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Tips for Using Live Evergreen in Your Home This Christmas

3 min read | Author - Susan Patterson

There’s nothing quite like a wreath, swag, or other arrangement made with fresh evergreen to truly help get you in the Christmas spirit. In fact, even the act of cutting down the prettiest greenery and arranging it with the rest of your Christmas decor will have you whistling your favorite Christmas song and lingering by your mantle to catch a whiff of the sweet, pine scent of live evergreen. But how exactly can you keep this fresh greenery from drying out and turning brown in just a few short weeks? And how can you decorate effectively with this classic Christmas element? Read on to find out our top tips for using live evergreen in your home this Christmas. 

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Top Shade Loving Shrubs

4 min read | Author - Susan Patterson

Not everyone has the luxury of a bright yard, and finding shrubs, especially flowering shrubs with beautiful blooms to fill in shady spots can seem like a real challenge. Believe it or not, these six eye-catching, alluring shrubs flourish in filtered sun or shade and can bring a wild beauty to barren spots in your garden. 

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How to Host a Holiday Plant Party

4 min read | Author - Susan Patterson

Though plant parties are usually reserved for the spring and summer when your backyard is in bloom, and you’re tanned from spending time in the garden, a Christmas plant party is a great way to break up the winter and enjoy some quality time with your best plant-loving friends. Here are our steps to hosting the perfect holiday party…garden style. 

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Which Plants Grow Best on Slopes

4 min read | Author - Susan Patterson

Planting a flower bed in a flat area is simple. Choose plants that complement each other, stick them in a pleasing arrangement, dig a hole, give them some water, and you’re good to go. You don’t have to worry about things like erosion control, root hold, and trailing tendencies. Slopes, on the other hand, can be the gardener’s worst nightmare, since you have to take all of these concerns into account and more. If you’re at a loss on how to deal with a slope in your yard, these plants and helpful ideas could be useful.

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5 Ways to Create a Beautiful Outdoor Wall Garden

4 min read | Author - Susan Patterson

A unique, personalized, living wall adds so much interest and fun to any exterior design. Here are our favorite ways to create a living wall in your yard and a few tips to help you succeed. 

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Growing a Potted Ruffled Palm Tree

3 min read | Author - Susan Patterson

The ruffled fan palm or Licuala grandis is a beautiful, unique palm with attractive ruffled leaves that add fashionable flair to any interior or exterior design. These palms can stay in a pot indoors or will survive outdoors all year long if you live in a mild climate. Though the ruffled palm can grow up to 10 tall feet when planted, it will usually only reach about six feet if given a large enough container, which makes it the perfect statement piece for your living room. Keep in mind; this is a slow grower, so patience is a must! Though it is usually seen outdoors in tropical environments, the ruffled palm makes an exquisite houseplant that requires minimal care. Here are a few tips to help you get started!

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Top Carnivorous Plants Anyone Can Grow

4 min read | Author - Susan Patterson

Carnivorous and plant aren’t exactly two words that go together, and you probably don’t often think of plants that “eat” bugs. However, this category of intriguing flora is incredibly fascinating and deserves a lot more attention than it gets. If you’ve always wanted to try growing a plant that catches its own food but didn’t know where to start, you’ve found what you’re looking for. These three carnivorous plants are great for beginners and are incredibly easy to grow if you follow a few simple guidelines. 

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What You Should Put on Your Greenhouse Floor

4 min read | Author - Susan Patterson

As you are planning for your greenhouse, don’t forget one of the most critical elements, the floor. What you might not know is that floors are the foundation of a greenhouse in many ways. An improper floor can be highly counterintuitive to what you are trying to accomplish, so much care needs to be put into both material and installation.

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How to Grow Horseradish: The Herb with a Spicy Punch

4 min read | Author - Susan Patterson

If you love spicy things, you have to love peppery tasting horseradish ( Amoracia rusticana). This hardy clumping perennial herb dates back over 3000 years and is harvested for its roots that add a zip to a variety of dishes, including roast beef and cocktail sauce. The leaves of the plant are also edible when they are young, but take care not to allow animals to eat them as they are mildly toxic.

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Tips for Growing a Pinstripe Houseplant

3 min read | Author - Susan Patterson

Though not the most common houseplant, calathea ornata or the pinstripe plant is known for its striking leaves and intriguing visual appeal. Often considered finicky, this tropical beauty will flourish with a little love and attention. If you want a foliage plant that looks great all year long and rewards your effort, or if you simply want a bit of a growing challenge, this is the one for you. Follow these tips to level-up your houseplant game and branch out of your comfort zone with the incredible pinstripe plant. 

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Tips for Storing Plastic, Ceramic and Clay Containers for the Winter

4 min read | Author - Taylor Ramsey

Everyone loves containers. The ease of planting, the portability, the ability to have a bountiful tomato harvest on your back patio. As small-space gardening has risen in popularity, containers have become more readily available, but sadly not less expensive. If you have invested in nice-looking pots and want to preserve them for as many seasons as possible, it is important to take these key steps before winter sets in for good. 

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Meet Susan, your
home gardening guru!

Susan has been nurturing her gardening tips and advice for over 00 years, it’s fair to say she knows her beans. She’ll be sharing her knowledge from tried and tested methods.

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