AMERICAN GARDENER

Many blooms in the plant world share a resemblance to the lilies. These look-alikes have evolved similar forms not by coincidence, but often because the same shape is highly effective at attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Some of these botanical twins grow from bulbs just like their more famous counterparts, producing tall, slender … Read more

Companion planting is an age-old gardening practice where certain plants are grown near each other for mutual benefit. Some plants naturally boost each other’s growth by enriching the soil with essential nutrients, making the surrounding environment more fertile and productive for their neighbors. Some plants act as natural pest repellents, releasing scents or compounds that … Read more

Roses are famously sun-loving plants, but some varieties have quietly adapted to thrive in lower light conditions. These shade-tolerant types tend to have thinner, broader leaves that are more efficient at capturing available light, and they generally produce fewer but equally beautiful blooms compared to their sun-drenched counterparts. For gardeners dealing with partly shaded spaces, … Read more

Reblooming perennials are a gardener’s dream, offering the rare ability to flower more than once within a single growing season. Unlike typical perennials that bloom just once, these remarkable plants take a brief rest and then push out a second — sometimes even third — flush of blooms, extending the garden’s color and vibrancy for … Read more

Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum and related species) is a low-growing, mat-forming perennial herb that belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae. Native to Europe and western Asia, it has been cultivated and admired for thousands of years for its aromatic foliage, delicate flowers, and remarkable versatility in the garden. Unlike its upright culinary cousin common thyme … Read more

Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum) is a classic perennial flowering plant beloved by gardeners worldwide for its cheerful, bright appearance. It was developed in the late 19th century by American horticulturist Luther Burbank, who crossbred several daisy species to create this iconic bloom. The flower is instantly recognizable by its crisp white petals surrounding a … Read more

Blanket flower (Gaillardia) is a vibrant, sun-loving wildflower native to North and South America, celebrated for its bold, fiery blooms that resemble the colorful woven blankets of Native American tradition — a connection that likely inspired its common name. Belonging to the daisy family Asteraceae, the genus comprises both annual and perennial species, with Gaillardia … Read more

Landscaping around your home can make it look more attractive, and trees are among the most impressive and useful landscape elements. If you’d like your house to appear wider, plant a tree near its corner, choosing a variety that’s not too tall but has a wide canopy. A dogwood tree can be a good example in … Read more

Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is a low-growing, trailing perennial plant native to Europe but now widely cultivated across the world. It belongs to the Primulaceae family and is beloved for its vigorous spreading habit and bright, cheerful foliage. Its common name comes from the way it creeps along the ground, rooting at its nodes as … Read more