Songbirds are attracted to the garden by plants that provide food–seeds, fruit, and nectar. Fruit-bearing shrubs attract songbirds. Seed and nectar-bearing flowers attract songbirds. Drifts of flowers are attractive to almost all birds because they are home to insects and spiders as well as nectar and seed. Shrubs, hedgerows, and trees are attractive to birds […] More
Hummingbirds are attracted to bright colored flowers, especially red and orange. The hummingbird’s primary diet is flower nectar. They can hover like bees in front of tubular or trumpet-shaped blossoms, probing with their long needle-like beaks to extract nectar. Hummingbirds are very territorial, so plant several patches of their favorite flowers if you want to […] More
Butterflies can be attracted to the garden by growing nectar-rich plants. Butterflies attracted to gardens with masses of brightly colored flowers. Their favorites are purple, red, orange, and yellow. Butterflies prefer small fragrant flowers. They prefer nectar-filled tubular blossoms or flat blossoms that serve as landing pads. They rarely visit large showy flowers or trumpet-shaped […] More
Fragrant annuals and perennials bring delight to the garden. In planting fragrant annuals and perennials consider first the place and circumstance. Choose annuals and perennials that will grow in your climate, then consider whether the plant will thrive in the sun or shade in the spot you have in mind, then consider the flower color […] More
Long-blooming perennials are perennial plants that will hold blossoms for weeks on end–sometimes as long as 5 to 8 weeks for each flower. Long-blooming perennials are also plants that produce successions of blooms over a long season. They bloom and then they bloom again. Perennials are often referred to as the “busy gardener’s favorites” because […] More
Drought-tolerant trees can withstand dry conditions once established. No native or commonly used landscape plant is drought-resistant until it becomes established in the site. All plants require a steady supply of moisture when first planted. Trees can tolerate drought if they are deep-rooted. Deep roots can harvest soil moisture from past rainfalls. Trees planted in […] More
Drought-tolerant shrubs are shrubs that can withstand dry weather once established. No landscape plant is drought-resistant until it becomes established in the site. Once a drought-tolerant shrub is established and has a deep root system, it requires less water. All plants require a steady supply of moisture when first planted. Most shrubs require a year […] More
Drought tolerant annuals and perennials are plants that can withstand dry soil after their roots are established. No plant is drought-resistant until it become established. All plants require a steady supply of moisture when first planted. Once a plant is established and has a deep root system, it requires less water. Annuals and perennials started […] More
Fast-growing trees can transform a landscape in a few years. They can bring shade and privacy to an otherwise open situation. Fast-growing is a relative term when it comes to trees; a fast-growing tree can add 3 to 10 feet (.9-3m) in height and breadth in a year. That means a one or two-year-old sapling […] More
Fragrant vines are a good choice for arbors, trellises, and pergolas near outdoor sitting areas or entries. Fragrances in addition to colorful flowers and foliage make these vines a welcome addition to outdoor living areas. The vines listed here are notable for their sweet and sometimes even heady fragrance. Fragrance is often compounded in warm […] More
Groundcovers for slopes must be able to hold the soil and protect the ground. They must be able to withstand wind and rain. Their roots and foliage must grow quickly and laterally to hold the soil. Many groundcovers for slopes have a matting habit—growing low and wide. The spreading nature of groundcovers keeps wind, rain, […] More
Groundcovers that can survive in hot, sunny spots are especially useful. Few plants can thrive in hot, sunny conditions. Groundcovers for hot, sunny areas are practical plants that can solve a common landscape problem. Plants that are native to the Mediterranean are well-adapted to growing and thriving in hot, sunny, and often dry soil. Many […] More
Stephen Albert