Using Dwarf Conifers in the GardenDwarf conifers can be grown in compact beds or containers and are easy to maintain. This makes them particularly useful for gardeners with limited space. Incredibly diverse in color, texture, and form, their miniature stature allows you the luxury to grow several different species in a small area.
Basic Botany for GardenersPlants are truly amazing. They create the oxygen we breathe, provide us with food, beverages, clothing, products for shelter, and medicines. Botany is the scientific study of plants.
Award Winning Plants for the 2012 Growing...With all of the new plants being introduced to the gardening marketplace each year, it's hard to know which are worthy of your time and attention. Here are four award winning plants-proven performers in gardens around the country-to keep an eye out for in 2012.
Tips For Growing Cacti, Yuccas, and Agaves...We usually think that growing succulents like cacti, yuccas, and agaves is reserved for gardeners living in the desert. Not so. The truth is, many species are fairly well adapted to growing outdoors-even in cooler conditions.
Three Great Plants To Try This YearThere are endless varieties of flowers, vegetables, and fruits to choose from each year, but only limited amounts of garden space. If you're looking for something new and different this year, consider one of the following three great plants.
Simple Science For Gardeners: Hybrids and...You don't have to be a scientist to be a gardener, but knowing a little bit about the science behind gardening can make digging in the dirt an even more enjoyable experience.
Invasive Plants and How You Can...Each year millions of dollars are spent, and tons of herbicides are applied, in what is sometimes a futile attempt to combat the spread of invasive plants. Here is what you need to know about the invasive plant problem and what you can do to help.
2008 All-American Selections WinnersMuch like the Perennial Plant Associations award for the Perennial Plant of the Year, The All-America Selections organization honors a selection of new seed-grown flower and vegetable varieties each year.
The Basics of Plant PollinationMany of the more mysterious problems that come up during the gardening season can be traced to the pollination process going awry. Crops look healthy but fail to produce fruit, flowers fail to set seed, and yet there are no observable signs of insect damage or disease.
The Language of HorticultureAurea. Purpurea. Triangularis. Variegata. For some gardeners, the thought of trying to understand (let alone pronounce) complex botanical terms can seem intimidating.
Moss AppealGrowing a thick, lush carpet of moss gives a shade garden a mystical, almost surreal feeling. The dark, velvety aesthetic appeal of moss is evident just by looking at it, but its resiliency and the fact that it requires almost no maintenance once it's established...
Plants With First Rate FoliageTry to imagine what your garden would look like if you took away all of the foliage and you really start to understand and appreciate its value. Usually, it plays the subtle, yet important role of providing a backdrop that showcases the colors of your flowers.
Get Started Growing GourdsIf you've had success growing pumpkins or squash, you might want to consider trying your luck with gourds. Since most gourds have a long growing period (from 90-130 days) now is a great time to start them indoors. They aren't very good to eat, but they are notoriously easy to grow.
Coaxing Christmas CactusIf your Christmas cactus blooms on the 4th of July, consider yourself lucky. Many people who grow them would settle for any blooms at all. If you're willing to follow a few simple rules, you can coax this shy cactus into blooming for you year after year-just in time for the holidays.
