Blue delphiniums are specific cultivars within the genus Delphinium that naturally produce blue flowers. These plants bloom in rare blue shades by absorbing specific light wavelengths, balancing acidity levels, and creating their own custom pigments. The most popular blue delphiniums…
Dinner plate hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) is a cold-hardy, herbaceous, flowering perennial plant known for its giant, show-stopping blooms. Fresh stems sprout from the ground in late spring, quickly creating a small rounded shrub. The plant then blooms in late summer…
Wondering when strawberries are in season? I was too! Now that I’ve had my own strawberry patch for a few years, I have a much better idea of when strawberries will ripen. June is the peak strawberry season in North…
Mulch for strawberries in the garden conserves soil moisture, steadies soil temperature, suppresses weeds, and keeps the ripening berries off the damp soil surface. The best mulch materials for strawberries are clean straw, plastic sheeting, or pine needles (pine straw).…
Raised beds are ideal for growing many vegetables. They allow gardeners to create a great soil mix, let the sun warm the soil earlier than surrounding ground, and discourage foot traffic on growing areas. Here are 15 of the best…
Summer vegetable gardening can bring an abundant harvest, along with dry soil and hot temperatures. Here are 10 top tips for keeping your vegetable garden healthy in the heat of summer. 1. Pick and preserve Summer vegetable crops like cucumbers,…
Culinary herbs are edible parts of certain plants used in recipes to add aromatic flavor. Many can be used fresh from the garden during the growing season or dried for use during cooler months. Here are 25 excellent culinary herbs…
Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a lovely herbaceous perennial plant well-suited as a groundcover in a shady woodland garden. Delicate green leaves appear as the ground thaws each spring, becoming a rich emerald tone in April. The fine foliage is…
Learning how to keep mulch in place is key to a well-kept garden. Weather like rain and wind – or even just foot traffic – can cause mulch to drift and slide away from garden beds. Fortunately there are some…
Blueberry bushes provide delicious fruit and add a lovely whimsical element to the garden. While blueberries can be a bit particular about their soil conditions, there are certainly some wonderful plant pairings for blueberry companion planting. The best companion plants…
The best perennials to plant with tulips tend to be low-maintenance, drought-resistant perennial plants like flowering groundcovers, native woodland flowers, and foliage plants. Avoid perennial plants that need frequent water and fertilizing in mid-summer. This “TLC” can rot your tulips…
Magnolia blossoms are large, graceful flowers that bloom in early spring on Magnolia plants. These trees (or large shrubs) are easy to grow in residential yards. Magnolia blossoms also make stunning cut flowers by themselves or as part of a…