Tomatoes, peppers, and flowers thrive in Indiana's changing climate clear into November these days. In the wake of climate change, Indiana's landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation. When I embarked on my gardening journey, the northern reaches of Indiana were firmly situated in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's hardiness zone 5a. However, in recent years, …
As the calendar transitions to fall, life gets busier with back-to-school preparations, the delightful flurry of fall decorating, and anticipation for upcoming holidays. However, amidst all these seasonal activities, it's important not to forget the garden. Fall marks the end of the garden season for many, but it's also the perfect time for essential fall …
Amaryllis are a very popular Christmas plant, but did you know you can keep your plant from year to year and even learn how to grow Amaryllis from seed? In fact, you can even move your dormant Amaryllis outdoors in the spring to allow the leaves to start growing and gathering food through photosynthesis in …
Planting a wildflower garden is like painting a masterpiece with Mother Nature's palette. It's an enchanting journey that infuses vibrancy and vitality into your surroundings. I've found that each bloom tells a story, a tale of resilience and beauty that's unique to its species. By selecting native wildflower seeds, you're not just cultivating a garden; …
Winter may conjure images of barren landscapes, but it's also a time when nature surprises us with the delicate beauty of winter flowering plants. These resilient blooms defy the cold, offering a touch of vibrancy and hope during the frosty months. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the enchanting world of winter gardening, where …
Whether it's a cool corner of your patio, an area under a shady tree, or a balcony that barely sees the sun, even the shadiest spots can be transformed into a lush, vibrant garden with the right shade loving plants for containers. Understanding the unique characteristics and requirements of these shadow-friendly florae, along with the …
Treating plant blight, especially through organic methods, is a topic that's near and dear to my heart. Plant blight, it's a bit like Mother Nature's curveball, isn't it? It throws a wrench into the gears of our gardens, homes and farms, and the culprits behind it are as diverse as a jungle full of exotic …
Planting the fall garden is a passion of mine. As the leaves start to paint the world with their fiery hues and the crisp autumn breeze dances through the garden, I can't help but get excited about what's in store for this fall. It's a season filled with the promise of new beginnings, a time …
Fall fragrant garden plants are a testament to the timeless and soul-nourishing pursuit of gardening, which offers a unique connection to the natural world. The scent of earth, the touch of leaves, and the vibrant blooms can turn a patch of soil into a sanctuary. But what if your garden could offer not just visual …
Greetings, fellow gardening aficionados! I'm absolutely thrilled to delve into the world of natural gardening tips for fall planting with you. There's a unique satisfaction that comes with getting your hands in the soil during the crisp days of autumn, all in preparation for a garden that will burst with life come spring. And you …
When autumn arrives in Indiana, my garden gets a special treat: the breathtaking Monkshood (Aconitum) flowers start to bloom. These deep blue beauties grace my garden typically in October, but they've surprised me by appearing as early as September or lingering into November. Monkshood is one of my favorite flowers for fall and a fascinating …
Welcome to my garden, a sanctuary where nature and beauty harmonize in a mesmerizing dance. Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to an enchanting vine that graces my garden with its elegance - Clematis terniflora, affectionately known as Sweet Autumn Clematis. Don't let its botanical name intimidate you; this vine is all about elevating the …
You know, gardening in the shade can be a bit like solving a puzzle, especially if you are looking specifically for bulbs for shade gardens. Many of the plants we typically associate with gardens crave their daily dose of sunlight. But fear not! There's a whole world of bulbs, rhizomes and tubers out there that …
Hey there, fellow gardening aficionados! If you've ever gazed longingly at tulips, crocus, and hyacinths, wondered how to get bulbs to bloom in hot climates, you're in for a treat. We're about to spill the beans on how to turn this dream into a reality. Picture this: vibrant blooms, against all odds, thriving in your …
Disclaimer: I did receive seeds from Sow Right Seeds in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Are you ready to embark on a journey to cultivate the enchanting milkweed in your garden? In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into everything you need to know about how to plant milkweed. From its …
Disclaimer: Today’s post is sponsored by Monrovia, but my love for their plants is all my own! I was compensated for this post and I did receive free plants. Spring is finally here after what seemed like a never-ending winter - and that means it is time for my Monrovia Plantlust to surface. I Love …
Removing spent blooms from a plant is a gardening practice known as deadheading, and it's a crucial technique for maintaining the health and appearance of various flowering plants, including Dianthus. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the reasons for deadheading, how to deadhead Dianthus with step by step instructions, and how to root your …
Spring flowering bulbs are typically planted in the fall of the previous year. Tulips, daffodils, hyacinth and crocus are all popular spring bulbs. However, not all spring flowering bulbs are planted outdoors. Some spring flowering bulbs are planted in heated greenhouse or unheated tunnel houses during February and March. These bulbs are usually forced for …
Disclaimer: I did receive some of the items mentioned in this article including the Culti-Cave for free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Successfully gardening in cold climates in early January is about tricking Mother Nature - and choosing the right plants. Creating an artificial environment in which plants will …
Plant bulbs in January to get a head start on growing gorgeous flowers for cut flower production. Inside of a heated greenhouse, triteleria, anemone, iris and crocosmia should be planted for early spring bloom. The secret to local success as a cut flower grower is to beat out your competition by having gorgeous cut flower …
I fell in love with the corkscrew leaves of the Albuca species and knew I had to add this to my plant collection. Of course, living in Indiana it can be a bit difficult to obtain fresh seed from other countries, so I joined several plant societies including the Pacific Bulb Society in hopes of …
Although I truly love sharing with you what my senses perceive when I am in the garden, describing the garden is not easy because descriptive writing is not my forte. Bringing the smells, the sights and the sounds alive on paper is - in fact - very difficult. How do you accurately describe the wonderful, translucent way …
Chrysanthemums, commonly called mums are certainly the star of the fall garden, however understanding how to grow mums is crucial to long term gardening success.
Yes, you really can use frost to your advantage in the garden. While often times gardeners don't worry about frost until fall rolls around, it is an issue in early spring as well. Once you learn the basics of using frost to your advantage, you can get a head start on your spring garden and …
Here is a selection of fall blooming perennials that different bloggers recommend for fall. I hope you will visit some of their blogs, leave some comments and find some fall blooming perennials that work well for you. Here in Indiana the color keeps going well into October and with the addition of winter blooming perennial …
Disclaimer: I did receive the products mentioned in this post for free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. To further disclose, I have purchased items from Gurney's Seed & Nursery Co. in the past. You might know you can buy seeds online from Gurney's Seed & Nursery Co., but they sell …
Many people talk about gardening for spiritual health. Have you ever wondered if there is any truth to the fact that gardening can put you in touch with your spiritual side? Or maybe this is just an old wives tale? But did you know that many people think of gardening and romance, or associate gardening …
When it comes to February garden chores, some are small and others are huge, like tapping maple trees. February is a good month to purchase any last minute seeds for the garden, clean used flowerpots and buy seed starting supplies such as seed starting potting mix, peat pots, flower tags and organic fertilizers. This is …
So many people ask me why would gardeners want to grow aconitums's in their garden considering how toxic this plant is. I do grow this in my garden and I have to say the honest answer is, for many reasons. Read on to find out the reasons why someone would want to grow this toxic …
The Amorphophallus titanium, which has bloomed at both Fairchild Tropical Gardens and the University of Wisconsin-Madison in addition to other places, has made headlines year after year because of its enormous size and foul-smelling flowers as well as the rarity of seeing it in bloom! Due to the publicity and the rarity of the Amorphophallus …
Long season garden plants are either those that take a long time to flower, produce their crop or fruit for an extended period of time. Many plants will bloom longer if the faded blooms are cut off. This process is known as deadheading. Most plants need an inch of water a week to thrive and …
These garden flower ideas make it easy to create a riot of color in the late summer garden. The easiest way to do this is by growing perennials that burst into bloom towards the end of the gardening season. In fact some of these plants will last into early winter depending on what your weather is …
Growing a lush garden in the drought is a combination of knowing what plants can withstand the hot, dry weather and how to care for those that just can't. I don't know about your garden, but if it's anything like mine, even the cactus are dying! Everytime I turn on the radio, I hear about …
Often the best way to acquire a plant you want is by growing it from seed, but some plants can be difficult to germinate, so today we will discuss arisaema seed germination. Arisaema, or cobra lily as they are commonly called are fascinating plants, especially for those who love unusual plants in their home landscape. …
With spring upon us again, many of you are looking to perk up your flower beds with a mass of color, try using colorful foliage plants. Annuals are great way to add masses of color either alone or mixed in with trees, shrubs or perennials. Another great way to acheive this goal is to add …
Spring is almost here and plants are already hitting the shelves in stores, some as bare root stock wrapped in spagnum moss or a small amount of peat moss, surrounded with a pretty plastic bag. For those of you who ordered through one of the many mail order companies that can be found online or …
Disclaimer: I did receive some items for free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. BROOMFIELD, CO – Gardeners are generally a calm, even contemplative, group of people. Their passions are ignited by a sweetly scented flower or a great-tasting tomato variety. But one recent issue has turned their passion into …
When many people think of daylilies, they think of the orange ditch lilies you see growing on the side of the road. While these may be the most common summer flowering bulbs that are seen, hybridizing has produced an unbelievable array of colors, including many that are bi-color. Other interesting color combinations include stippled, polychrome, …
If growing tropical bulbs in containers outdoors in the summer is a bit of a challenge to you, you are not alone. While the growing conditions for tropical bulbs or even forcing bulbs indoors require one set of rules, the growing conditions outdoors require yet another set of rules. Everything from water to soil to …
A member of the Malvaceae family, mallows, have been grown since ancient times which means you too can easily grow mallows in your home or yard. Beginning with the ancient Greeks and Chinese, and carried on into the Victorian age up to today, mallows symbolize ambition, abundance, and fruitfulness. One of the more common members of the …
Copyright (C) Sheri Ann Richerson, ExoticGardening.com 1998 - 2021