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.

small cactus plants

Cacti & Succulents

11 Small Cactus Plants For Pots or Containers

Looking for a small cactus to grow in pots or containers? There are many different options to choose from, including some that flower and some that don't. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss looks at her favorite types of small cactus plants you can add to your container garden collection.

red camellias growing in the sun

Shrubs

Do Camellias Like Full Sun, Partial Shade or Full Shade?

Adding some camellias to your garden but aren't sure how much sun they need to flourish? These popular shrubs can survive in a variety of different conditions, but proper planning can ensure they thrive. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss looks at how much sun camellias need for optimal blooms.

Succulent With Orange Flowers Blooming in Garden

Cacti & Succulents

13 Different Succulents & Cacti With Orange Flowers

Are you looking for a few succulents that have beautiful orange blooms? There are many different orange flowering succulents to choose from, blooming in all shades of orange. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss examines her favorite succulents that have beautiful orange flowers.

pink magnolia tree varieties

Trees

11 Different Types of Pink Flowering Magnolia Tree Varieties

Looking for a magnolia tree with pink blooms to add to your garden or home landscape? There are many different types of magnolia trees that have beautiful pink blossoms. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss takes a deeper look at some of the most popular pink flowering magnolia trees you can grow.

A gardener repotting an orchid into a purple plastic pot, next to another in a pink plastic pot.

Flowers

How to Repot Orchids in 7 Easy Steps

Are you thinking of moving your orchids into a new pot? While it sounds like it might take some work, repotting is actually quite common and easy to do if you follow the proper steps. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss walks through seven simple steps to repotting your orchids.

Trees

Magnolia Tree Types: Planting, Maintenance and Care

Magnolia trees are beloved by many gardeners for their fragrant blooms and dark leafy foliage. There are many different magnolia trees to choose from, so where do you start? In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss walks through the most popular types of magnolia trees, as well as everything you need to know about their maintenance and care.

purple magnolia trees

Shrubs

9 Different Types of Purple Flowering Magnolia Tree Varieties

Are you looking for a magnolia that blooms in beautiful shades of purple? There are plenty of different magnolias that bloom in all shades of purple, from light lavender to deep purple. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss looks at her favorite magnolias with purple blooms.

orchid rebloom

Flowers

9 Tips That Will Help Your Orchids Rebloom

Are you struggling to get your orchid to bloom again? Encouraging them to bloom again is a mystery to many gardeners. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss takes you through nine simple steps to maximize your chances of getting your orchids to rebloom beautifully once again.

flowers falling off orchids

Plant Problems

7 Reasons The Flowers Are Falling Off Your Orchids

Are you unsure why the flowers are falling off your orchids? There are many reasons this can happen, and some of which are fairly easy to fix. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss walks through the most common reasons flowers fall off orchids, and how to best address it!