Posts By

Liz Jaros

Liz Jaros is a professional writer and gardener who calls the Midwest home. She divides her time between running a small landscape design business, writing garden content and volunteering as a Certified Master Gardener. Formally educated in both horticulture and journalism, Liz is either working with plants or writing about them. She specializes in urban yard restoration and small property landscaping for metro area homeowners.

A row of iris plants showcases their sword-shaped green leaves, gracefully emerging from the base of each plant. Some leaves bear a touch of red at their tips, adding a vibrant accent to the foliage.

Plant Problems

9 Reasons Your Irises Aren’t Blooming This Season

Are your irises struggling to bloom in your garden this season? These lovely flowers make for a wonderful garden display each season, but can struggle to bloom for a variety of different reasons. In this article, certified master gardener Liz Jaros looks at why your irises aren't blooming, and how to address the issue.

iris rebloom

Flowers

7 Tips For Getting Your Irises to Rebloom

Scratching your head over a patch of irises that never bloomed? Or thrilled with your iris flowers this season and determined to enjoy a similar bounty next year? Certified master gardener and landscape designer Liz Jaros shares 7 tips for getting your irises to bloom fully and faithfully for many seasons to come.

Rabbit snacking on leaves in a vegetable garden

Garden Pests

Will Cayenne Pepper Keep Rabbits Out of Your Garden?

Do you have rabbits in your garden but aren't sure what it will take to keep them away? Cayenne pepper is a home remedy that many gardeners use, but does it actually work? In this article, certified master gardener Liz Jaros takes a deeper look at what you can expect if you use this common household item to deter rabbits this season.

Bunch of common buckthorn berries

Weeds

How to Get Rid of Common Buckthorn

Did you find common buckthorn growing in your yard or near your garden and just want it gone? It can take several years to properly eradicate this plant from your yard, depending on how dense it is. In this article, certified master gardener Liz Jaros shares her top tips for removing common buckthorn from your yard or garden.

Purple iris blooming in garden with green grass in background

Flowers

15 Stunning Purple Iris Cultivars for Your Flowerbeds

Are you thinking of growing purple irises this season but aren't sure where to start? There are many different types of purple irises you can grow that will come back each season! In this article, gardening expert and certified master gardener Liz Jaros shares her favorite purple irises you can add to your flowerbeds this season!

Perennial flowers growing in Wisconsin garden with bright pink blooms.

Flowers

21 Flowering Perennials For Wisconsin Gardens

Wisconsin gardens need hardy plants that can be resilient through bitter cold winters and warm, humid summers. If you've decided to add some perennials to your garden in Wisconsin, there are a number of plants to choose from. In this article, gardening expert Liz Jaros shares her favorite flowering perennials you can add to your garden this season.

Cosmos flower cultivar growing in garden with red blooms

Flowers

45 Beautiful Cosmos Cultivars for Your Flowerbeds

Are you looking for some Cosmos flowers to add to your garden this season, but aren't sure which to pick? There are many different types of cosmos, and many will grow quite well as annuals across hardiness zones. In this article, certified master gardener Liz Jaros shares her favorite types of cosmos flowers, with names and pictures of each!

Yellow Lilies Growing in Garden in Full Bloom

Flowers

17 Beautiful Yellow Lily Cultivars to Brighten Your Garden

Are you looking for some bright flowers to add to your garden this season? Yellow lilies may be exactly what you are looking for! In this article, certified master gardener Liz Jaros shares her favorite varieties of yellow lilies you can grow this season, with names and pictures of each!

Spring Garden With Seeds Being Winter Sown in Red Cups

Gardening Tips

11 Gardening Tasks to Prepare Your Garden for Spring

Spring is around the corner, and your vision for a beautiful spring garden is at your fingertips. But what can you do to help ensure your spring garden is a success? In this article, certified master gardener Liz Jaros shares her top tips to prepare your garden for successful spring plantings.

Hyacinth flowers growing on the ground blooming in many different colors.

Flowers

How to Plant, Grow and Care For Hyacinth Flowers

If you are looking for an early blooming perennial to add to your garden, Hyacinths might be the perfect plant for you! Hyacinths are a popular garden flower for a number of different reasons. In this article, certified master gardener Liz Jaros shares the proper steps for growing hyacinth in your garden, including maintenance and care.

Bearded iris with yellow and white flower colors blooming in sun

Flowers

35 Different Types of Iris Cultivars For Your Flowerbeds

Thinking of growing some iris flowers in your flowerbeds this season, but aren't sure where to start? There are many different types of iris you can grow, depending on your hardiness zone. In this article, certified master gardener Liz Jaros shares her favorite iris cultivars you can grow in your garden this season.

Iris flowers growing after being planted in the spring

Flowers

When to Plant Iris Flowers by Hardiness Zone

Trying to figure out when to plant your iris flowers this season? This will largely depend on the hardiness zone you live in and the type of iris you plan on growing this season. In this article, certified master gardener Liz Jaros looks at when to put Irises in the ground based upon the hardiness zone you live in.