Garden Plant Care

The lush spring and summer flowering of carnations, or dianthus, makes them a suitable choice for containers and flower beds. The plants grow readily from seed started indoors, but young plants may…

Spatulate-leaved sundew (Drosera intermedia), also known as spoon-leaved sundew, is a carnivorous plant. It traps insects with its sticky hairs and digests them for nutrients. Varieties of…

The mallow-leaf ninebark shrub thrives in mountainous areas throughout the western U.S. and Canada. Seeds spill from the ninebark's small, egg-shaped fruits in the early fall to propagate a new…

Strawberries grow in three different forms: June-bearing, everbearing and day-neutral. Considered herbaceous perennials, strawberry plants live for up to five years and adapt to many different…

The acacia bush is identified by its gnarled branches, jagged thorns and brilliant blooms. A member of the legume, or pod-bearing, plant family, nearly every part of this large bush or small tree is…

Sweet william is the common name for Dianthus barbatus, a biennial species of flowering plant commonly grown in gardens. While most gardeners rely on seeds to grow sweet william, it also grows well…

Native to the northern Mediterranean coast, Italian stone pines (Pinus pinea), also known as umbrella pines, are widely grown in the United States throughout the southern states. Instead of the…

Starting pepper plants indoors provides a head start for the outdoor growing season in areas where winter is too cold for outdoor growing. You can start hot peppers, bell peppers and ornamental pepper…

Pitaya is a cactus that is better known as "dragon fruit." The Pitaya fruit and flowers are edible. It blooms only at night. Closely related to the prickly pear, the Pitaya fruit is a large…

Homeowners decorate porches, patios, sitting rooms or bedrooms with papasan chairs, also referred to as bowl chairs. Traditionally, crafted of rattan with hallmark large, round seats that are…

Rosy periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), is a prolific bloomer that adds mounds of bright rosy purple, pink or white flowers from spring to autumn. Also known as Madagascar periwinkle or Vinca rosea,…

Thrift is a dainty-looking little plant with a rugged nature. Its grass-like, clumping foliage is evergreen in all but the most extreme climates, and it tolerates drought and salt spray. Common thrift…

If you want your boiler to be free of problems during the years you use it, the key is continual maintenance to ensure that all systems are operating correctly. By keeping an eye on the symptoms of…

Persimmons grow wild across much of the southern United States, but the small wild fruit bear little resemblance to the lush, sweet flavor of the Japanese Fuyu persimmon. Most persimmons are…

Just like humans and other animals, plants require certain nutrients in order to thrive. Unlike humans, however, plants require only 16 to 18 essential nutrients, also known as elements. Some of these…

Heliconias are tropical plants that are cultivated in greenhouses and warm climates throughout North America. Because of their low cold tolerance, they can grow in outdoor gardens only in the warmest…

Forget-me-nots (Myosotis sylvatica) produce small, delicate blooms that liven up the landscape during the spring and summer. Resistant to deer and pollution, the low-maintenance plants thrive…

A potted mangrove adds a touch of the tropics to your home. In the wild, mangroves are typically found near the ocean's coast in tropical or subtropical swamps and similar wetlands. Standing atop a…

Agapanthus, also known as African lily, is one of the few true blue flowering bulbs. Its unique flowers form umbels, adding to the plant's mystique. Agapanthus is easy to care for up to USDA Hardiness…

Ripple peperomia is a common houseplant that is in the pepper family. It has waxy, heart-shaped leaves that pucker and ripple. Some have a metallic sheen to them. Stems are a pale red with…

Oleander shrubs are tough evergreen plants capable of growing up to 12 feet tall and 12 feet wide. They are adorned by colorful blooms and tolerate both extreme heat and drought conditions.…

Instead of trashing plastic bottles and old cookware, recycle the items into hanging pot plants. Hang pot plants outside on your porch or from trees to give some added decoration and color to your…

Tulips are a common sign of spring; their colorful blossoms herald the end of winter. Like many flowers that grow from bulbs, potted tulips require little in the way of specialized care. However,…

Called lady's eardrops because of their dangling flowers, most common types of fuchsias are either trailing hybrids (Fuchsia x hybrida) or upright shrubs (F. magellanica). The showy hybrids make…

Stromanthe sanguinea, or prayer plant, charms many people with its striking, multicolored foliage. The thick, fleshy leaves come in several color variations, but the most common variety features…

The snake plant is also called Sansevieria and “mother-in-law’s tongue,” for its sharp, upright leaves, which are mottled green and yellow and resemble a snake. Up to 140 species and…

Native to the northwest tier of states and parts of Canada, cous biscuitroot (Lomatium cous) is a spring-blooming member of the parsley family. The thick taproot is edible both raw and cooked, and it…

The rutabaga was produced by crossing a turnip with a wild cabbage. In agricultural settings, rutabagas are used as grazing crops for livestock. In the kitchen, they are added to soups and salads.…

The successful care of bare-root, dormant rootstock helps ensure the plant survives and thrives when planted. The rootstock must be kept from indirect sunlight and stored in an area, which does not…

Insidious snout-nosed creatures wreak havoc on roses. The Marin Rose Society calls weevils "...the real bad guys of the rose garden." Their attacks leave tattered evidence of their feeding…

When you want to improve the overall look of the landscape, flagstone edging around walkways, driveways or garden areas adds a rustic, finished style to the exterior of the home. Flagstone is an ideal…

Sempervivum is a genus of succulent sometimes referred to as hens and chicks or house leeks. The perennial plant grows in rosettes and flowers in full sun. Common species include S. arachnoideum, S.…

Thrips are miniscule winged insects that are no more than one-twentieth of an inch long. Their coloring varies, but may include white, yellow or black. The insects feed on developing plant foliage,…

Levi Strauss' clothing idea created a market for sturdy denim work pants in 1873, and the company today continues the tradition of making the popular denim pants, as well as dress and casual lines of…

Totem pole cactus (Lophocereus schottii f. monstrosus) is not a pretty plant. Its lumpy, bumpy and sometimes twisted branches make it look like something out of a horror movie. This spineless cactus…

Rhododendron has long been a popular shrub in the home landscape. Because of its longevity, this can be a good thing if the plants have been properly maintained or a nightmare if they have not been.…

Drought tolerance is a plant's ability to survive with only a minimal amount of water. Some plants need water only once or twice a week. Gardens with drought tolerant plants reduce the costs of…

Chanterelle mushrooms grow in the wild all over the world and generally goes by the name “golden chanterelle” in North America. The chanterelle is popularly used by chefs because of its…

Like the Venus flytrap, the butterwort is a carnivorous plant -- it preys on small insects for nutrients. While they do always feed year-round, they must be able to procure food for themselves. This,…

Malva plants, commonly referred to as mallow, are hardy perennials commonly grown in mild, temperate zones. Closely related to hollyhocks, malva thrive in rich soil, producing large, edible blooms…

Pomegranates grow in shrub or tree form, reaching 12 to 20 feet tall and wide. Dwarf cultivars remain under 6 feet tall and are often the more cold hardy option. They generally take two to three years…

Grapevines are vigorous growers that produce plentiful fruits for fresh eating as well as jam, jelly or wine making. The vines have specific requirements and may suffer damage if treated incorrectly,…

Many flowers, such as the stately hollyhocks and foxglove, appear to be perennials as they return in the same location every year and may produce new blooms for many years without any assistance from…

Whether you're cutting fern fronds for a bouquet of flowers or a corsage, or pruning an older fern that has dying outer fronds, they are easy to cut with scissors, a pruning tool or a sharp knife. You…

Peppers grow in a wide range of cultivars, with sweet to hot and spicy fruit. All peppers, though, need the right conditions to grow and bear their fruit. The wrong seasons, soil, sun or moisture…

Cats can be quite destructive if left to their own devices. If you have plants around the house, it is likely your cat will be attracted to them. Owners should keep their cats away from their plants…

Aphids are tiny pests that appear on a host of indoor and outdoor plants. Also called plant lice, the slow-moving pest has over 100 varieties, some that attack a particular plant while others attack…

The genus Narcissus includes many different species and hybrids, among which are the common daffodils and paperwhites. Narcissus flowers grow from bulbs, and Narcissus daffodils and paperwhites can be…

Expensive jeans don't usually lose their coloring or fit as easily as cheaper versions. Always follow your manufacturer's instructions for washing jeans, as some require dry cleaning. Otherwise, take…

Puncture vines, or goatheads, are noxious annual weeds that develop spiny burs, which stick to clothing, pets and tires. Because puncture vine seeds lay dormant in the soil for up to 20 years,…