Flower Basics

Rhododendrons are a shrubby plant closely related to the azalea bush that normally bloom only once a year. These plants prefer moist and well drained acidic soils; they propagate best in areas...

Flowers are an excellent way to add a splash of color and bit of personal flair to your yard. In fact, many people plant flowers purely for their aesthetic value, though others use their garden...

Generally speaking, plants don't require pollination by hand-collected pollen. However, collecting pollen allows you to cultivate species for desirable characteristics such as color or hardiness....

Propagating flowers from cuttings is a quick and easy way to expand your plant supply with the types of flowers you like best. Some plant cuttings, such as those from many roses and hydrangeas,...

Hydrangeas can be a beautiful addition to the garden, especially with their large pink, blue or white blooms, the color of which can change from one season to the next or sometimes during the same...

Ivy plants provide both beauty and durability inside the home. The shiny, evergreen leaves require minimal light and can even be trained to grow under fluorescents. When properly cared for, the...

Sedum (also known as stonecrop) is a perennial plant used often in gardens. They are sturdy plants that are easy to grow in well-drained soil. They are capable of living through just about any...

Many sizes, shapes and types of potted plant containers are available. The most common are made of wood, plastic, ceramic, copper, clay and fiberglass. Although each of these materials has certain...

Indoor and outdoor plants are important parts of many people's landscaping and home decor. You will have to place your potted plants on a firm and strong surface so that they can get sunlight,...

Buttercups are herbaceus annuals and perennials which can sometimes be found growing in shallow water depending on the species. Usually, buttercups have 5 petals, but this number can vary by...

Aphids can make a beautiful rose bush turn bad. I had a great minirose bush in a pot in my house and couldn't stand them. I used a few easy steps to get rid of them, and I'm sure you'll find them...

Phosphorus in plant fertilizer promotes growth and vitality by stimulating root development. Phosphorus fertilizer also enables a plant to better utilize nutrients and water in the soil.

Corn plants, also known as Dracaena fragrans, are large green leafy plants that produce shoots of purple and pink flowers. The flowers on a corn plant last for several weeks before dying and they...

The identification of flowering plants involves knowing a hierarchy that begins with the separation of flowering plants from the conifers and then identifying the individual species. One of the...

Perennials are plants that faithfully return to life each year, typically dying back and becoming dormant during the winter, followed by new growth and a brief period of flowering. Many home...

When a plant or tree is flowering, most of the energy and nutrients from that plant or tree go directly to the maintaining the energy needed to keep the plant flowering. When you cut flowering...

There are more than 1,000 species of impatiens, also known as "balsams" or "touch-me-nots". They grow in many different countries around the world and have been a best-selling plant for garden...

Rose-of-Sharon (sometimes also called althea) is a blooming hibiscus shrub that grows six to ten feet tall. It is deciduous, with dark, shiny leaves and contrasting blooms in shades of pink,...

Plants make thoughtful gifts for friends and family with an established garden, or for those thinking about starting a garden. Seedlings already planted in a pot give the recipient the chance to...

Knock Out roses are hardy plants that do well when grown in Florida. They produce vivid red, pink, purple and white blooms and have a slight fragrance. These rose bushes grow 3 feet tall and wide....

Hibiscus offers both boldness and delicacy with their large, bright flowers and their crepe-paper-like petals. The tropical hibiscus has bright green, shiny leaves, while the hardy hibiscus is...

Georgia adopted the Cherokee Rose as its state flower in 1916. The Cherokee Rose, also called a snow white rose or a Rosier Blanc de Neige, is found growing in the wild and in gardens across the...

Honeysuckle is a brilliant yellow flower that vines outward and upward onto trees and fences. It attracts many beautiful butterflies, and the occasional hummingbird. The plant can grow as a lush...

Azaleas have been called the "royalty of the garden." Related to the popular rhododendron, north American azaleas drop their leaves in the fall along with other deciduous plants. Their famous...

The peace lily grows under the deep shade of the rain forest canopy. With its shiny, copious, deep-green foliage, the peace lily pushes up long stalks atop which white blossoms unfold. Knowing...

Lantana, part of the Verbenaceae family, is a fast-growing plant that produces small clusters of red and orange blooms. Certain species of Lantana have flowers that are pink and yellow, along with...

Bird of paradise is one of the most attractive, exotic plants available for the at-home gardener. As the name suggests, this plant develops bright orange and purple blooms that resemble a bird in...

Macrantha bellflowers come from the genus Campanula and are part of the species latifolia. They are a hardy plant that can grow in shade, partial shade or full sunlight.

Peacock jasmine, also known as the "Pikake" plant, is known primarily for the flowers it produces. These flowers are the traditional blooms that make up authentic Hawaiian leis, and gardeners...

The bird-of-paradise, also known as Strelitzia reginae or "crane flower," is a perennial evergreen plant that is native to southern Africa. Bird-of-paradise flowers are colorful blooms that...

Geraniums are a hardy flower that can add a splash of color indoors during a long winter. One particular geranium that thrives indoors is the Martha Washington (sometimes referred to as Lady...

The Bird of Paradise is a unique colorful flower that is native to South Africa. It gets its name because it resembles a brightly colored bird flying through the air. They can be grown indoors...

Begonias are beautiful flowers that can be planted indoors or out in your garden in the yard. Their vibrant colors and simple upkeep make them excellent additions anywhere. They are also easily...

Gardeners with their own greenhouses can escape winter and anticipate greener days to come when they sow new plants. Seeds can be planted from February to April. This gives them a jump start on...

The lipstick rasta hoya plant is native to the rain forests of Malaysia. The vines of the plant appear as dreadlocked hair from a distance, and the blooms resemble a tube of red lipstick when they...

Sweet peas have little flowers that resemble butterflies. They are an old-fashioned flower that climb over the landscape, twines around fences and trellises or grows as a bushy plant. Sweet peas...

Blue Cloud Sage is an herb that is found all across the continental United States. It provides a lush light blue tone to the surrounding usual green herbs found in many gardens, and serves a...

A tropical plant with large, banana-like leaves and showy flowers that repeat bloom, cannas can be grown almost anywhere in the U.S. In warm climates, they are a perennial; in cool parts of the...

Cannas are a tropical plant with large, decorative leaves and showy, repeat blooms. They are perennials in warmer climates and annuals in cool parts of the country. They require full sun and...

The Rieger begonia is a type of tuberous begonia that is hardy outdoors only in very warm areas, and is grown as a houseplant in regions where winter temperatures reach below 35 degrees...

Does any flower have as many magical names as the selenicereus grandiflora? Most commonly referred to as "night blooming cereus," this strange blossoming cactus is also referred to as "queen of...

The Mexican petunia, also known as Britton's wild petunia, is a hardy plant native to Mexico that is grown for its floppy, purple flowers that resemble petunias. Though many gardeners cherish...

If you want to save some money on next year's garden, then try saving your annual flower and vegetable seeds this year. Annuals are flowers that only have one growing season. Without seed, the...

Hanging baskets are an easy way to add some color and beauty to your home and landscape. They are readily available at most nurseries and garden centers. You'll find a variety of flower types,...

Burgundy lily tulips are dark purple tulips that have yellow centers. They are called lily tulips because their flowers are shaped more like a lily than a traditional tulip. Burgundy lily tulips...

The begonia is a versatile tropical plant, performing well in containers, pots and garden beds in temperate areas. Begonias exhibit dense, textured foliage and dramatic and colorful flowers....

The perennial hibiscus is a tremendously popular plant that's equally effective in group plantings or as a specimen planting. Although it won't flower year-round like the tropical hibiscus found...

The Martha Washington Geranium is also known as the Regal Geranium. It is a tropical annual that produces blooms that range from pink to lavender. It can grow to a height of 12 to 24 inches and...

Aloe plants are easy to transplant. It is the month after the transplant that often kills the plant. If you are patient and gentle, you can easily transplant aloe even if the smaller shoots do not...

A favorite of gardeners, the snapdragon is an annual flower that comes in nearly every color except blue. The snapdragon gets its name from the bright blossoms that resemble the head of a dragon....