Looking for year-round texture, movement, and color without fussy upkeep? Perennial ornamental grasses deliver all three. They thrive in most climates, shrug off pests and drought once established, and weave beautifully into borders, meadows, and modern landscapes. Below you’ll find 20 outstanding grasses with characteristics, care tips, and landscaping ideas to help you design with …
Gardening
Staring at a patch of dirt might not feel like a high-speed thrill, but your brain reacts to gardening like it just hit a jackpot. This isn’t just about growing the perfect tomato or having the prettiest yard on the block. There is a real physical shift that occurs when your hands touch the soil, …
Peppers are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, flavor, and, depending on the variety, heat. But they can be difficult to grow in the vegetable garden. One excellent way to help pepper plants along is to grow companion plants alongside them. Some will provide benefits to the peppers, while others will receive benefits from the peppers. Not …
It’s a familiar story: you walk into a garden center and are immediately captivated by a perfect, lush plant. Whether it’s the vibrant blooms of an azalea or the dramatic leaves of a fiddle leaf fig, it seems destined to brighten your home or garden. You bring it home with high hopes, only to watch …
Often seen as a hobby of the green-thumbed, gardening brings so much joy to so many families. You can create a thriving garden with a little creativity while spending little to no money. If you’re considering taking up gardening as a hobby, or you want to expand, but are concerned about how you’ll afford it, …
Eastern, Western, and Mountain bluebirds are some of the most sought-after wild birds in North America. These brilliant birds suffered major population drops during the twentieth century due to habitat loss and competition from invasive species. Dedicated conservation efforts helped their numbers bounce back significantly. Spotting that bright flash of blue outside your window brings …
The gardeners whose yards erupt into color every February didn’t do anything magical in spring. They did one quiet, unhurried thing the previous year: they planted. If your garden always feels one season behind, this is the reason — and right now, in April, you still have a narrow window to change that. Most of …
Landscaping around trees can be a difficult task, and cedar trees come with their own set of challenges. These dense evergreens cast thick shade and significantly reduce the amount of rain that reaches the ground directly beneath their canopy. Plus, their fallen, decomposing leaves increase the acidity of the soil. The trick, then, is to …
I often find that I feel most connected to God when I am outside, completely engrossed in the wonders of creation. Since our passion (gardening) is so closely tied to the earth, I imagine most gardeners have a similar experience. While simply resting or meditating in the garden can be a spiritual practice in itself, …
Want big blooms in a small space? Small flowering trees can add structure, color, and seasonal interest to patios, balconies, and tight yards—without outgrowing their spot. This guide covers 12 compact trees that thrive in containers or small gardens. For each, you’ll find why it works in pots or compact yards, unique features, and practical …