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 group of vibrant pink cherry blossoms fills the frame, their delicate petals contrasting with the lush green grass below. The clear blue sky adds to the peaceful serenity of the scene.

Trees

21 Beautiful Flowering Crabapple Trees for Your Garden

Are you intrigued by the prolific spring beauty of flowering crabapple trees? If you want a showy ornamental tree to add to your landscape, a flowering crabapple might be an excellent choice to brighten your spring days. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen introduces 21 super-showy flowering crabapple varieties. With so many colorful options, it might be difficult to choose a favorite!

A lush fig tree flourishes under the radiant sun in Crete, its verdant leaves soaking up the warmth. It stands amid ancient stone walls, a testament to the enduring beauty of Crete's landscape.

Fruits

How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Fig Trees

Are you a fan of fresh, sweet, juicy, tender figs? Fig trees are easy to grow and produce an abundance of delicious fruits that you can eat straight from the tree! In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen introduces the basics of growing your own fig tree.

A close-up of a Wintergreen plant showcases vibrant red berries, gleaming like miniature rubies against the green foliage. The glossy leaves of Wintergreen appear smooth, with veins delicately etched upon them. Branches stretch gracefully, adorned with clusters of berries and lush foliage.

Ornamental Gardens

How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Wintergreen

Have you ever wondered where wintergreen flavoring comes from? This popular minty flavor actually comes from the ornamental wintergreen plant. If you have a shade garden, wintergreen will make a wonderfully attractive addition to your landscape! In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen introduces the wintergreen plant and how you can best grow it in your home garden.

Close-up of a gardener's hand holding a blue spade with white granular fertilizer near a flowering Asclepias syriaca plant in a sunny garden. It features tall, upright stems with broad, lance-shaped leaves that are arranged in opposite pairs along the stem. Common milkweed produces clusters of small, fragrant pink to purplish flowers atop the stems.

Fertilizer

Do I Need to Fertilize Native Plants?

Whether you’re starting a new garden or enjoying a well-established landscape, you know that plants require some regular maintenance. If you’re a fan of native plants, you may have wondered if you need to fertilize them on a regular basis like some of your other garden plants. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen will help guide you through some tips for caring for your native plants.

View of woodland plants in the garden. Flowering Erythronium plant on a blurred background. Erythronium features slender, arching stems adorned with one or two nodding, bell-shaped flowers of bright yellow color. The plant produces glossy, mottled leaves that are heart-shaped or lanceolate, adding to its ornamental appeal.

Ornamental Gardens

27 Gorgeous Plants For Your Woodland Garden

Are you looking for some beautiful plants to fill in your woodland garden? Woodland gardens can be peaceful and natural wonderlands, bursting with life, but you need to know which plants will grow best in the shade of trees. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares 27 of her favorite easy-to-grow woodland plants.

A cluster of purple foxglove beardtongue flowers stands out, their trumpet-like shapes catching the eye. In the background, blurred manicured grass and more foxglove beardtongue blooms create a serene, natural setting.

Flowers

How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Foxglove Beardtongue

Are you looking for a beautiful spring-blooming flower for your pollinator garden? Foxglove beardtongue is a fabulous flowering plant that will attract all sorts of attention. In this article, gardening enthusiast Liessa Bowen will introduce the foxglove beardtongue and why you will want to grow one in your own garden.

A stunning close-up captures a vibrant cluster of Virginia bluebells. Their bell-shaped blooms boast a rich, almost luminous blue, standing out against the crisp green leaves. Bathed in warm light, these delicate wildflowers seem to burst from the frame.

Ornamental Gardens

23 Spring Ephemeral Plants for Your Garden

Would you like some early spring flowers to grace your landscape with the very first flowers of the season? Try growing some spring ephemeral flowering plants to liven up your garden and welcome the growing season in style. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen introduces 23 spring ephemeral flowers and how you can incorporate them into your garden.

A close-up reveals a cluster of vibrant yellow Celandine poppies, their delicate petals unfurling in the spring sunshine. The background softens into a dreamy blur, hinting at lush green foliage and other blossoms.

Flowers

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Celandine Poppies

Would you like to grow some beautiful wildflowers in your shade garden? It can be challenging to find flowering plants that thrive in the shade, but the celandine poppy is an excellent candidate for a woodland garden. In this article, gardening enthusiast Liessa Bowen will introduce the celandine poppy plant and what it needs to thrive.

Close-up of the foliage of an oak tree in the garden, on a blurred background. The leaves are large, oval-shaped, lobed, rich green in color with a glossy texture.

Trees

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Oak Trees

Are you looking for a majestic shade tree for your landscape? Look no further! There is an oak tree for just about any environment, as long as you have the space for a large and beautiful tree. In this article, gardening enthusiast Liessa Bowen will introduce the mighty oak and offer an overview of how to grow these fabulous trees.

A close-up of Spicebush plants reveals wooden branches intermingling intricately. The tiny, umbel-like, greenish-yellow blooms add delicate charm to the scene. Lush branches in the background create a verdant tapestry of nature's beauty.

Shrubs

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Spicebush

Are you curious about growing your own spicebush shrub? Spicebush is a native plant that makes a great addition to a shade garden or naturalized woodland garden. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen will discuss the proper care and maintenance of these interesting plants.

Delicate blue-eyed grass showcasing sky-blue petals at the edge of the slender, green leaves. The intricate flower cluster forms a stunning contrast against the surrounding foliage, emphasizing its petite yet captivating nature.

Ornamental Gardens

How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Blue-Eyed Grass

Are you looking for a low-maintenance plant that adds a unique look to your landscape? Blue-eyed grass is beautiful and interesting and blends well into just about any landscape style. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen will discuss the proper care and maintenance of these spectacular and versatile plants.

A serviceberry tree with ripe blue fruits on a shady day.

Trees

The 29 Best Trees for Wildlife

Are you looking for some great landscaping trees that also benefit wildlife? You can provide a welcoming environment in your yard and attract birds, butterflies, and other fascinating animals by planting wildlife-friendly tree species. In this article, gardening expert and wildlife biologist Liessa Bowen introduces 29 fantastic trees that will enhance your landscape and look great, too!