The genus Artemisia contains about 300 species in the daisy family (Asteraceae), but you will not see many showy flowers among them. Gardeners grow artemisias for their foliage: silvery gray, finely cut, and strongly aromatic leaves that hold their color through drought and heat. The genus spans annuals, perennials, and woody shrubs, and most garden […]
Every time you mow the lawn, you cut a pattern into the grass, whether you plan it or not. Repeating the same pattern week after week damages turf, while rotating patterns keeps it healthy. On sloped lots the pattern choice also affects safety, and simple traction upgrades make safer hillside mowing possible. This article covers
Sage (Salvia officinalis) is one of the easiest perennial herbs to grow, and it earns a place in almost any garden. The plant forms a semi-shrubby mound of wooly, gray-green, aromatic leaves that stretch up to 4 inches long, and its earthy, slightly peppery flavor works fresh or dried in a wide range of dishes.
Acacia trees and shrubs form one of the largest woody plant groups on the planet. The genus Acacia belongs to the Fabaceae (legume) family and the Mimosoideae subfamily, and it holds more than 1,300 species and varieties across Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas, with roughly 1,000 native to Australia. Most acacias grow quickly,
Whether a vine is invasive depends on its natural growth habits and location. Many of the worst offenders are beautiful plants: porcelain berry carries intriguing turquoise and purple fruit, and wisterias look gorgeous growing over arbors. Because vines grow rapidly and send out new shoots in all directions, they tip into invasiveness quickly. Gardeners who
Broccoli is a stout, thick-stemmed plant in the Brassicaceae family, the same family as cabbage, kale, and Brussels sprouts. Large, blue-gray leaves are leathery and oblong, arranged around an upright trunk that supports the flowering head. The part we eat is actually the buds of the flower; left unharvested, the head opens into small greenish-yellow
Knowing when to put out birdhouses is one of the easiest ways to attract nesting birds to a yard, and the answer is simpler than most people expect: there is no bad time. Cavity-nesting birds use houses to build nests and raise young, and other species use them as temporary shelter during cold snaps and
A bland expanse of lawn can become the most interesting part of your property with the addition of one or more planting beds. Garden beds bring color, texture, and seasonal interest to an otherwise flat green surface, and they give you a defined place to grow flowers, shrubs, and edibles. The most popular approach is
A garden trellis is one of the few landscaping elements that blankets itself with flowers and foliage. Unlike a fence or a wall, it disappears under the plants it supports, and the result softens a yard while adding vertical interest. With basic tools, inexpensive lumber, and a free weekend, a simple freestanding trellis brings structure
Calla lilies bring sculptural elegance to indoor spaces, with glossy arrow-shaped leaves and funnel-shaped blooms in white, pink, yellow, and deep burgundy. Unlike many flowering houseplants, they grow from rhizomes rather than seeds, which makes them predictable for beginners and easy to propagate once you learn the rhythm of growth and dormancy. Indoor conditions suit
