Easy Flowers That Practically Grow Themselves

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

"Whether you’re a new or experienced gardener, sometimes you’re just looking for easy flowers to grow. Colorful flowers all season long not only delight humans, the also attract pollinators such as butterflies and bees.

If you crave color, long bloom times, and flowers you’re not going to have to coddle, there are many annuals and perennials to choose from. The standard advice is that flowers planted in pots, window boxes, and hanging baskets tend to dry out fast at the height of summer, so check them daily during hot, dry spells. Not every gardener wants to face those tasks every day, so we've included a few drought-tolerant options that will do just fine without daily watering."  Comments from Southern Living

Many of my favorites!

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Easy to Grow Annuals for a Cut-Flower Garden

 

Photo source:  Rural Sprout

 

"When it comes to making your living space fresh and inviting, it’s hard to find anything that does the job better than plants. And while I love the creeping tendrils of my philodendron and the fuzzy leaves of my many African violets, I enjoy bringing fresh-cut flowers into my home when it’s summertime."  Comments from Rural Sprout

It is one of the reasons I love growing zinnias!

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Why Southern Grandmothers Sprayed Hydrangeas With Hairspray

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

"Yes, that’s right. Your trusty Aquanet, or more modern equivalent, can be used to sneakily keep hydrangeas looking healthy, full, and alive. When my grandmother, a bonafide amateur florist, told me about the old-fashioned trick, I couldn't quite believe it. But it works!"  Comment from Southern Living

Very interesting!

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Beautiful Greenhouse Ideas for Year-Round Gardening

 

Photo source:  Martha Stewart

"Often, we can only enjoy our favorite flowers, veggies, and herbs for a few months out of the year. However, greenhouses can create a bountiful garden year-round, keeping plants and seedlings cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

There is a wide variety of greenhouse options, from farmhouse-style A-frames to modern geodesic domes. A bonus? They're a special way to spend time outdoors—and grow unique plants—no matter the weather. Here, we’ve gathered some expert-recommended greenhouse ideas that can accommodate a variety of spaces and flora so you can enjoy gardening rain or shine."  Comments from Martha Stewart.com

My favorite greenhouse is the one pictured above, although I would take any of them.

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How to Use Epsom Salts for Stronger, More Vibrant Rose Bushes

 

Photo source:  Martha Stewart

"Roses are a popular flower amongst gardeners. The perennial fills a landscape with a sense of timelessness that other flowers have a hard time replicating. But despite their appeal, roses have a reputation for being difficult to maintain. If your roses are looking a little worse for wear, there is one cure that gardeners swear by: Epsom salts. The compound contains elements that are known to reduce the risk of disease, enhance nutrient uptake, and improve flower quality."  Comments from Martha Stewart.com

Although I have tried to grow roses in the past, I would always kill them.  But I didn't know what I was doing.  Learning about the plants you grow is so important.  This article has excellent information to give you better luck with growing roses.

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How To Revive An Orchid That's Stopped Blooming

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

"If the last time you saw your orchid bloom was when you brought it home from the garden center, it doesn’t mean it will never bloom again. With a few tweaks to its care, you’ll see its elegant blooms again in no time. The first step is making sure your orchid is healthy and free from pests and disease. More light, cooler night-time temperatures, and the right balance of water and nutrients can help. Read on to learn how to give your orchid the right care and get it back on track for re-blooming."  Comment from Southern Living

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When Is The Best Time To Plant Dahlias?

 

"While brightly colored dahlias have been a part of Southern gardens for hundreds of years, social media and the wedding industry have made these stunning blooms popular stars in the garden. If you are growing dahlias for the first time, knowing when to plant the tubers will make a difference in their successful growth. Learn more about planting dahlias and what they need to produce gorgeous flowers."  Comment from Southern Living

I wish I could grow them in my zone, need to be a little further north.  Those are beautiful flowers.

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How To Fertilize Hydrangeas Before Spring For Bigger, Better Blooms

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

"With their showy blooms, hydrangeas are one of the most popular flowering shrubs in gardens across America. With so many varieties, there is sure to be a hydrangea that appeals to your sensibilities. Proper fertilization is a key component to those blooms, and timing is critical. Learn more about fertilizing all types of hydrangeas for bigger blooms."  Comment from Southern Living

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How to Propagate Monstera Successfully

 

Photo source:  Better Homes and Gardens

"Monstera deliciosa, aka Swiss cheese plant, gives any space a tropical, modern look. If you want to expand your indoor jungle for free, this houseplant is easy to propagate into more plants. Here's how to create more plants from your monstera via stem cuttings or air layers. Keep the new plants for yourself or share with friends and family. And if you happen to have a rarer variety, perhaps you could even make a little money on the side."  Comment from Better Homes and Gardens

Love this plant and never tried to propagate.  Hope to get another chance.

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Climbing Plants That Practically Grow Themselves

 

Photo Source:  Southern Living

"Whether they're trailing across a fence or delicately covering an arbor, climbing vines and flowers add a cottage charm to gardens. But while these plants may look like they require hours of care and attention, there are actually a number of climbing plants that thrive in Southern gardens with little to no effort.

Whether you love the continuous colorful blooms of clematis or the sweet scent of jasmine, here are nine low-maintenance climbing plants for your garden."  Comment from Southern Living

The climbers have such a dramatic appearance.  My favorite to grow is bougainvillea.

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Hummingbird Myths You Should Stop Believing

 

Photo source:  Birds and Blooms

"There's a lot of bogus ideas out there about these brilliant birds. Learn the truth behind these common hummingbird myths."  Comment from Birds and Blooms

There is so much to learn about hummingbirds.

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When Hummingbirds Are Expected To Return To The South

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

"As winter loosens its grip across the South, one of the season’s smallest migrants begins its return. Hummingbirds, fresh from wintering grounds in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, are already pushing north, and Southern backyards are their first stop."  Comment from Southern Living

I am hoping they will visit my yard this year.

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Butterfly Host Plant Myths and Facts

 

Photo source:  Birds and Blooms

"Plant it and they will come. Believe it or not, it really is that simple when it comes to butterfly host plants. Scatter dill seeds among your lovely pink cosmos, and soon you’ll see swallowtails. Plant a patch of milkweed, and you’re bound to get monarchs. Got an out-of-the-way corner for nettles? Get ready to welcome red admirals. Butterfly gardening truly is this easy, but myths abound, so let’s set the story straight."  Comment from Birds and Blooms

If you are in my part of the world, zone 9b, pentas attracted the butterflies into my garden more than the other plants.  I had them planted all over my property.

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Top 10 Trailing Houseplants to Grow in Hanging Pots

 

Photo source:  Birds and Blooms

"Growing houseplants is a great way to brighten up the indoors when the outdoors is gray and chilly. Whether you’re an expert gardener or a total newbie, many houseplants don’t require a ton of tending—and they add a welcome burst of green to any room. Hanging houseplants, much like spring and summer’s hanging flower baskets, provide eye-catching intrigue to an indoor garden. Check out these simple, easy-to-grow trailing houseplants for hanging containers."  Comment from Birds and Blooms

Click here to go to the Birds and Blooms very informative article.

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Ways to Prevent Damping Off in Seedlings

 

Photo source:  Garden Betty

"Did your seedlings suddenly fall over and die overnight? It’s not from pests, and it’s not because the wind knocked them over. In fact, the problem starts below the surface… not above it. Find out why damping off disease happens to even healthy seedlings and how to prevent this common fungal infection."  Comment from Garden Betty

An important phase in growing from seed that needs to be learned.

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How To Grow And Care For Camellias

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

"The South is the heart of camellia country. Indeed, common camellia (Camellia japonica) is even Alabama's state flower. Although it seems like these evergreen flowering shrubs, which are so well suited to our area, must have been born here, they actually hail from eastern and southern Asia. Camellias are members of the tea family, Theaceae, and bring beautiful blooms to our gardens during the cold months.

More than 3,000 named kinds of camellias exist in a remarkable range of colors, forms, and sizes. They are not browsed by deer, another plus point for life outdoors in the South. These beautiful shrubs—some grow as much as a foot a year to eventually form a small tree—can be planted in the fall through early spring in Southern gardens. Read on for more tips on planting and tending camellias."  Comment from Southern Living

Trying to learn as much as I can about this beautiful plant I'd love to grow.

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