Photo: DidierFy (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: FrancyDB (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: FrancyDB (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) When to Prune Cherry Laurel Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is a fast-growing evergreen shrub prized for its dense, glossy foliage and reliability as a privacy hedge. The best time to prune is late spring…
Photo: Avenue (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Avenue (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Luvs2Garden (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Know Your Pruning Group Clematis is one of the most rewarding climbers you can grow, but its pruning needs confuse many gardeners because different varieties are pruned in completely different ways. Clematis are divided…
Signs Your Plant Needs Repotting Most houseplants benefit from repotting every one to two years, but the exact timing depends on the plant’s growth rate rather than the calendar. Look for roots circling the surface of the soil or growing out of the drainage holes, water running straight through the pot without being absorbed, a…
English ivy (Hedera helix) has clothed buildings and garden walls for centuries, prized for its dense, evergreen coverage and low maintenance once established. As a self-clinging climber, it can transform a bare brick or stone facade into a living, textured green wall with real ecological benefits – but it also needs to be understood and…
You’ve mastered simple repotting into a bigger pot, but what if you don’t want the plant to get any bigger? Or what if you’d like to switch it from soil to hydroponics? In this article, we cover advanced repotting techniques and what to watch out for. Root Pruning: When the Pot Shouldn’t Get Bigger Some…
Repotting is more than just moving a plant into a bigger pot. The right combination of pot size, drainage, and substrate determines whether your plant thrives in its new home or struggles. Here’s how to find the perfect combination and avoid the most common mistakes. The Right Pot Size: The Goldilocks Principle The new pot…
Few climbing plants make as dramatic a spring statement as wisteria, with its cascading clusters of fragrant purple-blue (or occasionally white or pink) flowers draping over pergolas, arbors, and house facades. It is also one of the most vigorous vines a gardener can plant, and understanding its needs – especially pruning – is essential for…
Photo: Naturpuur (CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Netha Hussain (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Dr. Jan Hinrichs-Berger, LTZ Augustenberg Referat 33 Karlsruhe (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Why Thyme Makes Excellent Ground Cover Thyme (Thymus) is one of the best low-growing plants for covering sunny, dry ground where grass struggles. Its tiny aromatic…
Photo: Frantisek horak (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Matt6798 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Agnieszka Kwiecieล, Nova (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata), also known as moss phlox, is one of the most rewarding and colorful ground covers for sunny locations. From April to June, it transforms rock gardens, low…
Photo: Aleksey Gnilenkov from Moscow, Russia (CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: division, CSIRO (CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Aleksey Gnilenkov from Moscow, Russia (CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons) Few things are more frustrating than watching a carefully tended plant suddenly fall victim to tiny pests. Within just a few weeks, pests can ruin…
