Savvy Gardening

Avoiding English ivy, an aggressive and invasive groundcover in North America

One of my neighborhood strolls takes me past a small wild area. There are no homes around it and yet English ivy is growing all along the ground and up several trees. Another walk takes me past a beautiful spring-flowering tree tree that is absolutely covered in English ivy. It’s wound throughout all the branches all the way to the crown. I’ve even found a tendril growing into one of my raised beds. How on earth English ivy found its way into this area of my garden I do not know. It doesn’t seem to have come from my neighbor. And it’s a strange place for it to have been planted deliberately by the previous owner. Wherever it came from, English ivy, also known as common ivy, European ivy, and simply ivy is invasive in North America.

Growing morning glories from seed: A complete guide

Written by Jessica Walliser

Morning glories (Ipomoea species) have graced gardens for centuries with their quick growth and spectacular, trumpet-shaped flowers. As tender annuals, they complete their life cycle in a single season, but what a dramatic season it is—bursting with magenta, blue, purple, and white flowers. These beautiful vines are renowned for their ability to climb and twine, rapidly covering trellises, fences, or arbors. They are great for bringing privacy and beauty to any space. Beyond their ornamental value, morning glories are magnets for certain pollinators, including butterflies and hummingbirds. By learning more about growing morning glories from seed, you can experience the joy of growing these charismatic flowers yourself, keeping your summer garden vibrant and colorful.
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African violet propagation: A step-by-step guide

Written by Jessica Walliser

For those who love African violets as much as I do, this article will tell you all you need to try your hand at your own African violet propagation. These small plants bring so much brightness into the room, and propagating them is fairly straightforward. Learning the two techniques I outline here, it’s easy to go from having too few African violets in your home to having a large collection. Read on to learn the why and how of African violet propagation, including the best timing, two methods of propagation—in soil and in water—and how to care for your newly rooted plants.
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Don’t make these mistakes when ordering seeds

Written by Niki Jabbour

Winter is seed catalog season and it’s so much fun to flip through the pages dreaming of spring and all the wonderful plants I want to grow. However, it’s easy to get carried away and order too many seeds or the wrong types for your region. Don’t make these mistakes when ordering seeds. If you’ve had mixed or disappointing results with the seeds you’ve bought in the past, the advice in this article will help you avoid common seed buying mistakes and choose the best options for your garden.

Plant a ninebark: A fast-growing shrub with interesting foliage and flowers

Written by Tara Nolan

If you are looking to fill a space in the garden with an interesting-looking, fast-growing shrub, consider a Common ninebark. I was introduced to ninebarks via Tiny Wine, with its gorgeous maroon-colored foliage. While the leaves may be a strong selling point, the flower clusters, which look like half pom poms, are so pretty when you look at them up close. And when in bloom, they are absolutely buzzing with bees. Pollinators love ninebarks, which is another reason to add it to the landscape.

Growing jalapenos from seed: Expert tips for success

Written by Niki Jabbour

Growing jalapenos from seed isn’t difficult and ensures plenty of peppers for your kitchen. Jalapeno pepper plants thrive in garden beds or containers and starting your own seeds allows you to choose from the many varieties available from seed catalogs. In this article you’ll learn all about growing jalapenos from seed in cell packs, pots, soil blocks, and paper towels, plus get expert tips for success.