What Do Young Poppies Look Like? A Guide to Identifying Poppy Seedlings

Poppies (Papaveraceae) are stunningly beautiful herbaceous annual, biennial, and perennial plants. The flowers are showy, with usually four crêpe-like, crinkled petals surrounding a central stigma and pistil. Within a day, after attracting pollinators, many poppies will drop their bright petals, leaving behind a pretty pod that quickly fills up with ripe seeds [1]. You can … Read more

Giving Your Plants a Beer: How Beer Boosts Growth in 7 Key Garden Crops

Beer and gardening might not seem like obvious partners, but using beer can actually provide multiple benefits for plants The yeast, hops and nutrients in beer make it a surprisingly versatile addition to a gardener’s toolkit While moderation is still advisable, a bit of beer can give certain plants a helpful growth spurt. Let’s explore … Read more

Planting Japanese Maples Near Your House

Japanese maples are gorgeous ornamental trees that can provide stunning color and visual interest to your home’s landscaping. Their gracefully cascading branches, lacey leaves, and brilliant fall hues make them a favorite for many homeowners However, their placement requires some forethought, as you need to consider their proximity to the house and foundation. In this … Read more

The Fascinating History of the Camellia House at Planting Fields Arboretum

Tucked away on the north shore of Long Island lies the historic Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park. This 400-acre oasis is home to lush gardens rolling lawns and architectural wonders that transport visitors back to the early 20th century Gold Coast Era. One of the crown jewels of Planting Fields is the stately Camellia … Read more

How Cold Can Verbena Tolerate? A Guide to Growing Verbena in Chilly Weather

With its profuse blooms and trailing habit, verbena adds striking color and texture to gardens and containers. This classic annual or perennial provides long-lasting color through heat and humidity. But when it comes to cold tolerance, verbena has its limits. Just how chilly can verbena withstand? Here’s what you need to know about growing verbena … Read more

Dividing Creeping Phlox: A Simple Way to Multiply This Beautiful Perennial

With its brilliant flowers carpeting the spring garden in vibrant hues, creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) is a much-loved perennial plant. As creeping phlox matures, the foliage can thin out in the center and blooms may dwindle. Luckily, dividing this perennial is an easy and effective way to rejuvenate aging plants and create more to expand … Read more