Clare Groom 
Balloon cactus (Parodia magnifica) is a compact, slow-growing species with a rounded blue-green body, golden spines, and bright yellow summer flowers. This species is ideal for containers indoors or out, and may form offsets that spread into clusters with age. Learn how to grow balloon cactus in this guide. Read more now.
‘Crosby’s Prolific’ is a hybrid aloe cultivar that forms tight clusters of compact rosettes, forming dense colonies spreading via offsets. The narrow green leaves develop vivid red tones in bright sunshine and are lined with translucent teeth. Learn how to grow this low maintenance succulent in this guide. Read more now.
Nerve plants (Fittonia) are compact tropical perennials with foliage that features bold veins in white, pink, or red against deep green backgrounds. These low-growing plants reach just three to eight inches tall, making them ideal for small spaces. Learn how to grow these striking plants in this guide. Read more now.
Echeveria ‘Black Prince’ is a striking succulent with nearly black leaves arranged in rosettes. It reaches four to six inches tall and produces red flowers in late fall. Perfect for containers, rock gardens, mixed succulent arrangements, and as an edging plant. Learn how to grow Echeveria ‘Black Prince’ in this guide.
‘Gollum’ jade is a cultivar of Crassula ovata with tubular leaves that flare into suction-cup-like tips, often tinged with red. Also known as finger jade, Shrek’s ears, and E.T. fingers, it’s compact, slow-growing, and ideal for growing indoors. Learn how to grow and care for ‘Gollum’ in this guide. Read more now.
Fall is here and the garden is festooned with leaves, covering your lawn and making their way into every crevice. But what should you look for when choosing a leaf rake to make short work of this less-than-glamorous garden chore? Check out this guide for reviews and recommendations on how to choose the best leaf rake.
Zebra grass is a clump-forming ornamental with green leaves marked by bold, horizontal gold bands, giving it a striped appearance. It thrives in full sun, tolerates a variety of well-draining soils, and sends up tall plumes in late summer. Learn how to grow Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’ in this guide. Read more now.
Hot peppers are typically grown as annuals, but did you know that you can overwinter these perennial plants for a larger harvest next season? With the right preparation, you can keep your favorite varieties dormant in the winter months and they’ll come back healthy in spring. Learn how to winterize hot pepper plants.
Do you want to plant some new beet varieties in your garden? Delicious and nutritious, there are many different cultivars available in different shapes and colors from the popular ruby-red roots to golden, striped, and white types. Check out our roundup of 27 top picks and choose your favorite. Read more now.
Ranunculus offers vibrant, eye-catching blooms for your spring garden. These compact plants thrive in beds and borders, producing florist-quality flowers in a range of colors. Grown as perennials in Zones 8-10, they can be lifted and stored for the winter elsewhere. Learn how to grow ranunculus in this guide. Read more.
Hatch peppers are appreciated for their smoky, earthy flavor and varying heat levels, making them extremely versatile in the kitchen. They thrive in warm climates with full sun and nutrient-rich soil. Learn more about Hatch peppers and how to grow these flavorful chiles in your garden in this guide. Read more now.
Do you like hot peppers? If you can stand the heat, why not try growing ghost peppers? Once thought to be the hottest pepper in the world, the bhut jolokia packs an almighty punch of flavor and adds sizzling heat to a variety of dishes. Learn how to plant and grow ghost peppers with these top tips. Read more now.
In the market for a leaf blower? Check out our top tips and recommendations and make sure you’re armed with the information you need to select the right machine – gas or electric, handheld or backpack – that’s right for your landscape and work style. We roundup 9 of the best leaf blowers in this guide. Read more now.
Wondering how to create a lush, healthy garden? Learn how to use a variety of mulch materials for the ultimate low maintenance garden. Mulching brings a host of benefits, improves soil quality, prevents weeds, and protects plants from drought. It is the perfect finishing touch to create a tidy garden. Read more now.
If you want to feel more secure in your home, consider Mother Nature’s finest biological razor wire. We take a look at 23 of the best thorny, spiky, and downright scary plants to add to your landscape for the ultimate intruder deterrent. Learn how to use defensive plants in your garden for home security. Read more now.
Colorful coleus is a tropical foliage plant that is easy to grow and thrives in shady locations. With vibrant, variegated leaves in a range of color combinations and patterns, coleus is ideal for massed plantings, or as specimens in beds and borders. Learn how to plant and grow coleus now with this guide.
If you’re looking for a versatile, multipurpose gardening knife, look no further than the Japanese hori hori knife. With its unique concave blade featuring both a serrated edge and a sharp, straight edge this knife makes short work of digging, edging, pruning, harvesting, and sawing. Learn about 5 of our favorites now.
Why not add this easy to grow, delicious vegetable to your cool-weather garden this season? Popular in stir-fries, with delicate leaves and crisp white stems, bok choy is a versatile ingredient in the kitchen – and packs quite the nutritional punch. Learn how to plant and grow bok choy in your garden. Read more now.
In certain circumstances, cats and houseplants can be a lethal combination. But what about Christmas cactus? This popular, easy-care houseplant provides a cascade of color in the holiday season, but is it safe for households with pets? Learn about whether Christmas cactus is safe for cats in this guide. Read more now.
If you want to grow something different in your garden this year why not plant cranberries? These tart, sour-tasting berries are surprisingly easy to grow, when given the right conditions and will produce lush berries for years with minimal care. Learn how to grow cranberries at home in this guide. Read more now.
Cabbage loopers may look like harmless inchworms but their voracious munching can damage many crops in your garden including kale, turnips, cabbage, and broccoli. There are a number of methods that you can use to manage these caterpillars. Learn how to identify and control cabbage loopers in this guide.
There’s nothing quite like hibiscus to enchant your summer garden. With huge blooms and a vivid color palette to suit every garden style, we take an in-depth look at cultivars of both the hardy, perennial types as well as the tender tropical lovelies. Learn about 37 of our favorite hibiscus varieties. Read more now.