Often chosen for the texture and autumn interest they add to the garden, ornamental grasses have many virtues. Some are tall, towering over most other garden plants, and serve as a visual anchor or a privacy screen. Others form low mounds, tucked in among bright flowers to add softness to the landscape. As you decide …
Serena Manickam
Whether you live in southern Florida or get buried in the snow every winter, you may dream of having a tropical oasis in your backyard. Of course, this will be easier to implement if you live further south, but even those of us in areas that experience freezing temperatures can bring a bit of the …
We could all use more peace in our lives, and a beautifully designed garden, however simple, can provide a calm space for rest and meditation. The sound of rustling leaves, the scent of blooming flowers, and the gentle trickle of water can quiet the mind and soothe the soul. Whether you have a sprawling backyard …
Lavender plants suffer from very few pests and even fewer diseases. In fact, as an aromatic herb, lavender may even help protect other plants from pests by repelling harmful insects or disguising target plants with its strong fragrance. But all of this brings little comfort and no help when lavender plants do show signs of …
Justifying adding new greenery to your home is easy when you consider the air quality benefits. While all plants perform this task on some level, some are particularly efficient at it and do well in indoor spaces. Let’s look at the best indoor house plants for clean air to help you breathe easily in your …
Wildflower gardens come in many shapes and sizes, from lush meadows to tidy flower beds. In addition to beautiful, bright colors, wildflowers offer many benefits, such as attracting pollinators and providing wildlife habitat. Native wildflowers also tend to require less care than many other garden plants, as they are well adapted to your soil and …
If you like a tidy, green lawn, have grazing animals, or are tired of digging weeds out of your flower beds, buttercups might not be your friends. These sunny yellow flowers can bring a smile to a child’s face (“Do you like butter?”), but they can quickly become a nuisance to gardeners. Before we dive …
Invasive plants, or noxious weeds, displace plants endemic to Idaho and can significantly alter native ecosystems. They can increase erosion, alter soil composition, impact water flow and silt buildup in waterways, and reduce wildlife habitat. In the garden, noxious weeds may be masquerading as cultivated plants, or perhaps they lurk among the weeds. Learning about …
Did you know your lawn might be draining more than just your time? For the average American household, nearly 30% of water use goes straight to the yard—and in drier states, that number can skyrocket to 60%. With the typical family spending over $1,000 a year on water, thirsty landscaping can take a serious toll …
I felt a sort of thrill this spring when we began seeing baby groundhogs in the yard. Each morning found me eagerly peering out the bedroom window to watch the adorable, bumbling balls of fur learning to graze on the abundant clover in the lawn, safely outside the garden fence and within scurrying distance of …