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About Bird of Paradise There are five species of bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae), named for Queen Charlotte, George III’s wife. It grows wild in the Eastern Cape along riverbeds and coastal bush, an area of mild temperatures and frequent rains. Often used as a cut flower in the floral trade, bird of paradise is a common ornamental in Southern California and Florida which can be grown in USDA zones 10-12 and with adequate protection in zone 9....

It’s good to know that it isn’t just the coffee grounds that can be used to give your plants a lift! The ‘coffee filter in bottom of flower pot’ trick is a double win solution that can only be a good thing. Find out why it can benefit your plants. Why Put a Coffee Filter in the Bottom of a Flower Pot? The idea of a coffee filter plant pot drain hole cover probably stemmed from someone who hated the thought of tossing out the filter every day....

We asked the Gardening Know How audience to share their biggest regrets so that you don’t have to learn the hard way. We were overwhelmed by the response, but couldn’t help notice the common themes that cropped up time and again. Happily, many gardeners urged newcomers not to give up, and were quick to point out that gardening is one big learning experience. In the wise words of garden coach Janet Kilburn Phillips, “There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments....

Bright Ideas for Outdoor Christmas Lights For centuries it has been traditional to light up the home around the holidays. Candles used to be the decor, but today we can select LED lights with timers that are synchronized to music, blow-up displays, solar lights, and so much more. The availability of lighted home decor is only limited by how much you want to spend. Holiday outdoor lighting ideas take some planning and some supplemental items like extension cords and eave clips to make the display glow with ease....

There are also a number of items that, while logically seem to belong in the shed, are best stored in the house. Without insulation, most sheds are not temperature controlled, and extremes of weather can damage and even destroy your belongings. In addition, the local wildlife can easily access most sheds, feeding and nesting on items that shouldn’t be there. A regular clear out is essential to keep your shed in good order, so act now and find a new home for these common items....

There are numerous advantages of raised garden beds, not the least of which are a reduction in soil compaction, weed suppression, better drainage, and earlier soil warming – which can make for an earlier crop when growing a raised vegetable garden. Raised beds allow us to choose the soil mixture we want, which is especially helpful in areas where the ground’s soil may be substandard for gardening. The best soil for raised garden beds depends on what you want to grow, but a good start is a mix of garden soil and compost....

5 Essential Cottage Garden Ideas Cottage gardens of yesteryear maximized small garden space with herbs, edibles and flowers planted close together. Today’s cottage gardens ramp up this style. The ‘cottagecore’ trend, for instance, brings together a bounty of edibles and flowering plants with harmony and balance in mind. The romantic feel is still intact in all these cottage garden layouts, which feature colorful plants of different heights and textures, fusing plants for structure with ideas for elegance and charm....

All vegetables will take a little effort at the planting and harvesting stages. But in the interim some crops can be left largely to their own devices. Of course, if you are willing to put in some work watering, weeding, and fertilizing, then you will likely increase your plants’ yield and performance. However, if you don’t, then there is a good chance you will still have a tasty crop to enjoy at the end of the season....

For a whole week in March, attendees were able to shake off the bleakness of winter and immerse themselves in all the colors, scents, and textures of spring and summer flowers. The world’s biggest indoor flower show, Philadelphia Flower Show is also the longest-running, launched in 1829. Each year the event draws gardeners, professional floral artists, landscapers, and plant lovers to the city, who are presented with breathtaking flower arrangements from all directions....

Choosing fall flowers with long, overlapping bloom times will ensure continuous color throughout the season. This is one of the most important small front yard landscaping ideas as some plants bloom throughout fall, while others may only provide color for a few weeks. Think about the layout of your front yard and the height of plants. Taller flowers work well in the back of a flower bed or near the house, while shorter flowers are great for borders or edging pathways....

In the case of perennial plants, many are best planted in fall. Cooler temperatures in autumn and consistent moisture encourage new plantings to establish themselves quickly. Ideal conditions at this time further allow for rapid root development before the arrival of winter. The best perennials to plant in the fall include those that remain dormant until spring, as well as various species of evergreen plants. There is a wide range of flowering perennials to choose from, including long-flowering perennials that bloom from spring to fall and flowering perennials for pots....

Getting to Know the Birds in France One of the first things I built when we moved to a small stone house in the Pyrenees in French Basque Country was a bird feeding station. I stacked up several large wooden spools - used for electric wire - and grounded them with a stake through the central holes into the ground below. This proved an endless source of joy and entertainment, particularly in the springtime....

What is a Rain Garden? A rain garden is a planting or bed designed to capture runoff from a house, driveway, or road. It is often situated in a depression or a low area of the yard. The plants are types that tolerate or thrive with a lot of moisture. What is a Bioswale? A bioswale, or bioretention swale, is a feature designed to carry storm runoff, typically from a road, parking lot, or driveway....

Height: 12-18 in. (30-46 cm) Spread: 12-24 in. (30-61 cm) Sun exposure: Full sun Soil requirements: Neutral, slightly alkaline Hardiness zones: USDA zones 5-9 When to plant: Spring, fall Caring for Munstead Lavender Here we’ll cover the ins and outs of ‘Munstead’ lavender care, including watering, light, fertilizing, propagation, and much more. Lighting Conditions English lavender plants grow best where they are able to receive full sun throughout the day, at least 6-8 hours....

What Is a Certified Wildlife Habitat? A certified wildlife habitat means your landscape is a safe haven for local wildlife. This means your landscape must have water sources, various food and nesting materials, and protective cover. Certification is granted by the National Wildlife Federation. Benefits of Creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat There are numerous benefits to creating a certified wildlife habitat, not the least of which is knowing that you are doing your part to help protect endangered species....

How to Pick a Good Watermelon Almost everyone loves the delicious, nutritious watermelon, but we seem to be at odds as to how to pick the perfect one out. Everyone has an opinion but who’s right? Depending on how many people you ask, there are probably as many answers to how to pick a watermelon as there are slices of this juicy fruit. 1. Buy from a Trusted Source Unlike other fruit, watermelon does not ripen after it has been plucked from the vine....

That being said, at my previous house I spent way too much money on a privacy fence. It was great and provided the stealthy living I prefer. But when I moved to this home, a privacy fence was not possible. That is because the lot is so large, the project would have literally broken the bank. So I did the next best thing. I planted screening plants. They don’t afford the view block a privacy fence does, but they do minimize any snooping....

Fritillaria Persica Care Persian lilies have truly unique and special flowers that make a great addition to any garden. They grow from bulbs planted in fall and bloom in spring. Light Persian lily does best in full sun, especially in the northern part of its hardiness range. In hotter climates, it benefits from a little afternoon shade. It will tolerate partial shade. Water Water needs are low for Persian lilies, which naturally grow in hot, dry climates....

Planning a Vegetable Garden As winter starts to fade, I am in my happy place dreaming of the veggie garden. It is soon time to start my vegetable plants that need to be planted early. I tend to start several seeds of each variety, in order to ensure some successful transplants. In most cases, a few damp off and I don’t end up with as many vegetable starts as I planted....

When to Plant Carrot Seeds Carrots are a cool season crop that when properly timed, can deliver two crops during the growing season. The first crop should be sowed directly into the garden 2-4 weeks before the last spring frost in your area. For a second fall harvest, sow seeds in mid to late summer. Carrots’ deep roots don’t make them good candidates for starting inside and then transplanting, so wait until the soil temperature outside is above 50 F (10 C) and directly sow your carrot seeds....