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.

A close-up of delicate white yarrow flowers, creating a striking contrast against the blurred background of lush green stems and leaves. The tiny blossoms are tightly clustered together, exuding a sense of unity and harmony in nature.

Herbs

11 Benefits of Having Yarrow in Your Garden

Have you ever wondered about the benefits of growing yarrow in your garden? Yarrow is both easy to grow and quite beneficial for the home gardener. In this article, gardening enthusiast Liessa Bowen will introduce you to 11 wonderful benefits of yarrow!

An abundant display of orange trumpet vine flowers creates a captivating scene, drawing the eye with their brilliant hues and delicate trumpet-like shapes. The surrounding leaves gracefully frame the profusion of blooms, adding a lush green backdrop.

Vines

How to Plant, Grow and Care For Trumpet Vine

You have probably seen trumpet vines. They are big and bold with large, showy, deep-orange trumpet-shaped flowers. Are you interested in growing a trumpet vine in your home garden? In this article, gardening enthusiast Liessa Bowen will discuss the proper care and maintenance of these hefty vines.

common garden pests

Garden Pests

15 Garden Pests To Watch Out For This Season

If you have a garden, you will undoubtedly encounter some garden pests. Garden pests are those animals that dig, chew, bite, suck, eat, or otherwise disturb your plants. In this article, gardening enthusiast Liessa Bowen will introduce 15 common garden pests, how to identify them, and what can help prevent them.

A solitary small cucumber, vibrant green and plump, hanging amidst the tangle of furry stems and delicate leaves in a garden. In the foreground, charming yellow cucumber flowers bloom.

Vegetables

15 Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Cucumbers This Season

Cucumbers can be a lot of fun to grow and eat. But what if your cucumbers aren’t growing as well as you’d like? There are lots of things that could go wrong with your crop, but if you know what to look out for, you can prevent many issues from even starting. In this article, gardening enthusiast Liessa Bowen will discuss 15 common mistakes to avoid to improve your cucumber harvest this season.

A close-up of a white twinleaf flower, with its graceful shape. A richly textured, dark green leaf with prominent veins stretches out in the foreground. In the blurred background, the same twinleaf flower and its leaves create an ethereal atmosphere.

Flowers

How to Plant, Grow and Care For Twinleaf Flowers

Are you looking for a special little plant for your woodland shade garden? Twinleaf is a unique, spring-blooming plant that would be a wonderful addition to a rich, moist, shady spot. In this article, gardening enthusiast Liessa Bowen will introduce twinleaf, and discuss how to use this plant in your landscape.

A cluster of vibrant wild ginger leaves, rich in deep green hues, gracefully basks in the warm embrace of golden sunlight. The leaves of wild ginger possess a glossy texture, while their veined patterns reveal nature's intricate artistry.

Herbs

How to Plant, Grow and Care For Wild Ginger

Are you curious about wild ginger and if you can grow it in your garden? Wild ginger is a wonderful native plant that makes an excellent ground cover for a shade garden. In this article, gardening enthusiast Liessa Bowen will discuss the proper care and maintenance of these beautiful and easy-to-grow plants.

A pair of gloved hands carefully trim a vibrant clematis plant with a sharp pruning shear, ensuring its healthy growth and shape. The foreground showcases stunning clematis flowers in full bloom. In the blurred background, tall grasses sway gracefully.

Vines

How to Propagate Clematis From Cuttings in 7 Easy Steps

Thinking of adding more clematis flowers to your garden this season? This can be done by propagating, or creating new plants from your existing plants from cuttings. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares exactly how it's done in just a few simple steps.

adams needle

Shrubs

How to Plant, Grow and Care For Adam’s Needle

Are you curious about growing Adam’s needle, a large and very showy native yucca plant? Adam’s needle is a plant that’s hard to miss. It is also incredibly easy to grow and the large flower spikes provide a show-stopping display each year. In this article, gardening enthusiast Liessa Bowen will discuss the proper care and maintenance of these spectacular plants.

A vibrant cluster of blazing star flowers, their tall stalks reaching for the sky, stands prominently amidst a sea of green grasses and delicate yellow plants. The flowers' brilliant hues captivate the eye, drawing attention to their captivating beauty.

Flowers

When do Blazing Star Flowers Bloom?

Blazing star (Liatris spp.) flowers are spectacular additions to a perennial wildflower garden. Part of the fun of growing blazing stars is waiting for those flowers to emerge and brighten the garden, attracting many pollinators. Gardening enthusiast Liessa Bowen will discuss all things blazing star, so you will know a little about what to expect while waiting for your Liatris to bloom.

Native Plants flowering in garden

Ornamental Gardens

15 Reasons to Grow Native Plants This Season

Are you thinking of growing some native plants this year? Native plants provide a variety of different benefits to your local ecosystem. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares her favorite reasons why every gardener should add native plants to their garden this season.