Gardening

Common sage has lovely leathery, silver leaves and is also available in tricolor variegated forms that make handsome foliage plants. The oval leaves are hairy and fragrant. Read more about this hardy shrub.

By Lynn Adams

Decorative sweet potatoes have colored leaf forms that help to distinguish it in the vegetable garden. They grow into ground-hugging vines that stretch across the front of a flower bed or out of containers. Read more about this interesting plant.

By Lynn Adams

Scaveola, also called fairy fan-flower, has blue to purple flowers shaped like fans. It is pretty in hanging baskets, or for use as ground cover. Read how to grow and care for scaveola

By Lynn Adams

Statice, or sea lavender, is the perfect flower for cutting and drying. They make beautiful upright accents in mixed flower gardens, and are great for attracting butterflies. Read about these lovely flowers.

By Lynn Adams

Vining petunias are a new type of petunias, whose flowers emerge from top to bottom. They are low maintenance and are ideal for hanging baskets. Read about other uses for vining petunias.

By Lynn Adams

Fragrant Solomon's seal is a graceful plant with tall leaves, creamy bell-shaped flowers, and blue-black fruit. It may take some time to get established, but is well worth the wait. Read about this colorful plant.

By Natalia K. Hamill

Golden lace, scabious patrinia, is a much overlooked perennial that mixes well with most other plants. It is easy to care for and makes an excellent cut flower. Read about this great flower.

By Natalia K. Hamill

Goutweed, also known as bishop's weed, can easily grow out of control but for the same reason, it makes for perfect ground cover. Read about its foliage and flowers and how to care for it.

By Natalia K. Hamill

Ladybells have enormously beautiful blue flowers. It requires little maintenance; it self-seeds, and may persist for years. Read about this heat-tolerant flower and how to care for this easy-to-care-for flower.

By Natalia K. Hamill

Hyssop, anise hyssop, is a herblike perennial with spikes of brightly colored flowers that bloom in later summer to early fall. Read about this showy plant and find out which animals it attracts.

By Natalia K. Hamill

Leadwort is a beautiful ground cover with foliage that especially shines at the end of the season. It is a semi-evergreen that should not be planted with other perennials. Read about it here.

By Natalia K. Hamill

Jupiter's beard, or red valerian, is a cheerful and blowzy plant. It is not fussy and it has a long flowering period, starting in spring. Learn about this old perennial and find out how to grow it.

By Natalia K. Hamill

Monkshood has showy dark blue flower spikes that bloom in late summer and early fall and resemble hoods. Its toxic properties have been described since the early sixteenth century. Read more about this fascinating plant.

By Natalia K. Hamill

Moss phlox has dark green, prickly leaves with groups of flat flowers held above the foliage. It blooms in April and May when spring weather has come to stay. Read about this great ground cover.

By Natalia K. Hamill

Thyme is usually relegated to the herb garden but it's creeping habit makes it a natural for edging and planting in between stepping stones in a sunny perennial garden. Read more about this misunderstood herb.

By Natalia K. Hamill

Annual plants fill your landscape with color and fragrance, adorn your vases with bouquets, and provide a harvest of vegetables and herbs. Learn about the many ways to use annual plants.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Snowstorm bacopa is a new annual in the U.S. It has hundreds of small white flowers on cascading stems and grows well in both sun and shade. Read more about this Proven Winner.

By Lynn Adams

Dill is a wonderfully versatile annual that is both beautiful and edible. The feathery foliage and yellow flowers are both distinctively decorative and quite tasty. Read about caring for dill.

By Lynn Adams

Dracaena, or spike plant, was traditionally considered a houseplant, but has now moved outside as an annual. The leaves add great height and texture to any garden scenery. Read about this fascinating plant.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Licorice plant is an annual plant related to strawflowers. They are covered with furry, silver, heart-shaped leaves with cream or yellow coloration. Read more about this intriguing plant.

By Lynn Adams

Mexican zinnia thrives in hot weather and grows upright to 24 inches high. It bears golden, orange, or red flowers all season and looks similar to marigolds. Read more about this charming choice.

By Lynn Adams

Annuals grow quickly and fill your garden with blossoms from spring until fall. Make the most of their bright blooms by carefully laying out your garden. Learn how to design an annuals garden.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Dalmatian bellflower is an excellent flower for all kinds of rock gardens. It is easy to grow and produces bluish-purple blossoms. In this article, learn about planting, growing, propagating, and using Dalmatian bellflower.

By C. Colston Burrell

Gypsy baby's breath is an airy bush covered with petite flowers in hues from white to carmine. The flowers will bloom for an extended period. Learn more about this effective border plant.

By Lynn Adams

Thunbergia, also known as Black-Eyed Susan Vine or Clock Vine, climbs to heights of 8 feet. Petals of white, yello, orange, or cram fan around dar "eyes." Learn about thkis fantastic trellising plant.

By C. Colston Burrell