But there’s a clever way to defy the oppression of summer’s heat: Liatris spicata Are you looking for a hardy perennial to add a bold splash of reliable color and dramatic form to your summer garden? After the exuberant growth of spring and early summer, our gardens can slow down and sag a bit, especially when extended spells of hot weather set in. As the low moisture and high heat conditions continue, grasses go into dormancy, new foliage slows to a crawl, and many plants conserve energy by restricting blooms – leaving gardens looking tired and spent....

Let’s have a look at the three easiest ways to propagate hard-working spirea shrubs. Spirea is among the easiest of shrubs to grow and care for. One of the most popular of flowering woody shrubs, pretty flowers in shades of mauve, pink, rosy red, and white bloom in spring and summer, depending on the variety. The fine textured foliage varies from bright chartreuse to dark green and gives a fiery autumn display in tones of orange, purple, and red – for three full seasons of interest....

Does this sound like your outdoor space? Then you’re in luck! Bleeding hearts – or lady’s lockets, as they’re sometimes known – are the perfect solution for both. Part of what makes bleeding hearts so marvelous is that they add interest to an area that can be a challenge to fill. For instance, if you have a north-facing balcony on the 12th floor of an apartment building, you have limited options....

Here are some great ideas that will help you to Make Your Own Hanging Garden in every room of your house with ease! Check out some beautiful succulent Hanging Gardens here DIYs to Make Your Own Hanging Garden! 1. IKEA Plant Hanger All you need are some hanging planters, flat finish house paint, paintbrush, rope, scissors and a washi tape for this DIY. 2. Upcycled Plant Hangers These cute plant hangers for succulents are made from used bottles of body lotion....

The Japanese maple is one such plant, and nutrition provided at the root level is key. As gardeners trying to cultivate this type of tree, it’s our job to provide all that it needs, which occasionally includes some extra fertilization. Many people don’t tend to think of plants as living things in need of feeding. This feature tends to stand out more in animals, what with their gaping mouths and (sometimes) teeth....

We at Gardener’s Path will explain the difference between citronella ants and termites and explain what to do when these irritating insects invade your home. Lasius interjectus / Lasius claviger In a nice change of pace, citronella (or yellow) ants have no interest in human food. So that means they will never bother me, right? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Citronella ants swarm aggressively in the fall (and often throughout the year), and these swarms can make their way inside....

A shrub with roots in Asian history, Nandina domestica is resistant to pests and disease, and is very adaptable to many different types of exposures. Nandina domestica Looking to upgrade your garden with a durable evergreen shrub that provides year-round interest and doesn’t require the backbreaking labor of higher-maintenance plants, such as roses or hedges? Look no further than heavenly bamboo. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

They’re also super easy to grow, sometimes overtaking a large portion of your garden. But when is the best time to plant mint, and how do you begin if you plan to start with seeds? I bet you can’t guess how many known varieties of edible mint there are. Go ahead, count the Mentha species you know. Including apple mint, spearmint, and watermint, there are about 24 species and numerous natural and cultivated hybrids to choose from!...

Here’s what’s to come in this article: If you’re deciding when to sow kale, there are a number of factors to consider. These include the time of year, your growing zone, your desired harvest date, and the available growing conditions. One of the best things about this hardy green is that it is fairly flexible in terms of when you may start growing it, and a few weeks’ difference won’t set your plants back too much....

What is Corten Steel? Also called the weathering steel, cor-ten steel is maintenance free. It is developed to eliminate the need for painting. It is a group of steel alloys that form a stable rust-like appearance if exposed to the weather for several years. Read more about corten steel on Wikipedia. “By forming a film of dark brown oxidation over the metal, Cor-Ten successfully resists the corrosive effects of weather conditions such as rain, snow, ice, and fog....

Propagating Ti plant in Water is a great way to display this good luck plant on coffee tables in beautiful jars and vases. Let’s have a look at all the information you need to know about Growing Cordyline in Water. Check out our article on how to grow cordyline plants indoors here Ti Plant Commonly known as the Ti plant, it is native to Pacific islands and parts of Southeast Asia....

Let’s learn more about this alluring species and then learn how to attract them to your gardens. After a long flight from South America, a bird could use a juicy meal and a place to rest, right? For purple martins, those tasty insects and summer lodgings could be in your yard, if you offer these attractive and melodious birds a proper residence. With the exception of a limited range in the far northwest, the birds have crossed the western United States off their summer destination list, though they still return each spring to the eastern part of the country....

There isn’t much to harvesting blueberries. In my opinion, the wait is by far the most challenging part! I can’t think of anything more delightful than fresh picked blueberries. And If I’m being honest, I become so excited for fresh berries each summer that I have a hard time waiting for them to fully ripen. While it may be tempting to pick them as soon as they appear, exercising restraint until the time is right will result in bigger, more flavorful berries....

That’s what this guide will address. We’ll help you figure out when to harvest, how to do it, and how to preserve the fruits once you’ve gotten your hands on them. Juniper berries – which are actually cones, not berries at all – are incredibly versatile. They can be used to flavor drinks, savory dishes, and desserts. They can also be used medicinally, or even to make a sourdough starter!...

You know mom, though. If she can see the potential in that withered houseplant or 10 square feet of compacted earth she calls “the garden,” she’ll love any gift you come up with. Mother’s Day is a great opportunity to honor a mom who gardens. After all, she’s brought so many gifts to the world, whether by growing vegetables or flowers, improving the soil, beautifying the landscape – or maybe weeding....

In autumn, we show off our pumpkin and gourd collections, and we decorate with warm colors. Many of us love to bring all of this together in charming arrangements in our yards and gardens, and on our front porches. Fall is a celebration. It’s the celebration of a successful summer growing season with a much anticipated reward – a bountiful harvest. So it’s no surprise that our autumn-themed outdoor decorations reflect this....

With incredible vigor, hardiness, and the ability to grow in a ridiculously vast range of conditions, Parthenocissus tricuspidata will coat structures, cover the ground, and crawl over your pesky landscape deformities. It’ll even keep buildings cool in the summertime! Parthenocissus tricuspidata Growing plants in soil is fun… but how about growing plants up buildings? If you’re looking for a plant that’s tough, visually stunning, and capable of adhering to vertical surfaces like a botanical Spider-Man, then Boston ivy is all you need....

Small flowers in luscious shades of mauve, pink, and raspberry red form clouds of color, rising on wiry, branched stems from cushions of pretty, steel blue foliage. Dianthus gratianopolitanus Highly evocative of cottage and rock gardens, Cheddar pinks, Dianthus gratianopolitanus, are members of the carnation family, with delightful, fringed flowers and a spicy fragrance of sweet cloves. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission....

For the home gardener, the beautiful Spanish species (Lavandula stoechas) and its cultivars are the best performers for hot and humid climates, with the pretty French (L. dentata) selections coming a close second. With beautiful purple, blue, pink, or white flowers and delightful perfume, lavender is a garden favorite around the world. Unfortunately, not all varieties are suitable for hot or humid regions. However, that doesn’t mean folks in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 and up can’t enjoy them too....

So we know yellow leaves are a red flag, but how do we figure out exactly how to fix the problem – or even determine what it is in the first place? If only plants could talk, they could tell us that they aren’t feeling well. Your grapevines could warn you that they’re being attacked by a fungus and your roses could alert you to a serious thrips infestation before you ever saw any signs of it....