A commonly asked question from readers of my blog is “how to keep squirrels from digging up bulbs in my garden?” Since fall is bulb-planting time for daffodils, crocuses, and tulips, the question is posed even more often right now. If you spend much time in the garden, you will likely have had a run-in …
Hydrangea color change is always a surprise to gardeners. You buy a plant with blue blooms only to discover later that the blossoms are now pink. Why does this happen and what can you do about it? Hydrangeas are a very popular garden plant. They are a perennial shrub that comes in a variety of …
Every morning I take a garden walk to see what is growing and what needs tending. Today, I spent the morning deadheading daylilies. I have clumps of daylilies – hemerocallis – that have naturalized into plants with numerous blooms on them. Some of them have 12 or 13 blooms out in a day. Since daylily …
Gloriosa lily (gloriosa rothschildiana) is a climbing tender perennial that is sure to catch the eye of anyone who likes dramatic flowers. The flame-colored red flowers have scalloped yellow edges and swept back petals. If you have a bare trellis or a wall in your garden that needs spicing up, plant gloriosa and prepare yourself …
I have a new favorite flower – it’s my beautiful mandevilla vine! This stunning plant is now covered with gorgeous pink flowers that have been blooming for months and shows no signs of slowing down. One of my favorite places to sit outside during the summer in on my back deck overlooking my garden beds. …
If you like the cottage gardening style, you will likely have a cutting garden. A common question from readers of my blog asks “how to keep cut flowers fresh?” When you purchase a bouquet of flowers from a florist or specialty shop, it will likely have a package of flower food attached. But what about …
Growing tulips is a treat for gardeners who love a big splash of color in the spring. No plant ushers in the start of warm weather in a more dramatic way than tulips, so it is worth going the extra mile to have them growing in your garden. Tulips, native to Turkey and then imported …
Oxalis plant care is generally easy but some varieties of the plant can be considered a weed. Even so, it is a popular perennial plant that often shows up around St. Patrick’s Day. Another version (candy cane sorrel) is also commonly seen during the holidays as a Christmas plant, because of its candy cane striped …
Looking for a pretty Christmas plant to decorate for the holidays? Try growing cyclamen persicum. Caring for a cyclamen is easy if you plan to grow this houseplant as an annual and discard it after flowering. Taking care of florist cyclamen during the dormant period so that they will bloom again the following year is …
The weather is getting colder outside, but this does not mean that gardening is over. Read on to get some tips for Thanksgiving cactus care and enjoy blossoms indoors even when there is snow on the ground! We often think of Christmas as a time for lots of flowering plants in the house, but there …
This no carve sunflower pumpkin uses the heads of silk sunflowers or any other colorful daisy like flower to cover the outside of a faux pumpkin. This is a great idea for those of you who do not like the mess of a carved pumpkin. It’s also one that gardeners will love! Fall is my …
The common name of this pretty perennial says it all – candy corn plant has blooms that look quite similar to the popular candy that we love to eat in the fall! It wouldn’t be fall without a candy corn martini, or a candy dish or two loaded with candy corn. Good news for gardeners …
These inspirational flower quotes are both pretty and motivational. Share one today with friends. I love to start the day with an experience that gives me a moment of inspiration. Often, that is simply walking through my garden, admiring the flowers. Why are Quotes so Popular? When things in life get tough, like they have been …
The Shasta daisy has lovely summer blooms. Caring for Shasta daisies is easy. It is a fairly low maintenance perennial plant that naturalizes to give more and more blooms each year. It is a great plant for filling in garden beds and bare spots in your garden. Is your birthday in April? You are probably …
Would you like tips for attracting monarch butterflies to your yard this year? I’ve been seeing them in my garden for a few weeks now. The first Saturday in May is marked National Start Seeing Monarchs Day. What an appropriate national day for this time of the year! This day was chosen to raise people’s …
Planting forsythia is all about timing and spacing. The two best times are early spring and mid fall depending on your hardiness zone. One of the earliest plants to bloom in spring is forsythia, but when should it be planted? Forsythia bushes delight us each spring with their burst of cheery yellow flowers. This deciduous …
If you are passing through San Angelo, Texas, be sure and fit in a visit to the International Waterlily Collection. You will get a chance to view the premiere collection of waterlilies found anywhere in existence. What is the history of the International Waterlily Collection? The collection is found in the Civic League Park in …
There are many types of perennials, from tender types, which need to be grown in the southern part of the USA, to very hardy perennials that keep coming back after a freezing winter outside. Budget conscious gardeners have a very good friend when they turn to growing perennials. What is not to like about a …
To choose cottage garden plants, think of tall flowering perennials, self seeding annuals and hardy biennials to give your garden just the right look. English cottage gardens have a very romantic feel to them. The look may seem haphazard but is actually planned. A cottage garden has a very distinct style that throws formality out …
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! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the links below are affiliate links. I earn a small commission, at …
There a many Spring Blooming Plants that arrive very early in the year. Some even peek through the last of the winter snow. Some early spring bloomers can even take the last of winter snow and cold temps and still start to grow. From bulbs, to annuals and perennials, the array of early spring bloomers …
Growing Sunflower plants is one of the really fun parts of summer time gardening. These cheery sun-facing flowers are a delight to gardeners who wish to attract birds. These big annuals are very easy to grow, which makes them a very popular plant to get children interested in gardening. Kids will love seeing just how …
Caring for foxglove is easy – just give it part sun/part shade and evenly moist soil and you’ll be rewarded with these gorgeous flowers. Foxglove biennial plants are spectacular to view. The term biennial means that the plant will grow for two years and then mainly die off. Foxgloves will re-seed themselves easily, so once …
Pruning hellebores will keep your Lenten rose looking its best all year long. Hellebores are a long blooming perennial plant that needs very little in the way of maintenance but it does get a bit ragged looking at times of the year. The flowers are so pretty and resemble wild roses that have opened up. …
Find out why you might have trouble with this pretty rose that took the internet by storm a few years ago with these Osiria Rose care tips. The two toned color of the rose is highly desirable, but the rose is finicky at best. Photos of this hybrid tea rose with a lovely white center …
Winter is coming to an end for many of us and the first signs of spring are everywhere. Growing pansies is a good way to bridge the change of seasons with one plant. They love the cool weather and are readily available at garden centers right now. The botanical name for the garden pansy plant …