 Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
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Marvelous Mums
Now showing at a garden near you (or perhaps in your own) the Golden Flowers of the Orient are bursting into bloom. Though best known for firing up fall with color, chrysanthemums are among the easiest perennials to grow in a garden - regardless of where that garden happens to be. Mums are happy in the dry heat of the Southwest or the humidity of either of the Washingtons, and many varieties can withstand winters in Minnesota or Maine. |  |
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How to Grow and Care for Begonias
Few plants rival the stunning, season-long flowers of begonias — and even fewer bloom so abundantly in shade! Begonias are tender perennial plants that bloom nonstop with flowers in warm shades of red, pink, salmon, and yellow, as well as white and bi-color. They can be grown outdoors year-round in tropical and subtropical climates. In cooler regions they can be grown as annuals or enjoyed as houseplants during winter. |  |
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No-Dig Gardening
By simply adding organic materials each year on top of the garden you can build the fertility of the soil without having to dig the materials into the soil. Plus, no dig helps in a small way with reducing global warming. The less you dig, the slower the organic materials break down releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. |  |
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Planting Trees
Bare-root trees are available in late winter/early spring when the plants are dormant. However, you can buy plants in containers and burlap throughout the growing season, and in most parts of the country, fall is an ideal time to plant trees and shrubs. The air has cooled, reducing heat stress, while the soil remains warm, encouraging strong root growth. |  |
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Spruce Up the Winter Garden With Conifers
Conifers make an excellent choice to spruce up the winter garden, as they provide a beautiful focal point even throughout the bleakest months. This article is a snapshot of many great conifers for the winter garden that can easily be found at your local nursery or garden center. |  |
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Slugs and Snails
These mollusks are found throughout North America, particularly in moist, temperate climates. Snails require calcium for their shells, so are less common in areas where this mineral is lacking. Their presence is indicated by large irregularly shaped holes in the leaves of plants and shiny slime trails. They are active mostly at night and in wet weather. |  |
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Planning a Low-Maintenance Landscape
Landscapes that require minimum time and money to maintain require thoughtful planning and installation. Invest early in planning and structures, and you'll pay (and work) less later. Choose structures, plants, ground-coverings, and systems that will help to reduce watering, weeding, trimming, painting, and mowing. |  |
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Garden Craft Project: Making Plant-based Dyes
Throughout history humans have used natural dyes to distinguish social classes (serfs and masters), for ceremonial purposes (the Navajo), decoration, and fashion. Here are some guidelines to help kids try their hands at this ancient craft -- with a little adult help, of course. |  |
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Sponsored by Jung Seed There's still time to plant fall bulbs for spring blooms. 40% off Bulb Sale! Supplies are limited. Shop now.
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Intermediate Bearded Iris (Iris 'Midnight Sharp')
Hybridizer: George Sutton
Year Of Registration: 2009
Year Of Introduction (May Differ From Registry): 2010
Classification: Intermediate Bearded (IB)
Registered Height: 25 inches (64 cm)
Bloom Season: Early Mid
Flower Form: Ruffled
Bloom Color Classification: Purple
Flower Patterns: Bitone
Bloom Color Description: Black purple
Beard Color: Black purple, tipped rust
Style Arm Color: Black purple
Fragrance: Musky
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 3 -40 °C (-40 °F) to -37.2 °C (-35)
Flowers: Showy, Fragrant
Ploidy: Unbalanced Tetraploid
Parentage: T-653: (Q-694: ((Star Master x Progressive Attitude) x (Kathleen Kay Nelson x Diabolique)) x Yosemite Nights) X Sweet Baby
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Dahlia 'Tsuki Yori No Shisha'
Size: Medium (B): over 6 to 8 inches in diameter.
Form: Laciniated (LC)
Color: White (W)
Year Introduced: 1953
Country of Origin: Japan
Hybridizer or Originator: Kumagai
ADS Classification Code: 2501
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Flowers: Showy
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
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Fall Aster (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Henry III')
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 6b -20.6 °C (-5 °F) to -17.8 °C (0 °F)
Plant Height: 18" to 24"
Plant Spread: 18" to 24"
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Purple
Bloom Size: 1"-2"
Flower Time: Late summer or early fall, Fall
Uses: Cut Flower
Wildlife Attractant: Butterflies, Bees, Other Beneficial Insects
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Meyer's Lemon (Citrus x limon 'Improved Meyer')
Plant Habit: Tree
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun, Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 9a -6.7 °C (20 °F) to -3.9 °C (25 °F)
Plant Height: 10 feet to 15 feet
Plant Spread: 6 feet to 10 feet
Leaves: Fragrant, Evergreen
Fruit: Showy, Edible to birds, Other
Fruiting Time: Year Round
Flowers: Showy, Fragrant
Flower Color: White, Other
Bloom Size: 1"-2"
Flower Time: Spring, Late winter or early spring
Suitable Locations: Houseplant, Patio/Ornamental/Small Tree
Uses: Provides winter interest
Edible Parts: Fruit
Eating Methods: Raw, Cooked
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Resistances: Humidity tolerant
Pollinators: Various insects
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger, Needs excellent drainage in pots
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Sponsored by Victory Seed Company Ever heard of Tatsoi?
This easy to grow biennial vegetable grows well through mild winters, and in late spring gives beautiful yellow flowers that the bees love. Let it go to seed in the summer and it will naturalize and come back each year for you. The dark green foliage and small tidy appearance make it a good ornamental choice to grow right in your landscaping. Excellent eaten fresh like spinach, and it's also a stir-fry favorite. This is one of our family's favorite greens to grow. Check it out at VictorySeeds.com.
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 Photo by Wonderbeecats
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 Photo by MS_Wegener
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 Photo by CousinChristie
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 Photo by GigiPlumeria
"My Black Romance grafted desert rose."
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 Photo by floota
"PUMPKIN AND SPICE"
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 Photo by janinilulu
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 Photo by Baja_Costero
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 Photo by HamiltonSquare
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 Photo by GigiPlumeria
"My beautiful grafted desert rose, ‘Pink Diamond’"
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 Photo by aikenforflowers
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Active threads from our forums:
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The numbers from this week:
290 members joined.
2,902 posts written in our forums.
960 photos posted to the plant database.
429 plants added to personal inventory lists.
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 Gardens are a form of autobiography.
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