Author's posts
Jan 20
Rose of Sharon: How to Grow & Care for Hibiscus syriacus
Rose of Sharon is one of the most dependable flowering shrubs for bringing color to the garden when many spring and early-summer plants have already finished blooming. From midsummer into early fall, its upright branches can become covered with large hibiscus-like flowers in shades of white, pink, lavender, purple, blue-violet, and red. Botanically known as …
Jan 20
Rhododendron Care: How to Grow Healthy Rhododendrons
Few shrubs can match a mature rhododendron in full bloom. Dense clusters of pink, purple, white, red, lavender, or occasionally yellow flowers can nearly cover the evergreen foliage, transforming a partly shaded corner of the garden into one of spring’s most impressive displays. Rhododendrons can also live for decades when planted in the right place. …
Jan 20
Portulaca (Moss Rose): How to Grow & Care for Portulaca grandiflora
When summer heat turns many garden flowers tired and thirsty, portulaca often seems to become happier. Also known as moss rose, Portulaca grandiflora is a low-growing annual with fleshy succulent leaves and brilliantly colored flowers that thrive in sunshine, heat, and relatively dry soil. The rose-like blooms come in an impressive range of colors, including …
Jan 20
Nemesia: How to Grow & Care for Nemesia Flowers
Nemesia is one of those flowers that can transform a container or garden border almost overnight. Compact plants become covered with masses of delicate two-lipped flowers in shades of white, yellow, orange, pink, red, purple, lavender, blue, and countless bicolored combinations. Some varieties also produce a sweet fragrance that makes them especially appealing around patios, …
Jan 20
Mandevilla Care: How to Grow & Keep Mandevilla Blooming
Mandevilla brings the look of the tropics to a patio, porch, balcony, or sunny garden with surprisingly little effort. Its glossy green foliage provides the perfect background for large trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, white, yellow, and other increasingly varied colors, while vigorous vining varieties can climb several feet during a single growing …
Jan 20
Lobelia: How to Grow & Care for Lobelia Flowers
Lobelia can mean very different things depending on which plant is growing in your garden. One gardener may be talking about a tiny mound of brilliant blue flowers spilling from a hanging basket, while another is describing a four-foot-tall native perennial covered with scarlet flowers that hummingbirds visit throughout late summer. Both are Lobelia. The …
Jan 20
Lantana Care: How to Grow & Keep Lantana Blooming
Lantana is one of the toughest flowering plants you can add to a hot summer garden. When temperatures climb, rainfall becomes unpredictable, and less resilient annuals begin looking tired, lantana often keeps producing clusters of brightly colored flowers. Its blooms come in combinations of yellow, orange, pink, red, lavender, purple, white, and cream, with many …
Jan 20
Ice Plant Care: How to Grow Delosperma as a Flowering Ground Cover
Few ground covers combine brilliant flowers, succulent foliage, drought tolerance, and low maintenance as effectively as hardy ice plant. Delosperma forms a low carpet of fleshy leaves that can become covered with daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, orange, yellow, red, white, and multicolored combinations. Despite its succulent appearance, many Delosperma varieties are surprisingly …
Jan 20
Gardenia Care: How to Grow & Keep Gardenias Blooming
Gardenias have a reputation for being demanding, but their needs are actually quite specific rather than mysterious. Give them acidic soil, excellent drainage, consistent moisture, sufficient light, and protection from severe cold, and these glossy evergreen shrubs can reward you with some of the most fragrant flowers in the garden. The classic gardenia, Gardenia jasminoides, …
Jan 20
Four O’Clock Flowers: How to Grow & Care for Mirabilis jalapa
Four O’Clock flowers are old-fashioned garden plants with an unusual schedule. While many summer flowers begin closing as evening approaches, Mirabilis jalapa is just getting started. Its trumpet-shaped blooms typically open during the late afternoon or early evening, releasing a sweet fragrance and remaining open through much of the night. The flowers make Four O’Clocks …
