Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
There are more than 40 types of yucca plant, some of which are native to the southwestern states of America. Some of the most commonly grown in gardens are Adam's needle (Yucca filamentosa), Spanish dagger (Yucca gloriosa) and Yucca aloifolia (Spanish bayonet). As the common names suggest, this tree or shrub is characterized by its sharp, narrow leaves, which grow vertically in clusters and can be up to 3 feet long. It thrives in the garden, either in containers or planted directly in the soil, in the warm, dry climate of the Southwest.
The outdoor variegated schefflera is suitable as an outside shrub or an indoor houseplant, dependent on where you live. If the temperatures in your climate never reach the freezing point, the variegated shefflera will grow well outside, needing little care in your landscaping. The variegated leaves are an attractive contrast to other solid-colored leaves, adding interest to your yard.
Aluminum tables and chairs provide you with a durable, weather-resistant outdoor furniture option that lasts for many years without deterioration. To keep your aluminum looking its best, clean regularly with low-cost elements you probably already have in your home. Household products safely remove buildup and keep the aluminum looking like new.
Norfolk Island pines (Araucaria heterophylla) are small trees, popular during the Christmas season. Indigenous to Norfolk Island in the South Pacific near Australia, the Norfolk Island pine is typically kept indoors since it needs indirect light and moderate temperatures to grow properly. However, it is possible to grow these small, cone-shaped trees outside if the right conditions are met. While it is common for these trees to die after the holidays, keep your Norfolk Island pine alive outdoors with the proper care.
Budgies -- also referred to as budgerigars or parakeets -- are small, brightly colored birds that are commonly kept as household pets. These intelligent little birds are relatively inexpensive to keep and when trained properly can learn to talk. If you have your pet budgies in an outdoor aviary, they will require similar care as indoor budgies. However, you will need to take special precautions to ensure they do not fall victim to cold climates or predators.
Going outdoors is an option for enriching a cat's environment but should be done cautiously. Take a cat outdoors with tips from an experienced animal clinic worker in this free video on cat care.
Keeping a cat warm in the outdoors is done by providing a shelter, such as a small dog house, and including blankets and bedding in the shelter. Keep a cat warm outside during the winter months, bringing them inside when it freezes, with advice from a practicing veterinarian in this free video on pet care.
A cat shelter for an outdoor cat can be made simply out of a plastic storage container by cutting out a hole, lining the inside with foam and covering the top with a lid. Create an insulated feline shelter with help from a veterinary technician and cat owner in this free video on pet care.
Learn how to care for outdoor cats and their special needs in this free video.
Cats are one of the more finicky animals on the planet. They want what they want, when they want it. However, I still was not ready for my indoor cat of four years to hate my new house and suddenly go native on me. Through sheer determination, the crazy cat destroyed my screen door until she got outside, and she's refused to come in since (over five years later!). Needless to say, I have had to come up with some ways to keep her warm in the winter time. Here is what I found to be one of my better…
