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...

Silver bells, or Ornithogalum nutans, are striking perennial flowers that are native to southern Europe. Silver bells grow up to 9 to 12 inches, with long, fleshy stems and 2-inch wide flowers...

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...

Gardening can be very therapeutic for those with a green thumb. It is also a lovely way to accent any front lawn or backyard for a home. With so many varieties or flowers and bulbs available, it...

The ixora shrub (Ixora coccinea) is a compact and dense evergreen shrub that thrives in United States hardiness zones 10 to 11. This delightful but somewhat temperamental shrub is often grown a a...

Grape vines have been grown and cultivated for wine since ancient Roman times. They can be grown throughout the world and are appreciated for their subtle scents and the wine they produce. Many...

Euonymus fortunei, or purple wintercreeper, is a versatile evergreen ground cover that will do well in sun or shade, and is often planted in difficult areas such under trees and on slopes. Tiny...

The lupine bean is the most widely eaten type of Lupini bean. According to Purdue University, the white lupine bean was used to enrich crop soil more than 2,000 years ago by the ancient Egyptians....

If you have a friend or family member with a decorative tree that makes you envious, ask her if you can take a cutting and grow a tree of your own. Most decorative trees, including deciduous trees...

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 elderberry is a deciduous fruit-producing shrub found growing in the wild and also cultivated for home berry production. Elderberry shrubs produce clusters of small black-purple berries used...

The most important factor in achieving a beautiful lawn and garden is the condition of the soil. A rich, deep green color and lots of vigorous growth are the signs of a healthy tree, shrub or...

Knock Out roses are a popular variety, as they bloom excessively and require only basic care. They were introduced in 2000 and have since become the most widely sold rose variety in North America.

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...

Primroses make a lovely addition to the shady areas of your garden, but when they haven't received the proper care, it shows. While these flowers are not difficult to grow, they do require certain...

Pine trees are towering giants, best known for their quiet presence in evergreen forests throughout the north. Although there are 35 different species of pine tree, they are all characterized by...

Many people give up on their gardens in the summer, especially in areas with very hot temperatures, where gardens suffer excessive dryness and rot from excess humidity or simply shrivel up from...

Fish oil has a strong, pungent odor that assaults the olfactory senses when it becomes rancid. If you have used a fish-emulsion fertilizer in your yard or garden, the odor may linger and become...

Flowers planted in window boxes and hanging baskets have specific needs different than flowers planted directly in the ground. Using garden soil for your container plants will not provide adequate...

The emerald green cedar tree, or white cedar, is a lustrous green tree that resembles most Christmas trees. Thriving throughout the Pacific Northwest, these trees are widespread and grow quite...

Fig trees, with their wide spreading boughs, glossy green leaves and sweet fruit, are a popular tree for home growers. Once the trees are established, they take only simple maintenance. Figs can...

Irish moss isn't actually a moss at all. A herbaceous perennial, Irish moss produces small white flowers in late spring and early summer. Adding Irish moss to your landscaping as a ground cover...

A native of South Africa, Freesia hybrida is quite hardy and can survive in dry environments. Planted as corms (bulbs), they offer your garden trumpet-like blooming flowers that grow in a cyclical...

Hibiscus plants contribute a tropical flair to home landscaping. These ornamental flowers are popular for their dramatic, colorful flowers that can grow to 18cm. Whether your grow your plant in...

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...

Cardboard plants are fern-like landscaping plants that can add a lush, tropical feel to any yard or garden. They are also well suited to pot and indoor growing. They don't usually flower, but...

Planning ahead is always a good thing. This applies to gardening as well. Find out how simple planning of your next garden will reward you with a more beautiful and bountiful crop.

Indoor basket plants are an effective way to bring natural elements into a room. You can have a uniform row of plants offering additional privacy or change the lengths of the hanging baskets for...

Growing herbs and vegetables indoors in your AeroGarden hydroponic gardening system is convenient. Once your plants grow very large, though, you might want to move them outside so that they have...

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...

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...

Water features in yards can include any thing from a lavish waterfall to a small tranquil koi pond. The sounds of flowing water contribute to a luxurious backdrop that can be elevated by the...

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...

Corn on the cob tastes of sunshine, barbecues and childhood. Who can resist a fresh ear of corn with butter and salt? Home growers plant and raise this popular crop to put home-grown corn on their...

Beans are a nutritious, easy-to-grow vegetable. The ideal soil for bean growing is a well-drained, slightly acidic loam. Soil fertilization and crop rotation are also beneficial when growing beans.

A water hyacinth is a floating pond plant that has bright green, shiny, oval leaves that can grow up to 10 inches wide. The plants display purplish flowers that are 2 to 3 inches long. These...

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...

Rockwool is a soil-free growing medium used in hydroponic gardens. It is a combination of melted rock and sand that has been spun into fine thread and compressed into very dense cubes or slabs. It...

With its broad tropical leaves this plant adds a touch of the exotic to the summer garden. Its form resembles that of the banana, with foliage that can range from light green to bronze. Depending...

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...

Growing your own herbs is an economical way to always have fresh herbs on hand for cooking or for garnish. Some of the most popular herbs are parsley, sage, chives, thyme and basil. Other uses for...

Like most citrus trees, it is very easy to grow a Meyer lemon tree in a container. The Meyer lemon is commonly known as the Valley lemon in Texas, due to the fact that it is the most common...

Quaking aspen trees have pale bark, grow to between 60 and 80 feet tall and are famed for propagating themselves through suckers. Suckers are new trees that grow out of the lateral root of the old...

Short-term exposure to extremes will not kill houseplants but extended time spent in below freezing temperatures, extreme high temperatures, drought, flood or malnourishment will cause damage....

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...

Roundup Ready® corn is corn that is genetically modified to be resistant to applications of glycophosphate, or Roundup. Roundup Ready corn allows farmers to spray for weeds without fear of...

Rhododendrons can be found in many landscapes. Their low maintenance requirements make them an easy choice for most gardeners. However, a few challenges can arise, such as wilting, when their...

Parsley and rose are well known as companion plants. Also known as inter-planting, companion planting is a technique in which either one or both plants of different species improve the performance...

Cleome hasslerana is an annual flower that can grow four to six feet in height, blooming early summer to mid-fall with shades of white and pink blossoms. Cleome's nickname is "Spider Flower,"...