The Narcissus genus contains more than 50 species and has been extensively hybridized, resulting in a varied color palette that includes not only yellow but orange, pink, white, and bicolor combinations as well. Here in my little corner of the Northeast, the dominant color of the early spring landscape is yellow, in the form of blossom-laden branches of forsythia and the trumpet-like coronas and petal-like tepals of daffodils. A hardy bulb for USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9, the daffodil, Narcissus, often sprouts from the snow-covered ground alongside other intrepid early-season companions, like the crocus, Siberian squill, and snowdrop....

Strobilanthes dyerianus Persian shield, Strobilanthes dyerianus, is a stunning ornamental species that originates in warm, humid Myanmar, where it grows as a tender evergreen perennial. It is a member of the Acanthaceae family, which consists mostly of flowering tropical flora. With its unique iridescent purple leaves, S. dyerianus had no difficulty attracting the attention of US gardeners, and is now grown here as an annual, perennial, and houseplant. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

A tree grown from seed typically produces fruit that differs from what you might expect. It may be inedible, or plants may produce fruit or exhibit growth habits that are inferior to those of the parent plant. Most fruit trees are not propagated from seed, and there are a couple of reasons for that. The majority of fruit trees are reproduced through methods such as grafting or air layering, which produces plants that are clones of the parent....

From focal interest to tasty, edible fruits and pads, and even gorgeous, brightly colored blossoms – this one is worth watching your step for! Opuntia spp. I don’t know about you, but personally, I wouldn’t be flattered if someone dubbed me “prickly” – even if it’s sometimes true! The prickly pear, however, certainly earns this moniker as a cactus with pads covered in sharp spines. But don’t let that dissuade you from adding this worthwhile specimen to your landscape, whether you plan to plant it in the ground or pot it....

But snapdragons aren’t actually annuals. They’re short-lived perennials that are sensitive to frost. And that means they can stick around year after year if you’re willing to give them a bit of protection. Snapdragons are one of those varieties of plants that are a staple in summer gardens. Home stores, grocery stores, and nurseries sell them by the flat during the summer for gardeners to add some annual color to their beds....

The harvest is versatile and tasty. Allium cepa Along with robins, daffodils, and cool breezes, why not add homegrown onions to your list of things to look forward to this spring? Spring onions, Allium cepa, are easy to grow and care for in your garden, whether you sow seeds the fall before for overwintering, or plant in spring from seeds, slips, or sets as soon as the ground can be worked....

And since Thanksgiving and Easter cacti are rooted in the same manner, you can propagate those types of houseplants with this method as well. Known for its cheery winter blooms, Christmas cactus is not only easy to care for – it’s also easy to propagate from cuttings. Whether your goal is growing new specimens to offer as gifts, or expanding a collection with new cultivars, this propagation method is a must for fans of these houseplants!...

Watch chain? ‘Gollum?’ Calico kitten? ‘E. T. Fingers?’ They’re all here, if a Crassula is what you’re after! I hope you’ll have as much fun growing Crassula plants as the botanists and breeders responsible for describing the many unique varieties had naming them. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. Most of the common and cultivar names for crassulas have a lot of character, as do the plants themselves....

Although these flowers are most often grown as annuals, nasturtiums have been known to grow as herbaceous perennials in warmer climates, meaning they die to the ground in the fall and grow again the next spring. I believe edible flowers are not given the attention they deserve. And the indisputable king of edible flowers has to be the nasturtium. As ideal for brightening up a dull space as it is for adding life to a boring salad, nasturtiums are one of the best-loved edible flower varieties....

The cultivars of this species all tend to have fairly mild, sweet flavors, and textures that vary from crisp and succulent to delicate and tender. Lettuce comes in a range of varieties – with flavors from buttery and mild to nutty and even slightly bitter; textures from delicate to crunchy; and colors from pale to dark green and burgundy. With all these choices, even the most ardent veggie-phobes or demanding foodies will find a lettuce to love....

Colorful text boxes scattered throughout the book offer insights into different pairings and answer frequently asked questions such as, “How close do companion partners need to be?” For those seeking to cultivate a resilient, healthy organic garden, Jessica Walliser’s book “Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden” should be one of your essential reference books. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission....

Not only is the flesh of these cherry tomatoes very sweet, but the plants can actually produce 100 tomatoes each. Solanum lycopersicum ‘Supersweet 100’ Some vegetables we grow in our gardens have names that may exaggerate a little. Take ‘Great White Northern’ beans, for example, which I’d argue are just a bit above average, but not necessarily “great.” ‘Supersweet 100’ tomatoes go in the opposite direction. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

Regardless of the cause, it’s best to prune out any yellow or brown foliage when you see it. It won’t recover, and keeping it in place is just a drain on the plant. People love peace lilies for their attractive, white, blossom-like spathes, but the foliage is also spectacular. And you definitely do not want yours to be marred by discoloration. Plants in the Spathiphyllum genus that grow wild in tropical parts of Mexico, Central America, South America, and Southeast Asia, can be cultivated outdoors in the US in Puerto Rico, southern Florida, and Hawaii....

In this article, we offer 7 tips for successfully planting hellebore seeds. Hellebores, Helleborus, are hardy perennials that bloom from late winter into early spring. Most varieties available to the home gardener are hybrids of the Helleborus x orientalis species, aka Lenten rose, and are commonly referred to under the collective umbrella Helleborus x hybridus. You may find articles on cultivation, propagation, division, and seed collection here, if you have not already read them....

Before you get started though, you’ll want to learn about the best growing conditions, decide on a gardening method that will work for you, and think about whether you want to start with seeds or live plants. A little sprinkle of fresh herbs on a meal can mean the difference between flavors that are just nice, and flavors that are just spectacular. And when you have fresh herbs growing in your own backyard, porch planters, or window box, this makes it even easier to boost the flavor of your homemade meals....

If you want to try your hand at growing poinsettias outdoors, our guide can help. Beloved at Christmastime, poinsettias deck the halls of our homes with gorgeous color. But a green thumb’s collection of houseplants is always changing and evolving. After the holidays, you don’t have to pitch your Euphorbia pulcherrima – you can transplant it outside instead! We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission....

You know what that means, right? You can grow enough flowers to fill a vase from just one plant! When most of us picture a tulip plant, we think of a beautiful single blossom coming off an individual, straight stalk out of a mass of leaves that all grow out of one bulb. But many people don’t realize that there are overachieving tulip varieties that grow multiple blossoms off of each bulb as well....

Here’s what’s in store: Forsythia spp. The Forsythia genus is a group of plants in the Oleaceae, or olive family. It includes 11 species of deciduous woody shrubs that bear bold yellow flowers in early spring. Suited to gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 8, these plants are fast-growing and range in height from 12 inches to 10 feet tall. In this article, you’ll learn how to cultivate and maintain forsythia in your outdoor living space....

I’m going to share key transplanting tips in this guide, and I’ll also help you to determine if one of these impressive foliage houseplants needs more root space. On a long-overdue visit to New Orleans, I spotted multitudes of tree philodendrons (Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum) thriving in protected areas of ordinary gardens, producing oversize, deeply lobed, heart-shaped leaves on five- or six-foot plants seemingly effortlessly. Those who grow tree philodendrons indoors as houseplants don’t have this carefree option....

Now, you may have heard of mint’s legendary spreading properties. Mentha spp. With its sweet fragrance, sparkling flavor, and pretty flowers, mint makes a delightful addition to any garden. It’s a welcome ingredient in cold beverages and teas, as well as in sweet and savory dishes. And its renowned taste and aroma are found in a myriad of products around the home from air fresheners to mouthwash. Bees and other pollinators flock to the enchanting spires and tufts of flowers that bloom in pastel shades of blue, mauve, pink, or white....