Shrubs and vines add height to gardens, providing vertical interest and privacy as well as hiding unsightly structures. And when you plant flowering shrubs and vines, those plants offer beautiful blooms for added color. Plus, if you have limited space, flowering vines can pack more flowers into a small footprint by growing upward rather than…
Imagine your dream garden, with all of its beautiful plants and wandering pathways. Now close your eyes. What do you hear? What do you smell? Just looking at plants might melt the tension from your shoulders and lift the corners of your mouth, but smelling them can transport you to a whole different world. Few…
Though annuals often take center stage in greenhouses in spring — think bold petunias and pansies — perennials can be planted once and enjoyed for years to come, often with little maintenance. Many do require full sun, but plenty of others thrive in shady conditions, and some even bloom all summer long. With the right…
Jumping into gardening can be both exciting and intimidating. There’s so much to learn! You want to plant everything! Where do you start? Seasoned gardeners have learned the best tips and tricks through years of experience, and while trial and error is a great way to learn, you can get a head start by seeking…
As the short, cold days of winter drag on, slowly lengthening, our fingers itch to dig in warm, crumbly soil again. We flip eagerly through seed catalogs and longingly inventory the packets left over from last year, tucked into plastic tubs or shoeboxes or old biscuit tins. But we don’t have to stop there; many…
Cottage gardens, xeriscapes, wildflower plots, and carefully landscaped flower beds all exude an undeniable beauty, attributed mainly to the plants chosen to inhabit them. If you are planning a new garden or even looking for flowers to fill in gaps in an existing landscape, it can be overwhelming to sort through the options. Here are…
With their large, elegant globes of flowers, hydrangeas are among the most popular flowering shrubs in the US. They come in several varieties, allowing them to fit well in a range of garden settings, and some can even be persuaded to bloom in bright colors. Because of the different types, knowing which one you have…
What do you do with all of those vases piling up under the sink or on a forgotten shelf somewhere? Even after filling your favorites with fresh flowers to display around the house, that cluttered storage space still holds vases left over from long-ago gifted flowers or purchases you made yourself. It’s time to free…
Succulents make stunning house plants, and most are remarkably easy to care for. Once you know a few simple tips for how to care for succulent house plants, you can explore the many wonderful varieties well-suited for indoor growing and fill your home with their unique textures and colors. Yep, succulents come in not only…