Daffodils: The Ultimate Spring Bulb for Naturalizing and Cut Flowers

Daffodils: The Ultimate Spring Bulb for Naturalizing and Cut Flowers For many gardeners, large bright Daffodil blooms are the first visible signs of spring. These vigorous, long-lived bulbs thrive in sunny, well-drained

Crocus: Early Spring Jewels and Fall-Blooming Saffron

Crocus: Early Spring Jewels and Fall-Blooming Saffron Crocus corms multiply amazingly and thrive in full sun to partial shade where early color is wanted. They naturalize beautifully in lawns. Two types of spring Crocus

Coneflowers (Echinacea): A Palette of Summer Color for Sun and Shade

Coneflowers (Echinacea): A Palette of Summer Color for Sun and Shade Native to eastern and central North America, this virtually foolproof perennial (Echinacea spp.) offered little beyond reliability until recently. In

Clematis: The Queen of Climbers for Vertical Garden Drama

Clematis: The Queen of Climbers for Vertical Garden Drama We prize climbers for the extra dimension they bring, and above all, we value Clematis. Its twining stems lift floral displays into the third dimension. It partn

Bearded Iris: Regal Beauty, Rich Colors, and Easy Care

Bearded Iris: Regal Beauty in Rich Colors The kings of France chose Bearded Iris (Iris germanica) as their emblem, the fleur-de-lis. Its late-spring/early-summer blossoms possess classical beauty with three upright stan

Amaryllis: The White Flower Farm Difference—Top-Size Bulbs for Spectacular Winter Blooms

Amaryllis: The White Flower Farm Difference We deliver top-quality, pre-potted Amaryllis plants, bulbs, and gifts for the holidays. Enjoy their large, dramatic flowers yourself or share as gifts—even non-gardeners love

Allium: Show-Stopping Globes for the Early Summer Garden

Allium: Show-Stopping Globes for the Early Summer Garden Dont let the common name Flowering Onion deter you—this genus offers some of the most elegant, sculptural blossoms in the plant world. Most Alliums bear statuesqu

Galanthus (Snowdrops): The First Sign of Spring

The white, bell‑shaped blossoms of snowdrops are among the first joyous signs that winter’s grip is loosening. They nod on short stalks, often pushing through crusted snow, and bloom for 2–4 weeks. Galanthus elwesii (Gia

Eranthis (Winter Aconite): Early Spring Sunshine

Eranthis, meaning “flower of spring,” lives up to its name as one of the earliest bloomers. Commonly called winter aconite, this tiny plant produces sunny yellow cup‑shaped flowers that open to reveal a crown of golden s

Where to Buy Plants: Best Sources for Quality and Value

Plants come from many sources—some free. Watch for pests or aggressive “garden thugs” when accepting divisions. The cheapest route is starting from seed. Local plant sales (garden clubs, charities) offer bargains and exp

Understanding Plant Names: Common vs. Botanical

Plant taxonomy—the naming of plants—is essential for getting exactly what you want. Common names like “coneflower” cover many varieties; if you want backward‑curving orange petals, you need the botanical name. Some names

Staking and Fertilizing Perennials for Strong, Beautiful Growth

Even in healthy soil with sturdy stems, some perennials—Delphinium, Digitalis, Thalictrum—need staking to prevent flopping in wind or storms. Fertilizer Basics Fertilizer supplies essential mineral nutrients via the soil

Do Deer Eat Mums? (And Other Deer‑Resistant Tips)

Generally, deer avoid chrysanthemums. But individual tastes vary—just as some people love sauerkraut and others hate it, a few deer might nibble mums. Finding truly deer‑resistant plants involves trial and error, though

Bulb‑Forcing Timetable: Chill Weeks and Bloom Times

After planting bulbs in moist potting soil, chill them for the number of weeks listed below. Start chilling at ~50°F to encourage rapid root growth, then drop to 35–45°F by week 3–4. Never let temperature fall below free

Easy Plant Division: Multiply Your Perennials

Division is garden math at its best—multiply your plants, share with friends, or rejuvenate overcrowded clumps. Generally divide every 3–5 years. Spring bloomers: divide in fall. Late summer/fall bloomers: divide in spri

Starting Annuals from Transplants: A Step‑by‑Step Guide

Bedding plants give you an instant garden of blooms—perfect if you lack time, space, or desire to start from seed. Flats and packs of almost any flowering annual are available at garden centers. Plant after your last fro

New Plant Varieties for 2013: Perennials, Annuals, Roses, Edibles, and Shade Lovers

Perennials for Sun From reblooming dianthus to bold fall sedums, here are the hottest new sun‑loving perennials. Hardy, colorful coneflowers Easy, low‑water sedums Heat‑resistant, fragrant dianthus Long‑blooming pere

Beneficial Insects for Your Garden: Meet the Good Bugs

Ladybugs Everyone recognizes adult ladybugs, but few know their eggs, larvae, or pupae. Several species exist in North America; the imported Asian ladybug is now especially common. Adults are sold at garden centers bu

Solve Common Bulb Problems: Q&A

Q: Animals are eating my bulbs before they flower. How do I stop this? Apply animal repellents like Liquid Fence regularly to protect new growth. Or plant unpalatable bulbs—deer and rabbits love tulips and crocus but

How to Force Hyacinths Indoors for Winter Fragrance

Choosing Hyacinths for Forcing With minimal effort, you can enjoy pots of these powerfully fragrant bulbs in every room. The stocky hyacinth is one of the few bulbs (along with amaryllis) that looks stunning solo or i