Specialty Gardens

Water plants such as water lilies, lotus and anacharis can be a wonderful addition to your pond. They can make any body of water feel and look more natural. Water plants provide hiding spots,...

A water pond is an attractive, vibrant landscape feature. To keep your water garden crystal clear and maintain the health of the aquatic plants and any fish living in it, filter the water to...

Strawberry planters are unique pots that not only make a beautiful display, but are useful when space is at a minimum. Strawberry planters are tall urns, usually made of terra cotta, plastic or...

The banana palm tree (or simply, banana plant) is a native of Southeast Asia. It is grown in the American South, as an outdoor fruit-bearing plant. In spite of its tropical origins, it is a...

Hydroponics is the method of growing plants, vegetables or fruits in a water-based container. Water is used in place of the soil, and nutrients are added to it to sustain the plants. Banana trees,...

Growing container gardens is a fun way to pass the time for many people. For those that have little or no land to plant standard gardens, pots are the only way they can enjoy the plants they so...

Bamboo originated in China and makes an attractive privacy screen, shade for your yard or exotic accent plant. Even though bamboo is technically a grass, it literally has hundreds of uses which...

Bonsai literally means "tray planting," and is the art of dwarfing plants and training them to take pleasing shapes. There are some guides to bonsai design, rather than rigid rules. First, imagine...

Dionaea muscipula, better known as the Venus fly trap, is generally the first plant that comes to mind when you think of a carnivorous plant. Native to swampy areas in the Carolinas, the Venus fly...

The Amazon sword plant is favored by aquarium hobbyists and aquatic gardeners alike. Its broad, sword-shaped leaves add a lush appearance to any aqua-scape. They are quite simple to grow and easy...

Topiaries are plants that gardeners prune into geometric or animal shapes. People have been shaping topiaries since ancient Egypt, but the trend reached a peak of popularity in English gardens....

The lotus flower is famous for its connection with Buddhism, where it represents the progression of the soul towards enlightenment. As would be expected with such a significant connection, the...

A greenhouse is especially useful for growing things during the winter, when snow and frost outside would kill most plants. You can build your own over a weekend with some PVC pipes.

The giant white bat plant is a plant grown primarily in the tropics and warm humid climates. It is found in southeast Asia and southern China. The white bat plant can be grown in warm climates but...

Many people love gardening, but they have no back yard in which to put a garden plot. Container gardening is the ideal solution for anyone who wants to grow their own food but doesn't have the use...

The monkey pod tree, also known by its scientific name Pithecellobium saman, is a tropical tree valued for its ornamental qualities and fine wood. It is relatively disease-free, although it can be...

The Miracle Fruit comes from tropical West Africa and has a unique effect on the taste buds. For at least an hour after eating a Miracle Fruit, anything sour will taste sweet! A natural chemical...

Hydroponic gardening relies on nutrient-enriched water, a growing medium that isn't soil and a system to support plants and get water to their roots. Hundreds of ways to do this exist, but each is...

The desert by definition is an area characterized by harsh growing conditions. Water is scarce and temperatures tend to swing between extremes. Both of these factors naturally limit the variety...

Adenium obesum, commonly known as Desert Rose, and Adenium multiflorum, or the Sabi Star, are flowering plants indigenous to Africa. Both are types of oleanders. They're succulent plants with...

The Fukien tree is also known as the Fukien Tea and originates in southeastern China. It's small, dark green leaves make it a popular bonsai tree. Fukien trees are best kept in heat and bright...

Hydroponic gardening allows you to grow plants without soil. Instead, you use a growing medium such as sand, a perlite-vermiculite mix, or even just air. Hydroponics relies heavily on water, which...

Polyvinyl Chloride plastic is an amazingly versatile material, most commonly sold in pipes used to perform basic plumbing and other simple construction work. Making a hoop-shaped greenhouse is...

Spathiphyllum wallisii, commonly known as an umbrella plant or peace lily is often seen in pet stores and grocery store floral departments. These are easy to grow if taken care of properly, but...

Jade trees, which are a succulent native to South Africa, are sturdy, delicate bonsais. Traditionally Japanese, bonsai are ornamental dwarf trees or shrubs grown in shallow dishes. Bonsai require...

Cylindrical containers create growing surfaces that allow you to use vertical space in a limited area. Choose plants for your tower garden that will thrive in the site where the container will be...

There are various types of plants that grow in the desert. While some even have beautiful blossoms, they are all special because they can survive in the extreme heat and severely dry surroundings....

Venus flytraps are carnivorous plants native to North and South Carolina. They obtain nutrients by trapping and digesting insects. These strange and beautiful plants are popular with collectors...

Greenhouses are gardener's necessity if you are growing delicate teas in an area where the fall and winter can be harshly cold and long. The greenhouse helps to mimic ideal conditions for the tea...

Plant grafting is a common method for propagating hybrid plants, which do not produce well from seed. It is also used for creating hearty species of Roses and tomatoes. By grafting a more...

The Jatropha Podagrica plant is known by many names, including the Buddha belly plant, Guatemalan rhubarb and gout plant. It is a popular choice for bonsai gardening but grows to any size...

Bonsai is the art of maintaining and shaping miniature trees in pots. The practice was first recorded in China during the Jin Dynasty (A.D. 265 to A.D. 420). Soon it was adopted by Japanese...

A growing medium is something a plant can grow in. Hydroponics refers to a gardening system that is based on water, not soil. If plants are not grown in soil, the container is a hydroponic growing...

As New Jersey gardeners know, the Garden State has a great climate in which to grow a wide variety of plants. The ability to choose from such variety allows for specialized gardens, including...

The English primrose or Primula Vulgaris is a wildflower that blooms in early spring usually being the first flower to bloom on the Western and Southern European countryside. The name primrose...

Pineapple is actually very easy to grow at home as a beautiful house plant with long, spiked, silvery green leaves. Discovered in Central America more than 500 years ago, pineapple is now...

Butterfly bushes are floriferous plants used to attract and host butterflies and their larvae families. When maintained properly, a butterfly bush will draw the winged insects for the entire July...

When you hear the term "bonsai," the image you often think of is that of the Japanese pine. Strong and stoic, the Japanese pine represents the quintessential bonsai tree. Fairly difficult to grow...

A grow system's key elements include radiation, water, nutrient. and habitat control or ecosystem. The simplest way to improve indoor plant growth is proper lighting from a proper radiation source...

In order to harvest your aloe vera plant, you must have a general understanding of the different elements of the plant and their importance. There are four basic parts of the aloe vera leaf: the...

Studies concerning how to cultivate and grow different species of plants began thousands of years ago with some of the earliest thoughts and writings coming in the first century A.D. by...

The fukien tea tree is an evergreen tropical bonsai tree originating from Southern China. The fukien tea is a more challenging choice for bonsai hobbyists, mostly because of its extreme...

Bonsai is an ancient art that has been practiced for centuries in Japan. It involves pruning and cultivating a young tree or plant, manipulating its growth so that it resembles a miniature tree....

One of the hottest trends in gardening today is the Rain Garden. Easy to create, are beautiful year-round, have a positive impact on the environment and require close to no maintenance. A...

Ornamental grasses range from sharp-edged sedges to the fluffy tails of Pennisetum 'Little Bunny' to the stately pink or white plumes of pampas grass. Let the grasses dry in the garden in winter...

Japanese plum trees include varieties like Elephant Heart, Shiso, Santa Rosa and Delicious. Hardy in the southeastern and southwestern United States as well as the western coastline, the Japanese...

Growing hydroponic plants is a simple way to save on gardening space and, although it is sometimes costly, using hydroponics to grow plants is beneficial in many ways. Hydroponically grown plants...

Hydroponics is a plant-growing system that does not utilize soil or soil-catering fertilizers. Instead, plants grow in water-based nutrient solutions, which may or may not be anchored in an...

As the climate trends toward warmer winters, honeybees begin foraging earlier than traditionally expected. A few early-blooming plants will provide at least a small amount of nectar to assist bees...

A water feature such as a garden pond or water fountain can be an important element in your landscape. Water features may be used to create soothing sounds, or to support fish and aquatic plants....