Four o’clocks bloom in the late afternoon, which is just part of their appeal. They also thrive in poor soil, resist drought, and sprout easily from seed. Our guide explains how to tend this old-fashioned cottage garden flower, from selecting cultivars to overwintering to saving seeds. It’s time to grow four o’clocks.
Ornamental alliums are versatile plants that add an architectural element to the garden. They’re also incredibly varied, with blossoms that may look like little yellow starbursts or others with purple softball-sized flower heads. Plus, they don’t require much maintenance. If you like the sound of this, then read on!
Offering a spectacular springtime display of bright yellow, trumpet-shaped blooms, the assertive Carolina jessamine vine happily climbs up arbors and scrambles over fences all over the southeastern United States and beyond. Read our expert advice to learn how to add this easy-care native plant to your garden now.
Hostas can make a striking addition to the shade garden, with colorful foliage and tiny lavender or white flowers. Check out our roundup of favorite cultivars, in hues of blue-green and gold, chartreuse and lime, with spiky or heart-shaped leaves, plus a few classic white and green varieties. Read more now.
Tulips are a favorite among springtime flowering bulbs for many gardeners, available in a wide selection of sizes, colors, and styles with early, mid-season, and late bloom times. But what type should you choose for your garden? Learn more about the different varieties of tulips, grouped into 15 divisions. Read more.
For pest-resistant blooms that add striking color and a graceful form to the landscape, painted daisy is the perfect perennial. Easy to grow and even easier on the eyes, Tanacetum coccineum has all sorts of gardening applications! In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to grow and care for these beauties.
Wood hyacinth, aka Spanish bluebell, is a spring bulb that sports bright green foliage and blue, pink, or white bell-shaped blooms. This hardy plant is easy to grow in drifts under trees, in containers, and in garden beds and borders. Learn how to plant and grow this robust, showy perennial in this guide. Read more now.
The daylily is one of America’s favorite perennials, and with good reason. It is an easy-to-grow plant with extended periods of flowering, and is susceptible to few ailments. Practically required in your perennial borders, we share all the tips you’ll need. Read more about this lovely perennial now on Gardener’s Path.
Have you ever wanted to grow a tulip that looks like a peony? Well, you totally can, and in this guide we’ll show you how. Peony tulip blooms last longer than actual peonies, and these flowers are just as deliciously fancy. Learn everything you need to know about growing peony tulips in our guide. Read more now.
If you’re looking for a versatile, low-maintenance shade plant that does well in the sun, too, consider Mexican petunia, aka Ruellia simplex. Sporting purple, pink, or white blooms, this easy-care hardy perennial comes in varieties short and tall, and you’ll love its slender, droopy leaves and sometimes-purple stems.
Bulbs add beautiful blooms to the garden, and many of them will happily multiply and naturalize on their own. But some, usually the expensive ones, are more reluctant to divide and need manual manipulation for offspring to form. Join us now for all the details on how to successfully propagate your own bulbs at home.
Native to North America, the Virginia bluebell is an early spring blooming plant that sports flowers in shades of purple, pink, and blue. Plus, this cool weather, moisture, and shade-loving plant is easy to grow. Read more now to learn all about propagating and caring for this perennial, ephemeral beauty.
Azaleas are a mainstay of the spring garden, but the show doesn’t have to end just because the season does. With several summer and fall flowering specimens, you can enjoy their gorgeous floral display right until frosty temperatures arrive. Read all about azalea bloom times and flowering groups for months of flowers.
It’s really sad when you purchase a good-looking batch of strawberries only to find them bland, tart, or worse – nothing but mush. Have you tried growing your own? As a cold hardy perennial, you’ll be surprised how little is involved in growing a plant or two for some delicious snacking. Read more on Gardener’s Path.
Coreopsis is a native perennial with cheerful flowers that keep blooming from spring to fall. These low maintenance, pollinator-friendly beauties are ideal for a planting in a wildflower meadow or to add color to beds and borders. Learn how to plant and grow coreopsis flowers in this guide. Read more now.
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.
When hot summer temps and high humidity strike, the native prairie wildflower Liatris spicata, or blazing star, puts on an excellent show. Tall plumes of feathery purple flowers welcome extreme summer conditions and shine when delicate greenhouse plants wither. Get all the details on this North American perennial now.
Evergreen oleander shrubs add tropical flair to the garden, blooming for months in vibrant shades of pink and red or delicate white. These low maintenance beauties thrive in poor soil, drought, high heat, and salt air and are suitable for cultivation in Zones 8-10. Learn how to plant and grow oleander in this guide.
Tea, damask, polyantha, oh my! There are so many kinds of roses that it can all get a bit confusing. If you’re wondering what a shrub rose or a tea rose is, or what separates modern roses from old garden roses, this is the guide for you. We’ll help you sort out all the details and choose the best varieties for your garden.
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.
Grape hyacinths are beloved for their easy, bright splash of purple in the early spring garden. These reliable bulbs are delightful in showy shades of blue, pink, and white as well. And they multiply freely too, with more pretty blooms every year. Get all the details you need on how to plant grape hyacinth right here.
Of all the plants in my garden, chamomile offers the most return on my investment. It is a vigorous and problem-free plant that produces a spray of beautiful flowers that can immediately be harvested to make a tasty tea. Gardener’s Path has all of the information you need to know about growing this fine addition in your own garden. Read on to learn more!
Bleeding hearts maintain and enjoy their status as a unique and easy to care for perennial beloved by gardeners. With soothing green foliage and iconic heart-shaped flowers, it’s easy to see why this shade-loving plant is a mainstay in many gardens. Discover how to grow and care for your own bleeding hearts now.
If you’re anticipating a springtime bounty of daffodils, there’s nothing worse than watching your plants fail to bloom. Or maybe the leaves never poked out of the ground at all. In this guide, find out the 5 most common reasons for this sad occurrence and learn how to prevent it from happening again. Read more.
Carnations, sweet williams, and pinks are long-lasting in the garden and cut arrangements. With a spicy fragrance, Dianthus flowers sport attractive shades of pink, red, white, and purple that bloom all summer long. A stand-out in borders, rockeries, and window boxes, get all the growing details now on Gardener’s Path.
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.
Finding the right evergreen shrub for your garden can be a headache, especially if you want something unique. We’ve taken the guesswork out of the project and compiled 13 of the best evergreen shrubs for you to consider. Read on to see our favorite picks for a variety of growing zones in this guide. Read more now.
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.
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.
Ferns are fabulously varied, and they’re not just lacy fronds that grow in shady areas. There are endless options if you want some color for shade, but there are also sun-lovers and others that grow on trees. Some are drought tolerant and others can thrive in a swamp. Read more now to learn how to grow your own ferns.
Cosmos flowers are gorgeous ornamentals that add beauty to the landscape while also attracting pollinators. With colorful blooms and graceful foliage, these summer annuals brighten up both flower beds and veggie gardens, and will thrive in less than ideal conditions. Keep reading to learn more about growing cosmos.
Carnivorous pitcher plants are incredible in both form and function. Are you considering adding some to your landscape? Once you understand their distinctive needs, you’ll be ready to propagate and plant a few, whether in a naturally occurring wetland area or as part of your very own bog garden. Read more now.
Are you planning your next garden project? Summer snapdragon is a perennial flower for beds, borders, and containers that you need to know about. Angelonia angustifolia is a must-have where summers are hot and humid. Discover what makes this plant unique, where to buy it, and how to grow it in this guide. Read more now.
Small globe thistle (Echinops ritro) features whimsical pom-pom flowers atop stems that grow to over three feet tall. Ideal as a background for smaller foreground plants, small globe thistle is a striking addition to the garden. Learn how to plant and grow this exceptional perennial in this guide. Read more now.
Colorful, beautiful, sweet-smelling, and incredibly flavorful, scented geraniums are a delight for the senses. These multi-purpose plants don’t enjoy the same popularity as their garden cousins, but they’re more than worthy of a spot in the yard. With so many varieties to choose from, they’re sure to please. Read more.
With an elegant form, sumptuous colors, a delicate fragrance, and elaborate blossoms, the iris is a delightful specimen of early summer. Named after a goddess and used as a symbol of royalty, this flower is easy to grow and multiplies readily. Learn how to enjoy this divine beauty in your garden with this guide.
A good late season bloomer can be hard to find, but don’t worry – Montauk daisies have got your back. This tough perennial features large, vibrant white flowers with bold yellow centers that stay in bloom until first frost. Learn how to grow these lovely, easy-to-tend perennials in this guide. Read more now.
Forsythia is a low-maintenance shrub that grows in full sun and average, well-draining soil. It’s famous for its bountiful yellow spring blooms. Depending upon the age and condition of yours, it may be beneficial to do a hard pruning. Read on to learn how to decide when this practice is the appropriate action to take.
Because hybrid cultivars don’t grow true from seed, three smart ways to increase and enjoy beautiful azaleas in your yard or garden is to multiply them vegetatively through cuttings or by stem or air layering. Learn how to propagate azaleas for gorgeous new shrubs in this step by step guide. Read more now.
Curry leaf tree is a tropical bush that has incredibly delicious leaves with a bright citrus flavor that kicks up dishes from all kinds of cuisines. It happily grows in containers, indoors or out, so there’s no reason not to give it a go. In this guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know to grow your own.
Mountain laurel is a low maintenance shrub with spectacular clusters of blooms each spring and attractive evergreen foliage. It can be incorporated into any landscape and is a perfect choice for woodland gardens, hedges, or foundation plantings. Learn how to grow and care for mountain laurel in this guide. Read more now.
The bright yellow blossoms of arching and upright forsythia varieties are springtime favorites. To keep yours in top form, it’s important to know when and how to prune them. Read on to discover 5 tips that will help you hone your skills and have bushes that are healthier and more attractive than you thought possible.
Oleanders are drought-resistant shrubs with colorful blooms in shades of pink, red, or white. These robust plants thrive in poor soil and warm weather conditions. There are a number of different types available – from dwarf shrubs to large trees and hedges. Learn about 9 of the best oleander varieties for your landscape.
Hellebores provide color in the late winter to early spring garden with their delightful cup-shaped flowers. While they are typically trouble-free, these robust plants can occasionally suffer from infestations. Learn how to identify and control the most common hellebore pests in this guide. Read more now.
Forsythia is a spring-blooming shrub that is best known for its profusion of bright yellow blossoms. While they are generally quite healthy, this sturdy and fast-growing shrub sometimes develops knobby bumps along its stems. Read on to find out what these unattractive growths are and why you shouldn’t ignore them.
Hellebores provide color in the late winter to early spring landscape and are typically trouble-free. However, there are some diseases that may infect your plants, caused by fungi, water molds, and a particularly virulent virus. Learn how to identify and treat common hellebore diseases in this guide. Read more now.
Agapanthus are easygoing, robust plants that don’t typically succumb to disease. However, in some cases they may become infected by fungi and water molds, generally as a result of poor growing conditions. Learn how to diagnose and treat the most common agapanthus diseases in this guide. Read more now.
Butterfly bush (Buddleia) is a colorful, low-maintenance perennial that attracts butterflies and other pollinators. Ideal for cottage gardens, beds, and borders, the cheerful, vibrant blooms grace the garden all summer long. Learn how to plant, grow, and care for butterfly bush in this guide. Read more now.
If you love the tall, bright, globe-like flowers and strappy foliage of agapanthus plants but don’t have room in your garden, why not grow them in containers instead? These easy-care plants make a bold statement on your porch, patio, deck, or courtyard garden. Learn how to grow agapanthus in pots in this guide.
If you’re growing hellebores and they are showing signs of disease, you’ll need to rule out hellebore black death. This incurable viral infection is characterized by black streaks on the leaves, stems, and flower bracts. Learn more about this devastating disease and how to identify it in this guide. Read more now.
Not just a holiday houseplant, tropical amaryllis (Hippeastrum) is easy to grow in the garden in Zones 9-11, with eye-catching blooms the size of your hand and colors ranging from pinks and reds to yellows and oranges. Learn how to cultivate amaryllis in your garden for a showy springtime display. Read more now.
Amaryllis bulbs can rot for a variety of reasons, like fungal infections or insect infestation, but some can be avoided. Are you doing everything you can to ensure beautiful blooms, and growing your decorative holiday plants in the best possible conditions? Read our top tips now to ensure healthy bulbs, indoors or out.
Anemone is a genus of flowering perennials that lend reliable color and allure to gardens from spring to fall. Easy and versatile, they suit a wide range of locations and thrive in full or part sun, a valuable addition to shade and sun gardens alike. Learn all about how to plant and grow anemone flowers right here.
If you like low-maintenance plants that deliver mats of bright color, you’ll love the cheery, daisy-like flowers of Grecian windflowers, Anemone blanda. These low-growing charmers reliably spread into blankets of blooms that appear very early in the season. Learn how to plant and grow Balkan anemones in this guide.
Pansies love cool weather, but these fall-planted flowers still need winter care to bloom their best in spring. Learn how to help pansies form strong roots and survive the snow and frost with mulch, water, and TLC. Follow our tips for winterizing pansies for a carpet of colorful blooms. Read more now.
If you’re growing vibrant geraniums, like cranesbill, garden, and ivy, learn how to propagate new plants from stem cuttings. Whether you just need more plants or want to keep your favorite annuals from year to year, taking cuttings is an easy and cost-effective propagation method. Get started now with easy how-to instructions.
Garden, or zonal geraniums are popular herbaceous perennials in Zones 10 and 11 that grow as annuals in colder regions. Instead of letting them die at season’s end, you can overwinter your plants indoors for planting out the following spring. Learn all you need to know to winter over garden geraniums in this guide.
Garden geraniums are easy to grow and come in an array of colors, bi-color combinations, and double-petal varieties. If you have a sunny spot, slightly alkaline, moderately rich soil that drains well, you can grow your own. Learn how to plant and grow this classic summer flower in your garden. Read more now.
Gaillardia is an easy-to-grow perennial that puts on a burst of color throughout the summer months. With a few simple preparations, you can set up your plants to survive winter’s chill and come back healthy in springtime. Learn how to care for your blanket flowers during the winter in this guide. Read more now.
If you want to grow dazzling bird of paradise flowers in your garden or as houseplants, you’ll need to know about the different types. There are five species in the Strelitzia genus, some are perfect as indoor plants while others thrive outdoors. Learn about the different types of bird of paradise plants in this guide.
Milkweed is wonderful for attracting monarch butterflies and other pollinators to the garden, and with minimal winter care, this attractive perennial herb will reemerge from its impressive root system year after year. Ready to learn how to winterize your milkweed plants for a bounty of blooms next season? Read more.
Bright coreopsis flowers provide a sweet, cheerful sight during the summer months, and now they’ve died back. These perennial wildflowers will go dormant through the winter months and return in the spring. But how do you prepare your coreopsis for winter? Learn all about winter care and preparation in this guide.
Winter pansies are a delightful sign of spring, even in deep winter. As long as there are a few warm days, your pansies will perk up and do their stuff. They’re an excellent addition to your garden and containers, and ask for little more than some water and tender deadheading. Get our top tips for growing winter pansies.
If the feathery, spiked blossoms of astilbe plants adorn your gardens in late summer, you need to know how to prepare them for a good winter’s sleep. While they are cold-hardy, they benefit from a little TLC to ensure that they return each spring with vigor. Learn how to winterize your astilbe plants in this guide.
Daffodils do best with companion plants that will look great while they’re both in bloom. Good companions will also cover the unattractive faded daffodil leaves at season’s end. Check out the best flowering plants and veggies to grow with your daffodils, and the ones to keep far away from these spring-blooming bulbs.
Naturalized daffodils are great for hard-to-landscape areas and can last for decades, providing springtime color year after year. To make these drifts of flowers look like they were designed by nature’s hand rather than your own, you’ll want to plan your layout before you plant in the fall. Keep reading to learn more.
Dame’s rocket has naturalized in almost every state. This pretty phlox-like flower that grows along highways and in meadows is considered invasive. However, its leaves and seeds have culinary and medicinal applications. Should you grow it in your yard? Learn how to plant, grow, and control dame’s rocket. Read more now.
Late season asters provide a colorful bridge between summer and fall. Their impressive heights and masses of tiny blossoms make a striking statement, especially when paired with other tall late season bloomers. Read on for 13 exciting companion plants for asters, and get ready to grow your best transition garden yet.
Late season perennial asters are known for having masses of small, daisy-like flowers and a somewhat shrubby growth habit. They add color to fading summer gardens and attract beneficial pollinators until the first frost. Read on to learn about 11 different species and how they can play a role in your landscape scheme.
An alpine meadow perennial, azure monkshood produces stunning purple-blue flowers and distinctive green foliage in the fall garden. This plant is disease resistant, and relatively easy to care for. Keep it moist, and it should bloom reliably in the fall. Read on to learn how to grow this late season gem now.
Are you looking for a perennial native flower to naturalize in your yard? Anise hyssop is the answer for sun-filled border gardens, where its lavender spikes create a showy swath of color throughout the summer months. Learn how to grow and care for this easy-to-grow, deer-resistant plant. Read more now.
Calico aster is a daisy-like native perennial suited to USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8 that adds cheer to the garden from summer to fall. It needs little care once established, and readily naturalizes, especially in moist woodland settings. Read on to learn all you need to know to cultivate calico aster in your landscape.
If you are looking for an easy to grow flower with vibrant colors to bring cheer to your garden, try violets. Violas, violets, and pansies are available all sorts of shapes, sizes, colors, and even scents. Learn about the different types and discover 39 of the best violet varieties to add to your garden. Read more now.
Are you longing for color in the late winter garden, when most plants are still dormant? Hardy flowering hellebores fit the bill. Easy to sow, they reward with an abundance of sweetly nodding blossoms in an array of colors. Chase the winter blues away with these 7 tips for planting hellebore seeds. Read more now.
Crocuses are known for dotting lawns and gardens with vibrant hues of purple, pink, and yellow just when winter seemed it would never end. They’re also famously hardy. But can they survive the most frigid winter temperatures? What if they bloom just before a cold snap or blizzard? Can they grow in snow? Find out now.
Learn how to grow crocus, the vivid-hued, tulip-like flower that offers Northerners the first taste of spring. Find out more now with our growing guide.
Pretty colors, a knockout fragrance, and easy growth are the hallmarks of garden pinks. Old-fashioned favorites, new cultivars add to their charm with improved growth, a longer bloom period, and vibrant color combos in pink, red, and white. Learn how to grow these enchanting flowers here on Gardeners Path.
Learn from Gardener’s Path how you can add a dose of prehistoric drama to your landscape, home, or patio with sago, an ancient plant from Japan that looks like a palm but is actually related to conifer trees.
Faassen’s catmint is a mounded perennial that’s drought heat and tolerant, and unlike its cousin catnip, it doesn’t drive kitties crazy. You’ll love the gray-green foliage and lavender-blue flowers, not to mention the butterflies and hummingbirds this plant attracts. Learn how to grow it now with our in-depth guide!
Are you intimidated by the idea of growing fruit? Don’t be – raspberries are easy-to-grow perennials that will thrive throughout most of the US. With a bit of pruning, they’re adaptable and come back year after year, providing you with delicious homegrown berries for years to come. Read more now on Gardener’s Path.
For a bright end to the dreary winter, daffodils are an easy-to-grow spring favorite, providing up to four months of delightful color and perfume. Lovely as a fragrant, long-lasting cut flower, bulbs can even be forced to bloom early indoors . Join us now for a look at all the details on narcissus care and cultivation.
Few flowers are easier to plant and forget about than Gaillardia. Providing nonstop shows of color and bloom, they are of interest at all stages of growth. Best of all, they’re easy to grow and will quickly fill whatever space they are afforded. Read on to learn all about gorgeous Gaillardia now on Gardener’s Path.
An old-timey species with a name to match, dusty miller (Jacobaea maritima) is as easygoing as plants come. Dependable and attractive foliage adds value to the garden, and it is virtually pest free. Read all about it on Gardener’s Path to see what makes this silvery plant a must-have option for any outdoor space.
Whether you want to weave your own linen fabric, boost your intake of healthful omega acids and other nutrients, preserve your butcher block countertops, or just enjoy attractive flowers, consider adding multipurpose flax — either the annual or perennial type — to your landscape. Learn more at Gardener’s Path.
Mums, aster, and heather are flowering staples in your late fall or early spring garden, but winter pansies provide brilliant color straight on through the cooler seasons. They’re not even shy about popping up from under the snow and ice during warm spells in the winter months. Gardener’s Path has compiled this informative guide for you to read about about pansies and their care– read on to learn more!