Care Guides

Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) is an herbaceous perennial known for its distinctive inflated flower buds, which resemble small balloons before opening into broad, five-lobed, star-shaped flowers. A member of the bellflower family (Campanulaceae), it is native to East Asia and

Kochia (Bassia scoparia, syn. Kochia scoparia) is a fast-growing annual known for its dense branching, fine-textured foliage, and naturally rounded growth habit. Often called summer cypress, the plant is grown ornamentally for its soft green foliage, which can develop reddish

Garden pests and plant diseases are common challenges, but keeping them under control doesn’t always require aggressive treatments. Many problems can be reduced through healthy growing practices, early identification, physical barriers, and protection of beneficial insects. Eco-friendly pest and disease

Grevilleas are evergreen shrubs and trees in the Proteaceae family, known for their distinctive flowers, diverse foliage, and value to nectar-feeding wildlife. Native primarily to Australia, the genus includes nearly 400 accepted species. Depending on the species or cultivar, Grevillea

Rodents can cause frustrating garden damage. They may nibble seedlings, dig around bulbs, gnaw bark, and feed on fruits and vegetables. These problems lead many gardeners to search for natural ways to discourage mice, voles, rats, and other unwanted visitors.

Peonies are long-lived flowering perennials prized for their large, often fragrant blooms. Depending on the type and cultivar, flowers may be white, pink, red, coral, yellow, or multicolored and typically bloom from late spring into early summer. Garden peonies are

Getting your flower beds ready for spring can give plants a healthy start after winter and make garden maintenance easier throughout the growing season. Before planting begins, it’s worth checking for winter damage, clearing excess debris and weeds, assessing soil

You don’t need a large garden to grow an impressive display of flowers. Even a small apartment balcony can support colorful annuals, compact perennials, trailing flowers, and container plants when you choose varieties suited to the available sunlight, wind exposure,

Understanding your plant hardiness zone can make it easier to choose perennials, shrubs, and trees suited to your area’s winter temperatures. In the United States, the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map divides the country into Zones 1 through 13 based

Container flower gardens are an easy way to bring color, texture, and seasonal interest to patios, balconies, decks, entrances, and other small outdoor spaces. With the right combination of containers and plants, even a limited growing area can support an