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Pansies in general tend to be a pretty low care plant. Find out how to trim pansies with help from a certified horticulturist in this free video clip.
Transplanting a pansy doesn't necessarily require you to add any more soil amendment. Transplant a pansy with help from a certified horticulturist in this free video clip.
Herbaceous peonies (Paeonia spp.) produce large flowers in early summer and dense green foliage that persists into fall. The plants grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. Peonies grow from fleshy tuberous roots. New peonies are often sold as bare-root plants in late winter or early spring. It's best to plant these roots as soon as you get them home, but you can store them for a short period if you can't get them into the ground right away.
Garden or zonal geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum) grow to a height of 1 to 3 feet and bloom in a large variety of colors from spring to first frost. They are perennial plants that are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11. Geraniums thrive in full sun or partial shade in organically rich soil with a pH that is neutral or a little alkaline. When selecting perennials that go well with geraniums, choose plants that thrive under the same conditions.
True lilies (Lilium spp.) grow from a bulb structure, which collects and stores nutrients for the plants, in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. Each bulb is covered with scales, which can grow into new lily plants if you split and replant them properly. However, digging lilies too frequently stresses and weakens the bulbs. Dividing at the right time and correct frequency expands your garden without damaging the plants.
Two types of peonies are commonly grown in the American yard, garden peonies (Paeonia spp.), which grow well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8, and tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa), which vary by type but are generally hardy to USDA zones 4 through 9. Tree peonies are a shrub, while garden, or herbaceous, peonies are a perennial flower.
Cheerful potted tulips (Tulipa spp.) bring the bright promise of spring indoors. Regular, even watering and limited exposure to direct sun keep the flowers perky for a few weeks. Gradually, the goblet-shaped petals loosen and fade, drooping like inside-out umbrellas. It’s decision time: chuck the plants or salvage the bulbs to see if you can get them to bloom in coming years.
The Sacramento Valley is not only the area with the largest number of acres devoted to growing sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seed, it also produces 95 percent of the hybrid seed grown in the country. The climate during sunflower growing season in the Sacramento Valley – March to October – is close to ideal, with low rainfall and high temperatures. The best time to plant sunflower seed in Sacramento is in April. Although there are perennial sunflowers, it’s the annual plant that is considered the common sunflower.
The Michigan lily (Lilia michiganense) is a form of true lily and a wildflower that is native to the United States. It is a bulbous, monocot type of plant and grows best in medium to wet conditions. The Michigan lily is native to Missouri and grows in swampy prairies, woods and wet meadows throughout the state. The plant is a threatened or endangered species in some U.S. states, and is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8.
Morning glories (Ipomoea purpurea) are desirable for their fast growth rate and striking, trumpet-shaped flowers. True to their name, the flowers open in the morning and close by midday. Morning glories are not frost hardy and are commonly grown as annuals in many climates, but they will survive winters in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. They will also survive in areas populated by deer, as the mammals tend to avoid these plants.
Fern leaf peonies (Paeonia tenuifolia) produce needle-like foliage and crimson 3-inch flowers, growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. Because this shrubbby, soft-stemmed perennial is relatively small, reaching only 1 to 2 feet per growing season, it can easily become shaded by taller shrubs or trees. If your fern leaf peony struggles to grow and bloom, consider moving it to a new, more hospitable location. Transplant the shrub in the fall when temperatures cool off for the best chances of survival.
Begonias (Begonia spp.) are prized for their variety of styles. The more than 2,000 species range widely in color, shape, size and hardiness. In general, Rex begonias, which are cultivated for their attractive foliage, grow best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. Others -- many of which are called "hardy" -- grow well in USDA zones 6 through 9. Shrublike begonias fall into both groups.
Peonies (Paeonia spp.) are one of the longest-cultivated ornamental perennials, first becoming popular during the Sui and Tang dynasties in China. Peony blossoms are full, fragrant and commonly pink, red, white or yellow, although they may come in any color but blue. The plants grow well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 to 8. With proper care, peonies can live 40 to 100 years.
The scientific name for day lilies (Hemerocallis) means day beauty in Greek, an appropriate title because most day lilies bloom for just one day before closing. No matter, though, because these sturdy plants can produce between 200 and 400 flowers in one growing season. Most day lilies are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 10, meaning they thrive in almost every part of the U.S. Some varieties are more vigorous than others, and proper growing conditions can improve vigor for all types.
Appearing in a stunning range of colors and sizes, lilies (Lilium spp.) brighten gardens and borders in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 10, depending on species. These tough perennial plants emerge yearly from freeze-resistant bulbs, bringing low-care fragrance into the landscape. If you spot ladybugs crawling on your lilies, this isn't cause for alarm -- the ladybugs are most likely there because aphids are quietly feeding on your plants.
One with pure heart whose bare foot touches the golden marigold gains the power to understand the language of birds, or so the Breton legend goes. Mythical gifts aside, marigolds (Tagetes spp.) grace the garden all summer long. The genus includes easily maintained annuals and a few tough perennials, most tracing their ancestry to the Americas. All propagate readily from seeds, and some root from cuttings.
The chocolate lily is a plant with a bit of an identity disorder -- when green thumbs say "chocolate lily," they could be referring to any one of four plants: Arthropodium strictus, Fritillaria biflora, Fritallaria camschatecensis or Fritillaria lanceolata. Both the Arthropodium and Fritillaria genera belong to the Liliaceae, or lily, family, so the plants share many characteristics. However, while all chocolate lilies have have drooping blossoms and affinity for sunlight or dappled shade, they differ in the details.
Part of the vast orchid family, with almost 1,000 genera and over 22,000 species, dendrobium orchids (Dendrobium spp.) and phalaenopsis orchids (Phalaenopsis spp.) are both epiphytic, or air plants. Both orchids live on tree branches in the wild, getting their nourishment from air, rain and decaying matter on the tree branches. They will both also grow in a typical bark potting mixture, and both do well as houseplants.
Orchids add an exotic touch to a home or garden. Some bloom on leggy green stems, while others burst with color on gently arching stems. You'll know your orchid has reached maturity when it finally produces these colorful blooms, but it may take a few years if you're propagating orchids from seeds. Understanding your orchid's growth process can help you set up an appropriate environment to encourage its development, both before and after it reaches maturity.
Clematis (Clematis spp.) is a vining perennial capable of producing 100 or more blossoms per plant during a single season. The color spectrum within the species is broad, with hues ranging from white to blue, violet and purple, and pink to red, as well as bi-colored varieties. Clematis "Rebecca" produces bright red flowers that develop into a flat, open configuration.
Although earwigs are sometimes looked upon as beneficial insects, when you find them in your daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) stems they are considered pests. Attacking daylilies and other flowers, including zinnias (Zinnia spp.) and dahlias (Dahlia spp.), earwigs hide during the day and feed at night. If one of those hiding spaces is your daylily stems, manage the problem immediately to protect your garden.
Gardenias bring to mind Southern gardens, old-fashioned corsages and wedding flowers. Hardy from U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 8 to 10, gardenias are not native to the New World. Gardenias can live for decades in the right spot, but cultural factors can limit their ability to adapt to many North American climates, giving them a reputation as, at best, finicky and, at worst, short-lived.
African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha), with their soft, velvety leaves and clusters of brightly colored blooms, are usually grown as houseplants, although they may potentially grow outside in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and above. African violets do not contain toxic chemicals, according to the UConn CANR Cooperative Extension System, but they can pose other mild dangers to young children.
In the wild, tropical orchids grow in jungles, attaching their roots to tree branches and trunks that act as supports. This type of growth is epiphytic rather than parasitic and it differs from most other flowers and terrestrial orchids that grow in the ground. If you choose to grow tropical orchids in your home or garden, you'll need to mimic these natural epiphytic conditions.
Morning glories (Ipomoea spp.) and moonflowers (Ipomoea alba) are closely related tropical flowering vines that share common characteristics, such as broad, heart-shaped leaves; showy, trumpet-shaped flowers; and a vigorous, twining growth habit. Care requirements are nearly identical for the two plants, which are notably low-maintenance and easy to care for.
Graceful and bold, jewel-toned and pastel, tulips (Tulipa spp.) are one of the most popular harbingers of spring. These cup-shaped beauties range widely in size, from varieties that are just a few inches tall to those that soar to over 2 feet. In general, tulips that bloom earliest are the shortest, while the later-blooming varieties reach greater heights.
Though many have petals that resemble moth wings, Phalaenopsis orchids come in a variety of colors. Their blooms can last for up to four months at a time, adding life and color to a home or garden. They thrive as houseplants when grown in a mix of tree bark and peat moss. You can also grow them in containers or attached to cork slabs outdoors, as long as you bring them inside before winter frosts hit. However, without proper care -- including medium humidity and weekly watering -- they may fail to produce these blooms in the first place. An…
Our cheerful orange, yellow and red garden marigolds (Tagetes spp.) came from plants native to Mexico and Central America, where they were long grown as domesticated plants. Cultivars of the taller African marigold (Tagetes erecta) have large yellow and orange flowers and varieties of smaller French marigold (Tagetes patula) have yellow, orange and red flowers. Interspecific hybrids also occur. Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, they grow as annuals anywhere.
"Pinto Red" geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum "Pinto Red") differ from their parent plant, the zonal geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum), in that they begin life as a seed and have a slightly smaller mature size. This geranium cultivar has similar characteristics, culture, uses and problems as the traditional zonal geranium.
In their natural jungle habitats, epiphytic orchids grow with their roots attached to the trunks and branches of trees. This gives their roots plenty of space to grow, but as houseplants in containers they can become too big for their pots every year or two. You'll know your orchid is ready for repotting when its roots start to edge over the sides of the container.
Garden peonies (Paeonia spp.) thrive in full sun in humus-rich, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Peonies grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 8 and bloom in early summer. Growing to heights of 2 1/2 to 3 feet, garden peonies produce showy flowers in shades of pure white, pink, red and lavender. They may grow for 15 to 20 years before requiring division. Propagating peonies requires lifting and dividing the tubers.
If you caught Tabby munching on some of your landscaping, it's time to do some cat-proofing outside. One of the early spring bloomers, lily of the valley, is toxic to cats. If Tabby must go outside, it's best to swap this bloomer out with a safe alternative.
Dendrobium orchids provide flashy blooms and lend a tropical feel to your garden space. Often considered epiphytes, dendrobiums can grow in sterile, soil-less media such as bark or peat moss, and they can attach themselves to tree branches and grow in the air. They need consistent fertilization, especially while they're blooming, but the fertilizer should be diluted. Too much fertilizer can cause the plant to look weak or sickly.
Calla lilies (Zantedeschia species) belong to the same family as caladium or jack-in-the-pulpit, rather than being true lilies. They are mildly poisonous. When grown outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 7 or cooler, calla lily bulbs must be dug up and stored in well-aerated peat moss while they are dormant. But in warmer areas, such as USDA zones 8 to 10, indoor calla lilies maintain their leaves all year.
Resurrection lilies (Lycoris squamigera) originate in Japan in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 10. Green strap-like leaves appear in the spring disappearing by summer and the pink trumpet-shaped blossoms appear on top of 2-foot-tall stems after the leaves have died back. The bulbs of this perennial lily are sterile, which means that the seeds are not fertile. Bulb offsets form around the parent bulbs over time and eventually crowd the larger bulbs. When the main flower clump is overcrowded, it is time to divide and transplant the smaller bulbs.
Annual zinnias (Zinnia spp.) bloom from early summer until the first frost in fall. They perform best in climates with long summers. Best known for their intensely colored flowers, zinnias are hardy plants that provide a number of benefits in the garden.
Trimming dead blossoms from an African violet requires you to have access to a nice pair of manicure scissors and a few other basic tools. Trim dead blossoms from an African violet with help from an experienced professional gardener in this free video clip.
Building an orchid terrarium will help those plants last as long as they possibly can. Get tips on how to build an orchid terrarium with help from a garden shop owner in this free video clip.
How you will care for forced blooms on a narcissus plant depends largely on what time of year it is. Care for forced blooms on a narcissus plant with help from a garden shop owner in this free video clip.
Decorating tables with calla lilies is a really great opportunity to give your table its own unique look. Decorate a table with calla lilies with help from a home decorating specialist in this free video clip.
Fall calla lily bouquets are a great way to ring in what is many people's favorite time of year. Make fall calla lily bouquets with help from an event planner and designer in this free video clip.
Wild orchids crafts are great, fun projects for people who enjoy flowers. Find out about various wild orchid crafts with help from a graphic designer and illustrator in this free video clip.
Wilted orchid blooms need to be cared for in a very particular way to help make sure they live as long as possible and regain their health. Learn about wilted orchid blooms with help from a gardening expert in this free video clip.
Cutting Cattleya orchids after they bloom only requires the right tools and a little bit of basic know-how. Cut Cattleya orchids after they bloom with help from a botanical stylist in this free video clip.
It's a good idea to re-pot your cymbidium orchid every three years or so. Learn how to propagate cymbidium orchids with help from a botanical stylist in this free video clip.
Buying and growing green Cymbidium orchids always requires you to keep a few key things in mind. Buy and grow green Cymbidium orchids with help from a botanical stylist in this free video clip.
In your home, the best location for an orchid is in an east window. Find out about lighting for orchids with help from a botanical stylist in this free video clip.
Painting a fuschsia plant in watercolor paint may be easier if you use an image of a real life plant as an aid. Paint a fuchsia plant in watercolor paint with help from an experienced traditional and digital artist in this free video clip.
A sunflower boutonniere needs to be attached in a very specific way to make sure it looks its best. Attach a sunflower boutonniere with help from a respected and highly accredited florist in this free video clip.
You can put together a calla lily arrangement with a ribbon right in the comfort of your own home. Learn about a do-it-yourself calla lily with a ribbon with help from a boutique and event decor professional in this free video clip.
