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Serena Manickam

Serena Manickam is a freelance editor and writer and sustainable market gardener in rural Virginia. She holds a BA in environmental science and runs Fairydiddle Farm, a small market garden in which she grows no-spray produce and herbs to sell at a local farmer’s market.

Although typically associated with a lovely pale shade of purple, lavender flowers come in a variety of colors ranging from pure white to deep blue, with plenty of pink and purple shades in between. Pair these stunning hues with soft gray-green foliage, and you have a beautiful landscaping plant. The delightful spectrum of lavender flower …

Read More about Lavender Flower Colors: 17 Richly Hued Varieties in White, Pink, Purple, and Blue

If you’re looking for the perfect hydrangea for your garden, Annabelle might be it. A favorite among gardeners, Annabelle hydrangea flowers are stunning and remarkably easy to grow. Learn more in the guide below, from a physical description to care and troubleshooting tips. All About Annabelle Hydrangea Flowers Annabelle is a cultivar of smooth hydrangea …

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A favorite of many gardeners, the hydrangea is a flowering shrub that produces large, showy blooms from summer through fall. Although the name hydrangea tends to conjure images of large globes of tiny flowers in shades of pink, blue, and white, there are at least 23 species of hydrangea (some sources suggest as many as …

Read More about The 6 Most Popular Types of Hydrangeas To Choose For Your Garden

Few flowers look more cheerful than a vibrant yellow bloom. Like a little drop of sunshine, such golden blossoms can brighten up a garden with their happy little faces. Though perennials come back year after year, annual yellow flowers are easy to tuck into empty spaces and containers for instant color. 1. California poppies (Eschscholzia …

Read More about 11 Cheerful Annual Yellow Flowers to Grow this Summer

Arborvitae make excellent privacy screens, borders, and even container plants, but what to plant with them? Just as arborvitae vary in shape, size, and hue, so do companion plants for arborvitae vary greatly. Mix textures and heights to create layers of interest, perhaps planting tall, conical arborvitae in a back row with smaller, rounded shrubs …

Read More about 9 Best Companion Plants for Arborvitae

Unique names abound in the botanical world, and some plants, as you likely know, even have multiple names. Scientific names help us keep them all straight, so each of the flowers below has its genus and species (where applicable) listed following the common name for clarity. For a glimpse into the fascinating – and often …

Read More about 14 Dazzling Flowers that Start with D

Invasive weeds not only degrade ecosystems but also put a strain on economic and natural resources. Despite these plants’ adverse effects on the natural environment and human economy, some are still sold in nurseries and big box stores. Many of these plants can be found growing in your own backyard or your neighbors’ yards, whether …

Read More about 7 Invasive Plants in Nevada (And 14 Natives to Plant Instead)

Invasive plants wreak havoc on local ecosystems, outcompeting native plants that feed and shelter wildlife. But they’re not just found in wild spaces, and they cause problems for humans, too, in everything from agriculture to recreation. Many invasive plants were introduced as ornamentals before escaping cultivation, and some can still be found in our backyard …

Read More about 11 Invasive Plants in Pennsylvania Gardens (And 22 Natives to Plant Instead)

So many spectacular flowering plants begin with the letter C! How will you ever choose which ones to plant? Whether you’re looking for dependable perennials to take a place in your landscape or showy annuals to fill in the gaps, here is a list of captivating flowers that start with C. Annual Flowers that Start …

Read More about 13 Captivating Flowers that Start with C