Gardening Tips

Flower bulbs make it easy to keep your garden colorful all season long. Get a jump on spring with early-bloomers such as crocus and daffodils. Follow that with tulips, alliums and iris. For summer through fall there are lilies, dahlias, cannas and so many more. With this chart you can see the whole growing season at a glance. Planting bulbs that blossom at different times of the year will ensure you always have a wave of new flowers coming into bloom.

Anyone can pour water on a plant. But it takes time and experience to understand how plants use water and the many variables that come into play. These include the type of plant, its size, the soil texture, recent weather, sun exposure, time of day and time of year. Plants grow better when you are watering effectively.

Hostas can turn a dull, shady part of your yard into an elegant, low-maintenance landscape that looks attractive from spring through fall. Unlike most perennials, hostas are grown for their colorful foliage rather than for their flowers. There are hundreds of varieties to choose from, each with its own unique leaf size, shape, and color.

Clematis have an important role to play in any flower garden. As they scramble up trellises, climb over arbors and thread themselves through other plants, these perennial vines weave a rich tapestry of color and texture. Read on for six tips that will help you be successful with the “queen of climbers.”

During their first growing season, young hosta plants benefit from being watered weekly or whenever the weather is dry. A 2" layer of mulch will help keep the soil moist and encourage strong root growth. Once the plants are large enough to shade the soil, there's no need for mulch.

Old-fashioned bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis) is must-have plant for shade gardens and an ideal companion for hosta, astilbe and ferns. Generations of gardeners have lost their hearts to this carefree, long-lived perennial.

All About Elephant Ears. Learn when and where to plant elephant ears, how to care for the plants, how to use them in gardens and containers, and how to care for the plants at the end of the season.

All About Hostas. Hostas are carefree, long-lived perennials that thrive in the shade. Unlike most perennials, hostas are grown for their decorative foliage rather than for their flowers.

All About Lilies. Lilies are hardy perennials with elegant, midsummer blooms. Learn about the different types of lilies, ways to use them in your garden, and how to plant and care for them.

Peonies are one of America's best-loved perennials. Their lush, early summer flowers are the height of elegance, yet the plants are as tough as nails. If you're thinking about adding some peonies to your yard and garden, here are some tips to help ensure your success.

Peonies are perennial garden classics, loved throughout the world for their extravagant, early summer blossoms. They are dependable, long-lived plants that will bloom for generations with little or no attention.

Garden designers know that shady gardens have some unique challenges as well as some creative advantages. Here are seven tips that can help you make the most of a shady site.

There is nothing difficult about growing dahlias. Give these flower-producing machines a sunny spot in your garden and they will reward you with armloads of beautiful blooms from midsummer to frost.

During late fall and early winter, tulips, daffodils and other spring bulbs are growing roots and getting ready to sprout. If the weather is unusually warm, they may come up too early -- but there's no need for concern! Learn more:

#Planting amaryllis bulbs is a bite-size project that you can do right on your kitchen counter. And since the #plants don't need a lot of light, it's easy to find a place to grow them. Learn more on our blog:

#Tulips, #daffodils and other spring-blooming #flower #bulbs can be planted as early as September and as late as December. In most parts of the country, there's no need to rush. Waiting until #Thanksgiving can actually work to your advantage! Read more on the blog: