Ageratum–commonly called floss flower–is a colorful low-growing annual that forms compact mounds of dark green leaves. The mounds are covered with fuzzy, wide white purple, or blue flowers. Ageratum blooms from early summer to the first frost in autumn. Ageratum’s soft green leaves are roundish and often hear-shaped at the base. Flowers are tassel-like and […] More
Eupatorium–often called Joe Pye weed–is a good choice for boggy soils or informal gardens. This upright perennial has coarse green foliage on tall purple-flushed stems and large domed, purple-pink fluffy flower heads from late summer to early fall. Eupatorium is a large plant; it can grow to 6 feet tall (2m) or more. The blossoms […] More
Gomphrena–commonly called globe amaranth–is grown for its bright-colored upright spikes of clover-like flowerheads. The flowers are composed of dense clusters of stiff, papery bracts. Flower colors include shrimp, orange, rose, magenta, and purple. Gomphrena blooms from summer to frost. It is a showy addition to sunny flower borders and rock gardens. It’s also a traditional […] More
Most annual flowers are frost-tender. Annual seeds should be sown outdoors after the last average frost date in spring. To get a head start on the season, seeds can be started indoors, and young plants can be set in the garden after the last frost. Young plants of annuals started indoors should be hardened off […] More
Annuals live their life in one season. They bring bursts of color to the garden. A mixture of annuals with perennials, shrubs, and groundcovers creates an interplay of texture and color. Annuals can be started from seed, or they can be bought in containers and flat already in flower. Use annuals to fill in bare […] More
February is the start to the garden busy season. In many regions, indoor and outdoor sowing and planting will begin this month. Gardeners in warm regions already have seed and young plants in the ground. In cold regions, where is snow on the ground, February is still the time for making plans and preparing for […] More
Rabbit-resistant plants are one solution to preventing rabbits from consuming the garden. Rabbits can be destructive garden pests, consuming flower, foliage, and tender shoots. When it comes to the garden, rabbits have nothing in their favor except their attractive appearance and engaging manner, and the fact that they seem to be nobody’s enemy. That said, […] More
Deer-resistant plants are plants deer tend to not eat. If deer are hungry enough they will eat practically any kind of plant. This list includes annuals, perennials, and bulbs that deer have turned away from in many gardens; there is no guarantee they will not eat them in your garden. As a general rule, deer […] More
Butterflies can be attracted to the garden by growing nectar-rich plants. Butterflies attracted to gardens with masses of brightly colored flowers. Their favorites are purple, red, orange, and yellow. Butterflies prefer small fragrant flowers. They prefer nectar-filled tubular blossoms or flat blossoms that serve as landing pads. They rarely visit large showy flowers or trumpet-shaped […] More
Annuals are plants that grow from seed, attain their mature growth, flower, and produce seed in one year or less; they then die having completed their life-cycle. Annuals can be divided into those that are hardy, meaning they can withstand a light frost, those that are half-hardy, meaning they can withstand cool temperatures but not […] More
Plants in containers need the same attention and care you give plants in the garden. Container garden plants need regular watering and feeding, perhaps a bit more than garden plants since the room they have for root growth is limited. Here are container garden care basics: Watering container plantings Fertilizing plants in containers Combatting pests […] More
Almost any plant can grow in a container, but some plants grow better than others. Annual flowers are a good choice for container growing. They bloom quickly and for months at a time. Annuals are smaller than most perennials and shrubs; they require smaller containers that are easily moved from place to place for the […] More
Stephen Albert