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Editor's Note: The month of May is nearly upon us, and in almost every part of the country it's prime gardening season! If you haven't put your vegetable transplants into the ground, now may be the time to do so. (Hint: if you aren't sure when to plant, enter your zipcode into our planting calendar and find out.) If you don't have space for a vegetable garden, don't overlook your landscaping. There are lots of lovely plants that you can grow that are both ornamental and edible. If you don't have landscaping, you can still grow in containers; many vegetables and herbs can be grown as easily as houseplants, as long as they get plenty of direct sunlight.
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 The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.
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Drought Tolerant Annuals
No matter where you live, water is a precious resource. Some of us need to conserve more actively than others, but none of us would willingly waste water. So why not plant drought tolerant flowering annuals? In addition to saving on your water bill, you'll spend less time on garden maintenance. |
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Inviting Bees to the City
The city, with its overpopulation of skyscrapers, isn't exactly the most inviting place for bees to call home, yet it can be and it should be, especially in today's' bee-drought world. By activating your inner urban gardener, you can make a place for bees in the crannies of green hiding between those tall buildings, in the plots of land left unused, on rooftops, and on fire escapes adorning those apartment complexes. Read on to find out how... |
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Guide to Growing Wildflowers
The beauty of wildflowers is they're easy to grow, colorful from spring until fall, they provide color for years with little maintenance, and they attract wildlife such as butterflies and birds to your yard. |
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Growing Giant Tomatoes
Read all about tomato growers who have discovered special techniques that gives them a certain edge in growing "the big one." We've included a 10-step checklist for growing prizewinning tomatoes to help you grow your own. |
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Building a Terrarium
Terrariums can take many forms; all you really need is a clear glass container without drainage holes that's large enough to fit the plant or plants without them hugging the sides, which can lead to disease. You don't need an aquarium-sized home; a small round vase or candle holder can accommodate one special plant. You can find some unique containers by searching antique shops and second-hand stores. Glass bell jars are especially beautiful. |
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Sponsored by AgroThrive "This tree was planted 5 years ago and hardly flowers every spring. I have used various fertilizers with little success. This year, I used AgroThrive Organic Fertilizer - Fruit & Flower. I started fertilizing the flowering crab about a month ago and now this tree is so full of blooming flowers! I've also been fertilizing the rest of my garden with AgroThrive and the result is AMAZING!" - Alice from Washington, AgroThrive User Submission. Click here to shop Fruit & Flower Fertilizer
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Double Daffodil (Narcissus 'Butter and Eggs')
Division: Division 4 - Double
Color: Perianth (Petals): Yellow
Color: Corona (Cups): Orange
Description: see comments below
Bloom season: VE - Very Early Spring
Height classification: Standard (12.8" to 26.6")
Special Classes: ADS Historics
Hybridizer: Unknown
Year of registration: Registered/flowering pre 1777
Country of Origin: Unknown
Origin of name: Name doubtless suggested by the colouring n the flowers which is of a light butter-yellow
Awards: Award of Merit, Innovation Medal
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Nuttall's Sensitive Briar (Mimosa nuttallii)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun, Full Sun to Partial Shade
Plant Height: 6 - 10 inches
Plant Spread: 24 - 36 inches
Leaves: Other
Fruit: Showy
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Pink
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Flower Time: Late spring or early summer, Summer, Late summer or early fall
Suitable Locations: Xeriscapic
Uses: Will Naturalize
Wildlife Attractant: Butterflies, Bees
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Shrimp Plant (Justicia brandegeeana)
Plant Habit: Shrub
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade, Partial or Dappled Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Plant Height: 3-5 feet
Plant Spread: 3 feet
Leaves: Evergreen, Other
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Multi-Color, Other, Brown
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Flower Time: Late spring or early summer, Summer, Late summer or early fall
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Mophead Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'White Robe')
Plant Habit: Shrub
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade, Partial or Dappled Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Plant Height: 3 feet
Plant Spread: 3 feet
Leaves: Deciduous
Fruit: Dehiscent
Flowers: Showy, Blooms on old wood
Flower Time: Summer
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem, Cuttings: Cane, Division
Pollinators: Bees
Miscellaneous: Patent/Plant Breeders' Rights
Parentage: Sport of: Buffie
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Goatsbeard (Aruncus)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade, Partial or Dappled Shade
Water Preferences: Wet, Wet Mesic
Plant Height: 4-6 feet
Plant Spread: 2-4 feet
Leaves: Broadleaf
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: White
Bloom Size: 6"-12"
Flower Time: Spring, Late spring or early summer
Underground structures: Rhizome
Suitable Locations: Bog gardening
Uses: Medicinal Herb, Will Naturalize
Resistances: Flood Resistant
Miscellaneous: Dioecious
Conservation status: Least Concern (LC)
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Sponsored by Jung Seed Jung Seed Company has created five lovely collections for Mother's Day. The lavender and honey products are local and sustainably sourced from family-owned and operated farms in Wisconsin. We paired them with customer favorites to create unique gifts your mother will cherish. Whether she enjoys a home spa experience, culinary delights, or enjoys listening to birds in the garden, we have something every mother will want on her special day.
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 Photo by Betja
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 Photo by Hemlass
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 Photo by Valery33
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 Photo by GigiPlumeria
"This is bright yellow in person. Hard to capture it’s beautiful yellow bloom!"
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 Photo by SoCalGardenNut
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 Photo by Valery33
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 Photo by HamiltonSquare
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 Photo by RuuddeBlock
"Unknown species"
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 Photo by AnnKNCalif
"Two very different looking blooms from the same plant; the smaller bloom is typical of the variety."
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 Photo by Joy
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Active threads from our forums:
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The numbers from this week:
540 members joined.
5,369 posts written in our forums.
1,762 photos posted to the plant database.
959 plants added to personal inventory lists.
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 The spring wakes us, nurtures us and revitalizes us. How often does your spring come?
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