Monkey flowers bring tubular, snapdragon-like blooms to damp borders, rain gardens, and containers, and they do it without demanding constant attention. The name covers a group of flowering annuals and perennials whose colorful blossoms draw bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies through spring and summer. Gardeners who already grow bold tropical flowers such as canna lilies will […]
Tulip trees (Liriodendron tulipifera), also called tulip poplars or yellow poplars, grow into some of the tallest hardwoods in eastern North America. Their flowers resemble classic tulip blooms, their leaves have a four-lobed shape unlike any other native tree, and the fall canopy turns clear gold. The species is the state tree of Kentucky, Tennessee,
Japanese flowering cherry trees (Prunus serrulata spp.), sold under common names such as Kanzan cherry and Oriental cherry, put on one of the most anticipated shows in the spring garden. Their pinkish red blossoms cover the branches for a week or two each year, and the trees grow 1 to 2 feet per season, so
Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum), also called southern arrowwood, is a compact flowering shrub with an upright, rounded form and glossy, toothed leaves. White flower clusters open in spring, and blue-black fruits follow in late summer. Hardy in USDA zones 2 through 8 and native to North America, it asks for little beyond sun, moisture, and
Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) earns its common name without belonging to either anise or hyssop. The plant is a member of the mint family, and its crushed leaves release a fragrance close to anise, with some gardeners reading it as basil or French tarragon. Blue-lavender to purple flower spikes rise above the foliage from midsummer
Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) takes its name from the narrow, strap-like petals that open into star-shaped white flowers in late winter or early spring. The plant grows as a slow, multi-stemmed tree or large shrub that reaches 15 to 20 feet tall with a rounded canopy, and it ranks among the earliest flowering woody plants
Onions are essential in nearly every kitchen and among the simplest vegetables to grow. Planting bulbs, often called sets, is the easiest route: these small, dried onions are grown and harvested as immature bulbs, then sold in spring at garden centers, feed stores, and grocery stores. A modest bed returns a bountiful harvest from minimal
September means shorter days, cooler nights, and the end of summer vegetables, but it does not mean the end of planting. Cool-season crops thrive when sown this month in many regions: the hottest weather has passed, days stay warm and sunny, and nights drop to the temperatures that leafy greens and root crops prefer. Planting
Companion planting is one of the oldest tricks in the vegetable garden, and it earns its keep in fall. Plants grown close together can improve soil conditions, deter pests, add shade, and support pollinators, all without extra fertilizer or sprays. Gardeners who plan fall beds around these relationships report healthier beets, potatoes, carrots, lettuce, and
The word ivy covers a surprising range of plants, and only some of them belong in a yard. Swedish ivy is a harmless trailing houseplant, English ivy and Boston ivy can smother large areas, and poison ivy sends thousands of people to urgent care every year with urushiol rashes. The same vigor that makes growing
