Gardening

Best shade plants. A reader asks what shady plants and shrubs she can plant in a shady area of her yard. Best shade plants. A reader asks what shady plants and shrubs she can plant in a shady area of her yard.

Q: A friend is looking for ideas to plant on the side of her house that sees almost no sun at all. She needs something to go with the inevitable hostas.   Tip #1: Ferns will do wonderfully. Ferns have varied texture like other plants have colorful blooms. Small to large leaves. Wide to narrow…

Read More The Best Shade Plants for a Shady Side of a House

Elderberry varieties and uses. Not only are elderberries great for making jams and syrups, they are also a favorite for butterflies and other wildlife. Elderberry varieties and uses. Not only are elderberries great for making jams and syrups, they are also a favorite for butterflies and other wildlife.

If you have room for only one edible plant, consider growing elderberries. This arching eight-foot tall shrub is easy to grow, anchors the mixed border with its bold compound foliage and flowers, and of course, provides glorious clusters of shiny, dark purple berries.   Elderberries come in a variety of cultivars and species. The American…

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Easy tips for growing rhubarb in your vegetable garden. When to plant rhubarb, how to plant rhubarb, and easy rhubarb recipes. Easy tips for growing rhubarb in your vegetable garden. When to plant rhubarb, how to plant rhubarb, and easy rhubarb recipes.

I have always grown rhubarb in my garden. Sometimes we eat it and sometimes we don’t, but I think I just enjoy admiring its big green leaves and pretty red stalks.   Rhubarb will grow almost anywhere. We have moved our rhubarb plant five times in the past twenty years (yes, twenty!). It just keeps…

Read More How to Grow Rhubarb Successfully: The Ultimate Guide!