Morning glory vines bring old-fashioned charm and a quaint cottage feeling to any garden. But if you don’t have time to care for a plant that spreads seeds quickly, you might not want to put it in your garden. They can quickly get out of hand. They will quickly hide behind a fence, pergola, or … Read more
Jasmine (Jasminum spp. ) is a lovely vine to grow in warm and mild climates. It comes in bush and vine forms and produces delicate, fragrant flowers with glossy green leaves. To make a pretty garden wall or privacy screen, teach jasmine to climb a fence, trellis, or other similar structure. Without training, the vine … Read more
New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) provide a spectacle of blooms in any sunny garden location. Like their cousins the common impatiens, which likes to grow in shade, the New Guinea impatiens grow in small groups of leaves with lots of colorful flowers. These plants will bloom early in the season if planted right after the … Read more
As a gardener and nature lover, I frequently find myself covered in tiny green seeds that cling to my clothing after spending time outdoors These pesky “hitchhikers” can be frustrating, spreading invasive plants and ruining clothes However, the more I learn about them, the more fascinating I find their ingenious methods of dispersal. The most … Read more
Oxalis, also known as shamrock plants, are prized for their colorful foliage that comes in shades of green, purple, pink, and more However, these plants sometimes develop unpleasant white spots on their leaves that can take away from their beauty White spots or markings on oxalis are usually a sign of an underlying issue. Here … Read more
Calendula comes from the Latin word for “first day of the month,” which is likely because this pot marigold always blooms at the start of the month. It is easy to grow from seed, and quickly grows to maturity in 6-8 weeks after sowing. Calendula, also known as Calendula officinalis, is a hardy annual plant … Read more
As a longtime gardener with a passion for unique plants I’m always seeking out new varieties to enliven my garden. And few flowers capture the imagination quite like the “flower rocket”! These cool vertical planters allow you to grow flowers, herbs and vines in a tower shape that truly resembles a rocket ready to blast … Read more
They say not to plant them in shady areas. Although theyll survive partially shaded spaces, both daylilies and irises bloom better in full sun. But mine do just fine in either with little help from me. With their elegant, orchid-like blooms in a rainbow of colors, irises are a garden favorite. But will they still … Read more
With their sculptural spikes of tiny red, pink or white flowers, red valerian plants, also known by their botanical name Centranthus, are highly desirable additions to gardens and landscapes These rugged, easy-care perennials have an old-fashioned cottage garden charm and attract scores of pollinators. If you are looking to add red valerians to your yard, … Read more
The sunflower is the typical flower of late summer and fall. Late summer sunflowers have round, happy flowers that can’t be beat. But what if you didn’t plant them in the spring or early summer? Is it too late to enjoy them? It depends on where you live, but for many gardeners, planting sunflowers in … Read more