Plants

Azalea bushes that bloom three times a year are often referred to as reblooming or repeat-flowering varieties. Unlike traditional types that produce a single burst of flowers in spring, these shrubs are bred to cycle through multiple blooming periods—typically in spring, summer, and fall. This extended flowering habit makes them especially valuable in gardens where … Read more

Truly year-round blooming azaleas represent the holy grail of ornamental shrub gardening — the dream of having the spectacular, richly colored flowers of the azalea genus present in the landscape across every season of the year. While no azalea blooms with absolute, uninterrupted continuity through every single week of the calendar year, a select group … Read more

True summer-long blooming azaleas represent one of the most exciting and relatively recent developments in ornamental shrub breeding. Traditional azaleas are celebrated for their spectacular but brief spring flower displays, typically lasting only two to four weeks before the blooms fade entirely until the following year. The introduction of reblooming azalea technology — pioneered most … Read more

Kwanzan cherry is a flowering cherry cultivar. Developed in the Edo period (1603-1868) of Japan, the Kwanzan cherry isn’t a single species but a cultivar. It’s believed to be the result of multiple interspecific hybridizations involving the Oshima cherry (Prunus serrulata). The original name of the tree is ‘Sekiyama,’ but it is rarely used. Sekiyama … Read more

Drought-tolerant annual flowers are among the most valuable and practical plants a gardener can choose. As water scarcity becomes an increasingly pressing concern across much of the world, and as summer temperatures continue to rise, the ability to maintain a beautiful, colorful garden with minimal irrigation is more important than ever. Drought-tolerant annuals have evolved … Read more

Deadheading — the practice of removing spent flower heads to encourage continued blooming — is one of the most time-consuming regular tasks in the summer garden. While deadheading undeniably prolongs flowering in many plants, a remarkable selection of annuals, perennials, and shrubs are either self-cleaning — dropping their spent blooms automatically — or bloom so … Read more

Shade gardening with annual flowers is one of the most rewarding and underappreciated areas of horticulture. While the majority of flowering annuals demand full sun to perform at their best, a surprisingly rich and diverse selection of annuals thrive in partial to full shade — producing abundant, colorful bloom in the dappled light beneath trees, … Read more

Hummingbirds are among the most thrilling and sought-after garden visitors in North America. These tiny, jewel-bright birds burn energy at an extraordinary rate — their hearts beat up to 1,200 times per minute — and must consume approximately half their body weight in nectar every single day to survive. They are powerfully attracted to tubular, … Read more

Groundhogs — also known as woodchucks (Marmota monax) — are among the most frustrating garden pests in North America. These large, voracious rodents can devastate a garden overnight, consuming enormous quantities of vegetables, flowers, and foliage with remarkable speed and efficiency. However, like most herbivores, groundhogs tend to avoid plants with strong fragrances, toxic compounds, … Read more

Annual flowers — plants that complete their entire life cycle in a single growing season — are the backbone of the summer garden. Unlike perennials, which may bloom for only a few weeks, the best summer annuals flower continuously and prolifically from late spring right through to the first autumn frosts, providing uninterrupted color for … Read more