Outdoor Growing

Mulch helps the soil in flower beds lock in moisture and reduces weed competition. Other benefits of mulch include insulating root systems, slowing soil erosion and contributing nutrients to the...

Annabella hydrangeas produce white blossoms that can get to over 10 inches in diameter. These flowers are quite hardy and can bloom after harsh winter months and severe pruning. Purchase annabella...

Black walnuts are among nature's toughest organic substances. The hard shells are often ground industrially and used to air-blast metal, marble glass and other substances. The meat of the nut is...

Canna lilies are a beautiful tropical plant that grows from a bulb and showcases large, colorful blooms. They can bring that tropical getaway feel to any garden. As with most other plants,...

Sowing seeds into a raised garden bed is slightly different from seed sowing in your regular garden. The soil in raised garden beds heats up faster in the spring than regular earth-bound soil....

Plant your garden for year-round color and blooms. Numerous flowering plants like winter weeping jasmine, witchhazel, wintersweet, evergreen winter clematis and English ivy will contribute color...

Hollyhocks (Althaea rosea), native to China, have for centuries been used in herbal medicines. A biennial or a short-lived perennial, hollyhocks grace border or wall plantings in cottage gardens...

One of the first things homeowners do after moving to a new place is plant landscaping, which can get quite pricey. You don't have to be a detective to discover great deals on plants and...

In addition to being prized for certain medicinal qualities, stinging nettles can be very nutritious as a vegetable, steamed or cooked into recipes. They are an excellent source of iron and...

Urban life can be dirty and messy. The air quality is not good, and produce usually has to be trucked in from miles away. Hydroponic systems do not require soil and allow you to grow vegetables in...

Azaleas are a popular flowering shrubs among gardeners. As part of the extensive rhododendron genus, they tend to prefer growing in acidic soils. These shrubs come in a whole host of types that...

According to Ohio State University, nitrogen is the most important nutrient to supply to your lawn and garden. Two types of fertilizers are available: slow release and quick release. Choose one...

Knowing when to use fertilizers and pre-emergents can help prepare your lawn for its growing season. By improperly applying fertilizer, you can encourage the growth of weeds or dehydrate your...

Cymbidium orchids bestow gardeners with large waxy blooms, which are some of the longest lasting in the orchid family. Because their spiky petals are extremely heat tolerant, they can grow either...

A plant native to the American tropics, plumeria is often cultivated and grown in gardens and homes. As with most plants, plumeria is susceptible to pests, such as spider mites, which are closely...

The Greeks believed that the goddess Iris would search for a purple iris planted above a woman's gravestone to know whether the deceased wished to be escorted to heaven. Named for this goddess,...

Developing dwarf and semi-dwarf fruit trees provides exciting possibilities for home orchardists. From four to 16 dwarf trees can be grown in the same area it takes to support one full-size tree ...

Hydrangea trees, or Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora, are a unique addition to any landscape. Reaching as high as 10 to 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide, the hydrangea tree offers cascading...

Hailing from Asia, hosta plants are lily-like plants that are herbaceous perennials. Leaf colors vary in cultivars and can range from green, yellow or blue. Because hosta plants grow well in the...

Landscaping plants and flowers gives you the opportunity to contribute to your natural environment or be creative and create a yard that matches your own aesthetics. Often people take a cue from...

Creating a garden with drought-resistant plants allows gardeners to have some peace of mind regarding their landscape. Drought-resistant plants require less frequent watering and can withstand...

Evergreen topiaries make unique focal points for yards and patios. Topiary can be cut in a host of sizes and shapes. Junipers, spruces and pines are a few of the most common evergreen choices for...

Potatoes are a major staple in cultures around the world. There are over 500 varieties of potatoes, with a wide range of colors including red, white, blue and yellow. Whichever variety of potato...

Water retaining abilities of succulent plants make them a low maintenance choice for hanging baskets. Because these plants store water in their roots, leaves and stems, they are able to withstand...

Strawberries planted in the ground are susceptible to pests and wildlife eating their delicious fruit. Because strawberries have shallow root systems, they make great planter and container plants....

Imagine a decorative plant that not only survives cold snaps and frosts, but seems to thrive on them -- that needs them, in fact, for its vivid colors -- greens, violets, purples and reds -- to...

As a vine plant, honeysuckle doesn't take long to overrun everything that it grows around. In most instances, people choose to leave the honeysuckle alone because it brings in various species of...

Gardeners with acidic soil are faced with discolored, dehydrated and unhealthy plants. Every plant has their own pH range they need to absorb nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. While there are...

Rhododendrons are beautiful dark green plants with thick leaves and a wood stem that are found mostly in mountain regions. They bloom in the spring and early summer with a variety of colors...

Making or planting flower beds is an efficient way in beautifying your landscape through the use of floral gardens. Flower gardens are made to suit the landscape, as well as the designer or owner...

Amaryllis is a beautiful flower that typically has white blooms with crimson veins. They also bloom in pinks or purples. Each stem produces 2 to 12 funnel-shaped flowers. The green leaves are...

A popular springtime plant, the Easter Lily doesn't have to be thrown away once the holiday is over. It can be planted outdoors in the yard, but there are considerations to be taken into account...

There are five different types of annuals: hardy annuals, half-hardy annuals, tender annuals, warm season annuals and cool season annuals. Hardy annuals are the only ones that can survive harsh...

There are several types of wild mustard plants that can become invasive in home and garden environments. Wild mustard has dark green leaves and bright yellow flowers; some varieties sport...

Lilies of the valley and spring go hand in hand with the scent of the delicate flowers filling the air with intoxicating perfume. These delicate flowers blossom in late spring to early summer and...

Maggots are fly larvae that commonly infest compost piles and garbage cans. In addition, they are also found in soil next to germinating plants. As they feed on vegetable and plant matter, maggots...

Annuals are plants that complete their life span in one growing season. If planted in a region that does not experience frost, their seeds can survive the winter and grow again in spring. Keep...

Yellow Easter lilies and other types of lilies are some of the most popular house plants next to the poinsettia. These plants can live indoors or outside and should be kept in temperatures around...

Proper fertilization is crucial to the growth and success of alfalfa. Potassium is arguably the most important fertilizer for it. However, a study conducted at Purdue University showed that...

Fertilizing with urine may seem like a highly unusual venture. Nevertheless, human urine has been shown as beneficial for fertilizing tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage and maize, according to studies...

Beloved by children, birds, small animals, and novice and experienced gardeners alike, the sunflower features large yellow-gold blossoms set off by velvety brown centers. Not only does it provide...

The peony is a hardy flowering plant that produces large, fragrant blossoms. These flowers, which are typically red, white, or yellow in color, have inspired their own myth among gardeners, with...

The blood banana plant, Musa zebrina, is a tender tropical perennial that is native to Indonesia. The plant grows best in USDA growing zones 8 through 11 where the climate is warm and there is no...

Raspberries are one of summer's and autumn's most delectable fruits. Hardy sun-lovers, raspberry plants stay fruitful for eight to 12 years, if cared for properly. While all raspberry plants are...