Gardening

Gardening is a useful and relaxing pastime. Read gardening tips and learn how to plan and care for a variety of gardens.

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Cleome, or spider flower, is an annual flower known for its exceedingly long seedpods. They develop below the flowers to give the plants a spidery look. Find out more about Cleome.

By Betty Barr Mackey

The geranium, zonal, is a South African annual flower with a horseshoe-shaped band of dark leaf color. You can grow it in the garden or as a house plant. Find out about the zonal geranium.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Lantana is an annual flower abundantly covered through the summer with brightly colored blossoms. This woody shrub comes in white, yellow, gold, orange, and red flowers an is a great container plant. Learn about lantana.

By Betty Barr Mackey

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Marigold is an annual flower that blooms well over a long season. American marigolds can be tall, up to 36 inches. French marigolds, or triploids, are bushier and more compact. Learn about the marigold.

By Betty Barr Mackey

Nasturtium is an annual flower that is popular as an introduction to gardening. Salad lovers enjoy the peppery tang of nasturtium leaves and its edible flowers among their greens. Learn about nasturtium.

By Betty Barr Mackey

Pansies, and violas are annual flowers related to violets. These plants bloom during cool seasons of the year. In the Deep South, they are used for winter bedding. Learn about pansies and violas.

By Betty Barr Mackey

The Sunflower is an annual North American flower in many colors. Its tall flowers grow as high as 15 feet. Sunflower seeds are a treat for birds and people. Learn about the sunflower.

By Betty Barr Mackey

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Herbs are useful for cooking, crafting, and decorating -- boldly coming out of the garden and into your home. Learn more about planting and growing perennial herbs such as lavender and rosemary.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

While all plants need water, too much water can drown your plants. There are several annuals, however, that will thrive in wet conditions. Learn which annuals can tolerate moist soil.

By Sue Loellbach

Annuals under 12 inches work well at the front of gardens and along borders, since they leave the taller plants behind them visible. Learn which annuals stay under 12 inches high.

By Sue Loellbach

Annuals come in many heights, and a few grow to over 24 inches. These plants can provide a dramatic touch to your garden. Learn which annuals are taller and grow to over 24 inches high.

By Sue Loellbach

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One way to liven up a garden is by including colors that stand out. Learn how yellow to orange perennial flowers can brighten your yard, and which ones are right for your garden.

By Shane Wilson

While many flowers feature bright, vibrant colors, some gardeners prefer a subtler approach. Read about white to green perennial flowers, which have an airy appearance and blend in naturally with the green of most plants.

By Shane Wilson

Many gardens have spots that are shady at least part of the time. The areas that get a mix of light and shade are perfect for planting partial shade annuals. Learn which annuals to use.

By Sue Loellbach

When planning a garden, most people mix different annual varieties for diversity in color, texture, and height. Learn about the yellow to orange annual flowers you can use to spice up your garden.

By C. Colston Burrell

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Annuals are primed to germinate quickly when conditions are right, grow speedily, and then make loads of flowers, fruits, roots, and seeds. Learn about red annual flowers to give your garden a touch of fire.

By Betty Barr Mackey

Perennial flowers bloom year after year, without the need to replant. Learn the best perennials to plant in your garden. Read about the different types of perennial flowers, and which ones are best for you.

By Shane Wilson

When planning a garden, the height of your flowers is an important consideration. Learn to use perennials 12-24 inches high, and find the knee-high plants that will best fit your vision for a home garden.

By Shane Wilson

Some gardens offer a quiet escape from the stimulation of modern life. These latter gardens use blue and purple to create a peaceful atmosphere. Learn how blue to purple perennial flowers cool down your garden.

By Shane Wilson

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Many gardeners have shady spots in their yards. The areas that get a mix of light and shade are perfect for planting partial shade perennials. In this article, we'll describe great perennials for part shade.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Full sun perennials are flowers that need direct sun for at least six to eight hours a day. On this page, we list the full sun perennials by color and type to suit your garden.

By Brandi Kleinert Larsen

Some plants need just a little bit more support than the rest, either because of heavy clusters of flowers, slender stems, or a combination of both. Learn about various staking techniques in this article.

By C. Colston Burrell

Good soil is the first step to a great garden. The loose, dark earth of the gardens seen on television doesn't usually just happen, however. Learn how to make the most out of your soil.

By C. Colston Burrell

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Perennials are distinct from annuals in that they return year after year, eliminating the need to buy and plant flowers every spring. Perennials generally bloom only one or two seasons per year. Learn about perennials.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

If you really want to make the most of your garden, you might also want to consider such plantings as ground covers. Find out how to design your landscape to grow ground covers beautifully.

By Editors of Consumer Guide