Landscaping
Landscaping, including landscape plants like trees and shrubs, as well as lawns and ornamental plants.
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How long does it take for a tree to grow?
Just about everyone with a yard has wondered how long it takes for a tree to grow. We plant trees in our landscape for shade,…
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Decorative gravel
Decorative gravel is any type of small ornamental rocks or rock fragments used in exterior decor or landscaping. Most landscaping uses for decorative gravel are…
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Japanese boxwood
Japanese boxwood (Buxus microphylla) is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with small glossy green leaves. Also called littleleaf boxwood, this species is among the coldest, most…
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Shade plants
Shady yards are incredibly common, especially in neighborhoods with mature trees or houses built close together. The good news is that shade isn’t a problem.…
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7 garden edging ideas
The border between a garden and an adjacent lawn or pathway is an important hardscaping feature to both practically and aesthetically divide the landscape. Here…
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Meditation garden
A meditation garden is a peaceful, cultivated sanctuary in nature. It is a quiet retreat where you can focus on your breath, enjoy the present…
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Feeding hummingbirds
Feeding hummingbirds in your yard or on your balcony is a wonderful way to welcome and support local wildlife. Fortunately there are a few things…
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Pachysandra
Pachysandra is a shade-loving evergreen groundcover plant perfect for carpeting low-light areas with a rich, forest-green lushness. This plant is low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and long-lived in…
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Wire trellis
A wire trellis is a support framework made with tensioned wires for a climbing plant. Most commonly, wire trellises are constructed against walls, but they…
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Major Wheeler honeysuckle
Major Wheeler honeysuckle is a variety of coral honeysuckle native to the eastern United States known for its abundant flowers and their ability to attract…
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24 native plants for birds
Native plants are a key source of food for birds. Naturally occurring plants grow seeds and berries for the birds and attract protein-rich insects. Many…
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Winter Gem boxwood
‘Winter Gem’ is a cultivar of little leaf boxwood that is particularly hardy to cold-weather conditions. Winter gem boxwood retains its lovely emerald green throughout…
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When to prune maple trees
Wondering when to prune maple trees? I was too. Here’s what I’ve found over the last few years of learning from experts and caring for…
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Pleached hornbeam
Pleached hornbeam refers to deciduous hornbeam trees (Carpinus betulus) trained into a flat, 2-dimensional wall of greenery. Rows of pleached hornbeam are most often used…
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Blue Moon wisteria
Blue Moon wisteria is a cultivar of Kentucky wisteria, native to the USA. This long-lived flowering vine loves the sunshine and can bloom several times…
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Solar bird bath fountain
My solar bird bath fountain turned out to be a surprise favorite feature in the garden. This self-contained little cordless floating fountain unit turns a…
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Sweet woodruff
Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a lovely herbaceous perennial plant well-suited as a groundcover in a shady woodland garden. Delicate green leaves appear as the…
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How to keep mulch in place
Learning how to keep mulch in place is key to a well-kept garden. Weather like rain and wind – or even just foot traffic –…
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Magnolia blossoms
Magnolia blossoms are large, graceful flowers that bloom in early spring on Magnolia plants. These trees (or large shrubs) are easy to grow in residential…
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Sargent crabapple
The Sargent Crabapple is a lovely, small landscaping tree that’s perfect for residential yards. This plant is low-maintenance, beneficial to pollinators, and puts on a…
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The best time to fertilize lawn (before or after rain)
Who else has wondered if the best time to fertilize your lawn is before or after it rains? I certainly have. Here’s what I found…
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Betty magnolia
Magnolia “Betty” is a spring-flowering deciduous plant that makes a wonderful specimen tree in residential yards. These magnolias are easy to grow, low-maintenance, frost-hardy, and…
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10 mulching tips
Well-applied mulch improves both the look and the health of your garden. Fortunately, it’s easy to apply mulch correctly once you understand the common pitfalls…
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Concrete bird baths
Concrete bird baths are an attractive garden feature that make your yard welcoming to local birds. Traditional solid concrete birdbaths are a centerpiece of garden…
