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The Garden Media Group is responsible for selecting some of the most exciting upcoming garden trends. Their Garden Trends Report, now in its 23rd year, has sought to track significant shifts in the gardening world. This year, the group states that designers will use shades of green inspired by the environment, both in color and philosophy. Cyber lime refers to lime green plants – often (but not always) chartreuse and lime green foliage plants....

Grass Types for Northern Plains States The cold winters in these states eliminate several options for turf type, making the homeowner’s decision a little easier. From among the options that will grow here, choose a variety that matches your lawn’s particular needs, including soil type, sun or shade, and drought frequency. Also consider the amount of maintenance you want to put into your lawn. Varieties appropriate for most areas of the northern plains include:...

About Goldenrod Wildflowers Goldenrod, a member of the Asteraceae or aster family, is a weedy, perennial herb. With over 150 species, this wildflower can be found in prairies, fields, roadsides and disturbed land areas. Along with this often invasive weed, comes the swollen ball-shaped galls formed by the goldenrod gall fly. Not every variety of goldenrod is suitable for egg laying to the female goldenrod gall fly. Her preference is for Canada goldenrod, late goldenrod, or giant goldenrod, and her fastidiousness extends towards “tasting” each plant with the chemical sensors on her feet and antennae until she finds just the right plant on which to lay her eggs....

While you can work on houseplants just about any time, there are several key ornamental plants you should not prune in summer. One of the pruning basics you should always adhere to is that timing is everything. So here are the plants to keep safe from the cutters until later in the year. Why Certain Plants Don’t Like Summer Pruning Before we look at the outdoor plants you should never prune in summer, it can help to keep in mind the reasons why....

Benefits of Urban Composting Composting in the city has many benefits, as it does in any area. If you produce waste and grow plants, there are several reasons to compost: Give your waste new life instead of sending it to a landfill or incinerator. Compost is made from kitchen and yard waste.Good compost supports healthy plant growth by providing needed nutrients and refreshing spent soil or amending poor soil.In addition to adding nutrients to the soil, compost lightens compacted soils to improve aeration and root growth....

Solar Panels as an Alternative Power Source Everybody wants to help fight climate change and many options present themselves, small and large. One of the most significant steps a household can take toward moving away from fossil fuel dependence is to light up and heat your home with solar power, an energy source that’s renewable and sustainable. Solar power is also flexible in that you don’t have to install huge panels on your roof to get started....

It is no secret that good landscaping increases a home’s value – and trees are an essential element of any design. According to Arborist News, having large established trees in yards can increase property value by as much as 15 per cent. However, trees also contribute to a property’s ecological value, helping to clean the air and provide a home for local wildlife. ‘Trees add an unquantifiable environmental value by creating habitat for wildlife, such as birds,’ says Zander Caruso, plant, tree, and gardening expert at Barton Springs Nursery....

Why Are My African Violet Flowers Dying? A sudden decline in plant health can be frustrating. Though it is true that older blooms will naturally fade and fall from the African violet, damaged buds or flowers that drop from the plant prematurely may be a cause for concern. Cultural and environmental factors are among the most common causes of wilting in violets. The amount of light, temperature, and soil moisture all play a vital role in the plant’s ability to support and sustain healthy flowers....

Do Peonies Need Ants to Bloom? There are several misconceptions and myths surrounding ants and peony buds. However, they do have a hint of truth in them, which is likely why they persist. One common belief is that ants are required for peony flowers to fully develop. There is no truth to this claim. Ants have no impact on bloom production. Another common misconception is that peonies need ants to bloom....

Why Are Plants Good for Mental Health? Nobody is surprised to hear that activities intended to increase mindfulness contribute to good mental health. Think meditation or yoga. And caring for plants falls into the same category. Yes, plants are good for mental health. While nurturing plants is fun and rewarding, as an activity, it requires a focus on the moment that is the definition of mindfulness. While you are repotting your cactus, it’s almost impossible to obsess about that problem at the office....

Established rose specimens grace containers, arbors and borders with unmatched character. It’s easy to understand why rose growers get frustrated when new plants struggle to establish themselves, or when their growth progresses at a snail’s pace. Fortunately, a little patience and know-how can help you hone your expectations. Follow these expert tips for growing a rose plant faster. Rose Varieties Most Likely to Grow Faster How fast does a rose grow?...

Moths are often confused with butterflies. But in general, moths are nocturnal, while butterflies flit about in the sun. Many moths have excellent camouflage to avoid predators. One such is the Walnut Sphinx. These large moths can be hidden in plain sight on the bark of trees, or stems of woody plants. Their coloring resembles that of a dead leaf. But one of the more interesting facts about this insect is the Walnut Sphinx caterpillar whistle....

Quick Facts about Fonio Botanical name- Digitaria exilisHeight- 20 inches (50 cm)Spread- Approx. 10 inches (25 cm)Sun exposure- FullSoil requirements- AnyHardiness zones- USDA 9-11When to plant- Spring or summer What Is Fonio? Fonio, an ancient cereal grain, has been grown in West Africa for thousands of years. Early evidence indicates it was in cultivation 5,000 years ago. It has been found in ancient Egyptian tombs and other antiquity sites. Fonio was once reserved for royalty and nobility....

My Sustainable Practices For me, the most important aspect of sustainability in the garden is trying to match my yard to my local ecosystem. Growing native plants is one of the best things we can do for the environment as gardeners. Plants native to your region support native wildlife. They are low-maintenance and don’t require much watering or other resources, like fertilizer. They attract and support pollinators that are struggling, especially bees....

The Purpose of a Pollinator Garden: Ohio Valley Region Protecting pollinators can’t be overstressed. It’s estimated one of every three bites of food is the result of cross-pollination by pollinators. If you like tomatoes, here’s a fun fact: native bumble bees are more effective at pollinating tomato flowers than the European honeybee. While most gardeners are aware that honeybee populations have been declining, they may not realize that many native species of pollinators are also endangered....

Read on for our top suggestions for best bathroom plants that don’t need sunlight. Growing in No Light or Low Light I’ve lived for years in San Francisco, where the typical apartment is “train style,” a long hallway with rooms on either side. As in many urban settings, many buildings don’t have yards to speak of and even rooms with windows don’t get much sunlight. That makes me sort of a specialist in plants for low light areas and how to keep them happy....

Growing tulips successfully starts at the buying stage. Ensure you purchase from a reputable garden center, and choose types of tulip flowers that will be suitable for your location and level of expertise. It’s particularly frustrating when bulb plants are not flowering, especially when you have invested so much time and effort. We reached out to experts to discover where most gardeners go wrong when planting tulips – read on to discover the common mistakes to avoid....

Weeding Woes The one thing that makes me really grouchy regarding gardening is weeds. I understand that dandelion flowers are important food for honeybees, and wild milkweed feeds various butterflies and moths. However, I can’t stand the disorder and chaos that weeds represent. Plus, weeds are so stoic, my wanted plants hardly stand a chance. The latter would be pushed out if I didn’t wage war on weeds from February into the first snow....

However briefly, guaranteeing that those peony bushes produce a lovely flush of large dramatic flowers is a serious business. And while peonies are easy to plant and to care for, the issue of moving (or transplanting) will inevitably come up if you are looking to grow plants with real staying power. Peony plants may not require division, but growers often want to split the roots to produce more plants, or simply to move established peonies to a new location....

About Container Gardening Container gardening is terrific for the urban gardener or for those that want to make a statement with a large container of varied hues and textures. Space efficient and mobile, container gardens are exactly what they sound like, plants grown in containers rather than in the ground. Container gardening seems very simple, and it is in principle, but it can also be fraught with a multitude of common mistakes....