How to Grow Five Spot Flowers

A horizontal photo of a five spot flower plant with white and purple tipped blooms growing in a garden.

Five spot is a petite California wildflower that prefers moist, loose soil and full sun to part shade. It is a knockout with masses of signature blooms consisting of five white petals marked by five prominent purple spots. Read on and learn how easy it is to grow five spot as an annual in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 10.

How to Grow and Care for Sea Thrift

A close up horizontal image of bright pink sea thrift (Armeria maritima) flowers growing in the garden pictured on a soft focus background.

Sea thrift is a salt- and wind-tolerant perennial for USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8 that prefers full sun to part shade and sandy, well-draining soil. It has a clumping growth habit and spreads slowly. Clusters of lavender, pink, or white flowers bloom in the spring. Learn how to grow and care for sea thrift in this guide.

How to Grow and Care for Forest Lilies

A horizontal photo of several forest lilies in bloom growing in a greenhouse.

The forest lily is a bulb flower native to South Africa that grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. It boasts striking pink tubular flowers that cluster densely and come to a point at the end of bare, upright stalks. Learn to grow and care for the forest lily in gardens and containers in your outdoor living space.

21 of the Best Green Flowers for Your Garden

A close up horizontal image of green chrysanthemums growing in the garden pictured on a dark soft focus background.

The color green is usually associated with lush foliage and manicured lawns. However, did you know that some plants produce green flowers, too? Green flowers can uplift a garden border and they pair well with a range of colorful flora. Discover 21 unique green-flowering plants in this guide. Read more now.

Best Ways to Garden in Small Spaces

A horizontal image of a small patio outside a cottage planted with a variety of flowers and shrubs.

Designing a garden suited to a small balcony, patio, or miniature yard is easy and affordable using repurposed containers, square foot gardening methods, and vertical arrangements. Make the most of every square foot with creative ideas and advice for growing flora in small spaces in this guide. Read more now.

21 of the Best Salt-Tolerant Shade Perennials

A horizontal photo of a mixed shady garden borden filled with hostas and astilbe plants.

If you are facing challenges like road salt destroying plants and more shade than you would like, read on for 21 of the best salt-tolerant shade perennials to grow in these areas. From foliage like coleus and hosta to bulbs like iris and daylily, you will find specific varieties to meet your unique gardening needs.

When and How to Divide African Violets

A close up horizontal image of the deep bluish-purple flowers and velvety foliage of an African violet plant set on a windowsill.

African violets have a rosette or cascading form, fleshy leaves, and frilly flowers in a range of colors including pink, purple, and white. Plants multiply by producing pups or offsets which can be separated and potted up to make new plants. Learn when and how to divide African violets in this guide. Read more now.

How to Grow a Low-Maintenance Cottage Garden

A horizontal image of a colorful cottage garden with a variety of perennial plantings outside a brick residence.

Do you look at your manicured lawn, dread mowing it, and dream of being surrounded by lush, flouncy blossoms? Consider converting your greenspace to a less formal cottage garden. Read on to design and execute a plan, including removing lawn, prepping the soil, selecting and installing plants, accessorizing, and more.

How to Grow and Care for Queen’s Tears Bromeliads

A horizontal close up photo of a queen's tears plant with a bright pink and purple striped bloom.

Queen’s tears is a water-wise bromeliad species for USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 that also grows as a houseplant. It has a cascading growth habit, strappy, toothed leaves, and spectacular green flowers edged in blue and enclosed in bright pink bracts. Read on to discover how to grow this tropical species at your house.

How to Revive Tillandsia Air Plants

A horizontal shot from above of Xerographica and many other Tillandsia plants soaking in a sky blue bowl of water.

Tillandsia air plants are fun, low-maintenance houseplants that coordinate with various design schemes, perched upon driftwood, seashells, and stones displayed on desks, shelves, tables, and walls. Unfortunately, it is easy to water them incorrectly. Learn how to revive under- or overwatered air plants in this guide.

21 of the Best Houseplants for Bright Light

A close up horizontal image of a collection of houseplants on a windowsill.

Bright-light, sun-loving houseplants range from desert to tropical species and grow best near south- and east-facing windows with abundant light. If you have sunny rooms in your home, you have the perfect opportunity to keep your green thumb honed year-round. Read on for 21 of the best bright-light-loving houseplants.

Your Must-Have Tool This Winter: 7 Top-Rated Snow Shovels

A close up horizontal image of a gardener on the right of the frame shoveling snow from a driveway.

Here comes winter, with a vengeance! Read our reviews of 7 popular snow shovels that will help you to clear your property in time for nature’s next onslaught. Did you know that some are for pushing, and others, for lifting? In addition, we cover how to use equipment properly and stay safe. Read more now.

How to Encourage a Venus Flytrap to Close

A close up horizontal image of a Venus flytrap plant growing wild outdoors.

Venus flytraps grow in Zones 7 to 10 and as houseplants elsewhere. These carnivorous plants are native to North and South Carolina marshes and are best known for their unique foliage that resemble tiny monster jaws. Learn more about how to encourage Venus flytraps to close their leaves in this guide. Read more now.

31 of the Best Sedum Varieties

A close up horizontal image of purple 'Mr Goodbud' sedum flowers growing in the garden, pictured on a soft focus background.

Sedum is a genus of flowering succulents, also known as stonecrop. Species and cultivars are available for USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 10. Heights vary from three-inch ground covers to 24-inch bed and border specimens, and bloom times range from summer to fall. Read on for 31 of our favorite varieties of sedum for the home landscape.

When and How to Blanch Maturing Cauliflower Heads

A close up of a small developing cauliflower head, the white curds just visible beneath the small inner leaves. The outer leaves are large and flat with white veins and stems, covered in small droplets of water.

Cauliflower is a cool-season crop that can be challenging to cultivate. Did you know that some varieties require your intervention to be able to produce unblemished heads? The technique is called blanching, and it protects the developing heads from sun damage. Learn when and how to do it. Read on for easy instructions.

When and How to Harvest Caraway Seed

Close up of a caraway flower head with mature seeds ready for harvest.

Caraway is an aromatic herb that is entirely edible. Usually grown as a biennial, flowers yield to fruit in the second year. We call this fruit seed, and use it to flavor foods like classic rye bread. Read on and learn when and how to harvest the pungent seed for recipes and future crops, right here on Gardener’s Path.

Why Is My Cauliflower Fuzzy? Troubleshooting Tips for Ricing in Curds

A close up of a cauliflower head that has gone fuzzy around the edges, a condition known as ricing, pictured amongst dark green foliage.

Cauliflower is one of the more difficult cool-weather crops to grow. If climate, soil, and moisture conditions are not ideal, the curd may not mature as it should. Sometimes, instead of being smooth, it looks fuzzy. Learn what causes this, how to avoid it, and if the affected crop is edible. Read more now.

How to Plant and Grow Swiss Chard

A row of swiss chard with orange, red, and green stalks.

Are you interested in expanding your repertoire of leafy green vegetables in the garden? Then colorful Swiss chard is for you. Cold and heat tolerant, it produces multiple harvests per season, and can be eaten cooked and raw in a variety of dishes. Learn how to cultivate it in your garden, here on Gardener’s Path.

Broccoli Buttoning: What Causes Multiple Tiny Heads?

A close up of two hands cupping a mature broccoli head, in between large, leafy green foliage on a white background.

Broccoli isn’t the easiest cruciferous vegetable to cultivate. It needs cool weather and a host of other favorable growing conditions. Sometimes, instead of one large, compact head, multiple small ones called buttons develop. Learn why this happens, and what measures you can take to avoid it, here on Gardener’s Path.

How to Maintain Your Garden Hand Tools

A close up horizontal image of a gloved hand hanging up tools in the garden shed.

Quality garden implements constructed of steel and wood are made to last, but they require maintenance to keep them in good working order. Read on and learn how to care for and store garden hand tools. With these tips for cleaning, repairing, sharpening, and storage, your favorites will surely become family heirlooms.

Tips for Growing Flowering Vines

A close up horizontal image of pink and white clematis flowers growing over rocks.

Flowering vines have long strands of blossoms to train over arbors, fences, and trellises, adding color and movement, and forming living privacy screens. From soft and herbaceous to woody and evergreen, there are options for all to enjoy. Read on and get ready to beautify your outdoor living space with flowering vines.

11 Reasons Why Your Cauliflower May Not Form Heads

A close up, top down picture of green cauliflower foliage, the white veins and stems clearly visible against the light green of the leaves.

Cauliflower is a cool-weather crop that is often challenging to grow. Sometimes it yields an abundance of snowy white, purple, green, or even orange heads. Other times, you’re rewarded with mounds of foliage, but there’s not a single head in sight. To discover 11 reasons why this may happen, read more now.

Why Does My Broccoli Have Loose, Bitter Heads?

A close up of a head of broccoli with the florets starting to separate a little bit, surrounded by large, bluish green leaves, pictured in bright sunshine.

Growing broccoli can be a challenge. Our aim is to produce flavorful, tight heads, but sometimes the result is loose, bitter ones and huge disappointment. Join us to learn the reasons for less than ideal outcomes, and how to avoid them, as we discuss broccoli with loose, bitter heads. Read more now.

How to Lift Caladiums for Winter Storage

A close up horizontal image of the red and white foliage of a caladium plant growing in a pot, pictured in light sunshine on a soft focus background.

Tropical caladiums are perennial foliage plants that can stay in the ground year-round in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. In colder areas, they grow as annuals. Learn everything you need to know to dig up, cure, and store your favorite caladium corms over the winter months for replanting next spring. Read more now.

27 Vibrant Color Choices for the Fall Landscape

A close up horizontal image of bright yellow chrysanthemum flowers growing in the fall landscape pictured on a soft focus background.

Welcome autumn in brilliant style with late-season flora that showcases vivid flowers, foliage, and berries. Enhance an existing landscape or dedicate new areas of your outdoor living space to energizing pinks, purples, oranges, reds, and yellows. Choose your favorites from our list and prepare for a spectacular fall.

How to Grow and Care for Autumn Crocus

A close up horizontal image of purple and white Colchicum autumnale blooming in the garden surrounded by foliage in soft focus.

Have you ever heard of a crocus that blooms in the fall, and that lacks leaves and stems? Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) has pink, purple, or white cup-shaped blooms that sprout from bulb-like corms and readily naturalize in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8. Learn how to cultivate autumn crocus in your garden now.

Why Won’t My Broccoli Form Heads? 9 Essential Tips

Close up of a broccoli plant, yet to form a head, a soft focus background of soil and other plants.

If you have a vegetable patch full of fabulous green broccoli foliage, but there’s not a single head in sight, don’t despair. There are various reasons why broccoli fails to form heads, and there’s a lot you can do about it. Read on for our essential tips, and learn all you need to know to grow your best broccoli yet.

When Do I Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs?

A close up horizontal image of a garden trowel set on the ground with a box of spring-flowering bulbs to the top of the frame.

Many of our spring-blooming flowers sprout from bulbs planted in the fall. Favorites like crocus, daffodil, and tulip must spend the winter beneath the cold ground, storing energy for their debut when warm weather returns. Read on to find out how late you can plant bulbs in the fall for a spectacular spring display.

How to Grow Mellow Yellow ‘Ogon’ Spirea: a Shrub for All Seasons

Morning light shining on blooming branches of Mellow Yellow ‘Ogon’ Spirea.

Ogon spirea is a mounding woody shrub that’s easy to grow in sunny locations in zones 4 to 8. Tiny white blossoms in early spring and colorful foliage in fall make it a striking focal point in hedges, mixed borders, or as a stand-alone specimen. Learn how to grow this attractive landscape plant now on Gardener’s Path.

15 of the Best Perennials for Fall Color

Red, orange, and yellow autumn flowers in bloom.

The end of summer doesn’t have to mean the end of color, texture, and interest in the garden. Here are 15 cool-weather perennials that can invigorate your landscape with vivid blossoms and foliage as the days start to grow shorter. Extend the growing season with your new autumn favorites, right here on Gardener’s Path.

Identify and Control 13 Common Chrysanthemum Pests

A close up horizontal image of pink chrysanthemums growing in the garden pictured on a soft focus background.

If your late-season gardens feature perennial chrysanthemums, it’s crucial to know how to identify and manage common pests that may feed on or make your plants their home. From beetles to sapsuckers, hungry pests can wreak havoc in a garden bed, chewing leaves and stunting growth. Learn about 13 types of mum pests now.

How to Plant and Grow Gladiolus Flowers

A close up horizontal image of gladiolus flowers being cut for a vase from the garden, pictured on a soft focus background.

Gladiolus is a flowering perennial for USDA Hardiness Zones 7-11. It grows from corms that readily naturalize providing colorful, ever-enlarging displays. Enjoy it as an annual in other zones, where it can be lifted for the winter. Read on to learn all you need to know to cultivate this ornamental beauty in your garden.

21 Tips for Managing Perennial Asters in the Garden

A close up of bright pink aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) flowers growing in the summer garden.

Perennial asters are vigorous plants that spread readily via self-sowing and extensive root systems. They have a clumping growth habit and masses of tiny, daisy-like blossoms. Colors include blue, pink, purple, and white. Read on to discover 21 tips for managing their aggressive nature and enjoying them in your yard.

How to Naturalize Spring Flower Bulbs in the Landscape

A horizontal closeup of colorful tulips blooming in the Netherlands in spring.

Naturalized bulbs are those that multiply readily, creating irregular drifts of seasonal color. Without regard to restrictive garden borders, they grow as though sown randomly by nature’s creatures, giving a landscape an informal, uncontrived appearance. Read on to learn how to naturalize your favorite flowering bulbs.

When and How to Prune a Yucca Plant

A close up horizontal image of a hand from the right of the frame holding a pair of pruning shears trimming a yucca plant in the garden.

Waterwise yuccas grow as low-profile shrubs or tall trees outdoors and as houseplants indoors. They are unique for their sword-like leaves and stalks that bear clusters of cream to pink flowers. With selective pruning, you can keep your plants healthy and attractive. Read on to learn when and how to prune yucca plants.

Benefits of Gardening for Seniors (and 7 Tips for Success!)

A horizontal image of an elderly woman in a wheelchair tending to a raised bed garden.

Advancing age makes it challenging to bend and dig in a garden. Learn about the benefits of gardening for seniors and discover 7 top tips for making it easier. By raising beds, working from a seated position, and using ergonomic equipment, it’s possible to enjoy cultivating plants for years to come. Read more now.

When and How to Save Native Perennial Aster Seeds

Close up of a blue double petaled aster flower with a yellow center.

Native perennial asters, such as the New England species, spread vigorously via roots and self-sowing. At season’s end, they form copious quantities of cottony seed heads that you can collect, to save and sow in a new location next year, or share with friends. Learn when and how to gather native aster seeds now.

How to Grow and Care for Colorful Caladiums

A close up horizontal image of green, pink, and white tricolor leaves of a caladium growing in a container, pictured in light filtered sunshine.

Caladiums are perfect for lush tropical gardening. These showy foliage plants come in a wide array of variegated colors like pink and chartreuse, red and green. They grow as perennials in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11, and can also be cultivated as annuals or houseplants. Read on for how to grow your own caladiums now.

How to Xeriscape Your Yard for Efficiency and Aesthetics

Green hostas and ferns growing along a pebble pathway lines with larger brown stones.

Have you heard of xeriscaping? Often associated with desert climates, it’s much more than succulents and cacti. This sensible landscape style conserves water, reduces garden maintenance, and provides habitat for endemic species. Learn all about its aesthetics and efficiency here on Gardener’s Path.

How to Grow and Care for Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily)

Orange and red flowers of Alstroemeria Indian Summer Peruvian lily flowers.

Alstroemeria, or Peruvian lily, is a garden treasure when it comes to having your own supply for cut flower arrangements. Cultivate this sturdy and colorful perennial in the garden or containers that you can bring in for the winter. Read on to learn how easy it is with instructions from your friends at Gardener’s Path.

Growing Heliotropes: Fragrant Vintage Charmers

A close up of a Heliotropium arborescens growing in the garden, with clusters of purple flowers, pictured in the sunshine on a soft focus background.

Would you like to grow a plant whose scent was a source of perfume for Victorian ladies? Whose purple clusters have graced gardens from Peru to Europe? The heliotrope is a showy garden flower that may also be cultivated indoors as a miniature potted tree. Learn all about it here on Gardener’s Path.

How to Grow and Care for Balloon Flowers

A close up of bright blue, veined blossoms of perennial Platycodon grandiflorus growing in the garden, pictured on a soft focus background.

Balloon flower is prized for its blue color, uniquely inflated buds, and cheerful star-shaped blossoms. Given room, this hardy disease-resistant perennial establishes a firm root system, and slowly assumes a feature role. Learn all about your new favorite summer flower right here on Gardener’s Path.

How to Grow Tatarian Aster: a Dynamic Late-Season Bloomer

A mass planting of tatarian aster in bloom with violet colored flowers.

Tatarian aster is a vigorous perennial that blooms from September to the first hard frost. It’s loaded with little lavender-blue flowers that butterflies love. Give it room to spread across the back of a border, or meander through a meadow, for autumn’s last hurrah. Learn more now!

When and How to Prune Shasta Daisies

A close up horizontal image of Shasta daisies growing in a sunny garden.

Shasta daisies are late summer classics for USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9. These sun-loving perennials boast flowers with bright yellow centers surrounded by snowy white rays. With appropriately timed pruning, you’ll have no more worries about leggy stems and errant self-sowing. Learn how to prune your Shasta daisies now.

How to Prevent and Manage Rotting in Succulents

A close up horizontal image of a gardener watering indoor succulents growing in small ceramic pots.

Succulents are drought-resistant plants unique for their ability to store water in plump leaves and roots for survival in arid climates. Sometimes, excess moisture causes the leaves to discolor, soften, and rot. Read on to learn why this may happen, what to do about it, and steps to take to avoid rotting in the future.

How to Make Your Own Fresh Cut Flower Food

A close up of a fresh bouquet of cut flowers with a woman in a gray sweater in soft focus in the background.

Fresh cut flowers from the garden or florist are a pleasure. With nourishment, they may last a week or more. Purchased blooms may come with a packet that contains enough for the first day, but then what? Read on for easy instructions on how to replicate the contents of a flower food packet with household ingredients.

How to Divide and Transplant Hellebores

A close up of white flowers with purple specks of the hellebore plant just starting to form seeds in the center, surrounded by bright green foliage on a soft focus background.

Hellebore is one of the earliest plants to bloom, often popping up right through the snow. If you love it, why not learn how to propagate your own? By dividing your plants and replanting the divisions, you can have more wherever you like, and save money in the process. Read more now to learn how easy it is.

How to Create a Succulent Fairy Garden

A close up horizontal image of a whimsical succulent fairy garden in a wooden container.

Succulents are water-wise plants with plump leaves, fanciful shapes, and varied hues. Instead of having a collection of pots, you can use a large, shallow vessel to group your plants together in a whimsical fairy garden. Read on for idea-packed tips to create clever designs that are fun to look at and easy to care for.

How to Grow and Care for a Macadamia Nut Tree

A large cluster of green macadamia nuts hanging on a tree branch.

The macadamia nut tree adds majestic height, spring blossoms, and evergreen shade to landscapes in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. It’s best known for producing gourmet-caliber nuts with smooth, sweet flesh that elevate baked goods to star quality. Learn to grow and maintain the noble macadamia, here on Gardener’s Path.

How to Grow and Care for Sky Blue Aster Flowers

A close up of the bright blue flowers of Symphyotrichum oolentangiense growing in the garden.

If you’re searching for eye-catching color, texture, and height to add to your late summer to fall garden, put sky blue aster at the top of the list. This vigorous native perennial produces masses of small, daisy-like blooms on upright, branching stems. Read more to learn how to grow sky blue aster in your garden now.

Why Shasta Daisies May Fail to Bloom (And What to Do About It)

A close up horizontal image of Shasta daisy flowers growing in the garden pictured on a soft focus background.

Shasta daisies delight with late-season blossoms when many plants have already faded. They reward patient gardeners with masses of yellow and white for cutting and beneficial pollinators with nectar. Unfortunately, sometimes Shastas fail to bloom. Read on to learn why this happens and how you can avoid disappointment.

How to Prune Basil Plants

A close up horizontal image of a hand from the bottom of the frame using a pair of scissors to prune a potted basil plant.

Basil is a tender perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 11 and an annual elsewhere. The plants require full sun and moist, well-draining soil, and sometimes they get leggy or run to seed. Read more now to learn how and when periodic pruning can help to keep this aromatic herb compact and long-lived.

How to Make the Perfect Cup of Calendula Tea

A close up horizontal image of a cup of calendula tea with flowers scattered around on a white wooden surface.

Calendula is an edible annual suited to cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 11. Its daisy-like gold, orange, and red blooms have a long history of culinary and medicinal use. Read on and learn how to harvest the flowers from your garden and brew them into tea. Learn to use them fresh and dried in this brief guide.

When Are Raspberries Ready to Pick?

A horizontal closeup image of raspberries growing on a Rubus plant in an outdoor garden.

If you are growing raspberries in your garden, you’ve come to the right place. Once you select and set out plants, the waiting game begins. And as you watch the fruits take shape and change color, you will wonder about the best time to harvest them. Read on to discover when and how to pick raspberries with confidence.

Grow New England Aster for Sensational Summer and Fall Color

A close up of two purple flowers of the New England aster plant pictured in bright sunshine on a soft focus background.

Cheerful New England aster provides late-season color with an abundance of bright flowers that attract bees and butterflies. This easy to grow native perennial blooms from late summer right up to the first frost and returns vigorously year after year. Learn how to plant and grow New England aster in your garden now.

How to Identify and Control Bamboo Spider Mites

A close up horizontal image of bamboo growing in the garden.

Sap-sucking spider mites damage foliage with their voracious feeding. Some species are attracted to bamboo and cause unsightly leaf damage as multiple generations hatch in one growing season. Read on and discover what causes vulnerability to bamboo spider mites, telltale signs of an infestation, and treatment methods.

Understanding, Treating, and Avoiding Rust on Daylilies

A close up of two daylily flowers, growing in a border beside a wooden deck, with bright yellow flowers contrasting with green, upright foliage.

The daylily is generally a robust flower that blooms all summer long. However, when the growing environment is too wet, it can succumb to a condition called rust. It is not easy to treat, and one affected plant may spell disaster for the rest. Read on to learn how to identify, treat, and prevent daylily rust now.

How to Grow and Care for Early-Blooming Alpine Aster

A close up horizontal image of a mass planting of Aster alpinus 'Goliath' in bloom. Flowers have lavender petals and yellow centers.

The alpine aster is a low-profile, cold-weather perennial for USDA hardiness zones 4 to 7. It’s an early-blooming species that flowers from late spring through early summer. Perfectly suited to rock gardens, its flowers are pink, purple, or white. Learn how to grow and care for alpine aster, here on Gardener’s Path.

Are Fuchsia Plants Perennials or Annuals?

A close up horizontal image of red and pink fuchsia flowers spilling over the edge of a hanging pot, pictured on a soft focus background.

Jewel-toned fuchsia blooms from summer through fall. Native to Mexico, Central and South America, and the South Pacific, species and cultivated varieties are available to grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 to 12. Read on to learn if fuchsia is an annual or perennial plant, and plan to add it to your outdoor living space.

Harvesting Okra: When and How to Pluck Those Prickly Pods

Freshly harvest okra on a blue kitchen towel on a small wooden cutting board.

You have successfully grown a nice little patch of okra and now it’s almost harvest time. But when and how do you go about it? We give you directions, picking tips, and tricks, plus some recipe ideas for your harvest. Read more now on Gardener’s Path.

How to Grow Carrots in Containers

A close up of freshly harvested carrots with dark soil on the roots and the green tops still attached, set on dark earth in a blue container in bright sunshine.

Short on garden space but still want to enjoy the taste of sweet, crunchy homegrown carrots? With a container, some soil, and a packet of seeds, you can grow these flavorful root vegetables on a sunny balcony, patio, or even a front step. Learn how to plant and grow carrots in containers. Get the growing guide now.

When and How to Divide Perennial Asters

A close up of the bright purple flowers of the perennial aster plant, growing in the garden in light sunshine.

Perennial asters have daisy-like flowers and readily naturalize in the garden through self-sowing and an extensive root system. By dividing perennial asters you can keep them under control, growing vigorously, and enjoy them in other areas of the garden. Learn when and how to divide asters with our guide. Read more now.

How to Grow Cape Marigolds (African Daisies)

A close up horizontal image of yellow and purple Cape marigold (Dimorphotheca sinuata) flowers pictured on a soft focus background.

Cape marigold is a daisy-like annual native to South Africa and Namibia, suited to USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 11. Its showy blooms offer summer-to-frost color in apricot, orange, salmon, white, and yellow hues, sometimes accented by purple. Give your garden an explosion of color and learn how to grow it in this guide.

13 of the Best Footwear Choices for the Garden

A close up horizontal image of a gardener wearing a pair of blue wellington boots, using a fork to till the soil.

How many times has a quick visit to the garden turned into a ruined pair of shoes? If you’re looking for footwear made specifically for garden use, that clean up easily and are comfortable enough to wear all day, check out our roundup of 13 of our favorite choices. We’ve got boots, clogs, shoes and more! Read more now.

How to Grow and Care for Pawpaw Trees

A pawpaw tree ripe with fruit.

Soft, luscious pawpaw fruit has a tropical flavor, but it doesn’t grow in the tropics. It’s native to USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9, where attractive maroon blossoms in spring and golden leaves in autumn make it a landscape focal point. Learn to grow this much fabled, commercially scarce treat, here on Gardener’s Path.

How to Grow and Care for White Wood Asters

A close up horizontal image of white wood aster flowers growing in the garden.

White wood asters display masses of tiny white blossoms from late summer to fall. Their mounded forms brighten shady areas of the landscape and attract beneficial pollinators. Read on for all you need to know to grow white wood asters and enjoy this rustic, informal late-season attraction in your outdoor living space.

Why & How You Should Lime Your Lawn and Garden

Top down 1st person perspective of using a push spreader to apply lime on a lawn.

Should you lime your lawn this year? Find out how this natural conditioning agent may be beneficial. Understand the difference between calcitic and dolomitic varieties. Learn about factors that affect soil’s pH balance and discover the only reliable method for making an informed decision, right here on Gardener’s Path.

How to Grow and Care for Tulip Flowers

A close up of various different colored tulips growing in a mass planting in a field in springtime, with the short grass of a lawn in front of them.

The tulip is an iconic spring bulb flower that is available in an array of colors. It is a perennial that is often grown as an annual. Read on for all you need to know to select bulbs, grow and care for plants, and manage pests and disease. Discover exciting varieties and companion planting ideas in this handy guide.

Learn How to Use Coconut Coir Products in the Garden

Strawberry plants in a hanging basket lined with a coconut coir mat.

Coconut coir is a fibrous material used to manufacture products like brooms and mats, as well as a host of soilless growing products. In its various forms you can use it to line planters, improve soil water retention and aeration, and support tropical plants like orchids. Learn its pros and cons now on Gardener’s Path.

25 of the Best Hydrangea Varieties for Home Landscaping

Close up of clusters of blue hydrangea blossoms.

Hydrangeas are available in an exciting palette of colors. Some vary by soil acidity, and others change color as they mature. Whether you have patio pots or estate acreage, you can enjoy their cottage charm in your outdoor living space. From dwarf to tree-sized, here are our 25 favorite varieties. Read more now.

How to Grow Pot Marigold (Calendula) Flowers

A close up horizontal image of bright orange pot marigold flowers growing in the garden pictured in bright sunshine on a soft focus background.

Pot marigold, also known as calendula, is an annual herb that blooms with spectacular yellow, orange, and gold flowers. With a history of medicinal use, the edible flowers can be made into a variety of herbal remedies, used in cooking, or brewed in a soothing tea. Learn how to plant and grow calendula in this guide.

How to Grow and Care for Succulents

A succulent arrangement in a round, shallow, white ceramic planter with a bamboo base, on an aqua and white diamond-patterned tray with gray and green garden gloves, a shovel with a gray and green handle, and scattered pebbles, with a brown wooden outdoor chair with a white cloth seat cushion in the background.

Want to become a succulent gardening pro? We share our top tips for planting, watering, fertilizer needs, dealing with winter weather or warm spells, pests and diseases, and more. Whether you’re planting outdoors in Zone 11 or growing a few potted plants in a sunny windowsill, read our guide now on Gardener’s Path.

15 of the Best Italian Eggplant Varieties

A close up horizontal image of freshly harvested Italian eggplants in a variety of colors in a plastic tray.

Eggplant is a warm weather crop for USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 10. When you grow your own, you can provide your family with unique varieties in a range of shapes and colors. Italian eggplants feature thin skins and fewer seeds than the types found in most grocery stores. Discover 15 of the best Italian varieties now.

Grow Cardinal Climber for Spring to Frost Color

A single red cardinal climber flower in bloom.

Cardinal climber is a tender annual vine with red trumpet-like blossoms and palm-like leaves. Give it room to sprawl across a fence or up a trellis for pops of intense color from summer to frost. Discover how this hybrid was created and learn all you need to know to grow it in your landscape, here on Gardener’s Path.

How to Grow and Care for Parrot Tulips in the Spring Garden

A close up of a variety of different colored cultivars of the parrot tulip, pictured growing in the garden with soft green foliage, fading to soft focus in the background.

The parrot tulip is an intriguing mid- to late-spring bloomer. Vibrant colors play across petals that ruffle and curl like exotic birds in flight. Mass plant for exceptional curb appeal. Scatter through beds and borders. Get parrot tulip growing tips now, and enjoy botanical garden quality blooms in your own backyard.

How to Deadhead Blooming Plants in the Garden

A close up horizontal image of a hand from the left of the frame holding a pair of secateurs snipping off a spent rose.

Are you familiar with the type of pruning known as deadheading? If you are a gardener, we invite you to join us as we define deadheading, and discuss how this technique varies with different plants. Learn the benefits of the practice, and ways to build it into your busy schedule with minimal effort. Read more now.

9 Reasons Why Tulip Leaves May Turn Yellow Prematurely

Healthy tulips have fleshy green foliage and bare, vertical flower stems. After blooming, it’s normal for the foliage to turn yellow and then brown. However, sometimes the leaves turn yellow early in the growing season. This spells trouble. Read on to learn the likely causes and how to avoid them with future plantings.

How to Grow and Care for Borage Plants

A close up of bright blue borage flowers growing in the garden. In the foreground are small unopened buds in soft focus.

Borage is an easy to grow annual herb with tasty leaves long prized by chefs and herbalists. Its edible, star-shaped blossoms are beloved by bees and other beneficial insects and pollinators. This versatile herb can also be used as a cover crop. Learn how to plant and grow borage now in your landscape. Read more now.

How to Grow and Care for Stokes’ Asters

A close up horizontal image of Stokes' aster flowers (Stokesia laevis) growing in the garden pictured in bright sunshine.

Stokes’ asters are suited to home gardens in Zones 5 to 9. Enjoy blue, pink, purple, white, or yellow blossoms on plants with a height of 12 to 24 inches and a spread of 12 to 18 inches. Showcase the species and cultivated varieties in beds, borders, and mass-planted drifts. Read on for growing and care instructions.

How to Plant and Grow Common Sage

Close up of Common Sage growing in a herb patch.

Common sage is a versatile, savory herb often found in the company of parsley, rosemary, and thyme. Do you enjoy the flavor of sage in recipes like meat rubs and stuffing? It’s time you started your own supply. Learn how easy it is to grow this essential Mediterranean herb in the garden or a container. Read more now.

How to Grow and Care for Strawflowers

Strawflower is a cutting garden annual that’s perfect for both fresh and dry arrangements. It’s daisy-like, with crisp, petal-like bracts in shades of orange, pink, purple, red, and white. For garden color from spring to frost, learn to grow strawflower now on Gardener’s Path.

How to Grow and Care for Ornamental Flowering Kale

A close up of dramatic purple leaves of an ornamental kale plant with delicate frilly leaves.

Flowering kale is an excellent choice when you want to add vibrant color and texture to cool weather gardens. Read on for easy cultivation and care instructions, a list of varieties to choose from, and recommended companion plantings. Join us as we explore growing ornamental kale and add some color to your garden.

How to Plant and Grow Broccoli

A close up horizontal image of a head of broccoli growing in the garden ready for harvest.

Would you like to grow broccoli, but aren’t sure how? Read on for the best instructions for cultivating this nutritious cool weather crop in your garden. See if a spring or fall planting suits your climate and learn the secrets to getting several harvests from one plant. Learn more about broccoli in this guide.

How to Grow and Care for Ponytail Palms

A close up horizontal image of a ponytail palm growing in a pot indoors.

Affectionately known as the elephant-foot plant, evergreen ponytail palm has a fountain of backward curving, strap-like foliage. The trunk has a large base called a caudex that stores water. This showy specimen is an elegant, easy-care houseplant. Learn all you need to know to cultivate a ponytail palm in your home.

Quick Guide to Understanding Seed Packets

A human hand olds a cluster of seed packets of different varieties | Gardener's Path

Seed packets are loaded with important growing information, like sowing, spacing, and thinning. To help make sense of it all, your friends at Gardener’s Path have put together this quick guide. Check it out before planning, purchasing, and digging. Your plants will thank you.

5 Tips You Need to Navigate Seed Catalogs

Five packets of newly purchased seeds are piled on top of The Rare Seed Catalog. The purple slices of the roots can be seen on the cover of the catalog. The seed packets each contain several small seeds, an image of the delectables it will grow, and some short quotes. The seeds are for various plants including peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and others. Next to the pile of seeds is a pen and a notepad with the names of seeds to look for in the catalog. All of this is resting on a lightly stained wooden table.

Who can resist a mailbox full of seed catalogs? Browsing them is the dreamy pastime of many a gardener waiting for snow to melt and the growing season to begin. These interesting publications have been guiding gardeners for over 300 years. Get tips for navigating their colorful pages, right here on Gardener’s Path.

Splash Your Garden in Blue with Bachelor’s Button (Cornflower)

A close up of two blue bachelor's button flowers, pictured on a soft focus background.

Bachelor’s button is a wildflower that has naturalized throughout the United States. From classic blue to shades of pink, purple, and white, it’s an invasive grower that likes space to roam. Learn about this country classic and see if it’s right for your backyard landscape. Read more now.

How to Grow and Care for Yarrow

A close up top down picture of yarrow with various different colored flowers, growing in the garden pictured in bright sunshine.

Yarrow is a flowering perennial that grows in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9. Flattened flower heads called corymbs create a carpet of velvety color in late spring and summer. Choose from shades of pink, red, white, and yellow. Drought and salt tolerant, you’ll find this plant easy to cultivate. Learn how to grow it now.

How to Water a Boston Fern

A close-up horizontal image of a potted Boston fern set on a windowsill with a rainy cityscape in the background.

A Boston fern with artfully cascading fronds is an attractive and substantial houseplant that may achieve dimensions of two to three feet tall and wide. Under ideal growing conditions, it is lush and green. A key component of care is proper watering. Read on and learn how to meet the moisture needs of Boston fern now.

How to Grow and Care For Okra

A single okra fruit growing on a stem with young, immature fruit budding above it. The background is blurred and green.

Okra is a flowering plant with elongated, edible pods that are frequently used as a thickening agent in gumbo. With colorful varieties ranging from dwarf to over eight feet, it’s as pretty in the garden as it is functional. Read on to learn how easy it is to grow okra in your vegetable patch, here on Gardener’s Path.

How to Grow Jacob’s Ladder: Regal Shade-Blooming Perennial

A close up horizontal image of bright blue flowers growing in the garden in a shady spot with a sunny lawn in soft focus in the background.

Are you looking for a flower that thrives in cool, moist shade? We have the perfect plant for you: Jacob’s ladder. With its beautiful blue petals and yellow stamens, this European species readily naturalizes in the US. Learn all about this hardy perennial now from your friends at Gardener’s Path.

Learn How to Grow and Care for Viburnum Shrubs

A close up horizontal image of white viburnum flowers growing in the garden.

There are over 150 species of woody flowering viburnum shrubs with clusters of blossoms in shades of cream, pink, and white. Some are evergreen. Others are deciduous, with vibrant autumn foliage and clusters of deep blue to red fruits. Learn how to grow one or more of the many available viburnum species and cultivars.

How to Grow and Care for Aster Flowers

A close up horizontal image of bright pink perennial asters growing in the garden.

Starry aster flowers are native to North America, Europe, and Asia. Plants are available in an array of blues, pinks, purples, and whites. Mass plantings invigorate the late summer to fall landscape with carpets of robust color and texture. Read on and learn how easy asters are to grow and discover your favorites now.

How to Lift, Cure, and Store Tulip Bulbs

A close up horizontal image of yellow and white tulips growing in the garden pictured on a soft focus background.

Tulip bulbs face adversity in the landscape where foraging rodents, freezing and thawing cycles, and oversaturation may spell disaster. Rather than risk losing your favorite species and hybrids, you can lift, cure, and store tulip bulbs post-bloom. Read on for all you need to know and enjoy years of springtime flowers.

How to Grow and Care for Common Foxglove

A horizontal image of different colored foxgloves growing in a border in the garden, with mountains in light sunshine in the background.

Common foxglove features tubular blossoms in shades of cream, pink, purple, red, yellow, and white on tall upright stalks that are attractive to bees and hummingbirds. It’s a biennial for USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9, and grows as an annual in all temperate zones. Learn how to grow and care for foxglove in your garden.

19 of the Best Flowering Companions for Cosmos

A close up horizontal image of cosmos flowers growing in a meadow.

Pink, purple, white, orange, red, and yellow cosmos have feathery foliage and slender stems that sway gently in summer breezes. They bring color, a dreamy quality, and movement to gardens from summer to frost. Read on for 19 companion plants that share cosmos’ preference for moist, well-draining soil and full sunshine.

Promoting Pollination by Design: How to Attract Pollinators

A close up of a path through a garden flanked on both sides by a dazzling array of flowering plants. In the background is a bench seat and a house in soft focus.

Do you want to garden with a purpose, one that goes beyond ornamental enjoyment? When you choose your next plant, make it a nectar-rich flowering variety that’s endemic to the US. Read on to discover a host of choices, and start attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to your yard.

21 of the Best Heirloom Tomato Varieties for the Garden

A close up of a red and yellow deeply ribbed heirloom tomato, growing on the vine in the garden, in light sunshine.

If you are thinking of planting tomatoes in your vegetable garden, have you tried growing non-hybrid heirloom varieties? Capture the texture, taste, and colors of the past with these old-fashioned favorites. Learn about 21 of the best heirloom tomato varieties available and choose your favorites. Read more now.

How to Grow and Care for Columbine Flowers

Pink and white columbine flowers with white centers.

You’ll know it’s spring when the columbine blooms. Known as “granny’s bonnet,” these dainty ladies appear early in the season, signaling the end of winter, and inviting the bees and birds to awaken. Learn about native and nonnative varieties of this delicate perennial right here on Gardener’s Path.