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.

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 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.

Quick Guide to Understanding Seed Packets

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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 Identify and Manage Glassy-Winged Sharpshooters

A close up horizontal image of a glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis) resting on a branch pictured on a soft focus background.

The glassy-winged sharpshooter is a sap-sucking pest that feeds on over 300 types of plants. Its presence in the landscape poses a fatal threat to them all. Discover how this sapsucker can be responsible for the death of crops and ornamental species. Learn how to recognize it, deter breeding, and treat an infestation.

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 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.

23 of the Best Dogwood Varieties for Your Landscape

A close up horizontal image of pink and white flowering dogwood blooms pictured on a soft focus background.

Dogwoods are a diverse group of ornamental trees, shrubs, and subshrubs native to Asia, Europe, and North America. Some feature cheerful white or pink blossoms in spring, and others provide winter interest with brightly colored branches. Discover 23 of the best dogwoods for your landscape in this guide. Read more now.

9 Tips to Get Tulips to Rebloom

A close up horizontal image of bright red tulips growing in a garden border pictured in light filtered sunshine.

Tulips are spring-blooming bulbs that prefer full sun and well-draining soil. Many gardeners grow these flowers as annuals, but botanically speaking, they’re perennials. Read on to find 9 tips to get tulips to rebloom. Discover the types most likely to return and replicate their natural habitat to make it happen.

19 of the Best Purple Petunia Varieties

A close up horizontal image of purple petunia flowers growing in a hanging wicker basket spilling over the side.

Petunias are tender perennials in Zones 9 to 11 and annuals elsewhere. Their velvety, trumpet-like flowers are charming in containers, borders, and beds, where they attract a host of beneficial pollinating insects and hummingbirds. Read on to discover 19 of the best purple petunias for outstanding spring-to-fall color.

How to Identify and Manage 15 Common Arugula Pests

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Arugula is a leafy green in the Brassicaceae family and as such can fall victim to the same pests that prey on other cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, kale, broccoli, and Swiss chard. Learn how to identify and control 15 of the most common arugula pests and enjoy your best harvest in this guide. Read more now.

How to Grow and Care for Shamrock Indoors

A close up horizontal image of the green foliage and white flowers of Oxalis shamrock plant growing indoors.

Shamrock plants are types of Oxalis or sorrel that resemble ground clover. There are numerous species with green, purple, or variegated foliage and pink, red, white, or yellow flowers. Some are easy-care houseplants that thrive in bright, indirect sunlight with little maintenance. Read on to learn how to grow your own.

25 of the Best Viburnum Varieties

A close up horizontal image of the colorful fall foliage and red drupes of a viburnum shrub.

Viburnum is a woody flowering shrub for full sun to partial shade locations in Zones 2 to 8. Most types display fragrant blooms in the spring followed by colorful autumn foliage and drupes at season’s end. Learn more about 25 of the best native and non-native viburnum varieties and choose your favorites. Read more now.

11 of the Best Garden Benches for 2024

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A garden bench is an invitation to feel grass between your toes, smell the flowers, and relax in the shade. Choose a seat that reflects your style, and place it where you can enjoy relaxing and reading, or chatting with a friend. Learn more about 11 of our favorite garden benches in this guide. Read more now.

13 of the Best Patio Heaters and Fire Pits

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Are you looking for a way to extend the use of your outdoor living space well into the winter? A patio heater, fire pit, or both might be just what you’re after! In this guide, we review 13 of the best products to heat your outside space, including natural gas, propane, electric, and wood-fired options. Read more now.

5 Causes of Fading Croton Leaves and How to Avoid Them

A close up horizontal image of the vibrantly-colored foliage of a garden croton plant.

Tropical garden crotons are prized for having lustrous, leathery leaves in vivid and variegated shades of green, red, and yellow. However, sometimes the colors aren’t as vibrant as they should be. Pale color is an indicator of issues in the growing environment. Read on for five possible causes of pale foliage now.

9 Reasons Why a Croton May Drop Its Leaves

A close up horizontal image of the colorful foliage of a croton plant.

Garden croton is a boldly variegated foliage plant that makes a showy display in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12 and as a houseplant in all regions. It needs little attention but is sometimes temperamental, dropping its leaves under less-than-optimal conditions. Learn 9 reasons for leaf drop and how to avoid them now.

Tips for Growing Peas Indoors

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Peas germinate quickly and are one of the easiest food crops to grow outdoors in the garden or a pot. But what if you want to enjoy homegrown peas year-round? Indoor gardening is the answer! It’s easy to cultivate peas indoors like other houseplants, especially when you use a grow light. Read more now.

How to Grow and Care for a Chinkapin Oak Tree

A close up horizontal image of the foliage of a chinkapin oak tree pictured in light filtered sunshine.

Suited to USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 7, the mighty chinkapin oak tree is a white oak species. Its lance-shaped, toothed green leaves are yellow in the fall for a rich seasonal display. Long-lived, this striking landscape specimen grows in full sun and provides comfortable shade in outdoor living spaces for generations.

7 Reasons to Prune Crotons (And How to Do It)

A close up horizontal image of a large garden croton with brightly colored foliage growing outdoors.

Tropical crotons, Codiaeum variegatum, have lustrous, lush foliage in vivid hues with dramatically contrasting veins, splotches, and streaks. They thrive outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12 and as indoor potted plants in all regions. Should you prune your plants? Read on for seven reasons to pick up the clippers.

11 Reasons (and Fixes!) for Limp Leaves on Jade Plants

A close up horizontal image of a succulent jade plant growing in a terra cotta pot set on a marble floor.

Jade is a succulent for outdoor cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones 11 and 12 and an easy-care, water-wise houseplant in all regions. Usually, the foliage is fleshy, firm, and evergreen. However, it can become limp under less-than-ideal growing conditions. Read on and learn why it happens and what to do about it.

9 Reasons to Prune a Jade Houseplant and How to Do It

A close up horizontal image of the foliage of a jade plant (Crassula ovata) growing in a small pot indoors.

Jade is a fleshy-leaved evergreen succulent that doesn’t need water until the pot dries out. It’s low maintenance, but there’s one task you may want to undertake: Pruning a jade plant can support its health and improve its appearance. Read on to discover 9 reasons to prune and the tools and techniques for the job.

How to Grow Hardy Snowdrops

Snowdrops growing with other plants with red and green foliage in the garden.

Welcome spring with mass plantings of hardy snowdrop, a bulb flower that blooms right through the snow. Let this charming perennial naturalize for impressive drifts of bell-shaped white blossoms, or interplant it with crocus for a stunning display. Learn how to add Galanthus to your garden now on Gardener’s Path.

How to Grow and Care for Amaryllis Flowers

A close up horizontal image of two flowers of amaryllis that are partially pink and cream.

Amaryllis is a tropical bulb with enormous trumpet-shaped blooms in a range of colors, with variegated options as well. It can be forced to bloom indoors in all growing zones, and makes a bold addition to winter holiday decor. Read on to discover how easy it is to grow your own amaryllis indoors.

How to Identify and Manage Cactus Longhorn Beetles

A close up horizontal image of a cactus longhorn beetle munching on a plant.

Cactus longhorn beetles are prevalent in the desert climes of North America. If you grow cacti in your landscape, read on to discover which species of cacti these insect pests favor as their hosts, when they are most active, the damage they are capable of inflicting, and how to manage an infestation.

How to Save an Overwatered Christmas Cactus

A close up horizontal image of a gardener watering a Christmas cactus from a blue plastic watering can.

Christmas cactus is a low-maintenance flowering houseplant that thrives in bright, indirect sunlight with low to moderate moisture. Knowing when it is time to water and how much is needed is often challenging. Read on to discover ways to avoid overwatering and get instructions on how to rescue a soggy Christmas cactus.

What Are Cactus Glochid Spines?

A close up horizontal image of the top of a prickly pear plant showing the large spines and smaller glochids.

All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. Cacti have sharp, prominent spines that inhibit moisture loss and provide shade and protection for the fleshy stems. Many species also have clusters of smaller spines called glochids. Learn about these small yet troublesome ones so you’re not caught unawares.

Why Leaves Change Color in the Fall

A horizontal image of the orange and red fall colors of deciduous trees.

When autumn leaves put on a spectacular display of browns, oranges, purples, reds, and yellows, do you wonder why they turn such vivid hues? You’re not alone. Ongoing scientific study points to reasons that may or may not tell the whole story. Read on to learn what we know to date about why autumn leaves change color.

How to Grow and Care for Flowering Lungwort

A close up horizontal image of Pulmonaria succharata aka lungwort growing in the garden.

Spring-blooming lungwort brightens partially shaded areas of the landscape with pink and blue blossoms that perch atop white speckled foliage. An outstanding ground cover, this cheerful perennial is suited to cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8. Read on to learn how to grow and care for lungwort at your house.

How to Store Homegrown Onions

A close up horizontal image of a wooden bowl filled with different types of onions set on a rustic wooden surface.

Onions are versatile vegetables that are featured in almost every type of cuisine. If you are growing your first crop, take time now to decide how you’ll store them post-harvest. Yields are often surprisingly large, and it’s best to be prepared. Read on for all you need to know to store your homegrown onions.

Should You Rotate Cover Crops?

A close up horizontal image of arugula growing in the garden covered by a dusting of frost.

Both farmers and home gardeners are likely to find cover cropping a valuable practice. Sowing dense, fast-growing plants to cover fallow soil helps to control weed growth and inhibit erosion. The decaying plants improve soil structure and replenish nutrients. Read on and learn if it is beneficial to rotate cover crops.

How to Control Invasive Chinese Lantern Plants

A close up horizontal image of a Chinese lantern plant with an abundance of orange pods, growing in the garden pictured in bright sunshine.

Chinese lantern plants are whimsical additions to summer-to-fall gardens in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9. However, while their papery orange lantern-like pods are a delight, the plants spread aggressively via roots and self-sowing. Read on and learn how to enjoy Chinese lanterns without letting them take over the yard.

How to Grow Succulents Outdoors in the Garden

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Low-maintenance, water-wise succulents are popular houseplants, but did you know that you can also cultivate them outdoors in the garden? Read on to discover species suited to your USDA Hardiness Zone and create eye-catching arrangements that display the varied forms, colors, and textures of these quirky desert plants.

7 Reasons Why Morning Glories Fail to Bloom

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Morning glories are annual vines that grace gardens with blue, pink, purple, or white flowers continuously from summer through fall. Sometimes flower production is poor or nonexistent. Learn about seven of the most common reasons why flower production may be poor or nonexistent in this guide. Read more now.

19 of the Best Flowering Companion Plants for Dahlias

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Tuberous flowering dahlias light up midsummer to autumn gardens in bold shades ranging from pink and purple to yellow, orange, and red. Read on to learn about 19 flowering companion plants that share the same cultural requirements for soil, sun, and water, and get your beds and borders ready for a spectacular display.

How to Identify and Manage 9 Common Nasturtium Pests

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The bright, edible blossoms and green or variegated foliage of nasturtiums are as lovely to look at as they are to eat – unless they are plagued by pests. Learn how to recognize and treat nine common nasturtium pests now, and enjoy summer gardens bursting with classic orange, red, and yellow blossoms. Read more.

How and When to Prune Roses

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Roses add an inviting touch of romance to a landscape. Be sure to keep yours in top form by pruning the right way at the right time. Did you know that you can adjust the quantity and size of blossoms by varying your cutting technique? Learn this and more with 5 pruning tips in this guide. Read more.

How to Plant and Grow Virginia Creeper

A close up horizontal image of the bright red foliage and small black berries of Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) growing in the garden.

Virginia creeper is a native vine that thrives in average soil, tolerates shade, and doesn’t appeal to deer. Autumn color and deep blue berries make it sound like the perfect plant. However, its aggressive nature and suckering tendrils may pose problems. Is Virginia creeper right for your landscape? Read on and decide.

7 Reasons Why Asters Fail to Bloom (And What to Do About It)

A close up horizontal image of a purple Stokes' aster flower growing in the garden.

Asters are daisy-like flowers that fill the late-season landscape with masses of blue, pink, purple, and white. They are the perfect bridge between summer and fall. However, sometimes they do not bloom as expected. Read on and discover 7 reasons why asters may fail to bloom and how to prevent it from happening to you.

How to Propagate Asters

A close up horizontal image of a swath of pink asters growing in the garden.

Perennial asters revive late-season gardens with masses of blue, pink, purple, and white daisy-like flowers. They offer a refreshing transition from the fading blooms of summer to the vibrant foliage of fall. You can increase the number of plants in your outdoor living space by propagating them yourself. Learn how now.

Are Aster Flowers Edible?

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While other flowers are winding down at summer’s end, asters are just warming up, in vibrant shades of blue, pink, purple, and white. And as you harvest your remaining vegetable crops, you may begin to wonder whether asters can contribute food to the family table. Learn whether or not asters are edible in this guide.

How to Divide Shasta Daisies

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The Shasta daisy is a summer classic that brings masses of crisp white and sunny yellow hues to the landscape. You can give your plants exceptional care when you learn how and when to divide them. Read on to discover the benefits of dividing Shasta daisies and enjoy an abundance of spectacular blooms for years to come.

9 Reasons for Yellow Clematis Leaves

A close up horizontal image of bright purple clematis flowers growing on the vine pictured in bright filtered sunshine.

Flowering clematis vines and shrubs are suited to cultivation in USDA Zones 4 to 9. An array of species and cultivars is available, with bloom times ranging from spring to fall. But sometimes the lush green foliage shades to yellow. Read on to discover 9 causes of clematis leaf yellowing and how to manage them.

35 Columbine Varieties for the Spring Garden

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Columbine is an ephemeral spring flower in the buttercup family that comes in shades of pink, purple, red, white, and stunning bicolor combinations. It has unique spurs, or elongated nectar-filled sepals, that are a favorite food source for hummingbirds. Read on to find 35 different types of columbine for your garden.

How to Divide and Transplant Daffodil Bulbs

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Daffodils are early spring bulbs that readily naturalize, especially in woodland settings. Sometimes they spread so much that you may want to thin them out – also known as dividing them. Read on to learn how and when to divide overcrowded daffodils, plus other reasons why this may be a good gardening practice to adopt.

How to Grow Green ‘Chocolate Soldier’ Columbine Flowers

A close up horizontal image of green columbine flowers pictured on a soft focus background.

Columbine is a spring-blooming flower that we call an ephemeral because of its delicate quality and brief appearance in the garden. Available in a range of colors and bicolors, there are many species and cultivated varieties. One species is green columbine, commonly called chocolate soldier. Learn how to grow it here.

How and When to Fertilize Daffodils

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Daffodil bulbs may contain all they need for their first glorious bloom, but what about next year and the year after that? Read on and learn why applying fertilizer may help to support mature daffodils, types of products available, and when and how they are applied. We’re exploring fertilizing daffodils in this guide.

How to Grow and Care for an Artillery Plant Indoors

A close up horizontal image of an artillery plant growing in a pot indoors.

An artillery plant is a tropical foliage species for USDA Hardiness Zones 11-12 that makes an attractive houseplant in all zones. Its small leaves are green or variegated pink and white and resemble the paired arrangement of fern fronds. Read on and learn how easy it is to grow and care for your own artillery plant.

11 of the Best Gardening-Themed Books for Children

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Discover the wonders of the natural world in your own backyard or neighborhood with ideas from 11 of the best books for children. From germinating seeds to watching birds in flight, you’ll be inspired to enrich your family with the themes and activities presented in each. Read our roundup now and choose your favorites.

9 Must-Have Succulent Planters

A large white planter is filled with various types of succulents.

Succulents are funky and fun to grow, especially in the trendy and functional containers we’ve gathered for you. Read on to discover 7 of our favorite pots and planters, plus key growing tips and a foolproof design scheme. Learn how to show off your water-wise plant collection now, right here on Gardener’s Path.

11 of the Best Gazebos for Relaxing in the Garden

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It’s time to move outdoor entertaining off the deck and into the yard with one of 11 exceptional DIY gazebos. Choose your favorite from an array of styles to create a comfortable garden retreat that’s the perfect focal point for photographing family gatherings. Read our reviews of the top kits now!

How to Grow Cauliflower, a Challenging Cool-Weather Crop

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Cauliflower has a reputation for being a difficult cool-weather crop to grow, but don’t let that stop you. With an understanding of temperature and watering needs, you’ll soon be cultivating white, purple, orange, and green varieties packed with antioxidants and vitamin C. Learn how to grow your own cauliflower now.

How to Grow and Care for Lacecap Hydrangea Bushes

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Hydrangeas are woody shrubs or vines with showy clusters of blossoms. They grow best in full sun to part shade, where the soil is consistently moist. There are nearly 80 different species and several bloom styles. Learn more about the lacecap hydrangea, and what makes it unique in this guide. Read more now.

23 Beneficial Insects and Other Creepy Crawlies That Your Garden Will Love

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Did you know that not all insects are pests? Many beneficial varieties may already be living in your gardens, helping to control populations of bugs that enjoy feasting on veggies, herbs, and flowers. Read on to discover who your friends are, and how to encourage them to work and thrive in your yard.

How to Grow and Care for Cyclamen Houseplants

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Cyclamen makes a colorful indoor plant for winter that blooms through to spring, when most flowering plants are dormant. It comes in bold shades of red, pink, and purple, with heart-shaped green or variegated foliage. Read on to learn how to care for a potted cyclamen indoors and enjoy vibrant color all winter long.

Must-Have Tips for Growing Inkberry Holly

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Inkberry holly is an evergreen shrub with small white flowers in the spring. By autumn, blue-black drupes, or berry-like fruits, make a late-season feast for foraging birds. Inkberry holly is easy to add to the landscape, especially with these tips for successful cultivation. Ready to grow your own? Read more.

Tips to Address Beet Cercospora Leaf Spot Disease

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If you don’t know how to manage an outbreak of Cercospora leaf spot, it can ruin not only this year’s beet crop, but those for years to come. It renders beet greens inedible and can affect neighboring vegetables in the garden, like chard and spinach. Read on to learn how to deal with this destructive fungal condition.