As any gardener knows planting trees can get expensive. Purchasing saplings from a nursery often costs $10-50 each depending on the species and size. That adds up fast when you’re looking to establish a windbreak timber plantation, or wildlife habitat on your property. Luckily, there’s an easy and affordable way to get free trees – … Read more
Mistloe cactus grows on trees in its natural, tropical environment. It is an epiphytic cactus with trailing, pencil-shaped leaves. This kind of cactus does best in dappled sunlight or indirect indoor sunlight. It also needs soil that drains very well and needs to be watered a little more often than a typical desert cactus. Additionally, … Read more
Do you love tulips but don’t want to plant and wait for the bulbs to bloom in the spring? What if we told you there was an easier and faster way to enjoy tulips before they would grow naturally outside? You can start the season quickly if you don’t have a green thumb or are … Read more
As spring comes around, flowering cherry trees put on a beautiful show of pink or white flowers that cover their branches. Because they don’t grow very tall or wide, weeping cherry trees do well in small areas. They make beautiful specimen trees for a lawn, a courtyard, or a border. Little kids like to use … Read more
As a houseplant enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for unique trailing plants to add to my collection. One of my favorites is the string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus), with its spherical beads-on-a-string foliage. If you also love the string of pearls, you’ll be happy to know there are lots of equally interesting plants with … Read more
Common bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) is a spring-blooming herbaceous perennial that forms arching stems from rhizomatous roots. The plant is a fast grower that typically reaches 2 to 3 feet tall within around 60 days. Although it flourishes best outdoors, you can keep a bleeding heart plant indoors as well. Bleeding heart flowers are small … Read more
Lobelia can grow well in pots with minimal effort. Lobelias that grow in containers or hanging baskets on patios, balconies, or entryways are great because they can be small or trailing. Lobelia is a bright plant that looks great in many types of planters and is easy to take care of as a container plant. … Read more
I bought Dwarf Cornflower seeds for myself six years ago. I planted them and took good care of them, and now they have a beautiful display of bright blue flowers. At the end of the year I collected the seeds from the flowers and stored them. I’ll admit to not really knowing what I was … Read more
Catmint, or Nepeta, is a pretty, hardy, and easy-to-grow flowering perennial that is known for having smelly leaves that cats like, which is how it got its name. Its leaves smell good and are green or gray-green. From summer to fall, small two-lipped mauve or blue flowers cover its stems. Cats can chew on and … Read more
With their bold architectural forms and spiky blue-green leaves, agaves make striking landscape plants in warm climates. While agaves require minimal care once established, occasional trimming helps keep them looking their best. Here, I’ll share tips on when and how to trim your agave plants for optimal health and appearance. When to Trim Agaves Time … Read more