How to Grow Perennials from Seed: Step-by-Step Guide

What You Need Perennial seed packets (easy starters: black-eyed Susan, catmint, perennial geranium, centranthus, aster, purple coneflower, armeria, snow-in-summer, yarrow) Seed-starting or potting mix Shallow container

Can You Grow Calla Lilies from Seed Pods?

Sharing plants is generous, but calla lily seed pods rarely produce viable plants. Like most bulbs, callas propagate best vegetatively through their underground rhizomes. Ive never had success from seed pods, though the

Longest-Blooming Perennials: Gardeners' Top Picks for Nonstop Color

Editors Note: Each week we pose a Garden Question and share the best reader responses. Learn more about growing perfect perennials Perennials That Bloom and Bloom We asked which perennials bloom longest in your garden.

How to Force Hyacinth Bulbs in a Vase for Indoor Fragrance

With just a forcing vase, prechilled bulbs, and water, you can fill your home with fragrance and blooms—no watering required. Heres how: Tools & Materials Forcing vases (hourglass-shaped) Prechilled hyacinth bulbs Glo

How to Cut Back Overgrown Pampas Grass Safely and Effectively

Native to Argentina, pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) is a dramatic warm-climate ornamental grass. Plume production varies—observe a season to see yours. In late winter or early spring before new growth, cut back to 1

When to Divide and Transplant Shasta Daisies for Maximum Vigor

Early spring is the ideal time to divide Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum x superbum), but these tough perennials tolerate moving almost any time except hot, dry midsummer. Divide every few years to maintain vigor—especiall

Growing Dahlias: A Complete Guide from Planting to Winter Storage

Planting How-To Dahlias are garden stars. Native to Mexican hillsides, these tender tubers bloom from summer until frost in a dazzling range of colors, forms, and heights—theres a dahlia for every garden role. Dahlias

Dividing and Transplanting Oriental Poppies: Timing and Technique

Fall is the traditional and best time to divide and transplant Oriental poppies. However, if you need the space immediately, you can move them now with care. Water deeply the night before, prepare the new site, and dig

Complete Perennial Care Guide: Planting, Dividing, Watering & More

When you buy perennials, youre really investing in their roots—the engine that brings them back year after year. Follow these tips to give your perennials the best possible start. Planting Container-Grown Perennials Di

How Long Until Elephant Ear Bulbs Sprout?

Elephant ear bulbs spend about three weeks developing roots before any above-ground growth appears. The end with concentric circles is the top. If youre unsure which end is up, plant the bulb on its side—it will send sh

Will My Garden Mums Bloom Again Next Year?

If your mums (Chrysanthemum x morifolium) survive winter, new growth appears at the base in early spring. Clip away last years dead stems. No growth at the base means the plant didnt make it. Despite being called hardy

How to Plant a Colorful Annuals Border Along Paths and Beds

Everything looks better framed—whether its a picture or a garden path. Low-growing annuals create vibrant, living edges between lawn, pathway, and garden beds. Step-by-Step Planting 1. Loosen the soil. Use a hoe or cul

Why Are My Vinca Leaves Turning Yellow?

Vinca (periwinkle) sometimes carries undetectable bacterial diseases like botrytis from the garden center. Once transplanted, stressed plants develop yellowing leaves—a common symptom. Weather plays a huge role: warm, d

Best Wildflowers for Shade Gardens: A Regional Planting Guide

Spring is showtime for forest wildflowers. They emerge as soon as snow melts, painting the woodland floor in bursts of color until midsummer, when subtler displays take over under the cool tree canopy. Tips for Going N

What to Do With Gerbera Daisies After They Stop Blooming

Gerbera daisies cycle in and out of bloom when grown outdoors. Indoors, however, they often refuse to rebloom. If your indoor plant has stalled, its usually best to compost it and start fresh. Outdoors, patience pays of

10 Essential Tips to Protect Your Tulip Bulbs from Pests and Weather

Daffodils bring cheer, hyacinths perfume the air, and crocuses announce springs arrival, but nothing quite captures the seasons joy like a vibrant, cup-shaped tulip. Unfortunately, that joy can be short-lived without a f

Grow Your Own Wedding Flowers: A Complete Planning and Planting Guide

Growing your own wedding flowers can save hundreds of dollars in floral costs. The cash investment is minimal; the real cost is time spent planning, planting, and tending—spread over months or years, making it managea

Can Hibiscus Recover from Freezing Temperatures?

Recovery depends on the type of hibiscus and your climate. Tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is hardy only in Zones 9–11. If winter temperatures dropped below about 20°F, the plant is likely dead. However, wa

How Far Apart to Plant Perennials for a Healthy, Long-Lasting Garden

Proper spacing is a modest upfront investment that pays off in years of color and interest. Consult a reliable perennial reference—such as The Complete Perennials Book by Ortho or the Miracle-Gro Guide to Growing Beau

When to Safely Plant Annual Flowers in Your Garden

Determine the frost-free date for your area from your local cooperative extension office, a garden center, or an experienced gardener. Use this date as a guideline based on the cold tolerance of your chosen flowers. C