poor growing conditions, but did you know that there are some succulents that can also produce oxygen at night? While most plants release oxygen during the day through photosynthesis, these special succulents continue to produce oxygen even after the sun goes down. This is…
Peace lilies are one of the prevailing houseplants. They can handle lower light conditions quite well, thrive in humid environments, and aren’t that fussy. However, if you want them to produce their gorgeous flowers, you will have to pay attention to them. I say flowers, but the white part is actually a modified leaf protecting…
Jackie Flournoy was looking out of her window one May morning in Luthersville, Ga. when she noticed she had a 25-foot flower stalk in her front yard. I always thought nobody else has this but me, said Jackie when asked about her agave plant. She planted it in 1987 and never in her wildest dreams…
When I visited England, there was one thing in their countryside that baffled me. There seemed to be one rose variety that spread from village to village, and every single person seemed to have the same variety in their garden. Why is this the case? Is it because these roses have a particularly sweet scent…
If you want to make the most out of your sunflowers, then you should definitely consider companion planting. By strategically choosing companion plants for sunflowers, you can enhance their growth, attract beneficial insects, and create a healthy garden ecosystem! These tall and vibrant sunflowers not only bring a burst of sunshine to the garden, but…
I know many beginner gardeners opt for aloe plants due to their low-maintenance, but did you know that you’re likely not growing them correctly? Or rather, there are a couple of tricks you can implement to have the best-looking aloe plant possible. Here are some of the basics every aloe owner should know in order…
Pools make an excellent addition to backyards just like plants, so why not use the opportunity to combine them for great results? You have many options to choose from; you can go with plants with colorful foliage or uncommon blossom shapes, or add trees and shrubs. Surrounding pools with plants may have other benefits such…
Peonies are renowned for not only their appearance but also their low care requirements. Changing spots isn’t the essential thing in peony care, which is not the case with common garden perennials. However, there are some cases when it’s not a good idea to skip transplanting peonies. This is mainly related to light exposure and…