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.

Click here to go to the Southern Living article.

read more

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

Click here to go to the Southern Living article.

read more

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.

Click here to go to the Better Homes and Gardens article.

read more

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.

Click here to go to the Southern Living article.

read more

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.

Click here to go to the Birds and Blooms article to learn more.

read more

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.

Click here to go to the Southern Living article.

read more

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.

Click here to go to the Birds and Blooms article.

read more

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.

read more

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.

Click here to go to the Garden  Betty article.

read more

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.

Click here to go to the Southern Living article.

read more