In the world of small trees, few offer as much late-season drama as the seven-son flower. This Chinese native brings fragrant blooms to the garden when most other trees have finished flowering, followed by colourful seed displays and attractive exfoliating bark. For gardeners seeking extended seasonal interest, this tree delivers in spades. Image by Fallbrook, ...

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My wife is Australian and I lived in Australia for 10 years between 2008 and 2018. Before that I had visited the country several times. And before that, I had started growing native Australian Garden plants in my garden in London because, frankly, some of them are fantastic plants with unique characteristics Australian native garden ...

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When I first encountered Piet Oudolf’s work, it challenged everything I thought I knew about what makes a garden beautiful. Most gardeners, myself included for many years, focus almost entirely on the flowering season. We plan for summer colour, chase after the longest blooming perennials, and then feel rather defeated when autumn arrives. Oudolf changed ...

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The post Beyond flowers: How Piet Oudolf’s four-season garden design changed winter gardens appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Winter flowering plants can give you and your garden the lift that is needed in the coldest, darkest months of the year. When most plants are dormant, winter-flowering plants can make a dramatic difference in your garden. These plants are hardy enough to survive in low temperatures. They will also also thrive in the short ...

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As autumn arrives and temperatures begin to drop, the wildlife in our gardens faces its greatest challenge of the year. You may have hedgehogs preparing for hibernation, birds struggling to find food sources, and beneficial insects seeking shelter. Even though we may not be aware of it, countless creatures depend on our outdoor spaces for ...

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The post Preparing your garden for winter wildlife: a guide for Autumn/Fall appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

I often find it really hard to work in the garden in Autumn/Fall. I always feel a bit ‘gardened out’ at this time of year. I’m not sure whether it is a seasonal affective disorder, but I usually feel quite a profound sadness that the summer has gone. But, at the same time, I know ...

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The post 10 Essential Autumn gardening tasks for a healthy and vibrant spring garden appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Fall planting often surprises new gardeners, but it’s a great time to get things in the ground. Here are some of the reasons why autumn/fall planting is a good iea: Vegetables for Fall Planting Garlic: The Autumn Essential Garlic absolutely must go in during autumn for proper bulb development. I plant mine in October here ...

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The dwarf Korean lilac tree (Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’) brings the romance and fragrance of traditional lilacs to gardens where space is precious. This compact charmer offers all the sensory pleasures of its larger cousins – intoxicating fragrance, beautiful flowers, and spring magic – in a size that fits perfectly into contemporary landscapes. The Lilac Legacy ...

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Crabapples represent one of the most rewarding flowering trees for temperate gardens, offering spectacular spring blooms, attractive summer foliage, colorful autumn fruits, and excellent wildlife value. Modern disease-resistant cultivars have overcome the problems that plagued older varieties, making today’s crabapples reliable, low-maintenance choices for gardens of all sizes. The genus Malus encompasses both edible apples ...

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The post How to grow Crabapple (Malus): A complete guide to these beautiful, bee-friendly trees appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

The European hornbeam, often called the “muscle tree” due to its distinctively ridged bark, represents one of the most versatile and reliable trees available to modern gardeners. This deciduous hardwood combines exceptional durability with elegant form, making it equally suited to formal landscapes, naturalistic settings, and challenging urban environments where many other trees struggle to ...

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The post Gardeners guide to growing Carpinus Betulus -the European Hornbeam appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

The paperbark maple stands as one of the most stunning small to medium garden trees available to gardeners, earning its reputation as the “aristocrat of maples.” With its extraordinary cinnamon-colored exfoliating bark, brilliant autumn foliage, and manageable size, this Chinese native has become a coveted specimen tree for discerning gardeners worldwide. Feature Image: Acer Griseum ...

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The little-leaf linden (also commonly known as the lime tree) stands as one of the most versatile and reliable small to medium sized shade trees available to temperate gardeners It combines exceptional urban tolerance with fragrant summer flowers, attractive heart-shaped foliage, and excellent adaptability to formal or informal landscape settings. This European native is great ...

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The post Linden tree (Tilia cordata): complete growing guide appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Small to medium sized garden trees are the perfect solution for gardens that need more than a shrub but less than a towering canopy tree. These versatile trees provide structure, seasonal interest, and focal points while remaining manageable in size. Here are 10 superb small to medium garden trees that will enhance your landscape without ...

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Trees are perhaps the most valuable investment you can make in your garden, providing benefits that extend far beyond their immediate beauty. Landscape trees create the structural framework of any landscape, offering height, seasonal interst, and a sense of permanence that transforms outdoor spaces from mere gardens into landscapes. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, trees provide ...

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Blanket Flower, or Gaillardia x grandiflora, brings vibrant splashes of red, orange and yellow to any garden with its daisy-like blooms that resemble brightly coloured blankets. Native to North American prairies, these cheerful perennials have adapted to thrive in rocky, sandy soils with excellent drainage and full sun exposure. Blanket Flower is easy to grow ...

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The post How to grow Blanket Flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora): complete guide to cultivating these vibrant, drought-tolerant perennials appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Your complete guide to choosing the right Australian native plants for your specific climate zone I spent 10 years living in Australia and during that time I never ceased to be amazed at the physical beauty and variety of the country – and its native plants play a big part in creating that stunning environment. ...

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If you’re searching for a plant with serious architectural presence and lush, exotic foliage, Melianthus major, commonly known as the Honey Bush, deserves a place on your shortlist. This striking perennial shrub, native to South Africa, is best known for its jagged, deeply-cut blue-green leaves and bold texture. But it’s not just a foliage star ...

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If you’re searching for a plant that offers bold colour, long-lasting blooms, and exceptional pollinator appeal, Salvia deserves a prime spot in your garden. With hundreds of varieties ranging from hardy perennials to tender sub-shrubs, there’s a salvia to suit every space — from traditional cottage borders to sleek Mediterranean schemes. In this guide, we’ll ...

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The post Top Salvias for every garden style: colour, pollinator-friendly and easy care appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Your complete guide to the spectacular US Pacific coast native plants that thrive from the misty redwood forests to the sun-baked chaparral hills of the West Coast The Pacific Coast of North America hosts some of the most diverse and spectacular plant communities on Earth. It includes fog-shrouded groves of coast redwoods that tower 300 ...

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The post 36 US Pacific Coast native plants: native gardening from Redwoods to Chaparral appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Your complete guide to the spectacular native plants of South-west USA that thrive in America’s most challenging landscapes. The American Southwest is a land of extremes – scorching summer days, freezing winter nights, months without rain followed by torrential downpours, and landscapes that can shift from lush mountain forests to stark desert within a few ...

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The post Gardening with the native plants of South-West USA: 35 desert survivors appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Geum, commonly known as Avens, is a cheerful, easy-to-grow perennial that brings long-lasting colour to gardens from late spring through early summer. With its vibrant blooms in fiery shades of orange, red, and yellow, Geum is a cottage garden classic and a favourite of both beginner and experienced gardeners. In this guide, we’ll explore how ...

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Native plants of the Midwest: Your complete guide to the stunning native plants that built America’s heartland The American Midwest is the land of big skies, endless horizons, and some of the most resilient native plants on Earth. From the Great Lakes shores of Michigan to the rolling prairies of Kansas, this region was shaped ...

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The post Native plants of the Midwest: 41 prairie powerhouses appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Your complete guide to native plants of Southeast USA – stunning native plants that thrive in the heat and humidity. The Southeastern United States is a botanical paradise where azaleas bloom in spectacular drifts, towering magnolias perfume the air, and ancient live oaks drape themselves in Spanish moss. From the Appalachian foothills of North Carolina ...

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The post Native plants of Southeast USA: 40 natives for hot, humid climates appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Your complete guide to stunning native plants of Northeast USA The Northeast corridor from Maine to Virginia offers some of the most diverse and beautiful native plant communities in North America. From the rocky coasts of Maine to the Appalachian foothills of Virginia, this region supports an incredible array of native species adapted to four ...

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The post 30 plus native plants of Northeast USA: from Maine to Virginia appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Separating fact from fiction about native plant gardening – the real story about costs, maintenance, and results that might surprise you. Native plant gardening has gained tremendous popularity in recent years, but with that popularity comes a flood of misconceptions. Some people avoid native plants based on outdated myths, while others dive in with unrealistic ...

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The post Native plant gardening myths debunked: the truth about cost, beauty and maintenance appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Transform your garden into a thriving ecosystem that supports local wildlife while requiring less water, fertiliser, and maintenance than traditional landscaping. Featured Image: Native prairie plants blooming by Ronald Douglas Frazier is licensed under CC BY 2.0 What Are Native Plants? Native plants are species that evolved naturally in a specific region over thousands of ...

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The post The ultimate guide to gardening with native plants: why location matters appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Euphorbia mellifera, also known as Honey Spurge or Canary Spurge deserves a special place in the spotlight in my view. It is one of my absolute favourite garden plants and one I grow whenever I can. From its rich scent and striking foliage to its impressive architectural shape, Euphorbia mellifera is a must-have for any ...

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The post Euphorbia mellifera: the honey-scented statement shrub to grace any garden appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

If you’re looking for a drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly plant that brings architectural drama and year-round interest, Phlomis should be high on your list. This striking genus in the mint family (Lamiaceae) includes herbaceous perennials and evergreen shrubs, each offering tiered whorls of flowers and bold foliage. In this post, we compare three of the most garden-worthy ...

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Piet Oudolf’s revolutionary approach to garden design has created some of the world’s most celebrated public and private gardens. Here are five of the most famous Oudolf gardens, detailing their locations, characteristics, and the plant species that define each unique space. Featured Image: “Oudolf Prive Tuin – Hummelo” by westher is licensed under CC BY ...

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The post Five famous Piet Oudolf gardens: Locations, styles and plant lists appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Piet Oudolf’s work often strikes viewers with how wild and natural everything looks. Yet closer inspection reveals an incredibly sophisticated planting plan beneath what appears to be nature’s own handiwork. This Dutch garden designer has revolutionised how we think about perennial planting, creating gardens that are both structurally sound and ecologically beneficial. Oudolf’s approach represents ...

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Cucumbers are among the most rewarding vegetables to grow in your garden, offering crisp, refreshing produce throughout the growing season. Whether you’re growing cucumbers to slice them for salads, pickle them for preservation, or enjoy them fresh off the vine, success with cucumbers comes down to understanding their specific needs and providing optimal growing conditions. ...

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I’ll be honest with you – we’ve all been there. You peek through the curtains at your garden and feel that familiar knot in your stomach. The weeds have taken over, the borders look chaotic, and you’re secretly hoping the neighbours aren’t judging the state of your messy garden. It’s even worse when you know ...

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Growing your own lettuce is one of the most rewarding experiences in gardening. They are not only delicious in salads, but they are beautiful when laid out in your veg beds. In fact, I think lettuces are such attractive plants, that it is worth incorporating them in your ornamental garden beds – especially if you ...

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Jade Plants, scientifically known as Crassula ovata, are stunning succulents native to South Africa where they thrive in arid conditions with plenty of sunshine. These charming houseplants have become incredibly popular not only for their attractive appearance – featuring thick, glossy oval leaves and sturdy woody stems – but also for their symbolic significance in ...

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The post How to grow Jade Plant (Crassula ovata): Essential guide for this long-lived succulent house plant appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Tropical Patio Planting Plans for Every Climate: Frost-Free and Frost-Prone Options Creating a tropical patio is a great way to bring a touch of the exotic into your outdoor space. With the right combination of plants, structure, and layout, you can transform even a small patio into a lush, relaxing retreat that feels like a ...

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The post Terrific tropical patio planting plans: The plants you need for your tropical home resort appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

A tropical patio offers the perfect escape—a space where you can relax, entertain guests, and feel like you’re on holiday without leaving home. With the right plants, materials, and layout, you can create a lush retreat full of colour, texture, and comfort. It doesn’t really matter if you have a large garden space or a ...

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Creating a classic cottage garden is about blending charm, functionality, and natural beauty into a unique and inviting outdoor space. These gardens are characterised by informality, an abundant mix of ornamental and edible plants, and a sense of old time romance. Rooted in tradition, a cottage garden is all about embracing a free-flowing approach by ...

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Clematis Montana, often called Mountain Clematis or Anemone Clematis, is one of the most popular and vigorous climbing garden plants. With its spectacular spring display of star-shaped flowers cascading over walls, trellises, and tree stumps, this hardy climber has earned its place as a garden favourite. Native to the Himalayan mountain regions of China, Nepal, ...

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Red campion is a delightful wildflower that adds a splash of bright pink to gardens and woodland edges. This versatile native plant brings charm and ecological benefits to any garden space. I’ll share key information about this beautiful species and practical tips for growing it successfully. (Featured Image: Red Campion (Silene dioica) by Peter O’Connor ...

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The post Red Campion (Silene dioica): Wildflower for your pollinator garden appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Growing tomatoes can be rewarding, but getting that bumper harvest requires a bit of know-how. These five quick tips on planting tomatoes are backed by research and will help you maximise your tomato yield and grow healthier, more productive plants. 1: Plant Tomatoes Deep and Sideways Unlike most garden plants, tomatoes have the unique ability ...

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In the realm of shade-loving perennials, few plants capture the imagination quite like Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’. With its striking silver foliage veined with green and delicate blue flowers, this award-winning cultivar has become a favourite among gardeners seeking to brighten shadowy corners of their landscapes. ‘Jack Frost’ offers months of visual interest with minimal ...

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Create a Haven for Bees, Butterflies and Other Beneficial Insects Creating a pollinator-friendly garden is one of the most rewarding ways to support your local ecosystem while enjoying beautiful blooms and fascinating wildlife. By dedicating even a small space to pollinators, you’re providing vital habitat for bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects that play a ...

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The post How to start a pollinator-friendly garden that is buzzing with life appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Small trees can transform a garden without overwhelming it, providing focal points, seasonal interest, and habitats for wildlife. These 10 outstanding small garden trees will add structure, colour, and charm to your outdoor space all year round. 1. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) Key Features: Japanese maples are prized for their elegant form, delicate foliage, and ...

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In a world of smart sprinklers and app-controlled greenhouses, there’s something deeply satisfying about returning to gardening methods that have stood the test of time. Our grandparents and great-grandparents didn’t have fancy gadgets or synthetic chemicals, yet they managed to grow flourishing gardens that fed families and brightened homes. These old fashioned gardening tips aren’t ...

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The post Old fashioned gardening tips that still work wonders appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

We’ve all been there – struggling with weeds that just won’t quit, searching for the perfect way to keep plants watered while on vacation, or wondering how to make the most of a small garden space. What if I told you there are simple solutions right under your nose using items you already have at ...

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The post Brilliant gardening hacks you’ll wish you knew of sooner appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Dogs aren’t just loyal companions. They’re now helping to save forests and protect our trees — using their amazing sense of smell! Their noses are so powerful they can sniff out tiny chemical signals from trees that are sick — long before we can see any signs. Here’s how these incredible dogs are fighting back ...

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The post Meet the dogs saving our trees: How man’s best friend is sniffing out deadly diseases appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

What do we mean here by global plant hardiness zones? Quite simply it is a way to show how different areas in different countries would be rated under the USDA plant hardiness zone rating systems. When gardeners talk about whether a plant will “survive” in their garden, they’re often referring to hardiness—a plant’s ability to ...

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The post Global plant hardiness zones: USDA plant hardiness zone equivalents worldwide appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

We’ve compiled some special vegetable gardening resources for gardeners in the UK and the various USDA zones in the USA. We have two different resources for each area: So, if you want to know which vegetables to sow in April, check the calendar for your area. If you want to know when to harvest carrots ...

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The post Vegetable gardening guides and calendars: The ultimate growing guide for your hardiness zone appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

This monthly vegetable gardening calendar for USDA zones 7–8 gives you a clear picture of exactly what gardening activities need to be done each month. You should read the guide alongside our vegetable gardening guide for USDA zones 7-8. That guide provides the information you need on sowing, planting and harvesting, on a vegetable by vegetable ...

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We have created this comprehensive vegetable planting guide for USDA Zones 7-8, especially for guide Zone 7-8 gardeners These warmer transitional zones, with average annual minimum temperatures ranging from 0°F to 20°F (-17.8°C to -6.7°C), offer an extended growing season that opens up exciting possibilities for gardeners. With last frost dates typically occurring between mid-March ...

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This monthly vegetable gardening calendar for USDA Zones 5-6 is designed to provide Zone5-6 gardeners with a complete month by month guide to their vegetable gardening activity throughout the years. You should read the guide alongside our vegetable gardening guide for USDA zones 5-6. That guide provides the information you need on sowing, planting and harvesting ...

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The post Monthly Vegetable Gardening Calendar for USDA Zones 5-6 appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

We have created a comprehensive vegetable planting guide for USDA Zones 5-6. These moderate climate zones, have average annual minimum and maximum temperatures ranging from -20°F to 0°F (-28.9°C to -17.8°C) and 85°F to 95°F (29°C to 35°C). They therefore offer an excellent growing season for a wide variety of vegetables. With last frost dates ...

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Gardening in the northern regions of USDA zones 2-4 presents unique challenges and rewards. With shorter growing seasons and colder temperatures, successful vegetable gardening requires careful planning and timing. This monthly vegetable gardening calendar for USDA Zones 2-4 guides you through the entire gardening year, helping you maximize your harvests despite the climate constraints. Northern ...

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This comprehensive Vegetable gardening guide for USDA Zones 2-4, is one of several guides designed to help gardeners successfully grow vegetables across different USDA hardiness zones. This guide provides specific timing recommendations for sowing, transplanting, and harvesting a wide variety of vegetables based on your local climate conditions. You should read alongside our monthly vegetable ...

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Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932) stands as one of the most influential figures in garden design history, whose artistic vision and horticultural knowledge transformed the English garden landscape. Her innovative approach to colour, plant combinations, and garden structure created a lasting legacy that continues to inspire garden designers worldwide. Through her prolific writing and over 400 garden ...

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This calendar organizes activities around: These guides should help gardeners in tropical regions maximize their unique growing conditions while avoiding the frustration of attempting to grow vegetables that require cold periods or can’t tolerate extreme heat and humidity. This guide goes hand in hand with our vegetable gardening guide for USDA zones 11-13. That guide ...

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This is a comprehensive guide for vegetable gardening in USDA Zones 11-13 (Subtropical/Tropical Zones), covering regions like southern Florida, coastal Texas, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. You should read this Vegetable gardening guide: USDA zones 11-13 alongside our monthly vegetable gardening calendar – USDA zones 11-13, which sets out all you sowing, ...

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This monthly vegetable gardening calendar – USDA zones 9-10 goes hand in hand with our vegetable gardening guide for USDA zones 9-10. That guide provides the information you need on sowing, planting and harvesting over 40 vegetables, on a vegetable by vegetable basis, tailored to conditions in USDA Zones 9-10. The Month-by-Month Calendar: This calendar ...

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We’ve put together this vegetable gardening guide for USDA zones 9-10 to bring together details of seed sowing, transplanting, planting and harvesting information for over 40 vegetables. You should read this guide with our monthly vegetable gardening calendar – USDA zones 9-10, which sets out all you sowing, planting and harvesting task on a month ...

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I’ve created a comprehensive monthly vegetable gardening calendar for UK gardens and gardeners. It goes hand-in-hand with our UK vegetable gardening guide, which lists the growing information by vegetable, rather than by month as in this post. This monthly calendar reflects the typical British growing season, which has the following relevant characteristics: Each month listed ...

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Timing is everything in vegetable gardening. Sow too early and frost may kill your seedlings. Sow too late and you risk missing the growing season altogether. This vegetable gardening guide takes the guesswork out of your growing calendar with month-by-month advice for 40 popular vegetables, tailored to UK conditions. Sowing aubergines under glass in March ...

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April marks an exciting time in the gardening calendar as spring truly takes hold and the soil begins to warm. For enthusiastic gardeners, this month offers the perfect opportunity to sow a variety of vegetables that will provide bountiful harvests throughout summer and autumn. This guide to vegetables to plant in April will help you ...

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Gardening isn’t just about growing flowers and vegetables – it’s also a powerful tool for nurturing your mind. A growing body of research shows that tending to plants can yield significant mental health benefits, from lifting your mood to easing stress. Most gardeners know this instinctively but, as somebody who has studied coaching psychology at ...

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If you’ve ever bitten into a sun-warmed strawberry straight from the garden, you know that flavor just doesn’t compare to store-bought. Growing strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) at home is honestly pretty straightforward—full sun, well-drained soil, and a bit of care are really all you need to help your strawberry plants thrive. Pick a sunny spot, space your plants ...

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Dreaming of a lush, exotic retreat in your own backyard? A tropical garden water feature combines the soothing qualities of flowing water with vibrant foliage and dramatic plants to create a resort-like atmosphere at home. Designing a tropical water feature garden can create a wonderful retreat where the gentle sound of water creates a peaceful ...

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When spring starts doing its thing, it’s often hard to know where to start in the garden. These spring gardening tips will get you off the mark. The idea isn’t to pressurise you with 40 things you have to do. Instead,I want just want to set our some reminders of some of things you can ...

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Astilbe chinensis, commonly known as False Goat’s Beard or False Spirea, is a striking perennial that adds structure and colour shady garden spots. Native to China and Japan, this plant thrives naturally in woodland edges and stream banks where moisture is plentiful and direct sunlight is filtered. In gardens Astilbe grows best in partial to ...

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The post How to grow Astilbe: cultivating this unusual shade-loving perennial appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Discover 12 stunning perennial plants perfect for shade and semi-shade gardens. From hostas to bleeding hearts, learn how to transform shaded spaces with vibrant blooms and lush foliage while supporting biodiversity. Get tips on planting, care, and avoiding common mistakes to create a low-maintenance, thriving garden retreat.

The post Shade loving perennials: fantastic plants for the shady spots in your garden appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

A Complete Guide to Cultivating these Spectacular Spring Bloomers Peonies, scientifically known as Paeonia lactiflora, are stunning perennial flowers that light up gardens with their lush, romantic blooms in late spring and early summer. These gorgeous plants feature large, bowl-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, coral, and deep red. Their lush, deeply cut foliage ...

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The post Grow beautiful Peony (Paeonia lactiflora) in your garden appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Discover 10 stunning early summer perennials to transform your garden with vibrant colours, textures, and pollinator-friendly blooms. From fragrant peonies to bold lupines, find expert tips on planting and care for a low-maintenance, eye-catching display that returns year after year. Perfect for borders, focal points, and creating a haven for bees and butterflies!

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Most gardening challenges can be traced back to one common denominator: the soil. Whether your plants are struggling with poor growth, susceptibility to disease, or failing to thrive despite regular watering and fertilising, the answer often lies beneath the surface. Great gardens begin with great soil, and understanding how to work with and improve your ...

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There really is something magical about composting—the way ordinary kitchen scraps and garden waste transform into rich, dark, earthy-smelling material that your plants will thrive in. Composting isn’t just good gardening practice; it’s a small but meaningful step toward sustainability that anyone with outdoor space can take. Whatver kind of garden space you have, composting ...

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Image: Hosta sieboldiana by Epibase is licensed under CC BY 2.5 Hostas, with their lush, elegant foliage, are the aristocrats of the shade garden. Native to Japan, China, and Korea, these perennial favourites thrive in woodland-like conditions similar to their natural habitat – characterised by dappled light and moist soils. Their distinctive heart-shaped or lance-shaped ...

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I started this post by trying to list my 10 favourite garden plants. But, of course, I couldn’t narrow it down to 10 – so I ended up with the list of 18 that you see here. And no sooner did I complete the list than I came up with another dozen plants that could ...

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Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis), with its spiky, fleshy leaves and soothing gel, makes an excellent addition to any indoor plant collection. This succulent native to the arid regions of the Arabian Peninsula thrives in sandy, well-draining soils and warm temperatures between 55°F and 80°F, mimicking its natural desert habitat. Its striking rosette form and grey-green ...

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Want a striking house plant that’s both stylish and easy to maintain? Discover how to grow a Philodendron Birkin with our simple guide. From perfect lighting and humidity tips to watering routines and fertiliser advice, let those bold white stripes flourish indoors while keeping your space pet-safe.

The post How to grow Philodendron Birkin indoors: Easy care tips for success appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Ready to Transform Your Outdoor Dining Game? As our homes increasingly extend beyond four walls, patio dining sets have evolved from a seasonal luxury to an essential component of modern living spaces. Choosing the right patio dining set, however, requires balancing looks and practical needs. Your outdoor dining area serves as more than just a ...

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Finding the right patio chairs can make a big difference to how you use and enjoy your garden. Whether you’re after a quiet spot to read, somewhere to relax with a drink, or a place for family and friends to gather, the right seating sets the tone. The challenge is to balance comfort, style, durability, ...

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A good patio table is crucial to making your outdoor area a functional and inviting space. Whether you’re hosting summer barbecues, enjoying quiet morning coffees, or working from your garden, the right table needs to be both practical and aesthetically pleasing to really work. But with so many sizes, shapes, and materials to choose from, ...

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Which Set Will Turn Your Patio Into a Summer Paradise? There’s something special about eating outdoors. Whether it’s a casual family lunch on a sunny afternoon or a relaxed evening meal with friends, dining al fresco brings a different kind of enjoyment. But to make the most of these moments, it’s important to have the ...

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The post Great patio furniture sets to help you enjoy your garden more than ever appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Is your patio ready to be the the place you really want to spend your summer? Did you know that around 70% of people prefer to spend their free time outdoors? With that in mind, your patio has the potential to be more than just an outdoor space—it can become your go-to retreat for relaxing, ...

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I’ve written here before about how the winter blues that set in for me without fail in the Autumn. And, to be honest, things feel pretty flat until the end of December. But with the first shoots of crocuses and snowdrops in January, I can feel myself beginning to re-awaken. And then, when the first ...

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The post Discover the best spring flowers to brighten your garden appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

In my view, evergreen trees are an essential part of a well-designed garden. They provide structure, colour, and a sense of continuity throughout the year. While many trees lose their leaves in winter, evergreens remain green and vibrant, offering interest when other plants are dormant. For gardeners working with smaller spaces, choosing compact evergreen trees ...

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The post 11superb small evergreen trees for your garden appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

If you get your greenhouse shelving right, then you can really maximise the value of your greenhouse. A greenhouse is a fantastic way to extend your growing season and protect plants from the elements. But no matter the size, space is always at a premium. The key to growing more in your greenhouse is making ...

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The post Greenhouse shelving ideas to maximise space and grow more in your greenhouse appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Wildflowers bring vibrant colour, attract pollinators, and support local ecosystems. Obviously, by nature, wildflowers are plants that grow naturally in a region. But as gardeners, we can use wildflowers to create a meadow-like planting on lawns and in borders, adding genuine natural beauty to our space. We can also take advantage of the fact that ...

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The post When to plant wildflower seeds: A guide for the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Piet Oudolf, the renowned Dutch garden designer, has transformed modern perennial gardening with his naturalistic approach. His gardens, such as the High Line in New York, the Lurie Garden in Chicago, and the Vlinderhof Garden in the Netherlands, showcase drifts of resilient, structural plants that provide interest throughout the year. His influence extends across Europe, ...

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The post How to create a Piet Oudolf inspired perennial garden appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

A tropical courtyard garden can be a lush, green oasis filled with vibrant plants, bold foliage, and exotic blooms. You might live in a warm climate perfectly suited to tropical plants or you might be looking to create a tropical feel in a cooler region. Either way, careful planning and the right plant choices can ...

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Growing vegetables from seed sown directly into your garden beds is one of the most rewarding ways to cultivate your own food. It eliminates the need for transplanting, reduces root disturbance, and allows plants to establish themselves naturally. In this guide, we’ll cover 15 vegetable plants that thrive when sown directly, along with essential details ...

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The post 15 Easy vegetables to grow from seeds sown direct in your vegetable beds appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Annual flower seeds can be started off in later winter into spring – indoors or in a greenhouse. Here is a quick guide to help you get sowing. Commencing your flower-growing journey in January isn’t reserved for just herbs and vegetables. There’s a range of robust cool-season flowers that withstand a late frost, vital for ...

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These tropical garden ideas will help you bring an exotic paradise feel to any outdoor space. A well-designed tropical garden combines dramatic architectural foliage with vibrant clashing colours to create a lush, immersive environment. Even gardeners in cooler climates can achieve a tropical look by selecting plants that mimic the visual qualities of tropical species ...

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The post 16 Tropical garden ideas: inspiring images, stunning landscapes and design tips appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Spring is the ideal season to refresh your patio and garden, and what better way to do that than with creative planter ideas? From vibrant flower arrangements to practical herb gardens, there are plenty of ways to add personality to your outdoor space. Don’t forget to keep your plants thriving by choosing the right potting ...

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The post Spring has sprung! Gorgeous spring planter ideas to refresh your home and garden appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

In recent years, robotic lawn mowers have revolutionised lawn maintenance, offering a hands-free approach to keeping lawns perfectly manicured. These autonomous machines work continually to maintain grass at an ideal height, operating on schedules we set while we focus on other garden tasks – or maybe just simply sit comfortably sipping a cool beer. Robotic ...

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The post Best robotic lawn mowers: top models for spring 2026 appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Even as winter seems to linger on forever, the anticipation of spring stirs within gardeners. It’s during these final cold months that we can lay the foundations of a flourishing gardening year ahead. In particular, while the soil outside may still be hardening under frost, inside, gardeners can begin the delicate process of seed sowing. ...

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The post Vegetable and herb seeds to sow in January and February appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

A flower garden that is constantly blooming garden from the early days of spring right through to the crispness of late autumn a dream for most gardeners. If you can make it happen it is so rewarding, bringing colour, life, and joy to your outdoor space. Creating a flower garden like this is an art ...

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The post 7 Essential steps to fill your flower garden with flowers from early spring to late fall appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

One of the greatest moments in the year for me is the emergence of new growth in late winter and early spring. It really lifts my heart when I see the first snowdrops and crocuses and the first spears of daffodil foliage thrusting through the soil. After winter’s gloom, the vibrant colours and fresh scents ...

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The post 15 Fantastic spring flowering perennials to lift your garden after winter appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Dreaming of lush, thriving plants year-round? A backyard greenhouse design might be just the ticket. By creating a controlled environment in your greenhouse, you can extend your growing season and cultivate a wider variety of plants. Choosing the right location for your greenhouse is crucial for optimal plant growth and can directly impact productivity and ...

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The post 5 Greenhouse design principles: choosing, positioning and maintaining your greenhouse appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Tulips are among the most elegant and versatile flowers for arrangements. Their graceful stems, vibrant colours, and delicate petals make them a favourite for spring displays. With careful variety selection and proper growing techniques, you can cultivate your own tulips for cutting and create stunning vase arrangements that brighten any space. Best varieties for tulip ...

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The post Sensational tulip flower arrangements: varieties, growing tips, and display advice appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Spring is a season of renewal and vibrant colours, making it the perfect time to create beautiful flower arrangements for your home or garden celebrations. With an array of flowers blooming during this time, you have plenty of options to design arrangements that capture the freshness and joy of spring. This article explores some of ...

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If anyone in my family is looking for me in the summer, the first place they’ll look is my greenhouse (picture above). A greenhouse is a must have for the enthusiastic gardener. Yes, it is a place to sow seeds, pot on plants and grow tender vegetables. But it is also a haven, a place ...

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Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum × superbum) are charming perennials that bring a touch of summer cheer to any garden. These delightful flowers, with their pristine white petals and sunny yellow centres, originate from a hybrid created by American horticulturist Luther Burbank in the late 19th century. Named after Mount Shasta in California, these daisies have since ...

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Sustainable, relaxed and wildlife friendly gardens lead the way Image by Sloalan is licensed under CC CC0 1.0 The latest gardening trends for 2025 show that gardens are evolving into spaces that promote environmental resilience and mental wellbeing. The remarkable 600% surge in searches for indoor plants and a 64% increase in requests for wildlife-friendly ...

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Designing a tropical garden by the sea is a wonderful way to create an exotic and relaxing outdoor space. The combination of lush foliage, vibrant flowers, and the coastal backdrop can evoke the feeling of being in a holiday paradise all year round. A tropical garden by the sea can include various features that enhance ...

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Spring is a fantastic time to bring life and colour to your garden, and spring flowering shrubs are perfect for the job! Here’s a roundup of 10 of the best spring-flowering shrubs to brighten up your outdoor space. You are sure to finds something here to suit the space and growing conditions in your garden. ...

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Xanthorrhoea johnsonii, commonly known as Johnson’s grass tree, is an iconic Australian plant with a unique appearance and fascinating history. While traditionally found in the wild, this article explores the possibility of growing this remarkable plant indoors and provides guidance on how to do so successfully. So, can you grow Xanthorrhoea johnsonii as a house ...

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The post Can you grow Xanthorrhoea johnsonii as a house plant? appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Ajuga reptans, commonly known as Bugleweed or Carpet Bugle, is a hardy and versatile ground cover plant. It has dense, spreading foliage and vibrant spikes of blue to purple flowers, which appear in late spring and early summer. The plant’s evergreen foliage often comes in striking shades of green, bronze, or variegated patterns, making it ...

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Kitchens are typically warm and humid environments and often filled with light. That is why they can be a a great place for houseplants. However, it is not that straightforward as conditions in kitchens can vary. Read on to find out more about house plants for kitchens and details of some of the best plants ...

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Alchemilla mollis, commonly known as Lady’s Mantle, is a hardy and elegant perennial with scalloped, velvety foliage and airy sprays of lime-green flowers. A staple in cottage gardens and informal borders, it thrives in a variety of conditions, making it a versatile and low-maintenance choice for gardeners. You should be aware that the plant self-seeds ...

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The post Growing Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle) in the Garden appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Alchemilla erythropoda, commonly known as Dwarf Lady’s Mantle, is a compact and charming perennial known for its scalloped leaves and delicate clusters of lime-green flowers. This low-growing plant is a smaller relative of Alchemilla mollis, making it ideal for small gardens, rockeries, and edging paths. The plant’s soft, velvety foliage is particularly striking when it ...

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The post How to grow Alchemilla erythropoda (Dwarf Lady’s Mantle) in your Garden appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Achillea, commonly known as Yarrow, is a versatile and hardy perennial valued for its clusters of tiny flowers and feathery foliage. The flowers bloom in a flat, umbrella-like arrangement, and their colours range from soft pastels to vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges. Achillea is not only beautiful but also a magnet for pollinators like bees ...

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The post Yarrow Magic: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Achillea in Your Garden appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Hollyhocks, known botanically as Alcea rosea, are iconic cottage garden plants. With their towering spires of cup-shaped flowers, they bring height and drama to your flower garden beds and borders. Hollyhocks bloom in a variety of colours, including pink, red, yellow, white, and even black, making them versatile for many garden designs. These biennials or ...

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The post Grow Alcea rosea, the stunning Hollyhock, for garden drama: here is how appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Introduction African Violets are known for their compact size, velvety foliage, and clusters of delicate, colourful flowers. Though traditionally grown indoors, it can also thrive outdoors in sheltered garden spots or greenhouses in warm climates. Its blooms come in a wide range of hues, including purple, pink, white, and blue, often with ruffled or variegated ...

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Introduction Osteospermum, the African Daisy, with its vibrant and cheerful flowers, is a show-stopper in any garden. Its daisy-like blooms come in a dazzling array of colours, from bright oranges and yellows to soft pinks and whites. Native to South Africa, this plant thrives in sunny locations and is loved for its low maintenance and ...

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The post Grow beautiful Osteospermum (African Daisy) in your garden – here is how appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Tropical front gardens have a unique charm that instantly brightens any home. By incorporating lush greenery, colourful blooms, and eye-catching elements, these gardens create an inviting atmosphere and enhance curb appeal. A tropical entrance and front garden can transform the look of any home, creating a space that feels fresh, inviting, and full of life. ...

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The post 10 Stunning tropical front garden ideas to inspire appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Designing a small tropical garden can bring an exotic flair to your home, turning even the most modest outdoor area into a lush, vibrant haven. With thoughtful planning, the right plant choices, and proper preparation, your garden can mimic the vibrant, verdant feel of a tropical jungle. Here, we’ll explore design principles, garden preparation tips, ...

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The post Designing small tropical gardens: transform your space into a lush paradise appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Scandi-inspired house plant decor combines simplicity with nature, creating a fresh and inviting space. Scandi design is a minimalist and functional style that originated in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland). This design philosophy prioritises simplicity, functionality, and beauty while creating warm and inviting spaces. Add the greenery of plants and you ...

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The post 15 Scandi-inspired house plant ideas for a modern home appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

The hallway or entryway of your home sets the tone for your living space. It is a good idea to style the entrance to your home in a way that appeals to you, as it makes you feel good each time you enter and leave, and when you welcome guests into your home. Incorporating house ...

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The post House plants for hallways: top plant choices and stunning design ideas appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

These house plant decor ideas will help you add to your the minimalist design aesthetic you may want to create in your home. In minimalist design, every item serves a purpose, whether functional or decorative, and each piece plays a role in maintaining a serene, clutter-free atmosphere. House plants are a perfect addition to minimalist ...

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The post Beautiful house plant decor ideas for the minimalist living space appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

A statement wall of indoor plants can transform a room, bringing life, colour, and a sense of serenity indoors. A plant wall can become a focal point that enhances your decor, improves air quality, and gives your space a refreshing, natural touch. In this guide, we’ll explore different approaches to creating an indoor plant wall, ...

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Poinsettia care can be a little bit challenging. Poinsettias are often bought as temporary plants, for display over the Christas period only, and then discarded. But with a little bit of care, you can extend the life of your Poinsettia and keep it for seasons to come. Native to Mexico and Central America, Poinsettias (Euphorbia ...

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The post Poinsettia care: How to look after your plant from shop to home and all season long appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Tropical landscape design is more than simply choosing plants and arranging them; it involves understanding core design principles that work together to create a visually appealing, functional, and cohesive outdoor space. These principles—unity, balance, scale, variety, colour, and texture—are especially relevant in creating a tropical garden, where the lush, dense appearance and vibrant atmosphere require ...

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The post Principles of tropical landscape design for a stunning tropical garden appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Adding an edge to your garden beds or borders offers a simple yet impactful way to enhance your garden’s look and functionality. A good landscape edging solution can give you clean lines, define spaces, keep soil and mulch in place, and reduce the spread of invasive grass or weeds. With various materials to choose from, ...

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The post Great landscape edging options for stunning garden beds appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Haworthia cooperi var.gordoniana by salchuiwt is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 Haworthia cooperi is a lovely succulent with rosettes of fleshy, translucent leaves. It is one of those ideal house plants that looks good and is easy to care for. Like its sister plant, the Zebra Haworthia, the plant originates from the Eastern Cape province ...

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The post How to grow Haworthia Cooperi successfully as a house plant appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Let’s face it, winter can be pretty depressing. Or, it can be for me, as I tend to get a bit of seasonal affective disorder as the short days set it. For me, things pick up at the turn of the year, and it is, therefore good, when I am feeling a bit more enthused ...

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The post Plants for winter interest and structure: 15 top choices appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

When I first started gardening, I lived in London. I was desperate to get a tropical look in my garden, even though (in those days) the temperature often fell to -5°C and it would have been easier to create a typical English garden. So, to achieve the look, I had to use hardy exotics, as ...

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The post The 15 most exotic-looking lush tropical garden plants appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Retro house plants? Is there such a thing? It seems so. Ready to take a trip down memory lane? Some of the house plants currently topping the house plant charts are bringing the 70s with them. Let’s dive into the world of retro house plants and see which plants are bringing back the vibes of ...

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The post 6 of the best retro house plants for a 70s vibe in your home appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Most indoor plants we grow (apart from the cacti and succulents) have a tropical origin. The large, lush, dark green leaves of our house plants are the typical characteristics of tropical plants – and they are perfect for creating the indoor jungle look. In this article we will explore various ideas for using tropical plants ...

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The post How to create an indoor jungle with tropical house plants appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

House plants have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. They add a touch of nature to our indoor spaces and offer numerous benefits for our physical and mental well-being. House plants can improve air quality and reduce stress levels, so they are more than just decorative elements. In this article, we’ll ...

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The post House plant design ideas for beautiful plant-filled living spaces appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Imagine walking into your living room and being transported to a lush, tropical paradise. With the right exotic house plants, this dream can become a reality. The appeal of exotic house plants House plant enthusiasts are instinctively drawn to unique and exotic specimens to fill their indoor jungles. I suspect this is because the whole ...

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The post 10 wildly exotic house plants for your indoor jungle appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

It is easy to think of a patio as just a place to sit – somewhere that is fundamentally separate from the rest of the garden. We might place a few pots of bedding plants on the patio for a bit of colour. But we don’t always make th most of these garden spaces. So, ...

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The post Dream patio ideas with pots and containers appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Winter flowering plants can give you and your garden the lift that is needed in the coldest, darkest months of the year. When most plants are dormant, winter-flowering plants can make a dramatic difference in your garden. These plants are hardy enough to survive in low temperatures. They will also also thrive in the short ...

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Growing tomatoes can be rewarding, but it’s not without challenges. This guide will help you understand common issues, improve your tomato harvest and make the most of your crop. Troubleshooting poor productivity If your tomato yield is disappointing, consider these potential causes: Harvesting for optimal flavour Timing your harvestTomatoes reach peak flavour when fully ripened ...

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The post Maximise your tomato harvest: End-of-season guide appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

If I am completely honest, I find it a bit of a challenge to plant bulbs in autumn/fall. I tend to get a touch of seasonal ‘despair’ at the end of summer. I wouldn’t call it depression or seasonal affective disorder exactly. I just tend to feel sad that another summer has come and gone. ...

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The post Bulbs to plant in fall: A comprehensive guide appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Transform your garden into a thriving wildlife habitat and ecosystem Are you looking to turn your garden into a haven for wildlife? Creating a habitat that attracts and nurtures local fauna can be a rewarding and environmentally friendly endeavour. With a few simple changes, you can transform your outdoor space into a thriving ecosystem that ...

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The post 7 Home gardening ideas to create a wildlife habitat appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Home gardening allows you to bypass the often steep costs of buying fruits and vegetables from the grocery store. You have control over the growing process, so you know that the food is fresh and healthy. You also get the chance to grow food plants that may be difficult to find or expensive to purchase. ...

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The post 17 of the best money-saving gardening ideas for your home garden appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Privacy in the garden is pretty important to me. I like to use the garden without feeling like I’m on display. I even like some seclusion when I am just working in tehe garden. But, tehhere is no doubt that a private yard is really important when you want to just chill out, relax and ...

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The post 10 of the best garden privacy ideas: Create your secluded garden retreat appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Apart from being places in which you can create beauty, gardens also have the potential to be outdoor entertaining spaces. With a few clever gardening ideas, you can transform your garden into the perfect spot for entertaining friends and family. Your outdoor area can become an extension of your home, offering a beautiful and functional ...

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The post 8 Brilliant home gardening ideas to transform your outdoor entertaining spaces appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Pests can be a real pain for gardeners. They can destroy your plants, ruin the look of your garden and undermine all your hard work. But you don’t need to use harsh chemicals to keep pests at bay. There are lots of ways to combat pests naturally and protect your garden from unwanted visitors. You ...

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As the crisp autumn air settles in, your garden beckons for attention. Fall brings a unique set of tasks for gardeners, each vital for ensuring your outdoor space thrives in the coming year. From tidying up summer’s remnants to preparing for spring’s bounty, there’s plenty to keep you busy. Taking care of these essential jobs ...

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Creating a tropical garden oasis can transport you to an exotic paradise without ever leaving your backyard. The lush foliage, vibrant colours, and dramatic textures of tropical plants can turn any outdoor space into a stunning retreat. Whether you live in a tropical climate or simply want to bring a touch of the tropics to ...

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The post Transform your garden with tropical garden design: 15 excellent expert tips appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Looking to keep the vibrant colours going in your garden throughout fall/autumn? This article will introduce you to ten of the best autumn flowering perennials. Just a note on terminology: As an English gardener, I naturally use the word ‘autumn’ instead of ‘fall’. So, I hope that my US readers will forgive me and in ...

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The Unique Challenge of Windowless Bathrooms Bathrooms present a unique environment for plants, especially those without windows. These spaces are typically characterized by high humidity, fluctuating temperatures, and a lack of natural light. While these conditions might seem challenging, they actually mimic the natural habitats of many tropical and subtropical plants, making windowless bathrooms surprisingly ...

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Low-light house plants will come to your aid if you have dark rooms or corners that you want to brighten with greenery. It can certainly be a challenge to create a thriving indoor garden when natural light is scarce. Many homes and offices lack adequate light. But that is no reason to give up on ...

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The post 15 Fantastic low-light house plants for lifting dark spaces appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Agapanthus, also known as the African lily or Lily of the Nile, is a stunning perennial that brings a touch of elegance to any garden. With its striking clusters of blue or white flowers on tall, sturdy stems, Agapanthus makes a dramatic focal point in borders, containers, or as a standalone feature. Agapanthus flowers were ...

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Lavender is a fantastic garden plant to grow. It provides visual spectacle, wonderful scents and has multiple practical uses. With over 45 species and countless varieties, choosing the right lavender for your garden can be a challenge. This article will explore the different types of lavender, highlighting their key differences and essential growing information for ...

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In our front garden, we have a a kind of mini-hedge of Lavender and Rosemary plants that we planted, as well as two large, now quite leggy, lavender shrubs that we inherited when we moved in. I often say that I’d like to replace the large, leggy plants but my wife always stops me. And ...

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The post Grow Lavender angustifolia in your garden for a scent of the Mediterranean appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’ is a tremendous perennial that brings a vibrant splash of golden yellow to any garden for a long period over the summer months. This hardy plant boasts daisy-like flowers with dark brown centres that attract both gardeners and pollinators alike. Rudbeckia Goldsturm is always a mainstay in my garden. It is reliable bloomer ...

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Helenium, commonly known as sneezeweed, is a herbaceous perennial that brings vibrant colour to late summer and autumn gardens. With daisy-like flowers in warm shades of yellow, orange, and red, these easy-care plants create a dazzling display attracting butterflies and pollinators. Helenium can be grown in borders, cottage gardens, or even in containers. They pair ...

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Ageratum, commonly known as flossflower, is a charming and versatile half-hardy annual that brings a soft, fuzzy texture to gardens. It has clusters of small, button-like flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white and offers a useful contrast to many other garden plants. Growing Ageratum is straightforward. It is a low-maintenance plant that ...

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Small gardens present unique challenges and opportunities for creativity and innovation in garden design. These 16 small garden design ideas will inspire you as you think about the improvements you can make to your garden – whether you’re working with a tiny backyard, a compact urban space, or a cozy patio, Read on for some ...

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Decking is a versatile and stylish addition to any garden, transforming outdoor spaces into functional and attractive areas for relaxation, entertainment, and enjoyment. The beauty of garden decking is that it is usually is made of wood (although there are other options as featured below). And wood, as a natural material, has an intrinsic warmth ...

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Nasturtium are tremendous all-round plants for the garden. They can be perennials or  annuals, climbing or border plants and also do well in containers. What is more, both leaves and flowers are edible, and can add a peppery, rocket-like taste in salads.  Nasturtium are in the genus Tropaeolum and native to the warm climates of ...

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Echinacea purpurea, commonly known as purple coneflower, is a stunning perennial that adds vibrant colour and unique structure to any garden. Echinacea is an easy to care for perennial that has medicinal properties as well as good looks. This beautiful plant features large, daisy-like flowers with spiky, cone-shaped centres surrounded by drooping petals, typically in ...

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Summer flowers are one of the main things that gardeners live for. And summer is the season when gardens burst into life, showcasing a riot of colours, textures, and fragrances. The warm days and extended daylight hours provide the perfect conditions for a diverse array of flowering plants to reach their peak. Selecting plants that ...

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The post 27 fantastic plants to grow for vibrant summer flowers appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

If my kids are looking for a gift for me, they’ll often turn to my gardening obsession as a source of inspiration. They know very well that I’ll be delighted with a plant, a gardening tool, or some other gardening gadgetry or equipment. So, drawing on a deep well of experience in asking for and ...

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The Hibiscus is a stunning plan that adds a tropical touch to any garden. There are many Hibiscus species, both tender and hardy. They have showy flowers that come in a range of colours, including red, pink, white, and yellow, often with contrasting centres. Flowers can span up to 6 inches in diameter, making them ...

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The point of this post is to provide some inspiration for your dahlia growing – to show you how beautiful dahlias can look when arranged artfully in vases and placed carefully around the home. And you should know from the outset that I have used AI to create these images. I have increasingly found AI ...

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When I first started gardening, I wasn’t very interested in the annuals, perennials and grasses that interest me now. Instead, It was the hardy exotic plants I looked to. I was inspired to start gardening by the idea that I could grow bananas, bamboo, palms and tree ferns and create an exotic-looking garden in the ...

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An outdoor patio is more than just an extension of your home. It is a way to enhance your living space and immerse yourself in the beauty of the outdoors. A good outdoor patio area can be a place to unwind after a long day, surrounded by the vibrant plants, enticing fragrances, and soothing sounds ...

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Why grow summer flowering shrubs? If your aim is for your garden in summer to burst with colour and life, then choosing the right summer flowering shrubs can help you achieve exactly that. The right shrubs can be visually powerful in themselves and add to the overall diversity of your garden in three main ways. ...

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Tropical gardens have long captivated garden enthusiasts and homeowners alike with their lush greenery, vibrant colours, and exotic allure. When designed thoughtfully, modern tropical gardens can complement modern architecture beautifully, creating a stunning juxtaposition of natural and man-made beauty. I saw this combination very often when I lived in Sydney, Australia. There, older homes are ...

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In this post, we look at knot gardens and use the capability of AI to imagine how these ancient garden forms could be brought up to date. In particular, and with an eye on the changing climate, we have looked at how modern knot gardens might look in dry environments, using succulent and other water-wise ...

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In this post, we’ll look at some of the reasons why you might want to grow orange dahlias, as well as 10 of the best orange dahlias to grow. Why grow orange dahlias? I always think that orange dahlias are offer a burst of colour that captures the essence of summer, especially when they catch ...

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Spring is the time of renewal and hope being rewarded and, in my opinion, the spring flowering plants featured in this post are responsible for a lot of positivity we feel in Spring. As a gardener I long for Spring to come and spend hours scanning my garden in late winter for the first signs ...

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The images in this post were created by AI. I asked the AI image creator to imagine some ideas for perennial garden designs. As with a previous post on modern perennial garden designs, I asked for some designs inspired by Piet Oudolf, the Dutch designer famed for his naturalistic planting style. This style accentuates organic, ...

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As gardeners, we love visiting and viewing other gardens and we spend many hours dreaming about and visualing what our perfect gardens might look like. Or, at least I do. Below are some of the gardens I have been dreaming up with the help of AI. The theme is is the modern perennial garden, inspired ...

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In this post, I’m covering two important studies that reveal some truly powerful benefits of gardening for our mental health and physical well-being. For experienced gardeners, this is the scientific evidence to prove what you’ve known about gardening all along. New and future gardeners – when you read this, you’ll have even more reason to ...

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Growing dahlias in pots and containers can be a truly rewarding experience, allowing you to enjoy these stunning blooms even if you’re short on space. The key to success lies in understanding your dahlias’ needs and replicating as close as possible the conditions they’d enjoy in the garden. It’s not just about aesthetic appeal; dahlias ...

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The post Small spaces, big impact: Master the art of growing dahlias in pots appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

As regular readers know, we love dahlias here at Gardening Step by Step. And that is because their vivid colours and varied shapes mean that dahlias offer tremendous rewards to gardeners and flower enthusiasts alike. However, choosing the right dahlia variety can be a challenge, given the extensive range of dahlias available. But one approach ...

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The post Discover 10 of the best red dahlias for your garden appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Looking for a fast way to enjoy privacy in your garden? You’re in the right place. Selecting the right shrubs for your landscape can quickly create a natural screen, offering you a secluded oasis away from prying eyes. Whether you wish to enclose a private hide-away or line the perimeter of your property, fast-growing privacy ...

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Why you should water your house plants according to the light levels available. Light and water are probably the two most important factors when it comes to basic house plant care. The amount of light your houseplants receive directly influences their need for water. If you think about it, you don’t get as thirsty after ...

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The post Light and water: Striking the balance for healthy house plants appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

House plants that can go outside in the summer can give you double service. They can brighten up your home in winter and decorate your outdoor spaces in summer. House plants that are robust enough to live outside in the warmer months can benefit from the fresh air, rainwater and natural conditions they will encounter. ...

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Chamaedorea seifrizii Chamaedorea Seifrizii, known as the Bamboo Palm, is a tropical palm from the rainforests of Central and South America. To be clear, it is not a bamboo but a palm, belonging to the Arecaceae family. But it takes its name from the bamboo-like stems that support its beautiful feathery fronds. In my opinion, ...

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The post Guide to growing Chamaedorea seifrizii (Bamboo Palm) indoors appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Fishtail Palm: the verdict Originating in the humid forests of Southeast Asia, the Fishtail Palm (Caryota mitis), is a distinctive and attractive houseplant. Its leaves, shaped like a fish’s tail, add an exotic flair to any indoor setting. In my opinion, it is a plant that is really worth growing. It brings a slice of ...

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Indoor palms bring a touch of the tropics and a sense of calm to any space. I always think that the best indoor palms are really valued as house plants because of the atmosphere they create. For those of us living in colder climates palms evoke thoughts of warm summers and exotic holidays in faraway ...

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Rhapis excelsa: the verdict There is something delicate and refined about Rhapis exclesa, which probably gives rise to its common name of the Lady Palm. Its leaves are palmate, but deeply divided, and the fronds are short, giving a compact appearance to its foliage. Rhapis excelsa is a clumping palm. This means it grows multiple ...

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Howea forsteriana: the verdict Howea Forsteriana, the Kentia Palm, is truly the classic palm tree. With its graceful, arching dark green leaves, it adds elegance and class to any room. That is why you’ll find it in expensive hotels (like the Ritz, pictured below), and why it it was even a feature plant on the ...

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Ficus elastica: the verdict Commonly known as the Rubber Plant, Ficus elsatica is a tough evergreen that brings a touch of the tropics into the home. It has thick, glossy leaves and that can reach up to 1 foot (30cm) long. The plant can grow to 8 feet (2.5m) or so indoors. It boasts air-purifying ...

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Chinese Evergreen varieties The Chinese Evergreen plant (Aglaonema spp) is one the best house plants for beginners, as it is easy to grow and can withstand a bit of variable care. It can tolerate low light and, although it prefers high humidity, can survive well enough in the average home. For more on Aglaonema generally, ...

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Best house plants for beginners to grow When I first began to fill my house with house plants, I had already started gardening. So I was building up some basic knowledge about what plants need to survive and thrive. But I had a couple of plants in an apartment I lived in before that. And, ...

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Haworthiopsis attenuata, formerly known as Haworthia attenuata and commonly referred to as Zebra Haworthia or simply just the Zebra plant, is a small succulent plant, native to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.  The plant features dark green, pointed leaves with cream-coloured spots and bands, giving it a zebra-like variegated look. In its natural ...

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Monstera deliciosa: the Verdict Monstera deliciosa is a great house plant due to its striking appearance, relative eas of care, and its air purification abilities. Its quick growth rate and ease of propagation make it ideal for novice and experienced plant enthusiasts alike. Basic Needs Light Moderate Water: growth period Moderate Water: dormancy Low Humidity ...

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The post Monstera deliciosa: magical easy care indoor jungle plant appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Native to the tropical rainforests of Central America and the Caribbean, Philodendron hederaceum (the Heartleaf Philodendron), also often known as Philodendron scandens, is a perennial climbing and trailing plant. It is valued for its air-purifying qualities and its easy care nature. But the main reason that you’ll want to grow this plant is for its ...

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Aglaonema, commonly known as Chinese Evergreen, is a genus of highly decorative foliage house plants. There are around 25 species of Aglaonema, and multiple different Chinese evergreen varieties that are well worth growing. The lush and colourful leaves of Aglaonema give us a clue to its sub-tropical origins in parts of South-East Asia and New ...

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Dracaena marginata, commonly known as the dragon tree, is a familiar, but still very cool, house plant. It works in most settings, especially bright modern interiors. Its slim, sword shaped leaves and snaking woody stems bring to mind hot, dusty locations and rooms with cool tiled floors and slow turning ceiling fans. Originating from Madagascar, ...

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The Zamioculcas zamiifolia, commonly known as the ZZ plant, is a striking indoor plant with glossy, emerald green, succulent leaves and gracefully arching thick, fleshy stems. I first grew Zamioculcas zamiifolia myself in a house I had in London in the early 2000s. The ZZ plant was being sold in our our local supermarket. I ...

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Chlorophytum comosum, better known as the Spider Plant, is an incredibly popular house plant choice. Even if you are completely new to plant parenting and to the whole world of indoor plants, you’ll probably be familiar with the Spider Plant. You’ll almost certainly have seen it somewhere – and you might well have been fascinated ...

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Spathiphyllum wallisii, commonly known as the Peace Lily, is the first plant I ever had. It maybe the same for you. It is certainly amongst the most popular house plants across the world. And there are good reasons for that popularity – Spathiphyllum wallisii is: Because it so common, it is easy to overlook the ...

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Beaucarnea recurvata, commonly known as the Ponytail Palm, is a distinctive and currently pretty trendy house plant. As you can see from the pictures, it has an interesting swollen lower trunk for storing water and long, cascading leaves resembling a ponytail, which give it its common name. It looks great as a stand-alone feature or ...

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The post Beaucarnea recurvata: Successfully grow the palm that’s not a palm appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

The Money Tree plant (Pachira aquatica), with its distinctive braided trunk, is a superb house plant. It is one of the great foliage plants, with bright green, vibrant, palmate (hand-shaped) leaves which comprise several leaflets. It looks quite similar to the Schefflera, but the Schefflera has smoother leaves, with more leaflets and less pronounced leaf ...

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The post Is this the Money Tree (Pachira aquatica) the tree to bring you luck? appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

The Boobie Cactus has a unique curvy form that gives rise to its common name. When you think about the plant’s latin name – Myrtillocactus geometrizans ‘Fukurokuryuzinboku’, it’s no wonder that its more descriptive name has gained currency. What gives the Boobie Cactus its name are the distinctive tuberculate ribs that appear like breasts or, ...

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Ficus Lyrata, the Fiddle Leaf Fig, is an undoubted star house plant. If ever there was a statement house plant it is Ficus lyrata. You only have to look at the size and shape of the leaves and stature of the plant to get a serious plant crush – or I do anyway. The drawback ...

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Those of us who fill our homes with plants probably know instinctively about the benefits of indoor plants. We know that house plants are good for us. And we know, somehow, that we get some indefinable positive vibe from looking at our plants, nurturing them and displaying them with care. But, extraordinarily, what we plant ...

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With its glossy, circular fronds, the Livistona rotundifolia, the round leaf or footstool palm, adds a striking, tropical look to any indoor space. As a plantsman, who has encountered this magnificent palm in Northern Australia and South East Asia, I can really recommend this as one of the best indoor palms even in cooler climates ...

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The post Livistona rotundifolia (Round Leaf Fountain Palm): Complete house plant care guide appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Pothos is a fairly popular and easy-to-grow house plant that has attractive, glossy leaves that can be green, variegated, or even golden. It can tolerate low light, drought, and some neglect, making it a good plant for beginners and busy people. But that does not mean you shouldn’t take car of your Pothos – and ...

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The post Golden Pothos: soil, light requirements and full growing guide appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

The Christmas Palm has lush, green fronds and delicate fruits that turn bright red and resemble little Christmas ornaments. These colourful fruits are what give this palm its name. When grown indoors, this slow-growing palm reaches heights between 4 to 8 feet tall with an elegant single straight trunk covered in old leaf bases. The ...

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The post The Christmas Palm (Adonidia merrillii): complete indoor care guide appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

With its graceful, arching fronds in vibrant yellow and green shades, the Golden Cane Palm makes a striking indoors plant. Its tropical appearance means that it stands out on its own as a specimen plant, or as the focal point grouped together with other plants. If you place it near a bright window where its ...

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The Robellini palm, with its gracefully arching green foliage and delicate trunk, makes an excellent and visually striking house plant. Its compact size and easy care requirements also make it an ideal choice for homes and offices. When properly cared for, a Robellini palm can thrive for years and grow to become an impressive centre-piece ...

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The post Robellini palm: How to grow beautiful Phoenix roebellenii indoors appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

The Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) makes a lovely addition to any home. This palm was extremely popular in Victorian times when it was first introduced as a decoration for the home in Europe and the USA. The parlour was where guests were taken and where the most precious things in the house were displayed. These ...

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The post Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans): Follow these 2 critical care requirements appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

It is not easy to overwinter house plants and keep them healthy and happy through the darkest and coldest months of the year. So, when winter is on its way you need to apply some extra house plant care and attention to help your plants survive conditions indoors. Of course, conditions indoors are a lot ...

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Overview Philodendron ilsemanii, commonly called the Ilsemanii Philodendron, is a beautiful foliage plant. It is a tropical evergreen vine native to Ecuadorean rainforests at elevations around 4,500 feet. It can reach lengths between six to ten feet as a houseplant. Ilsemanii Philodendron has long trailing stems covered with large, deeply lobed leaves. The leaves can ...

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Houseplants brighten our homes and give us a sense of bringing the outdoors inside.  However, if you recently brought a houseplant, such as a sansevieria, into your home and noticed lots of small black flies flying around it, you may have brought a bit more of the outdoors inside than you really want.  In that ...

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The post 16 effective ways to get rid of fungus gnats in houseplants, naturally appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Monstera adansonii is a tropical perennial climbing plant. It can grow huge in the wild, but when grown as in indoor plant, with the restricted root space in a pot, it will stay at a manageable size. Monstera adonsonii, like the better know Monstera – Monstera deliciosa – is widely known as the Swiss cheese ...

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If you want to know how deep you plant dahlia tubers, the simple answer, in my experience, is that most dahlia tubers will grow if planted around 4 to 6 inches deep. But you do need to take account of soil conditions and temperatures. And when it comes to soil conditions and temperatures, these are ...

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Sansevieria zeylanica, also known as bowstring hemp or the zeylanica snake plant, is an evergreen perennial plant grown for its striking appearance and low-maintenance nature. Sansevieria zeylanica is one of more than 60 different species of Sansevieria. Originating from the South East Asian region, particularly India and Sri Lanka, this member of the “mother-in-law’s tongue” ...

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Here we bring you a comprehensive list of flowers that start with ‘A’. This selection offers tremendous variety and versatility and will help you come up with some great ideas for the planting in your garden. From classic annuals like African daisies to exotic tropical specimens like angel’s trumpet (the Brugmansia, pictured above), this diverse ...

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Plants and flowers that start with ‘C’ Here you’ll find a list of 49 plants and flowers that start with the letter C. Of course, this is a drop in the ocean compared to the thousands of genus and species of plants that have been classified by botanists over the last few hundred years. Nevertheless, ...

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Stopping/topping dahlias, as well as disbudding and deadheading are all techniques that enable us to get the best out of our dahlia plants. They each have a slightly different purpose but all are ways in which we can influence the production of flowers by the dahlia plant. Here we focus on stopping or topping. Stopping, ...

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Once you have decided when to plant out your dahlia tubers, you’ll need to think about your dahlia spacing – how far apart to plant the tubers. In this post, we’ll look at that question. As with most things in gardening, how you space your dahlias will depend on your own particular circumstances. In particular, ...

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What is Dahlia Gall? Dahlia Gall disease is a bacterial disease that affects the stems and roots of Dahlia plants. Technically, there are two types of gall that affect dahlias: crown gall and leafy gall. Crown gall is a dahlia tuber disease caused by the bacterium Rhizobium radiobacter (also known as Agrobacterium tumefaciens). Leafy gall ...

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Best time for planting out dahlia tubers “When should I plant out dahlia tubers?” That is the eternal dilemma of the dahlia grower in Spring. The answer to this question will ultimately be determined by the climate and conditions where you are. The critical point to remember is that dahlias cannot really take any frost. ...

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The post When to plant dahlia tubers: solving the dahlia grower’s dilemma appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

It is essential to select from the best heat tolerant dahlias if you are growing dahlias somewhere like Florida or other Southern States of the USA, or if you are even trying to grow dahlias in a tropical climate. The same applies if you are growing dahlias in parts of Australia. I lived there for ...

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The post Heat tolerant dahlias: beat the heat with these 120 choice varieties appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Dahlia Islander is a large, striking, heat tolerant dahlia featuring mid to dark pink flowers, with apricot tones. If you’re looking for a way to make a statement in your garden, consider introducing this showstopper into your collection. With its massive 8-10 inch flowers Dahlia Islander is sure to capture the attention of your visitors. ...

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The post Dahlia Islander: large, pink, loud, showy. What’s not to like? appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Dahlia Ivanetti is a beautiful dahlia featuring dark maroon or magenta flowers that brings a rich depth of colour to your garden. Ivanetti is a mini ball dahlia, which means it has round, tightly-packed petals in a spherical or slightly flattened shape. The ray florets are arranged spirally and are rounded at the tips. This ...

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Mulching your dahlias is one of the best ways can keep your dahlias healthy and growing strongly throughout the summer. In truth, mulching benefits all plants in your garden but there are lots of different mulches that you can use. So, when choosing the best mulch for your dahlias, it’s essential to understand the purpose ...

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For a dahlia fanatic like me, owning a dahlia farm would be an absolute dream. Yes, our dahlias look fantastic in the borders, beds and containers in our gardens. But look at them ‘en masse’ in the images on this post – sheer poetry! Dahlia farms typically offer fresh flowers (dahlias and other cut flowers) ...

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Dahlia Night Silence is a relatively new dahlia variety, in the formal decorative dahlia group. Its flower has an unusual, complex and elegant colour palette of dusky pinks and and muted purple and mauves, creating an almost vintage look. The purple shading is found on the underside of the outer florets (petals) and on the ...

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Dahlia Wine eyed Jill is a ball dahlia, with peach, pink, apricot and sometimes lavender colouring that changes over the lifetime of the bloom. There is also a yellow version with a purple centre and yellow flecking on the petals. The image below shows the yellow version which I grew in a pot. This variety ...

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Do dahlias grow in Florida? It is certainly a good question, because dahlias aren’t naturally suited to the year round heat and humidity that you’ll find in some parts of Florida. However, it is worth remembering that Florida’s climate varies across the state. You can see this from the USDA plant hardiness zone map below. ...

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The original dahlias, like dahlia pinnata, come from the warm climates of Central America, but  mainly from areas with dryish heat and cooler evening and winter temperatures. Tropical climates are different. They involve year round heat and intense seasonal rainfall and high levels of humidity. The technical definition of a tropical climate from the Oxford ...

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In this article I feature Thuja plicata x standishii ‘Leprechaun’ , known as the Leprechaun™ Arborvitae. If I am perfectly honest, I was never a major fan of conifers but I have always had a soft spot for Thuja plicata, the western red cedar, mainly because the wood is so gorgeous when used as cladding ...

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In the picture above you’ll see some dahlias in a traditional mixed garden borders. But how else can we grows dahlias? You can certainly grow dahlias in pots. But can you grow dahlias in raised beds? The simple answer to that question is yes – not only can you grow dahlias in raised beds, it ...

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The post 6 compelling reasons to grow dahlias in raised beds (and 2 reasons not to) appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Here is how to choose the lawn tractor that is right for you No wonder you are asking yourself “what kind of lawn tractor do I need?” There are hundreds of  lawn tractor models on the market and the simple question that most people want the answer to is: which is the best one? Surely, ...

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Introduction As the title of this post suggests, it is easy to be confused about the merits of a lawn tractor vs garden tractor vs yard tractor.  And then there are riding lawn mowers, zero turn mowers and ride-on mowers. How do you tell the difference between all these options? And how do you know ...

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It feels like I invest a lot of time, energy and emotion into growing and ripening tomatoes. So, it is always a worry to see a tomato plant looking diseased or distressed in some way.  It is especially concerning when the developing fruit are affected, because the fruit are the reward for all your hard ...

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The post Why do tomatoes get black on the bottom (blossom end rot)? appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

It is hard to think about what needs doing in the garden in February when the garden feels like it is off limits because of the late winter weather.  As I write, after 6 straight days of heavy rain, snow is now swirling around a bleak and sodden February garden, whipped by a bitter easterly ...

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House plant care basics: the 7 requirements If you can master these house plant care basics, you’ll find that you are in a pretty good position to look after most kinds of house plants. All plants have various requirements that need to be met in order for the plant to thrive and grow. For house ...

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In the video below, I answer the question whether geraniums are annuals or perennials by looking at the geraniums in my garden. So are geraniums annuals or perennials? Odd as it might sound in a post about geraniums, we’ll start with some plants that aren’t actually geraniums, namely pelargoniums. Pelargoniums – are they even geraniums? ...

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Sansevieria is commonly grown as a house plant in cooler, northern hemisphere climates, although it grows outdoors readily in tropical and subtropical regions. It is native to dry and rocky regions of Indonesia, Africa, Madagascar and India. Commonly known as the snake plant, the snakeskin plant, bowstring hemp or mother-in-law’s tongue, Sansevieria is now in ...

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The post Snake plant: how many types of Sansevieria are there? appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Are these the 15 best gardening books for beginners only? I’ve called this post 15 of the best gardening books for beginners. But really, these are just 15 great gardening books – among the best gardening books I know. It is a selection of top gardening books for beginners, because it covers the range of ...

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What are cuttings and why take them? Cuttings are pieces of plant material that are removed from a plant and used to propagate new plants. Plant propagation by cuttings is a form of asexual propagation (also known as vegetative propagation) that creates a genetically identical clone of the original plant. There are five main different ...

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Are your tomato plants a little too cosy in the garden? It might seem harmless, but cramming them in can seriously backfire—leading to poor air circulation, more pests and diseases, and a disappointing harvest. Where ever you’re planting your tomatoes – in a raised bed, grow bag, or traditional veg patch – getting the spacing ...

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The post How far apart to plant tomatoes – the great debate appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

Learning how to grow zucchini is pretty straightforward. In fact these were one of the first plants I grew when I first had a vegetable garden, so they can definitely be a good crop for beginner gardeners. Zucchini, also known as courgette, is a summer squash of the Cucurbitaceae family. The Latin name is cucurbita ...

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The post How to Grow Zucchini: Your Guide to Growing this Summer Squash appeared first on Gardening Step by Step.

The difference between perennials and annuals is one of the questions about plants that can be confusing, especially if you are new to gardening. Here we consider annuals and perennials, highlighting how they differ and clearing up whether some of our most popular garden plants are annuals or perennials. Perennial vs annuals: the key difference ...

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It seems to me that if you are interested in gardening, you are interested in growing plants. Unless you are going to create a Japanese Zen garden, like the famous Ryōan-ji garden in Kyoto, plants are going to be at the centre of your gardening efforts. What do we get from growing plants? Plants give ...

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Petunias: annual or perennial? In most garden environments petunias are sold and grown as annuals, typically as bedding plants for beds, hanging baskets and containers. But are petunias really annuals? The answer is no. Technically, petunias are perennials. This is because in warm temperate climates, with no risk of frost and no scorching temperatures, petunias ...

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One of the great advantages of dahlias is that if you keep deadheading them, they will continue to flower right into the fall/autumn. However, dahlias are only borderline hardy which means that the flowers and foliage will be cut back by the first frosts.  So, at this point in the year you have to decide ...

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What is deadheading and why do it? Deadheading flowers is simply the process of removing the spent blooms from your plants. You should typically deadhead as the bloom fades and begins to lose its petals. There are two main reasons for deadheading your flowers. Firstly, deadheading encourages your plant to produce more flowers. Secondly, deadheading ...

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In this article I show you how to prune hydrangeas, with a simple step by step process. There are multiple species of hydrangea and many different varieties or cultivars within each species. This means, it is pretty easy to find a hydrangea to suit your garden. Hydrangea flowers Hydrangeas are grown for their showy flowers. ...

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The video below is all about pruning or pinching out tomato plants, in particular pinching out the side shoots of tomato plants. If you want to know how to prune tomato plants, this is basically what you need to know. In the video: Transcript: How to pinch out tomato plants This is a short video ...

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In the video below, I show you how to prick out tomato seedlings. Pricking out is the process of transplanting the tomato seedlings from their original seed tray into a pot so that they can grown on. Normally, they would then be grown on in the pot for a few weeks before the tomato plants ...

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Geranium × johnsonii ‘Johnson’s Blue’, the Meadow Cranesbill Johnson’s Blue, or more simply Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’ is a clump forming hardy geranium with lavender, 5 petalled flowers, approximately 5 com (2 inches) across which held above attractive foliage. The plant hold’s the RHS Award of Garden Merit. The hardy geraniums are great ground cover plants, given their spreading ...

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Gas powered lawn mowers give you power, durability and flexibility. As long as you’ve got the fuel, these things will keep going, meaning that you can cut lawns large and small, near to or far from your house. There are various types of gas powered lawn mowers and a range of different features available. This ...

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Buying the best lawn edger tool you can find could be a great decision, because if there is one single thing you can do to make your garden look sharp – it’s tidying up the edges of your lawn and garden beds. Even if your perennials need staking, your hedges need a trim or your ...

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Dahlia Wizard of Oz is a pompon dahlia (read more about the different types of dahlias here), with a beautiful delicate pearly pink colouring. As a pompon, it has a fairly small double flower head (2-3 inches across), in a round, or globular, shape and its petals (technically its ray florets) are tubular or rounded ...

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In this post we cover some of the best Thalictrums to grow in your garden, as well as running through the key points you need to know in order to help your Thalictrums thrive. Commonly known as the Meadow Rue, Thalictrums are herbaceous perennial plants and typically have fine blue-green or green foliage of various ...

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Anemanthele lessoniana is a beautiful clump forming ornamental grass with a nice upright habit. Its leaves are a mixture of green and bronze, turning red and orange in summer and autumn. It generally prefers full sun, but can take some shade, although, in my experience, the colouring is less fiery in shade. Small feathery red ...

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Plant hardiness Plant hardiness can be described as follows: Assuming the right amounts of nutrients, light and water the survival of a plant in a particular location is determined by the lowest temperatures it will have to withstand. We therefore say that a plant that can withstand the temperature extremes in a particular place is ...

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The value of garden chipper shredders In my view even the best garden chipper shredders can be can either be incredibly useful tools or intensely frustrating ones. Incredibly useful, because there is something very satisfying, almost magical, about clearing away your tangled mess of clippings, prunings and fallen leaves reducing them in volume and turning ...

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In many ways a cordless electric lawn mower gives you the best of both worlds when you are looking to select the best lawn mower. With a cordless lawn mower you get the flexibility and freedom of movement associated with gas powered lawn mower models, but the quietness and environmental soundness found in the the ...

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Featured Image: Photo by zhang kaiyv on Pexels.com Weeding is a job that is traditionally considered to be one of those that gardeners like least. And, the truth is, if weeds have really taken over your garden, then getting rid of them will be a tough job. However, weeding your garden beds is also one ...

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Cordless leaf blowers (also known as battery powered lead blowers), offer users a number of advantages over other types of leaf blowing machines. If you are looking for the best leaf blower, a cordless model might be the best choice for you – especially if you have a fairly small area to clear and you ...

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In this short podcast I focus on growing conditions and in particular what I have learned about the relationship between temperature and plants in my garden in the two years I have been gardening here. The transcript below is an edited version of the podcast. Transcript I’ve been musing about the way the garden has ...

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Lawn care is one of those gardening tasks that can take you as much or as little time as you are willing to give it. Once you know how to take care of your lawn – which this article will show you – you can take these lawn care tips and tailor them to the ...

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How do you choose an electric mower? Are you looking for a new electric lawn mower – may be as an upgrade from an older model or because you’ve got your own lawn to mow for the first time. Either way, an electric lawn mower will suit you if you have a relatively small lawn, ...

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How to choose the best lawn mower The critical thing to remember when choosing a lawn mower, is that it should be the best lawn mower for you and your garden. To work out which is going to be the best lawn mower for you, there are a number of questions you can ask yourself ...

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