How to Press FlowersPressing flowers is a great way to preserve them. Once pressed and dry, pressed flowers usually retain their color fairly well, which makes them useful for making a variety of decorative crafts, such as stationery, placemats, and bookmarks.
Tips for Buying OrchidsOrchids are available from many sources, but most are purchased from flower shops, garden centers, or from orchid nurseries either in person, or online. If you are new to the world of growing orchids, here are some tips for buying them.
Tips for Growing AstersIn autumn, when many garden perennials are winding down for the season, asters are just getting started. Prized by gardeners for their brilliant late season color, here are some tips for growing them.
Conditioning Cut Flowers for Lasting...Every professional florist knows that the methods used to cut flowers and condition their stems can significantly extend their vase life. Here are a few easy tricks that will help you lengthen the life of the flowers you cut from your own garden.
How to Grow ColeusColeus has remained a popular plant ever since it rose to favor during the Victorian age. The leaves of this inexpensive and versatile plant come in a bewildering array of colors, patterns, shapes, and sizes.
Garden: Mexican SunflowerOne of several plants that really stand out in the late summer garden is Mexican sunflowers. I planted my Mexican sunflower seeds after our last frost this year.
Growing WisteriaFew plants can rival the dramatic spring beauty of a wisteria vine in full bloom. With the right growing conditions and some occasional pruning, wisteria is a beautiful, fast growing vine - and a worthwhile addition to nearly any garden.
Five Ways to Groom Your Flower GardenWhether your grow annuals or perennials, grooming techniques like thinning, pinching, and deadheading are quick and easy ways to keep your plants looking their best and producing flowers all season long.
How to Grow MarigoldsSome garden experts feel that we rely too much on marigolds to fill in our flower beds. I disagree. Marigolds are easy to grow, and their cheerful flowers offer a summer-long burst of color anywhere you plant them.
Buying and Transplanting Bedding PlantsEach spring nurseries and garden centers offer a wide variety of bedding plants. Here are some tips to help make the transition from garden center to garden soil as smooth as possible.
How to Grow Zinnia FlowersFew annuals look as cheerful and appealing in the garden as Zinnias' daisy-like flowers, that may be single, semi-double, or double (the largest are nearly 6 inches across) and come in nearly every shade of the rainbow, but blue.
How to Make Watering Hanging Baskets Less...One of the most critical parts of caring for hanging baskets is to make sure the soil mix never dries out. Here are a few simple tips to make watering hanging baskets less of a chore.
Tips for Low Maintenance Flower GardeningImagine endless garden beds filled with beautiful fragrant flowers that come up effortlessly year after year without any help from you. While it might not be realistic to dream for zero maintenance, a low-maintenance flower garden can be a dream come true.
How to Plant and Grow PeoniesPeonies are a favorite of many gardeners. Here are some tips for planting and growing them.
Cut Flowers on a BudgetFew things can elevate your mood like a pretty vase filled with a bright bouquet of fresh flowers. Whether you buy them at the store, or grow and cut your own, here are some budget conscious tips for to getting the most out of your cut flowers.
Choosing A Petunia VarietyIn the past few years, the old-fashioned, easy-to-grow petunia has once again become a popular annual among gardeners. From borders to baskets, and mass plantings to cut flowers, these members of the Solanacea (Nightshade) family are extremely versatile in the landscape.
Growing Roses in ContainersHave you always wanted to grow beautiful roses but can't find the extra garden space? Are there varieties you want to try that are not hardy to your zone? Do you wish you had greater ability to move color to where you need it throughout the growing season?
Propagating Lilies From ScalesBuilding up a large collection of lilies in your flower garden can be an expensive and time consuming proposition-unless of course, you're willing to propagate them yourself.
How and When to Prune Your ClematisWith their gorgeous vines and showy flowers, the clematis is a favorite among many gardeners. Although these perennial vines don't typically need much maintenance, established plants do benefit from occasional pruning.
How to Grow Dazzling DahliasDahlias are a great choice for both new and experienced gardeners alike. These tuberous perennials will grow in full to partial sun, in almost any soil, and are not usually favored by deer or rabbits.
All-American Selections for 2010If you're looking for flowers that have been 'tested nationally and proven locally' and deemed reliable over a broad range of growing conditions, check out these AAS winning flowers for 2010.
Top 10 Tips for Cost Efficient Flower...A beautiful flower garden doesn't have to cost a fortune. The secret is finding ways to get the best value for your investment. For gardeners on a tight budget, here are 10 great tips for stretching your flower gardening dollar.
Growing Edible FlowersMany cultures have used edible flowers in their traditional dishes for centuries. Whether you grow them alongside your vegetables or in containers, edible flowers are a wonderful way to bring added color, texture and flavor to your favorite summer dishes.
How to Keep Your Potted Mums Looking FreshPerhaps no sight signals the coming of fall to gardeners more than a pot of brightly colored mums. Here are some tips for keeping yours looking their best this fall.
The Queen of Fall Flowers - the...Chrysanthemums are the quintessential flowers of fall. From blazing golden yellows to rich shades of mahogany, when it comes to intense color, nothing in the fall garden can match their showy display.
How Do I Care for an Orchid?Does anyone know how to care for orchids? I got one as a gift a couple of days ago. It's beautiful, dark pink flowers, and it almost reaches my waist. I just don't know how to care for it.
Bees - A Honey of a Deal for Your Garden!Bees are the honey in any garden! As a pollinator, they offer an essential ingredient for healthy gardens, both flora and vegetable. And they are especially important as primary pollinators of entomophilous plants - plants pollinated by insects, as opposed to wind pollination.
All-American Rose Selections for 2007Founded in 1938, the All-American Rose Selections (AARS) is a non-profit association made up of rose producers and growers dedicated to introducing and promoting exceptional roses to the gardening public.
Selecting and Caring for PoinsettiasSince the 1920s, the poinsettia has become synonymous with the holiday season. Here are a few tips for selecting and caring for this year's poinsettia, as well as some advice for getting it to bloom again next year.
Going Native With WildflowersOne of my first attempts at growing wildflowers consisted of buying a canister of Martha Stewart's Meadow Mix and peppering an area in my yard with seeds where I choose to let the grass go "native."
Growing PetuniasTips for growing petunias. Petunias attract both hummingbirds and moths. A change in growing conditions can cause the white edges on some petunia flowers to change in size.
Creating a Bed for Cut FlowersIt's wonderful to walk through a garden of blooming flowers, and it's even more rewarding when you can enjoy some those fresh bouquets.
Care and Aftercare for Easter LiliesNext to Poinsettias, Easter lilies are perhaps the most recognized flower in the western world. Now that Easter's come and gone, there's no need for your lily to fade.
Changing the Color of Bigleaf HydrangeasIt isn't easy and it doesn't happen overnight, but if the beautiful pink or blue hydrangea you brought home from the nursery has started to look a little muddy and pale, you can restore its color by adjusting the pH of your soil.
Growing VerbenaThe easiest and most no fuss way to grow verbena is to purchase plants. You can also start them from seed 8 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost date.
Growing Sweet WilliamSow Sweet William seeds in summer directly into soil. Don't pinch off spent flowers and they will reseed themselves for the next year. If planting transplants, space them 4 to 6 inches apart...
Growing DianthusDianthuses are also known as "pinks" because the ragged appearance of their petals gives the impression they have been trimmed with pinking shears. Members of the carnation family, several varieties are quite fragrant, like the mat-forming cheddar pinks (D. gratianopolitanus).
Growing a Hoya TipsDoes anyone know if a Hoya plant should be kept in a small or larger pot? Also, should they be kept moist or dry? I've had a Hoya for over 10 years and it has never bloomed.
