“My Japanese maple looks really sick and not as full as usual. Leaves fell a lot, and they are all spotted. Do you think this is because it has rained so much in the past few weeks or months? What should I do? asked Linda from North Carolina. As a Japanese maple leaf connoisseur, one … Read more
St. John’s Bush and St John’s Wort – two herbs with remarkably similar names yet very different purposes and uses Their names cause a lot of confusion, so let’s break down exactly what sets these two plants apart. First, St. John’s Bush (scientifically known as Justicia pectoralis) is a flowering herb that grows in parts … Read more
We might be weird, but were absolutely smitten with the easy-to-grow ornamental grass known as “bunny tails. ” Wait, no. Were not weird. At least, not for that reason. This small annual plant has tiny, fluffy seed heads that make it look beautiful. Anyone who doesn’t like it probably kicks puppies and would knock an … Read more
Rhubarb is a plant that only brave gardeners grow because they know how delicious it is. This unusual and sometimes hard to find plant If you’ve never grown rhubarb before, you might be wondering things like, “How do I know when rhubarb is ready?” and “When should I pick rhubarb?” Read on to find out … Read more
Spider mites are a common garden pest that damage plants by sucking out sap and chlorophyll from leaves and stems Left uncontrolled, heavy infestations can severely weaken, stunt, or even kill plants While miticides or insecticides are one control option, these chemicals can harm populations of beneficial insects A safer, more eco-friendly approach is using … Read more
Phlox is not a preferred plant for deer to eat. Deer tend not to be attracted to scented plants. Tall phlox dies back when exposed to frost. The aerial portion is dead during the winter months. Deer will eat from your garden all year, but they are less picky in the winter when their favorite … Read more
If you’ve ever owned a snake plant, then you know it’s not an especially hard-to-care-for plant. To make sure your snake plant stays healthy and grows as well as it can, you can still do some things. Knowing how to keep your snake plant from turning brown at its tips is one such thing. So, … Read more
As a passionate gardener, I’m always seeking eye-catching annuals to energize my flower beds and containers This year, I’ve discovered the perfect pick – pink and white striped petunias! These bi-colored beauties combine visual intrigue with high performance If you love petunias but crave something more unique than solid colors, explore these stunning striped varieties. … Read more
In their native range, poinsettia plants grow into large, colorful shrubs. Even though most gardeners can’t provide these conditions for growth, there is another way for those who want to grow this beautiful, frost-resistant plant. Over 30 million poinsettia plants are sold each year in the United States. This makes it among the best selling … Read more
There are sunflowers, and then there are SUNFLOWERS! Mammoth sunflowers are the king of sunflowers. If you want to wow your kids, the neighbors, or even the squirrels, these are the sunflowers you should grow. Mammoth Sunflowers are an heirloom variety that originated in North America. They are prized for their enormous head that can … Read more