I study landscape ecology and through my studies have discovered a love for plants. Plants are not only beautiful, but also have countless fascinating survival strategies. To bring some nature into my home too, I take care of houseplants and herbs on every windowsill I can find. Favourite fruit: rhubarb and all kinds of berries … Read more
As a gardener, stumbling upon a cache of small, clear eggs in the soil or under leaves is an intriguing discovery. Are they friend or foe? Identifying mystery eggs can be challenging, but a closer look provides clues. This guide covers common egg-laying critters, identifying traits, and whether to remove the eggs or let them … Read more
A ranunculus garden will provide the most beautiful look to your outdoor space. Growing ranunculus from corms indoors will assure you will have many flowers with a head start. We will talk about whether they are hard to grow, what plants do well with ranunculus, whether they only bloom once, and whether they spread quickly … Read more
John Hoyland, a garden writer and expert on plants, picks his favorite types of kniphofia, or red hot poker, and tells you how to grow them. Photographs by Jason Ingram. When I was in South Africa, I was amazed to see hundreds of flower spikes that lit up in the evening. They were the flowers … Read more
An old favorite, rose campion, also known as Lychnis coronaria, is a must-have in any cottage garden. Each packet contains 45+ seeds. The seeds are very tiny so I always include extras. Rose Campion is a great perennial/ biennial for informal and cottage style gardens. The soft grey foliage will form a neat clump in … Read more
Dahlia tubers start arriving in the mail as early as February but most areas have frost risks into late spring. So what should you do with dahlia tubers in the weeks or months before you can plant them outside? Proper care in spring will give your dahlias the best start. Storing Tubers Until Planting If … Read more
Snapdragon seeds are easy and fun to collect from spent flower heads in your garden. With proper harvesting, cleaning, drying, and storage, you can save snapdragon seeds to plant more of these beautiful flowers next season Why Save Snapdragon Seeds Growing snapdragons from seed you collected yourself has many rewards: It’s inexpensive – no need … Read more
We’ve all been there: you plant your dahlia tubers and wait what seems like weeks, but no sprouts appear. You wonder, Are my dahlias dead? Did I plant them right? Did I do something wrong?. Most likely, you didn’t do anything wrong; they’re not dead; they’re just taking their sweet time to grow! This article … Read more
Stag beetles are some of the most spectacular insects in the world. Their massive mandibles and armored bodies make them look like creatures from science fiction. For insect enthusiasts, getting to own and care for live stag beetles is an exciting opportunity. However, finding reputable sources to purchase these exotic pets from can be a … Read more
Groundcovers are low-growing plants that spread quickly to form a dense cover. They add beauty to the landscape, and they can also solve many planting problems in difficult sites. Grass is the best-known groundcover, but grass is not suited to all locations. Groundcover plants should be used where grass is difficult to grow or maintain. … Read more