Plants, Flowers & Herbs

There are banana plants, often mistakenly called banana trees, that can be safely grown as far north as zone 5. Cold hardy bananas that are both ornamental and that yield edible fruit are...

Taking stem cuttings is an efficient and inexpensive way to propagate a new plant, and is easy enough for beginning gardeners. With just a few basic tools, you can replicate a plant that you've...

Native to Japan, Japanese shrub (Enkianthus perulatus) is an ornamental plant that thrives in United States hardiness zones 6 to 10. It is an upright, bushy shrub that can reach 15 to 18 feet at...

Stevia plants are native to South America, particularly the country of Paraguay. They have the additional names of sweet leaf, sugar leaf or Stevia rebaudiana. This tender perennial is a member of...

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zone 4 has average low winter temperatures that can reach between minus 30 and minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of the...

Although we don't always think of sedum as a plant that should be cut back, longer varieties of sedum can become long and unwieldy. Their weight can cause them to flop over, making them look flat...

Irish moss, also known as Scotch Moss or Sagina subulata, is not a true moss but rather a low-growing groundcover that forms dense, bright green mats of foliage. Irish moss is especially popular...

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...

Some gardeners know arboricola capella as a dwarf umbrella tree. Arboricola capella is happy to grow outside in warm regions that never fall below freezing. In colder regions, arboricola capella...

Schefflera, or Umbrella Trees, are easy to grow and are a common houseplant in many homes. They don't require a lot of sun and need minimal care. They can be difficult to grow from seed. The...

Topiaries are small varieties of trees that are trained to grow into nontraditional shapes. Topiaries can range in size from small potted plants to larger outdoor trees. The practice of training...

Flowering and leafy plants are commonly sold in special hanging flowerpots intended specifically for display from a hanging position. Hanging plant pots are often hung from porch and deck rails,...

Mock orange is technically a shrub but grows to at least 12 feet tall in ideal conditions and can be pruned into tree formation. For that reason, mock orange is a popular choice for bonsai...

As a member of the cactus family, Mammillaria mystax makes a colorful, low-maintenance houseplant. Native to the deserts of Mexico and the Southwest United States, the ball-shaped Mammillaria...

Knockout roses are popular among gardeners because they have been cultivated to ward off common fungal diseases. There are seven different types of knockout roses that differ in color and bud...

Skunk cabbage is a perennial plant that likes to grow at the edges of streams, ponds and marshes. It produces its own heat and as such is one of the first plants to bloom in late winter. The plant...

The evergreen, woody-vined English ivy is a versatile plant to decorate, indoors or out. It's a hardy, climbing vine with multiple pretty tendrils and long-stemmed foliage that's shaped like...

The cacao plant is a small evergreen tree growing in tropical areas of South and Central America, Asia and Africa. It is the source for all cocoa and chocolate products. The cacao tree only grows...

Save money by harvesting seeds for next year. Give gifts of seed packets to gardeners, or trade them for other types of seeds. Take the right steps to gather good quality seeds, pack them...

Yellow Groove bamboo (Phyllostachys aureosulcata) is a cold hardy evergreen plant that's native to China. In 1882, it was brought to the United States for ornamental purposes. The Yellow Groove...

If your indoor plant is infested with annoying flying pests, you may have a common type of gnat, the fungus gnat. This gnat feeds on fungus which thrives in moist warm conditions. To solve the...

Researchers at Oregon State University hope to produce new plants by grafting. Their goal is to engineer a blueberry tree, a plant that has a single trunk, so that the fruit can be mechanically...

White licorice plants have long, green leaves, grow to 1 to 2 feet tall and wide and do not produce flowers. They are most often used to offset other plants and for edging around gardens. The...

Clematis is a beautiful, climbing woody vine that produces abundant blossoms in a variety of colors. Once established, clematis needs only a minimum of care to continue blooming year after year....

Telegraphs plants, also called semaphore plants or Codariocalyx motorius, are tropical shrubs native to Asia. They are unique in that the leaves have special hinges allowing them to move--at...

Spanish broom is a deciduous plant that was introduced from the Mediterranean and surrounding areas. It has many uses in its native homeland. The fibers from the stems and plant itself are used...

You may have an unidentified vine plant that covers the ground or climbs up a trellis in your yard or garden. While you may enjoy this botanical, you may not know the vine's species because you...

Sewer flies, also known as "drain flies," can breed inside your home by using your indoor plants as their hosts. These small, moth-like insects feed on organic materials and lay eggs that produce...

Flowers from bulbs and corms are appreciated and cultivated all over the world. In Ireland, they are especially prized for adding sparkling color and fragrance to cottage gardens and urban...

Peony shrubs bloom in late spring to early summer. The peonies used to fall apart after blooming but new types of peonies live long and produce red, pink, white and yellow flowers up to over 10...

Generally speaking, plants don't require pollination by hand-collected pollen. However, collecting pollen allows you to cultivate species for desirable characteristics such as color or hardiness....

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...

Watermelons are so yummy and so easy to grow. Here is how to grow your very own watermelons.

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...

The peace lily, or spathiphyllum, just keeps on giving. Not only is it a beautiful tropical plant with glossy leaves and graceful white blooms, but it can survive equally well in a dim basement...

For many people, gardening is one of the most relaxing and beautiful experiences in their lives. Every garden is an individual statement about who its owner is as a person and what her tastes are....

Superbell is an easy-growing, drought-and-disease-resistant hybrid of the tiny flower Calibrachoa. Native to South America, Calibrachoa, also known as Million Bells, can be found in sub-tropic and...

The goji berry bush (Lycium barbarum) will grow in almost any environment as long as it is in well-drained soil and full sun. Goji prefers slightly dry environments, but there are ways to...

Propagating flowers from cuttings is a quick and easy way to expand your plant supply with the types of flowers you like best. Some plant cuttings, such as those from many roses and hydrangeas,...

The Croton Petra in the genius codiaeum is a beautiful plant year around . It makes a wonderful house plant and improves the quality of the air indoors. Studies have shown that plants will absorb...

Pruning marijuana plants will even out growth, ensure your plant remains healthy, and increase final yield at harvest. This guide will teach you how to properly prune and train your cannabis plant.

For the healthiest, most productive vegetable plants, give each seed the best chance to survive and thrive by planting them in at the right depth in the right soil at the right time of year. ...

The crown of thorns plant, also known as the Christ plant, is as unique as it is popular. It is a succulent that originates from Madagascar and comes from the plant genus Euphorbia. With its woody...

Several different species of juniper trees and shrubs grow throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Almost all juniper species grow berries, when the berries are fully mature they can be used to plant...

Geraniums are a widely popular summer plant that is used as a bedding plant. Geraniums in a wide variety of colors are planted in flower beds, gardens, window boxes, containers and hanging...

Pine trees can grow quickly. If you have a row of overgrown pines on your property, you might want to cut them down and replace them with smaller plants. Considering that you are dealing with...

Potatoes are one of the most important food crops in the world. They store vast quantities of starch in tubers which grow underground. They store the starch as a nutrition source for the next...

Cutting is an quick and inexpensive way to propagate plants. It is an effective way to clone a plant so that you end up with a plant that is exactly like its parent plant. Leaf cuttings may be...

Asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus) is not really a fern. It is, like its relative garden asparagus, a part of the lily family. Highly prized as an ornamental houseplant, asparagus fern, also...

Campanula alpina is a biennial plant that takes its name from the bell-shaped flowers it produces. A biennial plant takes two years to grow from the seed to full bloom before dying. Biennials last...