Tag: DIY

Bromeliads spend their lives as houseplants in places that aren’t as warm as the tropical climates they call home. Their brightly colored bracts (which we think of as their flowers) can last for months, brightening a dark corner. One of the most cold hardy is matchstick bromeliad (Aechmea gamosepala), an ornamental...

The croton, also called “garden croton,” is an easy-to-grow houseplant known for its variegated foliage covered in green, scarlet, orange, and yellow splotches. Here’s how to care for a croton in your home or garden. They are native to the tropical forests of southeast Asia and Oceania. In the...

Geraniums are a longtime favorite of gardeners. They are easy to grow, colorful, and emit a lovely scent. Here’s how to grow geraniums in your home and garden! Although they may be kept outdoors during the warmer part of the year, geraniums are typically kept indoors to overwinter. Alternatively, if provided...

Pothos (also called Devil’s Ivy) is a tropical vine with shiny, heart-shaped leaves that often have gold, white, or yellow variegation. It is one of the easiest houseplants to grow! Native to tropical French Polynesian islands in the South Pacific, pothos can now be found throughout the world as...

Jade plants are succulent houseplants, which makes them fairly resilient and easy to grow indoors plus, they’re long-lived. With their thick, woody stems and oval-shaped leaves, jade plants have a miniature, tree-like appearance that makes them very appealing for use as a decorative houseplant. They live for a very...

The old-fashioned bleeding heart is a favorite perennial of the shady flower garden and was called the finest hardy plant of the 19th century. Here’s how to plant and grow bleeding heart flowers in your garden! Even today, nothing surpasses its graceful, arching, 3-foot stems adorned with its flowers of...

Chives are a perennial member of the onion family that sport beautiful edible flowers. They are cool-season, cold-tolerant perennials that are best planted in early spring for a late spring and early summer harvest. Be mindful when planting this herb, as it will take over your garden if the...

Basil is a warm-weather, fragrant herb that tastes great in Italian dishes—and let’s not forget homemade pesto! Plant seeds or transplants after all danger of frost has passed and soil is warm, and it will yield an abundant harvest within weeks. Keep harvesting the leaves to keep the plant going strong. The most common type of...

If you have ever seen a tree covered with pretty pink blooms (but not leaves) in winter, you likely encountered the eastern redbud bush. It is one of the first trees to flower each year. The species tends to have a short lifespan (on average up to 20 years) because of...

Northern red oak (Quercus rubra) is a handsome, adaptable tree that thrives in nearly any setting. Planting a red oak tree requires a bit of extra preparation, but the payoff is great; this American classic provides glorious summer shade and reliable fall color for many years to come. Read...