Petunias in flower beds, borders, and pots are among the most popular annual garden flowers. Most varieties sold today are hybrids, and the range is wide: trumpet-shaped blooms in nearly every color except true blue, in solid, striped, and veined patterns, with single or double petals that may be ruffled or smooth. The branching foliage […]
Crepe myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) range from dwarf shrubs to multi-trunked and single-trunk trees that can reach 30 feet tall. Most varieties begin blooming in spring or mid-summer and can flower for up to three months, which makes them a mainstay of warm-climate landscapes. The peeling bark in shades of gray, cinnamon, and cream gives the
Summer gardens take daily attention, so when fall approaches it is tempting to let the beds wind down early. The soil is still warm, roots are still growing, and a few simple changes keep vegetables, flowers, and shrubs productive for another month or two. The transition takes less work than the peak season: lighter feeding,
Zoysia grass (Zoysia spp.) is a warm-season turf known for a dense, emerald green carpet that handles drought, heat, and foot traffic better than most lawn grasses. It spreads through rhizomes and stolons, fills thin spots on its own, and stays green through hot summers before turning straw brown during winter dormancy. Because it grows
Tiger lilies are the easygoing members of the lily family, a herbaceous perennial that asks for sun, well-draining soil, and almost nothing else. Plants grow 3 to 5 feet tall with narrow, strappy leaves and open, curved flowers in orange with dark speckled spots, and some forms carry red, yellow, or double blooms. They tolerate
Strawberries are one of the most rewarding fruits a home gardener can grow, and the first decision determines everything that follows: which type to plant. June-bearing, day-neutral, and ever-bearing strawberries behave differently, ripen at different times, and suit different climates, so the variety list matters more than the size of the patch. The support system
Hanging houseplants add a living layer to a room without giving up a single square foot of floor space. Trailing vines, arching leaves, and cascading ferns turn an empty corner into something alive, and they keep working when every tabletop, windowsill, and bookshelf is already covered with plants. The plant is only half of the
Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala) is a flowering deciduous vine from Asia that drapes walls, fences, pergolas, and arbors with large clusters of white flowers in spring and summer. It climbs with aerial rootlets instead of twining stems, which means the support does the real work. Anyone who has watched how climbing formwork makes concrete construction
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is one of the most popular Mediterranean herbs, prized for its culinary flavor and its clean, piney scent. The plant is a perennial with needle-like foliage and a woody growth habit that can reach about 3 feet tall indoors, though that size takes years to develop. Growing it inside means fresh sprigs
Oak trees rarely top the list when homeowners plan autumn color, because most oaks color up late in the season. Maples and birches peak in October, while oaks reach their full display in late October and November, carrying the show after earlier trees have dropped every leaf. Most oaks grow 40 to 80 feet tall
