It may just be “dirt” to us, but soil is home to your plants. When it comes to flower gardening and growing vegetables too, good bed preparation is the key to success. Whether your garden bed is predominantly sandy or full of clay, the solution to improving it is the […] The post Good soil preparation for a successful garden appeared first on Flower Gardening Made Easy.| Flower Gardening Made Easy
The lovely perennial Variegated Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum odoratum‘Variegatum’) has been named the 2013 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association. This graceful shade-lover is grown for its handsome all-season variegated foliage. It blooms in late spring with dangling white flowers tinted with a hint of green. Polygonatum […] The post Variegated Solomon’s Seal: a great choice for shade appeared first on Flower Gardening Made Easy.| Flower Gardening Made Easy
Photo: Fernlea Flowers An arrangement of winter containers says “welcome” at your front door during the festive season. You can decorate them with lights, ribbons and bows, and then keep the display going through the winter simply by taking away the obviously Christmassy decorations in January. Remember to use weather-proof […] The post Create inviting winter containers appeared first on Flower Gardening Made Easy.| Flower Gardening Made Easy
Winter care of trees and shrubs is an important consideration in cold regions. Shade trees, ornamental shrubs and evergreens are the biggest plant investments you’ll make for your garden. If you live in a cold-weather zone, you know that winter can be hard on garden plants. Here are tips for […] The post Winter care of trees and shrubs: prevent cold weather damage appeared first on Flower Gardening Made Easy.| Flower Gardening Made Easy
North American prairie wildflower plants evolved in regions where winters are long and cold and summers hot and dry, so it’s no wonder they are tough beauties and easy to grow. Once these perennials are established, they will thrive in ordinary soil without watering, and they attract butterflies and seed-eating […] The post Wildflower plants for sunny prairie-style gardens appeared first on Flower Gardening Made Easy.| Flower Gardening Made Easy
A magnet for butterflies Photo: © Y.Cunnington Wildflower meadows of North American native wildflowers and grasses have been billed as a low-maintenance, earth-friendly way of planting that doesn’t call for fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides or extra watering. But do they really work in practice? Yes, if you start out properly (researching […] The post Wildflower meadows: Flowers & grasses prairie style appeared first on Flower Gardening Made Easy.| Flower Gardening Made Easy
When to plant bulbs for spring? Bulbs show up in stores while summer is still in full swing, so should you plant them as soon as they’re available? Answer: No, it’s best to wait. According to the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center, a little procrastination is a good thing. About […] The post When to plant bulbs – Wait until fall turns cool appeared first on Flower Gardening Made Easy.| Flower Gardening Made Easy
West Nile disease and mosquitoes: Those words can send a chill up many a gardener’s spine – especially water gardening enthusiasts. You may have concerns that your water feature, garden pond or birdbath could promote the breeding of mosquitoes and increase the risk of someone in your family contracting the […] The post Water gardening and west nile disease: practical prevention tips appeared first on Flower Gardening Made Easy.| Flower Gardening Made Easy
Have you ever stood watering the garden on a hot summer afternoon, the sprayer nozzle and hose in one hand and a cool drink in the other? It feels good, but the trouble is, you’re getting a better drink than your plants are. Why? You’re using the wrong tool for […] The post Watering the garden making every drop count appeared first on Flower Gardening Made Easy.| Flower Gardening Made Easy
How to grow Virginia bluebells, native wildflowers for your garden| www.flower-gardening-made-easy.com