Ornamental Gardens

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

A charming flowerbed with various hosta plants, ornamental grasses, perennials growing under pine trees.

Ornamental Gardens

23 Plants to Grow Under Pine Trees

Do you have pine trees in or around your yard, yet want to have an attractive garden? It may seem like absolutely nothing grows under a pine tree but you might be surprised at the variety of attractive plants that will. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen introduces 23 perfect plants to use in your pineland garden.

great blue lobelia features tall spikes adorned with vivid blue tubular flowers and lance-shaped, dark green leaves.

Flowers

How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Great Blue Lobelia

Do you have a moist garden plot with enough space for a spectacular perennial wildflower? Great blue lobelia is an eye-catching plant that appeals to gardeners, hummingbirds, and a multitude of pollinators. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen will discuss the proper care and maintenance of these brilliant blue-flowering plants.

Close-up of a cut peony flower bud covered with drops of water, showing a round, tightly closed bud with a smooth, green exterior and a hint of pink petals inside.

Flowers

23 Flowers You Should Always Cut in the Bud Stage

Do you want to extend the vase life of your cut flowers from the garden? Cut flower gardener Melissa Strauss discusses which flowers you should cut in the bud stage, or before they open fully. Cutting these blooms before they open will significantly extend their vase life

The Oakleaf Hydrangea bush features large, lobed green leaves, with cone-shaped clusters of white flowers.

Shrubs

15 Varieties of Oakleaf Hydrangea

Oakleaf hydrangeas bring multi-season appeal in flowers and foliage. Native to the southeastern U.S., the species and its cultivars bring large blooms in crisp white, soft pink, deep rose, and scarlet. Join gardening expert Katherine Rowe in exploring these shade-tolerant summer bloomers with long-lived garden beauty.

This Daphne odora bush displays clusters of highly fragrant, pale pink to white flowers against glossy, dark green leaves with variegated creamy yellow edges.

Shrubs

21 Best Boxwood Alternatives For Your Landscape

With handsome foliage, attractive forms, and easy care, boxwoods are a go-to for all-season appeal. These evergreen anchors unify the planting arrangement as low-growing hedges, mixed borders, and stand-alone specimens. The versatile, historic shrubs are worthy of any collection. But, if you need to avoid boxwood blight, vary evergreen options, or find suitable growers for your microclimate, equally worthy selections abound. Join garden expert Katherine Rowe in exploring boxwood alternatives.

An array of various exquisite bearded iris flowers, in vibrant shades of yellow, purple, lavender, blue, and coral.

Ornamental Gardens

17 Perennials to Plant in August

Summer seems to fly by, but there’s still plenty to enjoy in the garden. If you need to do some infill planting to extend the season’s color, join gardening expert Katherine Rowe in exploring adaptable perennials to supplement the August garden. Their ornamental and ecological value rewards the garden for seasons to come.

Lightly colored Hydrangeas that look spectacular in fall with flowers wearing different shades of pink, purple and yellow while sitting on wide leaves with serrated edges

Shrubs

9 Hydrangeas That Look Spectacular in Fall

Hydrangeas aren’t just for their show in summer. As the bloom spectacle fades, lasting interest remains. Late-season flowers in twisting colors transition to the hues of fall. Depending on the variety, leaves turn bright shades of gold, red, and purple. Here, gardening expert Katherine Rowe looks at hydrangea varieties with multiseason appeal and outstanding fall color.

One of many fall-blooming flowers plant in August, marigold flowers and buds sitting in a garden with brightly colored petals and leaves with saw-like edges.

Flowers

15 Fall-Blooming Flowers to Plant in August

August is one of the hottest months of the year in most places, so it can be difficult to go out and enjoy the garden. But those crisp, cool days of autumn are right around the corner, perfect for alfresco dining. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss in planting some beautiful, fall-blooming flowers this August!

Orange Gloriosa lilies, showing off beautiful, vibrant orange petals, hanging upside down from their green stems.

Flowers

31 Rare and Unique Flowers You Can Grow

When you hear that a particular plant is rare, does it pique your interest, or do you move on to the next best thing? If rare flowers make your pulse quicken, Melissa Strauss has 31 exciting plants for you to read about.

An exquisite cluster of Gilia capitata with small blue flowers, among tall stems and thin leaves.

Flowers

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Blue Thimble Flower

Blue thimble flower pockets West Coast landscapes every spring. It erupts with blue flower clusters that look like pincushions, attracting birds, butterflies, and bees into your yard. Plant this annual wildflower in sunny borders, wild gardens, or raised beds.

This low-maintenance tree features a graceful form with layered branches, oval green leaves, and striking white bracts resembling flowers, which turn pink as they mature.

Trees

17 Low-Maintenance Trees For Your Landscape

Would you like to add a new tree to your landscape but want something with minimal fuss? Luckily, plenty of highly ornamental yet easy-to-grow trees add some hardy greenery and structure to your yard. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares 17 of her favorite low-maintenance trees to add attractive foliage, beautiful flowers, and wildlife habitat to your landscape.