Flowering is infrequent, and consists of pendant-style clusters of tiny yellow blossoms that pale in comparison to a breathtaking backdrop of richly-hued foliage. Codiaeum variegatum Tropical garden croton, Codiaeum variegatum, makes a spectacular houseplant. A member of the genus Codiaeum in the Euphorbiaceae, or spurge, family, it is not to be confused with the “true croton” species of the genus Croton, also in the spurge family. If you’ve vacationed where it’s warm and humid, you’ve probably been awed by this brightly-colored shrub....

Crushed seeds from multiple species were once used to treat toothache. Solanum melongena The purple, pear-shaped fruit displayed in the produce section of the grocery store only tells a small part of the eggplant’s story. Native to Asia, where it’s still found growing wild as a perennial, eggplant has been used for thousands of years. And while mostly enjoyed for its edible fruit, it has a history of medicinal use as well....

I know I would’ve been eager to figure out what lay inside of it! How fortunate that our forebears sampled this once-wild fruit, with its one-of-a-kind shape, and its inner chambers bursting with nutritious, juicy gems. Punica granatum Can you imagine being the first person to stumble upon a pomegranate growing in the wild? What must they have thought, when they found those odd globes hanging from the branches just overhead?...

Not only will you have a ready list of companions by the end of this article, but you will also understand the ways in which these plants will help your kale thrive. You’ve made the smart decision to include kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) in your vegetable garden. Kudos, that is an excellent choice. And now you’re wondering which plants are the best companions for this cherished cruciferous plant. There are a wide selection of buddies available for your kale, and I recommend that you pick not just one, but several of them....

You will be surprised to know that apart from sipping wine, there are many Things to Do with Wine Glasses! Have a look at them here! Check out our article on growing succulents in wine glasses here Cute Things to Do with Wine Glasses 1. Succulent Garden Create a mini succulent garden in wine glasses. The steps are simple and aptly explained on Cambria Wines! 2. Color-Dipped Glass Vase This 10-minute color dipped planter craft is perfect if you want to display your air plants or succulents....

Plus, it returns year after year as a perennial in some circumstances, without becoming invasive. And it’s pretty hard to beat the intensity of color that these blossoms show off for most of the summer and fall. Tagetes patula There are marigolds, and then there are French marigolds. The mounding, full, and frilly display of these fantastic flowers is a staple in gardens across the country – and no wonder, because it would be hard to find a flower this bold that is easier to grow....

As the earliest-flowering stone fruit, the almond tree has the added bonus of also being an ornamental flowering tree, growing 10 to 15 feet high, and replete with fragrant pink or white flowers in early spring. Prunus dulcis From candy, to marzipan (my all-time favorite), to the boom in almond “milk” interest, people are absolutely nutty about almonds, and rightly so. Believe it or not this coveted tree crop has been cultivated from as early as 4,000 BC – and shows no sign of dropping out of fashion any time soon....

Let’s take a look at some of those benefits and discover how you can save broccoli seeds at home. It’s no secret that broccoli, Brassica oleracea var. italica, is one of the most common home garden plants in cultivation. But did you know that the part of the broccoli plant that we typically consume is actually comprised of thousands of tiny, unopened blooms? Allowing the broccoli plant to mature rather than harvesting the head means there’s time for those blooms to open and potentially be pollinated, resulting in the production of seed....

If those stunning erupting volcanoes of blooms just don’t appear as expected, however, don’t despair. In these cases, it usually boils down to one or more of the following issues. If it’s well into summer and your bee balm plants still aren’t displaying their signature colorful flowers, check out our guide down below to pinpoint whether the problem is your climate, soil fertility, irrigation, crowding, pests, or disease. Bee balm (Monarda spp....

Passionflowers come in a surprising range of colors, sizes, and shapes. There are nearly 600 known species in the Passiflora genus and over 700 recorded cultivars, most of which are hybrids. Most are vines, but some even have a tree-like growth habit. Many people in the US are most familiar with the purple passionflower, with its purple petals and corona, topped with yellow anthers and stamens. In Europe, growers love the similar-looking bluecrown passionflower, and it’s the most popular variety there....

First Impressions In the ensuing weeks after I first opened my hard copy of “Edible Flowers” I barely noticed the transformation, but within just a few days it was already sporting a few slap-dash bookmarks in the form of old receipts and Post-it placeholders, and I’d found a spot for it on my nightstand. Deer and rabbits aren’t the only ones that eye a garden or landscape full of flowers and think, “Let’s eat!...

We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. About the Author Country living appeals to many who yearn for a simpler life, but in fact, it’s hard work. Author Carla Emery was no stranger to this fact, having spent her childhood on a Montana sheep ranch and her adult years on an Idaho farm. Whether your address is a city block or a rural route, this 928-page paperback volume is an irresistible invitation to live like a pioneer in a twenty-first-century world....

But be warned: unless you live in Florida, Hawaii, California, or deep south Texas, the prospect of walking out to the backyard to harvest fresh avocados for a batch of guacamole is but a dream. Persea americana We all know, of course, that letter carriers deliver the mail. But I wonder how many of you know about the 1920s mailman who “delivered” what would become most popular avocado in the United States?...

It’s an old favorite for a reason, and you’ll see why below. Here’s what’s ahead in this article: Jacobaea maritima The trouble with dusty miller is finding something not to like about it. It has a lovely hue, likes full sun, and doesn’t care to be watered too often. You can throw it in the garden or in a container, and it will sing its thanks with reliable silvery foliage....

Just as they require the right lighting and watering for healthy growth, plants from the Spathiphyllum genus also need a consistent supply of nutrients to thrive. Peace lilies are beautiful, easy-care houseplants with an abundance of lush, deep green leaves and pretty, flag-like white spathes that are often confused for flowers. But to ensure their vibrant health with plentiful spathes, they need to be fertilized throughout the growing season. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

In this article, I’m going to introduce you to my 13 favorite yarrow varieties you are sure to love. Not just another pretty face in a lush and lazy garden, yarrow (Achillea) earns its keep in the worst soils with the least amount of water. If you’ve got barren areas crying out for color, it’s yarrow to the rescue! This hardy flowering perennial thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9....

If you are a fussy plant parent who always forgets to take care of his green friends, then here are some beautiful Succulents that Don’t Need Water Before a Month that you can grow without worrying about maintaining them! Here are the easiest to grow Succulents Succulents that Don’t Need Water Before a Month All succulents are capable of tolerating droughts due to their fleshy foliage that helps them in conserving water....

They can be used on foliage, food storage facilities, soil, or water environments. What is BT? Bt is the abbreviation for bacteria that were named Bacillus thuringiensis in 1911 after the discovery that they could kill Mediterranean flour moths in the German city of Thuringia. These common soil bacteria have been used as microbial insecticides for the last century. Farmers in Europe were the first to recognize their potential in 1920, and US farmers started using them in 1958....

These plants are pretty easy to care for when they’re lush and growing. But when winter strikes, you’ll need to change your approach. At this time of year, the cultural requirements of Parthenocissus tricuspidata will change. Whether it’s gracing the brick walls of Ivy League campuses or an old backyard shed, the way that Boston ivy adheres to vertical surfaces is incredible. Combine this climbing ability with quick growth, beautiful fall foliage, and versatile toughness, and you’ve got yourself an all-star planting!...

This garden vegetable takes a lot of space, water, and warm or hot weather to produce. But the results – wow! Pumpkins spur the imagination, from the 19th century idea of using them for jack-o’-lanterns to Cinderella and her spellbound pumpkin carriage. But along with folksy celebrations and fairy tales, pumpkins can help you to be more imaginative in the kitchen. While most are familiar with pie pumpkins, there are many other delicious ways to enjoy these members of the Cucurbitaceae family....