Ornamental Gardens

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

Muhlenbergia reverchonii forms soft green mounds with wispy pink flower sprays rising above fine foliage.

Ornamental Gardens

15 Colorful Ornamental Grasses That Look Good All Season

We sometimes overlook ornamental grasses without knowing how they will behave in our landscapes, but they play a valuable role in adding movement and texture while supporting birds and other wildlife. Garden designer Katherine Rowe explores grasses to bring big seasonal color for a lasting impact in the garden.

Close-up of a large, stunning dahlia flower, with several layers of bright apricot-pink petals surrounding a small central disc on a tall stem in a sunny garden, prize-winning dahlias tips.

Flowers

7 Growing Tips for County Fair Prize-Winning Dahlias

Summer is dahlia season, and these spectacular blooms are among the prettiest you can grow. From tiny poms to dinner plate-sized beauties, we simply can't get enough. Here are some tips on growing prize-worthy specimens from cut flower gardener Melissa Strauss.

hands planting yellow flowers in hanging basket

Ornamental Gardens

How Many Plants Go In a Hanging Basket? 7 Spacing Tips

Creating a stunning hanging basket display requires some planning ahead, particularly when it comes to spacing. Too few plants look sparse, while too many compete for nutrients and water. Gardening expert Madison Moulton shares 7 essential spacing tips to help you create the perfect hanging basket.

Close-up of a gardener with red pruning shears pruning the long green stems covered with brittle thorns and jagged leaves of a rose bush in a spring garden.

Shrubs

How to Prune Roses in Spring: 7 Pro Tips

Spring rose pruning doesn't have to be intimidating. With these tips, you'll learn how to shape your roses for optimal growth and abundant blooms. Gardening expert Madison Moulton explains the essential techniques every rose gardener should know.

A close-up shot of blue-purple colored blooms that showcases how to plant irises from seed

Flowers

How to Grow Irises From Seed in 5 Simple Steps

Growing irises from seed is a rewarding but often overlooked gardening project. While it takes patience, the process is surprisingly simple and allows you to create unique iris varieties for your garden. Gardening expert Madison Moulton explains the straightforward process in this beginner-friendly guide.

Bright Tropaeolum stems with large round leaves and orange-yellow trumpets spilling from a woven basket.

Flowers

13 Best Easy Beginner Flowers for Hanging Baskets

Hanging baskets, with their prominent vertical interest, let us play with flowering combinations and foliar accents. Easy care blooms offer all the creativity and reliable seasonal color with less likelihood of looking puny in the pot later on. Garden expert Katherine Rowe explores top-performing beginner flowers for hanging baskets to steal the show (and not look like a beginner at all).

A composition of several growing, yellow colored dwarf plants, showcasing what to direct sow flowers May

Flowers

11 Flowers to Direct Sow in May

May brings warming temperatures and frost-free nights for most growing zones, which means it’s full-throttle warm-season planting time. The easiest and most budget-friendly way to achieve a diversity of blooms is to direct sow seeds this month. Gardening expert Katherine Rowe explores flower seeds to plant in May for a long season of colorful returns.

Vibrant pink azalea flowers bloom in zone 5, featuring clusters on a compact shrub, with glossy dark green leaves and slender stems.

Shrubs

When Do Azaleas Bloom? What to Expect in Your Zone

Azaleas are lovely landscape shrubs, especially when they bloom. Flowering time can vary between different climate areas and also depends on pruning. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss to find out when you can expect those beautiful blooms in your zone.