Nov 12
Sweet box is a compact evergreen shrub prized for glossy dark green foliage and remarkably fragrant flowers that appear during winter or very early spring. The flowers themselves are tiny and easy to overlook, but their sweet perfume can travel surprisingly far through the garden at a time when very few other shrubs are blooming. …
Nov 10
Winter daphne is an evergreen shrub prized for one of the strongest and sweetest fragrances in the winter garden. Its clusters of pink, rosy-purple, or white flowers often begin opening in late winter, filling the surrounding air with perfume at a time when relatively few other shrubs are blooming. Botanically known as Daphne odora, winter …
Nov 09
Algerian iris is an unusual evergreen perennial that brings fragrant violet flowers to the garden during winter and very early spring. Botanically known as Iris unguicularis, it is also called winter iris or Algerian winter iris and is native to parts of North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean. Unlike the tall bearded irises that dominate …
Nov 08
Viburnums are among the most versatile flowering shrubs for home landscapes. Depending on the species, they can provide fragrant spring flowers, colorful berries, brilliant autumn foliage, evergreen leaves, winter interest, or several of these features on the same plant. Some remain compact enough for a small border, while others mature into large screening shrubs or …
Nov 07
Winter hazel is a graceful deciduous shrub prized for its dangling clusters of pale yellow flowers that appear on bare branches just as winter begins giving way to spring. Botanically, winter hazels belong to the genus Corylopsis, with buttercup winter hazel (Corylopsis pauciflora) and spike winter hazel (Corylopsis spicata) among the best-known garden species. Despite …
Nov 06
Pussy willow is a fast-growing deciduous shrub or small tree best known for the soft, silvery catkins that cover its bare branches in late winter and early spring. Botanically known as Salix discolor, the North American pussy willow is native across a large portion of Canada and the northern United States, where it naturally grows …
Jul 20
Thrift is a compact evergreen perennial prized for its tidy grassy foliage and rounded clusters of pink, rose, lavender, or white flowers. Botanically known as Armeria maritima, it is also commonly called sea thrift or sea pink and is naturally associated with coastal cliffs, sandy ground, rocky slopes, and other exposed places where drainage is …
Jul 17
Dill is a fast-growing annual herb prized for its feathery foliage, yellow flower umbels, aromatic seeds, and unmistakable fresh flavor. Botanically known as Anethum graveolens, dill is easy to grow from seed and can provide both fresh leaves and mature seeds from a relatively small garden space. Unlike many perennial herbs, dill completes its life …
Jun 20
Sunflowers are among the easiest flowers to grow from seed, but planting them at the right time can make the difference between strong, fast-growing plants and seedlings that struggle in cold soil. For most gardeners, the best time to plant sunflowers is in spring after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has …
Jun 15
Snake plants are among the easiest houseplants to propagate, but the best method depends on the type of plant you have and whether you want the new plant to look exactly like its parent. Mature snake plants naturally spread through underground rhizomes, producing new shoots or pups that can be separated and replanted. They can …
