Bearded irises (Iris germanica) are a star of the late spring garden, but knowing when to cut back irises can impact their bloom-power more than you think. Their big floppy blooms come in a huge range of colors, capable of creating a rainbow of hues in the landscape. Iris are deer- and rabbit-resistant, and many varieties have a lovely but subtle fragrance. Though they are fairly easy to grow, it’s important to know when and how to cut back these perennials to maximize both the plant’s health and the appearance of your garden. In this article, I’ll discuss some great tips for the most effective iris pruning and introduce the best time of the year to do it.
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Plum tomatoes: How to grow plum tomatoes in gardens and containers
Plum tomatoes are the secret to an amazing homemade tomato sauce! The oval-shaped fruits have a sweet-acid flavor and meaty texture which cooks down into a thick, rich sauce. Plus the plants are easy to grow in garden beds and containers. When given sunshine, fertile soil, and consistent moisture you can expect a bumper crop of plum tomatoes for summer sauces. Read on to learn more about planting, growing, and harvesting plum tomatoes.
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Zinnia Profusion: Grow an abundance of these gorgeous annual flowers in gardens and containers
Zinnias are among my favorite summer flowers. I plant these bloom-filled annuals everywhere—my raised beds, my front yard ornamental garden, in pots. I like to plant a variety of colors and several plants, so that a few flowers can be snipped here and there for cut flower arrangements, while leaving enough to be enjoyed in the garden. There are many gorgeous varieties, but today I’m going to talk about the Zinnia Profusion series.
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Unusual hydrangea varieties for the garden
Hydrangeas are a favorite flowering shrub for many gardeners. Their enormous blooms brighten the summer landscape weeks after the flowers of spring-blooming shrubs like lilacs, viburnums, and forsythia have faded. While the pink and blue flower heads of traditional big-leaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) have long been the darling of gardeners, today, I’d like to introduce you to five unusual hydrangea varieties you can grow in your planting beds to add both color and flair. These plants are featured on Savvy Gardening thanks to the sponsorship of Bloomin’ Easy Plants, the grower and supplier of these fantastic unusual hydrangea varieties.
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Growing wasabi and horseradish in a home garden
If you’re looking for a few cool edibles to add to your garden, look no further than the pungent roots of wasabi and horseradish. While you may think that growing wasabi and growing horseradish are difficult tasks, with the right know-how, you can grow your own harvest of these two powerful spices. In the following excerpt from our favorite spice-growing book, Grow Your Own Spices, author Tasha Greer explains everything you need to know to cultivate both of these spicy, sinus-clearing edibles. This excerpt was provided by the book’s publisher Cool Springs Press/The Quarto Group and used with their permission.
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How to care for hostas in pots: Tips to help this popular shade plant thrive
It was a garden tour—actually, three tours—that inspired me to grow hostas in containers. Each yard was quite shady, so all those sun-loving annuals and perennials would have been off the table. I loved how each gardener embraced the conditions of their property, and put together some beautiful shade-loving plant displays, which were predominantly hostas in all shapes and sizes. Because you don’t want to treat your hostas like an annual plant (you’ll want to display it year after year), there is some TLC involved in helping them thrive. I thought I’d share some tips on how to care for hostas in pots.
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