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.

Close-up of blooming Old Garden Roses in a sunny garden. Beautiful pink rose 'Louise Odier', a classic hybrid perpetual rose, displays a charming appearance characterized by its abundant clusters of large, cupped flowers. Each bloom features rose petals, forming a graceful, rounded silhouette. The plant has a dark green, glossy foliage with jagged edges.

Flowers

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Old Garden Roses

Many varieties of modern hybrid roses are gorgeous in their own right, but have you checked out old garden roses? In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss will tell you what you need to know to grow these enchanting shrubs in your garden.

Vibrant purple American Wisteria flowers, gracefully hanging in groups, catch the warm sunlight, showcasing their delicate petals. The vibrant hue contrasts beautifully with the lush green leaves, forming a picturesque scene of nature's vibrant and harmonious beauty.

Flowers

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for American Wisteria

If you are looking for a beautiful, vigorous vining plant that produces lots of gorgeous, fragrant flowers, consider American wisteria for your garden. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares all you need to know about cultivating and growing this excellent plant.

A raised wooden plant bed with rich soil nurtures a variety of plants, including fragrant peppermint and flavorful basil. The textured wood frame adds a rustic charm to the garden, creating a serene environment for the thriving greenery.

Garden Pests

13 Plants That Repel Garden Pests

Repelling nuisance pests in the garden can be a real challenge. There are plants that attract insects and plants that repel them. Read on as gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares 13 plants that will help keep garden pests at bay.

A vibrant, colorful garden border curves around a manicured lawn, creating a visually appealing contrast. The border is packed with a variety of flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, and white, including petunias, impatiens, and verbena.

Flowers

How to Start a Flower Garden From Scratch: 7 Expert Tips

If you see a flower garden in your future but aren’t sure where to start, we have some great advice to set you on the path to success. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares some of the hurdles to creating a flower garden and how to get on the right road to a garden filled with color and life.

anthurium varieties

Houseplants

33 Beautiful Varieties of Anthurium

Have you caught the Anthurium bug yet? Houseplant enthusiasts love this exotic plant for its gorgeous leaves and long-lasting flowers. Here are 47 different varieties of stunning Anthurium plants.

Close up of white dogwood tree in full bloom.

Trees

21 Dogwood Tree Varieties for Your Garden

If you are considering adding a dogwood to your garden, it can be difficult to decide upon just one variety of these stunning trees. Here, gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares 21 beautiful varieties to choose from.