Outdoor Growing

Yucca plants grow wild throughout most of the United States and are members of the Agaveceae family. There are different species of yucca that go by a variety of names, such as Spanish bayonet,...

Poinsettia plants enhance the festive mood of the holiday season, and add color and enjoyment to home decorating décor, but selecting a healthy poinsettia will ensure that Bracts, the bright...

The silver lace vine is a fast-growing, flowering vine that thrives in the United States in hardiness zones 4 to 7. The vines can be expected to grow up to 15 feet in a single season and need to...

Special care must be taken in order to prepare rose bushes for the cold winter weather and prevent permanent damage. Rogosas and austin shrub roses are the most hardy in cold temperatures while...

Bamboo is a popular and prolific plant with many uses. The plant can spread voraciously, though, and sometimes gardeners may find themselves replanting or transplanting bamboo to a more suitable...

Boston ivy is a cost-effective way to add an aesthetically pleasing element to a building. The plant is often found growing on the sides of schools, town halls, libraries and other structures. But...

The Dragon Fruit plant is actually a cactus that produces large red or pink colored fruit that are edible. They are most often found growing in tropical zones as they prefer high temperatures....

Bitter melon is a long, thin, warted melon shaped like a cucumber that is originally from Asia. As indicated by the name, it has a bitter taste and is usually used in stir-fry or soup. The bitter...

The silver lace vine is a fast-growing, flowering vine that can grow up to 25 feet in one season. It is a hardy plant that tolerates dry and moist soil, shade and full sun. The silver lace grows...

The bush ice plant, also known as Lampranthus aurantiacus, is a vigorous succulent ground cover that grows 12 to 18 inches high. It grows best in zones nine and 10, which is the western and...

Stinging nettles are also referred to as common nettles. This perennial is a flowering weed. Its small, translucent spines deliver formic acid when broken, creating a stinging sensation. When...

Worms create natural compost. These little creatures endlessly till soil, stirring, digesting and re-organizing it. Growing a plant with earthworms is beneficial to the soil health and thus the...

Burdock is a plant that is native to Europe and Northern Asia, is found as a weed in the United States and Canada, and is cultivated in Japan. The edible root has been shown to have medicinal...

Dwarf orange trees provide anyone, anywhere the chance to grow fresh oranges on their patios, on their decks or in their own living rooms. Caring for a dwarf orange tree is similar to caring for a...

Honey bees enjoy any kind of flowering plant which produces nectar. Suitable honey bee food plots may range from sunflowers to flowering alfalfa. A beekeeper must make a determination about the...

The Agave plant is native to the Americas. It forms a rosette of long leaves in blue- green with a variance of cream-white.. The plant is hardy in USDA growing zones 8 through 10. These zones are...

Western wheatgrass is an easily maintained plant found throughout all of North America. It takes a while to get started, but it can become quite aggressive, crowding out other neighboring grasses...

Hydrangeas, with their large, wide leaves, and their large flower heads, make a beautiful focal point in the garden. H. paniculata (PeeGee type) hydrangeas may be grown either in a tree shape or...

Rooting flowers from a cutting or seed can be one of the easiest and most economical ways to propagate--create a new plant or seedling--your favorite flower or plant. You can root indoor or...

If you're a serious gardener, you've likely heard someone say that raised beds are superior for growing. Why? Poor drainage causes root rot in many vegetables; raising the garden bed 6 to 8 inches...

Harvesting seed is a fun way to learn about nature while multiplying your favorite plants. Seeds come from fruits and vegetables, or they can grow inside a seedpod. Children will love this...

Petunias are easily propagated flowering plants that nearly any gardener will love. The petunia grows so easily, it can actually become invasive outdoors. Most gardeners have had success rooting...

Water hyacinth is an aquatic plant favored by gardeners all over the globe. The purple blooms and robust growth have made it so popular, in fact, that infestations in the wild are occurring in...

Vincas, more commonly known as periwinkles, are an eye-catching addition to a garden and are popular for their hardiness and rapid ground cover. Here are a few tips on keeping their beautiful...

Yucca plants are a part of history. American Indians used the plant's leaves to make cord, cloth and baskets. The flowers were eaten raw, or boiled with vegetables. The immature seed pods were...

A fuchsia plant is often treated as an annual because it tends to only bloom and grow well the first season. Fortunately in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11, if you get in the habit of cutting back,...

Muskmelon vines depend on prolific insects for their pollination even more than other plants. In some locations, a shortage of honeybees has caused a decrease in melon yields, requiring the grower...

Insects not only create eyesores on otherwise beautiful blooms, but can also harm plant growth. Spider mites, aphids mealy bugs and psyllids have soft bodies that make them susceptible to...

Apricot trees are delicious citrus fruits to propagate. Originally from India, they can be found all over the world, especially in colder climates. Generally, apricot trees need to be exposed to...

Beach grass can be used to add different textures and colors to back yards. When used in windy areas, the grass produces a rippling movement that contributes an exciting natural element. Sandy...

Squash plants are monecious, meaning they have both the male and female flowers on the plant. Bees are generally required to help the male flowers pollinate the female flowers so that the plant...

Black magic elephant ears (colocasia esculenta black magic) are a stunning cultivar of the elephant ear plant. It is a member of the arum family, as is the calla lily. Its large, deep purple...

The lovely hen and chicken plant is also known as the sempervivum or houseleek plant, according to robsplants.com website (see reference 1). It is a succulent and evergreen plant. This perennial...

Perovskia atriplicifolia, also known as Russian sage, is actually neither Russian nor a sage, but it is a garden perennial that can be used as a filler plant. It produces blooms from early spring...

Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a perennial herb that usually flowers in light purple and sometimes white. For years it has been used for various reasons, including medicinal purposes and...

While you may not know them as Oriental lilies, chances are you've admired this species in gardens and bouquets for years. Day lily and tiger lily are two common Oriental lilies featuring bright...

Pre-germinated seeds sprout before planting. Gardeners plant pre-germinated seeds if they plant late in the growing season, want to establish a plant faster or are trying to determine if their...

Water lilies provide a striking and lovely addition to any garden pond. Although their roots have a potted soil foundation, their leaves and blooms float on the water's surface. Pot these blooming...

Though it traces its origin to Asia, flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) is popular around the world because of its adaptability to a variety of environments and its displays of large red or...

Certain hydrangea species must receive extra care during the winter months so that they do not become damaged by the cold temperatures. However, neither the Paniculata nor Annabelle hydrangeas...

The passion flower produces fruit about the size of a chicken egg that contains seeds. This plant can be grown throughout the world in different plants, but should be protected by mulch through...

Wisteria is fast-growing, twining vine often grown on large trellises or pagodas. However, wisteria can also be training into a tree form, although it will require frequent pruning. Fortunately,...

The lobelia plant (Lobelia erinus L) is considered an annual flower in most areas, although it has been known to grow again in the spring if planted in well-drained, sandy soil in moderate...

Rieger begonia or winter begonia is a hybrid plant within a genus of over 1,500 species of begonias. This ornamental plant grows reddish-brown stems and roselike flowers. They thrive in dry...

Endless summer hydrangea plants have beautiful, large flowers and do best in afternoon shade and morning sun. These hydrangeas can grow blooms on new and old growth. Endless Summer Hydrangeas due...

You have read the articles and have grown many large healthy pineapple plants. Trouble is they haven’t produced the coveted succulent golden citrus fruit you crave. Neither did mine until I did...

If you have morning glory plants or you know someone who does, you could harvest your own seeds to plant. You can easily get the seeds if you know where they come from and how to find them on a...

Field horsetail, also known as mare's tail, is an aggressive noxious weed found in many parts of Europe, Canada and the United States. Horsetail weed is found in ditches, along side stream beds,...

Hydrangeas are popular plants, with large round flowerheads that bloom in various of shade of white, blue, pinks and purples. These plants are of special interest to landscapers and gardening...

Hydrangeas are large leafy plants that flourish the best in morning sun and partial afternoon shade. These popular plants come in an assortment of shades of blues, pinks, purples and whites. The...