Blogs by Year

From large, sculptural plants to charming succulents, there's a place for houseplants in every home. Green plants add textural interest, fill in drab corners and soften architectural features, and they can enhance mood and freshen air too. Large floor plants are especially ideal when used as an accent plant or as a focal point indoors. And, when it comes to indoor plants, some folks don’t have a reputation for having a green thumb. But, not all plants require equal amounts of TLC, and there are a lot that can put up with a little unintentional neglect.

Bring the outside in with some of our favorite easy-to-care for houseplants -- no green thumb required. Most of us who think that we have bad luck with houseplants simply have not selected the right plant for our space. Before purchasing a houseplant, consider these three simple questions: where is the plant going to live?; what kind of light does the area receive?; and what are the plants watering requirements? Top 5 Easiest Houseplants:

These little golden beauties are grown for their season-long blooms, their beautiful scent, and because they are easy to grow. Marigolds bloom early in the summer and continue non-stop up to the first hard frost in the fall. And, did you know that marigold plants produce unique compounds that give off strong odors that deter many insects and pests? By planting marigolds alongside your vegetables, not only are you providing lovely flowers, but you're also helping keep your veggies safe from pests - naturally!

by Kathy Van Mullekom, a lifelong gardener and gardening writer living in York County, Virginia

by Kathy Van Mullekom, a lifelong gardener and gardening writer living in York County, VirginiaEach summer, I chuckle when neighbors and friends ask why caterpillars are eating their parsley, dill and fennel. They want to know how to kill whatever rascal is doing the damage. With a straight face and slight sternness in my voice, I quietly explain that those horrible caterpillars will soon morph into beautiful butterflies. But, first they need to eat. Oh, they quickly reply, smiling at the thought.

BUGS BEWARE!Like other plants, Venus Fly Traps gather nutrients from gases in the air and nutrients in the soil. However, they live in poor soil and are healthier if they get nutrients from insects. Carnivorous plants live all over the world but the Venus Fly Trap is native to select boggy areas in North and South Carolina. Because of people's fascination with these plants, they collected many of them and they became endangered. Today, Fly Traps are grown in greenhouses.

National Honey Bee Day is coming up Saturday, August 15th. Let’s herald these hard-working pollinators and support local beekeepers!

Do you have a garden spot that is sunny, hot and dry with poor or rocky soil? Well we’ve got just plant for you - sedums! Sedums are a gardener's dream. These flowering perennials thrive in alkaline soil and full sun and require minimal maintenance, and best of all they do not require a great deal of watering. Sedums are characteristically low, spreading plants often used as ground covers, in rock gardens, or in containers mixed with other succulents or plants. Colors range from bright green to vibrant pink to silver and blue.

by Kathy Van Mullekom, a lifelong gardener and gardening writer living in York County, VirginiaHaving lived on some kind of waterway for 25 years, I’ve learned much about the good and bad of waterfront gardening. The good is that plants are often tougher than you think they are. Our yards have been though numerous saltwater tidal floods and most of the plants thrive just fine. Happily for me and the plants, refreshing rains typically follow flooding and wash away much of any salinity in the soil.

Sometimes called firecracker flower, this tropical variety puts on quite a show, featuring large clusters of dazzling, frilly orange flowers that pop against glossy dark green foliage. This flowering perennial is easy to grow, loves heat and humidity, and does well in full sun to partial shade. Enjoy blooms late spring through early fall and typically reaching a height and spread of 1-3 feet. Orange Marmalade is perfect for brightening borders, annual and perennial beds and looks fantastic in outdoor containers.