Lots of people keep a plant of Aloe vera on hand, but did you know there are many other small species that make great houseplants? These compact succulents from Africa can have very ornamental foliage as well as pretty flowers. To learn more about these tender exotic plants, and how to grow them in a cold climate, read this article…
This time of year frost is bound to nip non-hardy plants still outdoors. If you have any of the tender “bulbs” (plants which grow from fleshy storage structures even if they aren’t technically true bulbs) you’ll need to get those into storage for the winter soon. Find out more about preparing these plants to save for the next growing season in this article…
Have you noticed white-flowering vines engulfing trees or shrubs, particularly in more rural areas, lately? Wild cucumber is a warm season annual that becomes quite conspicuous in late summer at the peak of its growth and bloom. Although it is in the same family as cultivated cucumber, this species is not edible. To learn more about this native plant, read this article…
The white blossoms of garlic chives begin to bloom in late summer or early fall. Although edible, this perennial is more often used as an ornamental. Learn more about Allium tuberosum in this article…
With the heat, humidity and mosquitoes of August you many not feel like working in the garden at this time of year, but a little time spent dividing crowded clumps of bearded iris now will pay great dividends in the future. These plants do best when divided every few years, and the process is really quite simple. To get detailed instructions, read this article…
With big, bold crimson flowers, ‘Lord Baltimore’ hibiscus is a showstopper when in bloom. Not a tender tropical hibiscus, but a hardy herbaceous perennial, this tall plant is great as a specimen, an accent in the mixed garden or at the back of a perennial garden. To learn more about this flashy flower, read this article on ‘Lord Baltimore’ …
Almost everyone knows the ‘Stargazer’ lily. This hybrid Oriental lily was introduced in 1978 and still is one of the most popular cultivars today. To learn more about this gorgeous, easy-to-grow plant, read this article on “Stargazer’ Lily …
The white-lined sphinx is a common moth that occurs throughout most of North America. To learn more about this charismatic moth – and its immature stage that just might be living in your garden – read this article…
The genus Sisyrinchium is a large group of annuals and perennials with narrow leaves that produce a grass-like appearance. Another common feature of many species is the blue to purple flowers with yellow centers – prompting the common name of Blue-eyed Grass. To learn more about this group of plants native to the Americas, read this article…
Lady’s mantle is an old-fashioned plant that still has a place in the ornamental garden. The European native Alchemilla mollis offers interesting foliage and an airy spray of yellow flowers in early summer. To learn more about this tough plant, read this article…
Want a sturdy, pink-flowered Dianthus for the border, rock garden or cottage garden for a burst of color this time of year? ‘Bath’s Pink’ is one of the most tolerant of heat, cold, humidity and drought – and is still vigorous enough to form a mat up to 3 feet across. To learn more about this great cultivar, read this article…
Every spring I rip out handfuls of a sticky annual weed with whorls of leaves along its lanky stems. This species (Galium aparine) is a low-brow relative of the nice, ornamental perennial Sweet Woodruff (G. odorata). To learn more about this annoying weed, read this article…
