Ornamental Gardens

Learn how to cultivate beautiful ornamental gardens and how to troubleshoot common pests, diseases, and growing problems!

A close-up shot of a small composition of pannicle flower clusters of flowering shrub, showcasing hydrangea trees care

Ornamental Gardens

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Hydrangea Trees

Hydrangea trees stand out from the crowd of shrubs in the home garden. They’re tall, stately, and impressive! Train one yourself, or find one ready-made at your local nursery. Former nurseryman Jerad Bryant shares how to plant, grow, and care for hydrangea trees throughout the year.

A large Japanese maple tree with crimson leaves cascading over dark, curved branches in a sunny fall garden, which is perfect for planting in October.

Trees

11 Japanese Maple Trees You Can Plant in October

When it comes to beautiful form, stunning seasonal color, and ornamental value, it doesn't get much better than a Japanese Maple. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss to look at some classic varieties as well as some more surprising and unconventional varieties to plant in October.

A close-up shot of a small composition of carved crops depicting various faces, all placed outdoors, showcasing pumpkin carving varieties

Ornamental Gardens

9 Best Pumpkin Varieties for Carving

Young or old, there’s simple pleasure in finding and carving a good pumpkin. The quintessential fall vegetables delight with their glowing faces and artful themes, and are perfect in the kitchen for tasty pies, soups, breads, and roasted seeds. To grow our own chunky jack o’lanterns, we’ve got the lineup of the best pumpkin varieties for carving, big and small, to fit a range of growing spaces.

Multiple tulip bulbs are arranged in neat rows on the ground, illustrating the process of fall tulip planting.

Bulbs

The Ultimate Fall Tulip Planting Guide

Fall is the best season to plant tulips. The bulbs will grow roots and establish themselves so they can brave the oncoming winter. Learn how to plant your tulips with this ultimate guide from backyard bulb grower Jerad Bryant.

An overhead and close-up shot of a developing plant on a pot meant to move Thanksgiving Christmas cactus indoors

Cacti & Succulents

When to Move Your Thanksgiving and Christmas Cactus Indoors For the Season

With fall comes frosty conditions, and timing the move of tender tropicals and other houseplants from a summer outdoors back inside for overwintering. Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti are two that highlight the holiday season with their brilliant blooms. Gardening expert Katherine Rowe outlines when to move the holiday favorites indoors, taking care not to bring them in too early to initiate the best budding and flowering.

Close-up of a maple tree showing broad, five-lobed leaves with sharply serrated edges in deep burgundy-red, ideal to plant in October for vibrant fall color.

Trees

11 Spectacular Maple Tree Varieties You Can Plant in October

Maples come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and varieties! There are more than you can count. Former nurseryman Jerad Bryant includes 11 of the most spectacular maples on this list. These maple tree varieties appreciate a fall planting, and they’ll fill your yard with color next spring.

A dense field of deer resistant bulbs with yellow trumpet-shaped flowers mixed with purple and white cup-shaped blooms among green blades.

Ornamental Gardens

Plant These 11 Bulbs if Deer Always Eat Your Plants

Deer are pesky pests in ornamental gardens! They’ll eat everything in sight and turn a blooming garden into a wasteland. Don’t try to protect your choice plants; instead, grow bulbs that deer dislike to discourage them from entering the garden. Former nurseryman Jerad Bryant shares 11 bulbs that deer tend to avoid.