Plants & Flowers

Good plant selection is all about finding the right plant for the right place. Ground made up of little more than rock shards is a boon for wild-garden enthusiasts. Nutrients rapidly wash out of the plant's rooting zone near the surface, making it harder for vigorous, weedy grasses to take hold and easier for wildflowers to establish. You might be able to slightly alter your dry soil composition by adding some more organic matter to improve water retention. You can also add some more grit to improve drainage, but the quantities you need are enormous. It is far more sensible to consider the existing conditions in your garden and do your best to work within its limits. Sometimes it is the restrictions we face that stimulate the most creative solutions. Rather than enriching your soil, just pick plants that like tough terrain. Today I’m sharing with you a selection of plants which, once established, should be tough enough to cope with even the toughest, driest spot in your garden, thriving in even the hottest summers.

What’s not to love about herbs? They’re super easy to grow, and perennial types come back every spring, many lasting through the first frost. Create a simple potager, or kitchen garden, and harvest your herbs for cooking, sprucing up lemonade, cocktails and tea or simply enjoy their cottage charm (and sweet smells!). Herbs are also great looking greenery in cutting garden bouquets of other spring and summer flowers like zinnias and daisies. Many types of herbs have gorgeous blooms for weeks, attracting beneficial pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
Perennial herbs take some of the heavy lifting out of garden design by returning year after year. They are easy to grow and always look wonderful. A perennial herb bed also makes it possible for you to divide and expand your herbal plants at no cost. When designing your garden, consider these six plants for an easy-care, long-lasting herb garden.

Lilies surely are the most glamorous of flowers, combining their wondrous colors and patterns with a grace and elegance unmatched by any other plant in our gardens. The majority have scent, powerful enough to make you weak at the knees. To find a bulb that is so easy to cultivate, reliably produces spectacular results, year after year, and brings a touch of exoticism wherever it is grown, has to be horticultural happiness. Many of us plant lovers have limited space in our gardens. You may live in an apartment, with no yard, or you may have already filled your flower beds to the brim. Yet, you find yourself drawn to the exotic look of lilies and, as a result, wonder “can you grow lily plants in pots?” The answer is yes. As long as you have enough space on your porch, patio or balcony for a medium to large pot, you can grow potted lily plants. Read on to learn more.

No cutting garden is complete without at least one row of fragrant, nostalgic sweet peas. Each spring as they climb their trellises, it’s like seeing my dear old friends once again. Perfect for picking, fragrant sweet peas are easy to grow and come in a range of beautiful colors. You can grow them in pots or in the ground, training them up a frame for a beautiful display. Plant sweet peas near a seating area so you can smell them as you sit and relax in the garden. Or pick some for the vase – even a small amount can fill a room with fragrance. Discover some tips and instructions on growing sweet peas, including advice on sowing the seeds and planting the plugs out in the garden.

Everyone loves the beauty and scent of roses! As Shakespeare wrote, “The rose looks fair, but fairer we it deem For that sweet odour which doth in it live.” Roses have a reputation for being difficult to grow, but some of this may come from rose lovers' obsession with perfection and waiting for the ultimate blooms each season. However, rose care is easier than you might think—anyone can grow them successfully. You just need to plant your roses in a sunny location with good drainage, and fertilize them regularly for impressive flowers. Also, water them evenly to keep the soil moist. Prune established rose bushes in early spring. Watch for diseases like powdery mildew or black spot. If you’ve been afraid to start a rose garden, the truth is, roses are no more difficult to care for than other flowering shrubs. Today I’d like to share with you simple rules and tips to grow roses even if you have never done that before. Follow these essential rules to learn. Enjoy!