Most often, gardeners and homeowners plant bulbs straight into the ground. Maybe we want to tiptoe through the tulips. Perhaps we want a row of tall iris right in front of the porch. These are great ideas, but there’s certainly nothing wrong with planting your bulbs in containers. Wouldn’t a large pot of […]
Plant Encyclopedia: Ajuga
Must Know Plant Care Tips: Ajuga is a low-maintenance plant. It grows vigorously by sending out plenty of horizontal roots, or stolons, that grow outward from the main plant. Each one will take root and form another crown, making a nice little colony. The leaves are short and close together, and the stolons grow […]
Plant Encyclopedia: Licorice Plant
Must Know Plant Care Tips: Licorice can be grown either in the ground or in containers. Either way, you’ll need well-drained and loose soil that is free of rocks. Make sure the hole you plant in is nice and deep. Add compost and sand to clay-like soil. If planting in a container, choose […]
These Fragrant Flowers are Exactly What You Need
There are a lot of reasons to plant a flower garden. Maybe you enjoy attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Maybe you want to create a pleasant backyard path. Maybe your front yard could use some color and “wow” factor. But one of the best reasons you want to plant a flower garden is one […]
Plant Encyclopedia: Blazing Star
Must Know Plant Care Tips: Blazing star actually wants to be planted in poor soil. As long as you have good drainage, you should be good to go. Avoid overly fertile soil, as the plant growth may become too soft and unable to stand upright. Planting in full sun will help ensure a […]
Plant Encyclopedia: Lady’s Mantle
Must Know Plant Care Tips: Lady’s mantle is easy to grow from seed, plants, or division. Sow seeds outdoors in early spring or in autumn, or indoors 6 to 8 weeks prior to last frost. Keep them moist and move them outside at about 4 inches tall. Space your transplants about 12 […]
Plant Encylopedia: Potentilla
Must Know Plant Care Tips: Purchase potentilla from your local nursery and plant in the spring to early fall. It requires well-drained soil, preferably amended with quality compost. Space your plants 3 to 6 feet apart. When newly planted, water and mulch your plants well. Use fertilizer in spring for the best flowering. Prune […]
When to Prune Your Plants
To be successful, every gardener needs to know about proper pruning. Knowing how — and when — to prune your plants, shrubs, and trees is essential to keeping your yard and garden healthy. If you’re not entirely sure what you should be pruning and when, here are some helpful tips. 1. When You See […]
Plant Encylopedia: Fuchsia
Must Know Plant Care Tips: Many types of fuchsia will stop producing flowers if they get too much heat. To help keep constant blooms, pinch away the spent flowers to encourage new blooms. Some types are semi-trailing, making them good for hanging baskets or containers. In tropical climates, you may overwinter your […]
How to Over-Winter Your Geraniums
Geraniums are annuals. Or are they? If you love your geraniums and go to the trouble of planting them every year, you’ll be glad to know that you don’t necessarily need to do that. By taking some simple steps, you can actually keep your geraniums over the winter, basically turning them into a perennial. […]