Looking for herb plants that live for more than two years without needing to be replanted? This list of 33 perennial herbs features herbs to use in cooking, for medicinal use, and to add interest to your garden. Each hardy herb in this list includes a description of its key traits—leaf shape, growth habit, scent, and …
Carol Speake
Want to add new flowers to your garden this year? Check out the list of orange flower names and pictures below for inspiration. You can use it to discover new types of orange flowers, or identify ones you have seen and liked. Of the 45+ plants with orange flowers in this list, some are uncommon varieties, …
Mealybugs on plants is a common pest for indoor plants and succulents. These bugs look like a fuzzy, white coating on the leaves of your plants. Signs of a mealybug infestation are a white cotton-like substance on the plants, sticky amber colored honeydew, ants around your plants, or a layer of black “soot” on the …
Pruning shrubs regularly will keep them more healthy, will maintain a manageable size for them and will help them to produce more flowers. When it comes to trimming bushes, the most important factors to take into consideration are proper pruning techniques for shrubs and when to trim bushes. The trick really is knowing where to …
Herbs bring fresh flavor to recipes and are easy to grow, but not all herbs have the same life cycle. This list of annual, perennial, and biennial herbs will help you select the perfect herb for your garden. Annual herbs complete their life cycle in one season, biennial herbs take two years to grow, and …
Catfaced tomatoes have an unconventional and ugly appearance. Few things are more of a disappointment to a home vegetable gardener than discovering that their prized tomato plants don’t look the way they expect them to. Catfacing on tomatoes is a physiological disorder that is characterized by irregular and often distorted growth, resulting in misshapen tomatoes …
If you are looking for an easy-to-grow vegetable, ranking second in popularity after tomatoes, try growing green beans. Green beans are also called French beans, string beans, and snap beans. They come in two types – bush beans and pole beans. Snap beans are a great vegetable for beginning gardeners. Even kids can get involved. …
Yellow leaves on tomato plants have many possible causes — from nutrient problems to diseases and watering issues. Finding the right reason often takes some research and trial and error. Discovering that your plants have yellow leaves (which can also lead to black spots), catfacing, and other tomato plant problems can be a big disappointment and …
Shasta daisy care is easy, making this a popular perennial for gardeners of all levels. Their sunny yellow centers and crisp white petals brighten borders, flower beds, and cottage gardens with minimal effort. The plant thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. It will reward you with more blooms each year as it naturalizes in …
There are many watermelon varieties to choose from, and each one has its own characteristics. Some ripen early, some need more space, and others stand out for their color or flavor. Seeded, seedless, icebox, picnic, miniature, and yellow or orange fleshed types all offer something different. In this post, you’ll learn about the most common …
Flapjack succulent plant is a striking, tender succulent with flat, paddle-like leaves. It is easy to care for and grows well both indoors and outdoors. With the right conditions, this plant can be a bold addition to gardens and container displays. Caring for a flapjack succulent is simple. It thrives in bright sunlight, well-draining soil …
Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Candy Stripe’ is a low-maintenance annual with large, single white flowers that are striped with dark pink edges. It is a popular plant in English cottage gardens. This plant has a long blooming season, flowering from early summer into fall. It’s great for cut flowers and looks nice in container gardens, too. Keep …
Many gardeners want to know how to ripen tomatoes indoors when the growing season ends or the weather turns cold. Whether your tomatoes are completely green or only partially ripe, you can try the simple indoor methods below to finish the ripening process. Basic supplies like paper bags, cardboard boxes, newspapers, sunny windowsills, bananas, and …
If you’re looking for a cool-weather root vegetable to plant in your home garden this year, try growing rutabagas. This guide will show you how to grow rutabagas from seed to harvest. Rutabagas – also called swedes, neeps, yellow turnips, Canadian turnips, or Russian turnips – have an earthy, peppery flavor when raw, and a …
Tomato blossom drop is a problem that many vegetable gardeners experience, particularly those in hot climates. In fact, a common question that I get from my readers in the warmer states is “Why is my tomato plant dropping its flowers?” You’ve nurtured your tomato plants with care, eagerly expecting to get a harvest of luscious, …
Growing herbs indoors is a great way to keep their fresh flavor at your fingertips all year long. With the right setup, many popular herbs will grow inside, providing a constant supply to use in your recipes. It’s important to choose varieties that adapt well to indoor conditions. Basil, rosemary, parsley, and chives are popular …
Kalanchoe houghtonii, also known as “mother of thousands,’ along with other common names, is a tender succulent that is very easy to grow. In fact, left to its own devices and uncultivated, the plant can be quite invasive. These growing tips for mother of thousands succulent will show you how to easily grow this interesting …
A cottage garden blends beauty and practicality in a relaxed, welcoming way. It’s a mix of flowers, herbs, and edibles that feel natural yet intentional. In this guide, you’ll learn simple ways to create the look of a cottage garden in your yard. We’ll discuss edging ideas and features that make the style so popular. …
What a gorgeous tropical plant this plant is! The common name for the plant is angel’s trumpet and the botanical name is Brugmansia. One can almost hear the sound from the trumpet! Angel’s trumpet plant gets very large and its sprawling growing habit makes it a good choice when landscaping to cover an ugly fence. …
False indigo plant (Baptisia australis) is a long-lived native perennial that adds height and color to garden beds. After blooming, blue false indigo develops black seed pods that add visual interest and food for birds in the winter. It is deer and rabbit-resistant. Baptisia plant also attracts hummingbirds and beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. …
Propagating hydrangeas to get new plants for free can be done in several ways – hydrangea stem cuttings, tip rooting, air layering and division of the mother plant. Growing hydrangeas from seed is also possible, but not as widely done as other forms of propagatio In today’s article, I will show how each of these …
Growing herbs for kitchen gardens is so easy to do that any home cook can have a supply of them on hand all the time. Why pay retail prices for herbs? There is nothing quite like growing herbs to add tons of flavor to recipes. They add a fullness of flavor that dried herbs just …
Now that summer is here, home vegetable gardeners are just starting to enjoy the fruits of their labor. A common question that I get from readers is “why are my cucumbers bitter?” Many also want to know if bitter garden cucumbers are safe to eat. Bitter cucumbers can stem from a combination of factors, particularly …
Spathiphyllum (AKA peace lilies) with their elegant white blooms and lush foliage, are beautiful additions to any indoor space. Peace lily care indoors is relatively straightforward, making them a popular choice for homes and offices alike. These low-maintenance plants thrive in the home, even in low-light conditions. Their pristine white flowers, which resemble delicate trumpets …
Hosta ‘Stained Glass’ is a standout variety of hosta that adds color and texture to shady garden spots. Its bold leaves and unique variegation make it easy to recognize and fun to grow. In this post, you’ll learn what makes this plant different from other hostas. We’ll cover its leaf color, flower features, and growth …
Keeping your garden thriving during the hottest months can be a challenge. These summer garden tips will help you keep plants healthy and productive. From smart watering habits to protecting your soil, small changes make a big difference. Your garden can stay vibrant even in the heat with the right strategies. Pests, weeds, and sun …