Known as “The Last Frontier,” Alaska is home to beautiful and important ecosystems that have been labeled as conservation areas, national forests, and state and national parks. These vast wild areas host remarkable biological diversity and provide important sources of income for the people who live in this state. Unfortunately, invasive plants in Alaska pose a…
A richly textured grouping of colorful azaleas (Rhododendron) in the spring always draws my eye. I often find myself wandering in my local arboretum during springtime, shaking off the winter doldrums, and becoming immersed in early blooming azaleas. The azaleas are surrounded by companion plants and shrubs that help them grow lush and healthy. I…
Hyacinths are beautiful, fragrant spring flowers. However, if you have cats, you may be asking “Are hyacinths poisonous to cats?” There are many plants that are toxic to pets like cats or dogs, so it’s important to do your research. Hyacinths are, unfortunately, poisonous to cats. The bulbs of the hyacinth contain allantoin, an irritant…
Beans are one of my favorite garden vegetables. They are so rewarding and easy to grow, and I appreciate the rhythmic work of picking and snapping them (though by summer’s end I’m tired of the work!). In winter, I can pull out a bag of frozen beans or a jar of dilly beans and enjoy…
The Coneflower (Echinacea) is a perennial wildflower with several varieties. It’s a popular choice for wildflower gardens, along with many of the companion plants for Echinacea below. They are true harbingers of spring. You can’t help but wonder at the beauty of nature if you’re lucky enough to see a field of Purple Coneflowers (Echinacea…
What can you plant under the beautiful fir tree in your backyard? Not much seems to want to grow there, but the carpet of needles that would look natural in a forest appears sadly bare in your garden. To get started beautifying the area around your fir tree, first learn about the tree itself. Then…
When you want a modern look to your lawn or garden, modern garden sculptures can be a great way to bring this theme and style together. You can choose modern garden statues for any type of garden, flowers or vegetables, and for any type of lawn landscape. There are many types of outdoor garden statues…
Roses add classic beauty to any garden, their thorny stems topped by ruffled, elegant blossoms in shades of yellow, white, pink, or red. Many cultivars also perfume the air with their fragrance. Unfortunately, though, roses can be finicky and difficult to grow, requiring deadheading, pest and disease control, and otherwise careful maintenance to ensure they…
Hydrangeas are one of the darlings of the gardening world, adding mounds of showy, airy blossoms to the landscape. Almost no garden is complete without at least one hydrangea. Perhaps you’ve come to this conclusion and want to plant a hydrangea somewhere in your garden. But where, how, and with which other plants? The tips…