Plants

Thrips are tiny, slender insects that measure only about 1 to 2 millimeters in length, yet they can cause outsized damage to gardens, greenhouses, and commercial crops around the world. There are more than 6,000 known species of thrips worldwide, and understanding the different types of thrips is essential for gardeners trying to identify and … Read more

Daisies are beloved for their cheerful, simple charm, with their classic white petals and sunny yellow centers bringing a bright, informal beauty to gardens, meadows, and containers alike. The daisy family is enormous, encompassing everything from the classic Shasta daisy and English daisy to close relatives like gerbera daisies, African daisies, and painted daisies, each … Read more

Lilies are treasured for their tall, elegant stems and large, fragrant, trumpet-shaped blooms that bring a striking vertical presence to garden beds and cut flower arrangements alike. Belonging to the genus Lilium, true lilies grow from scaly bulbs and include a wide range of types, such as Asiatic, Oriental, Trumpet, and Easter lilies, each offering … Read more

Hibiscus plants are prized for their large, showy, trumpet-shaped flowers and lush, tropical appearance, making them a favorite choice for gardens, patios, and containers in warm climates around the world. Belonging to the genus Hibiscus, these plants range from tender tropical varieties grown as houseplants or seasonal container plants in cooler regions to hardy perennial … Read more

Sunflowers are among the most cheerful and recognizable plants grown in gardens, prized for their large, radiant blooms that track the sun across the sky and their towering presence in summer landscapes. Belonging to the genus Helianthus, sunflowers are native to North America and have been cultivated for thousands of years, both for their ornamental … Read more

Tulips are among the most recognizable and widely grown spring-flowering bulbs, celebrated for their cup-shaped blooms, vibrant color range, and the cheerful display they bring to gardens after a long winter. Belonging to the genus Tulipa, these perennial bulbs originated in Central Asia before becoming central to horticultural traditions in the Ottoman Empire and, later, … Read more

Flowers hold a remarkably central place in American life, appearing in home gardens, public parks, floral shops, and countless cultural celebrations from weddings to state fairs. The United States spans an enormous range of climates and growing zones, from subtropical Florida to the arid Southwest and the cool Pacific Northwest, which means the country supports … Read more

Potatoes are one of the most productive crops a home gardener can grow, with a single seed potato capable of producing 5 to 10 pounds of tubers under good conditions. Because potatoes grow underground and are vulnerable to pests such as the Colorado potato beetle, which can defoliate a plant in a matter of days, … Read more

Beans are one of the most beginner-friendly crops in the vegetable garden, capable of producing a harvest in as little as 50 to 60 days for bush varieties. Because beans belong to the legume family, their roots host colonies of bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, adding as much as 100 pounds … Read more

Strawberries are among the most rewarding fruits to grow in a home garden, producing sweet, low-growing berries that mature within 4 to 6 weeks of flowering under favorable conditions. Because strawberry plants have shallow root systems and spread through runners, they benefit enormously from thoughtful placement near other species that support their growth, deter pests, … Read more