Posts By

Melissa Strauss

Melissa is a writer, hobby gardener, beekeeper and homemaker. She can be found working in her extensive pollinator garden, trolling the local nurseries for unique plant specimens, and tending to the many fruit-bearing plants on her property. Melissa hopes to inspire other gardeners to delve into the rich and fulfilling world of pollinator gardening.

A grouping of red firecracker plants, characterized by their tubular shape, dangles gracefully. These blooms hang delicately from slender, deep green stems, adding a burst of color to the surroundings.

Flowers

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Firecracker Plants

Are you looking for a shrub or hanging plant that brings a bit of drama and a ton of color to the garden? Firecracker Plant does all of that and more! In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss discusses how to grow and care for this fun evergreen plant.

A concrete soil bed nestling areca palm trees, adding a touch of tropical elegance to the garden. Interspersed among the taller areca palms, short and charming plants complete the scene.

Trees

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Areca Palms

Are you looking for a low-maintenance tropical tree that makes an excellent houseplant? Areca Palm is a wonderful plant that thrives in a consistent environment inside the home. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares all you need to know to grow this pretty tree.

A podocarpus plant, its slender leaves stretching gracefully. Red, yellow, and orange berries adorn the podocarpus branches, adding a burst of color to the scene. The blurred background shows green grass.

Trees

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Podocarpus

Are you looking for a low-maintenance shrub that makes an excellent noise or windscreen? Perhaps you're in the market for a sturdy privacy hedge. Podocarpus handles these tasks wonderfully. Here, gardening expert Melissa Strauss discusses how to grow and care for these coniferous shrubs.

Close up of a beautiful shrub with burgundy foliage and dangling violet blossoms shines in the sun.

Shrubs

21 Fast Growing Shrubs With Impressive Foliage

Do you need a privacy hedge, noise barrier, or a shrub that can quickly fill a space in the garden? We have just the thing! Here, gardening expert Melissa Strauss lists 21 of her favorite fast-growing shrubs with aesthetic appeal.

A detailed close-up of ants feasting on an orchid bud's honeydew. In the blurred backdrop, a delicate, vibrant white and purple flower is also seen.

Garden Pests

Why Are There Ants Crawling on My Orchids?

Do you have ants crawling on the orchids that are growing inside your home or in your garden? There are some common reasons why this happens, and many are easily fixed. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares her top tips for getting the ants off your orchids this season.

A small pod adorned with a mesmerizing waterfall, creating a tranquil oasis in nature. The gentle cascade flows into a serene pond, surrounded by a delightful assortment of plants and blooming flowers, adding a burst of colors to the landscape.

Flowers

35 Flowers For a Lush, Tropical Garden

Are you building a tropical oasis or looking for the perfect tropical flowering houseplant to add to your collection? Here, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares her favorite tropical flowering plants, perfect for the home or garden.

bougainvillea

Shrubs

How to Plant, Grow and Care For Bougainvillea

Are you thinking about planting Bougainvillea but are not sure what this plant needs to thrive? In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss explains everything you need to know, to successfully cultivate this sturdy and remarkable plant.

fall garden

Gardening Tips

15 Tips to Prepare Your Garden For Fall

As summer wears on, fall is right around the corner. The time to once again enjoy the dropping temperatures outdoors is fast approaching. Here, gardening expert Melissa Strauss will go over a few things you can do now to give your garden a boost and keep things blooming into the cooler months.

An arrangement of shrubs showcasing a variety of styles and colors. Among them, green, yellow, and red shrubs create a vivid and captivating visual display. In the background, a rich tapestry of towering trees completes the picturesque setting.

Shrubs

27 Low-Maintenance Shrubs That Thrive on Neglect

Are you looking for a great foundational or focal point in the garden that doesn’t need much attention to look its best? There are a number of different options to choose from, depending on your hardiness zone. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss has 27 great, low-maintenance shrubs to share.