Posts By

Dr. Liessa Bowen

Liessa started learning everything she could about plants, animals, and ecosystems at a young age. Since then, she's earned a Master’s degree in wildlife biology (Iowa State University) and a PhD in forestry (North Carolina State University), both with an emphasis on conservation biology and birds. She has worked as a greenhouse technician, wildlife biologist, educational consultant, and writer.

Gardener pruning blueberry shrub with red leaves

Fruits

How and When to Prune Blueberry Shrubs

Are you attempting to prune your blueberry bushes this season, but aren't sure where to start? Pruning can be more of an art form, especially with difficult shrubs like the blueberry. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen walks through how to prune blueberry shrubs in just a few easy steps!

Pink African Violet Flower Being Eaten by Bugs

Garden Pests

5 Garden Pests That May be Eating Your African Violets

Does it look like something took a bite out of your African Violets? These popular houseplants can become victims to many different pests that will dine on their tender foliage and beautiful blooms. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen examines the five most common pests that may eat your African Violets.

Tomatoes and Strawberries freshly picked sitting in a basket

Companion Planting

Can You Grow Tomato Plants and Strawberries Together?

Thinking of growing strawberries and tomatoes together as companions in your garden, but aren't quite sure if it's a good idea? In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen examines if these two popular garden plants can be grown together, or if they are better off paired with something else.

Gooseberry fruiting plant growing in partial shade

Fruits

17 Fruiting Trees, Shrubs and Vines That Grow in Partial Shade

Do you have a partially shaded area of your garden where you'd love to place some fruiting plants? If you aren't sure which types of fruiting trees, vines and shrubs thrive in shady areas, you've come to the right place! In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen looks at her favorite fruiting plants for shady garden spaces!

Bradford pear tree growing with white flowers in garden landscape.

Trees

11 Reasons to Avoid Planting Bradford Pear Trees

The beautiful white flowers of the Bradford Pear tree make it an enticing option tof any garden or home landscape. But these popular trees can often cause more problems than people anticipate. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares some of the top reasons you need to avoid Bradford Pear trees in your garden or home landscape plans this season.

apple gree growth stages

Fruits

Apple Tree Growth Stages: How Fast Do Apple Trees Grow?

Are you growing apple trees in your garden this season? Apple trees have several growth stages before producing fruit you'll love each season. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares the different growth stages of Apple Trees and how fast you can expect them to grow.

Container grown blueberries matured and ready for picking

Fruits

How to Grow Blueberries in Pots or Containers

Blueberries are a fun fruit to grow when planted in the ground, but did you know they can also be grown in containers? These versatile shrubs make great container plants, which allows them to be moved freely around in your garden. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares how to grow blueberries in large pots or containers this season!

drought tolerant wildflowers

Flowers

27 Drought Tolerant Native Wildflowers to Grow This Season

Are you looking for some native wildflowers that can tolerate a dry, arid climate? There are a number of wildflowers that can grow in drier conditions, depending on the temperatures. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares her favorite drought-resistant native wildflowers you can add to your flowerbeds this season.

Orange Texas Lantana Native Plant Blooming in Garden

Ornamental Gardens

35 Beautiful Native Plants for Texas Gardens

Are you looking for a few native plants to add to your Texas garden this season? Native plants can be beneficial for a variety of reasons, and the state of Texas spans across many different hardiness zones, giving you plenty of different native plants to pick from. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares her favorite native plants for Texas gardens!

how and when to harvest blueberries

Fruits

How and When to Harvest Blueberries This Season

Looking to harvest blueberries from your garden, but aren't quite sure when or how to do it? The "how" is fairly straightforward, but the "when" can be a bit more complicated! In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen examines the ideal time to harvest blueberries this season, and how to do it.