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 …
Some of the most interesting planters and those that recycle items used for other purposes. These unique boot and shoe planters make great use of old shoes and boots. Some have seen their better day and some look like new but all showcase indoor plants in new and unusual ways. Do you have some old shoes …
Join me in saying goodbye to my daughter, as she moves away, with these sunflower quotes and sayings as well as gorgeous photos of sunflowers that will bring a smile to your face. My daughter Jess loves sunflowers. The first year I started my garden island beds, I made sure to plant them in all …
Heuchera is a Native American perennial plant that is found all over the country. It is more commonly known as Coral Bells and comes in many shades of purple, rose, green and variegated varieties. The plant makes a wonderful display in any shade garden and, although it does flower, it is grown more for the …
I love anything that gives me a jump start on spring. Forcing forsythia indoors lets me have the showy yellow flowers of the well known harbinger of spring – forsythia bushes . They are great to enjoy indoors well before they give you their cheery spring greeting outside. Luckily, it is very easy to force …
This article shows you how to use onions as indoor plants. Growing onions indoors is a fun project and one that the kids will love to help with.Onions are easy to grow outdoors as well as inside the home. They are one of those vegetables that we use often and the demand for this means that …
Forcing paperwhites indoors will give you a delightful splash of spring color in just a few weeks. The project can be done in soil or in water and the kids will love to help. These pretty blooms can be used as a Christmas plant for decorating. Since spring is far off, these flowers on a …
Are you wondering what to plant in the fall when the summer flowers have all but stopped their show of color? These fall blooming perennials and annuals will add that last touch of bold color in most gardening zones. These late bloomers will grow in most planting zones and will give new life to a …
I love all flowers – big or small, ornate or simple. But when I see unusual flowers that are amazing and beautiful, they almost take my breath away. Nature is amazing in the type of flowers that it gives us to enjoy. Most of these specimens are tender perennials that grow outdoors only in zones …
If you like hardy perennials that have an extended bloom time, try growing gaillardia, also known as blanket flower perennial. The plant is very showy and super easy to grow. Gaillardia is a pretty perennial plant that has an extended bloom time to give you loads of color all season long. If you like daisies, …
If you are fond of growing perennials, you really should try daylilies. They are one of my favorite plants that come back each year. There is such a variety of bloom style, color and temperament. and they are very easy to grow. Beginning and seasoned gardeners love them, and other than a bit of deadheading, …
Surround yourself in nature in the 25,000 square foot gardens of Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory. This enclosed conservatory is an oasis nestled in the down town area of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The gardens feature tropical displays, waterfalls and a Sonoran Desert display with over 72 types of cacti. In all, the gardens boast over 1200 plants …
Hydrangea care involves control of sunlight, adequate moisture and proper pruning. These tips for growing hydrangea bushes will help you get the most out of your plants. The size of the flower heads, alone, make hydrangeas a favorite perennial among gardeners. Cutting fresh hydrangea blooms gives you terrific cut flowers that last a long time. They …
Do you like Bluegrass music with a side of daylilies? If you do, you’ll enjoy this virtual tour of the daylilies at Wildwood Farms in Floyd, Virginia. Located just 42 miles from Roanoke, VA and very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, you will find Wildwood Farms. This general store features live Bluegrass music from …
If you like the look of cottage gardens, you’ll love purple coneflowers (echinacea purpurea). These tips for growing echinacea will have butterflies, birds and bees flocking to your garden in droves! This easy care perennial draws insects and birds to it, making sure that neighboring plants will have plenty of pollinators all season long. This coarse …
A lot of my time spent in maintaining my summer garden is spent in deadheading. So, finding plants that don’t need deadheading to add to my garden beds is something that I am always in search of. Some plants, like daylilies, are very easy to deadhead. Their blooms are soft and come away from the …
Roses are perennial plants that come back each year in your garden and have a very long blooming season. They are one of the most popular garden plants. Do you know what the different rose colors meanings are? This lovely flower is often given as a gift. The reason is simple – each rose color means something …
The Wellfield Botanic Gardens in Elkhart, Indiana are like a living museum with art, nature, and structure all coordinating beautifully. The waters of Christiana Creek stream through the gardens, which are a combination of nature, art and hardscaping that is sure to delight. The Botanic Gardens feature 36 acres of lush gardens against a backdrop …
If you want to attract both butterflies and bees to your garden this year, try growing liatris. This perennial corm flowers in mid summer with a blast of flowers that are a magnet for them. I have 10 garden beds around my home and I’m always interested in growing perennials of all types since they come …
Asiatic and Oriental Lilies may look similar but they actually have several differences. All types of lilies are grown by home gardeners for their dramatic and colorful flowers on long, sturdy stems. Each type has their own particular growing needs, which may make one a better choice for your gardening needs. Although these types of lilies …
Pink flowers are soft and romantic looking in a garden bed. They are often seen in cottage gardens and there are so many varieties of them that it’s hard to pick favorites. I am a romantic at heart. One would never think it to look at me. I’m a rugged girl and my nails usually …
Get a head start on spring gardening by starting seeds indoors with Jiffy Peat Pellets. These handy peat pots have the perfect soil for seedlings and they can be transplanted right into the ground as soon as the weather is warm enough. This step by step tutorial features a Jiffy Peat Pellet Greenhouse with perennial, …
Forsythia bushes have a wonderful arching habit will makes them a great focal point when planted in a large garden bed. All shrubs need pruning, but what do you do when you have totally overgrown forsythia shrub? It’s either time for hard pruning or renovation pruning for them. Rejuvenating forsythia gives them a new lease …
Today we will visit Hahn Horticulture Garden in Blacksburg, Virginia. Garden tours are one of my favorite things to do when I am on the road. I love touring Botanical Gardens that I have not previously visited and sharing details and photos of them with my readers. This Horticulture Gardens are set on 6 acres of …
Try growing astilbe for beautiful, showy flowers that do well in a shady garden bed. This perennial has feathery flowers that sit above the fern like foliage in a majestic way. These tips will show you how to grow astilbe and bring color to your shady perennial garden beds. Most shady garden beds are filled …
Growing Columbine – aquilegia in your garden will reward you with delightful dangling bell shaped flowers that come in almost every color of the rainbow. This hardy perennial is easy to grow and much sought after by many gardeners. Since they self seed readily, you will never be without them once you have them planted. Columbine …