AMERICAN GARDENER

Few plants announce the arrival of spring as beautifully as forsythia. With its arching branches covered in bright yellow blossoms, forsythia bursts into bloom just when winter fades, filling gardens with color and life. This hardy deciduous shrub is one of the earliest flowering plants of the season, and its cheerful display makes it a … Read more

Hollyhocks are classic cottage garden favorites, loved for their tall, dramatic spires covered in colorful, saucer-shaped blooms. With their old-fashioned charm and impressive height, these flowering plants add vertical beauty to fences, walls, and borders. Native to Asia and Europe, hollyhocks belong to the Alcea genus and are closely related to hibiscus and mallows. Despite … Read more

Tuberose, scientifically known as Polianthes tuberosa, is one of the most fragrant and enchanting flowering plants in the world. Its creamy-white, waxy blooms release a rich, sweet scent that has made it a favorite in perfumery and traditional gardens for centuries. Native to Mexico, tuberose thrives in warm climates and produces long flower spikes that … Read more

Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) is a hardy perennial vegetable known for its tart, flavorful stalks often used in pies, jams, and desserts. Though commonly treated as a fruit in the kitchen, rhubarb is a true vegetable that offers both ornamental and culinary appeal. With its bold red or green stalks and large crinkled leaves, it’s as … Read more

Liatris, commonly known as blazing star or gayfeather, is a striking perennial native to North America. With tall, spiky flower stalks covered in feathery blooms, it adds a burst of color and texture to any garden. Its unique flowers, which bloom from the top down, attract pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Liatris is not … Read more

Orchids have long captivated gardeners with their exotic allure—those delicate, otherworldly blooms that seem to defy the ordinary. With over 28,000 species and countless hybrids, they’re the largest family of flowering plants on Earth, yet they’re surprisingly accessible for home growers. Despite their exotic appearance, orchids are not as difficult to grow as many people … Read more

Hydrangeas are the queens of the garden, delivering massive, showy blooms in shades of blue, pink, purple, white, and even lime green from late spring through fall. These deciduous shrubs, native to Asia and the Americas, can grow 3-15 feet tall and wide, making them perfect for borders, foundations, or containers. With over 70 species … Read more

Dahlias are the showstoppers of the summer garden, bursting with vibrant colors and dramatic blooms from mid-summer until the first frost. Native to Mexico and Central America, these tender perennials grow from tubers (often mistaken for bulbs) and come in thousands of varieties, ranging from petite pom-poms to dinner-plate-sized flowers up to 12 inches across. … Read more