Articles Index

Invasive Plants

Some invasive plants are quite attractive. In fact, their good looks is precisely why many of the worst invasive plants landed in the lands they now pillage.

Drought-Tolerant Landscape Plans

Pictures of perennial flowers in a drought-tolerant landscape plan consisting of plants suitable for sunny perennial beds. These drought-tolerant perennial flowers also tolerate poor to average soils.

Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds

The top 10 flowers to attract hummingbirds to your yard. In addition to attracting hummingbirds with plants, these flower gardening ideas are presented with aesthetic considerations in mind.

Home Landscaping Ideas and the Real Estate Market

Steps to take in your home landscaping work to increase real estate value. How you treat your home landscaping is largely dependent on whether the property is destined to become a real estate listing.

3 Easy Steps for a Lawn Mower Tune-Up

Instructions are provided for the do-it-yourselfer to perform a lawn mower tune-up (tuneup). A lawn mower tune-up consists of three steps.

Fragrant Flowers

Need ideas for fragrant flowers for your landscape? 'A rose, by any other name would smell as sweet,' and this article links to information on 5 classic fragrant flowers, including roses.

Snow-Removal Equipment

Statement of the pros and cons of various options for snow-removal equipment for the homeowner. Shoveling, snowblowing and snow plow trucks as possible snow-removal equipment options are discussed.

Tropical Flowers

The very mention of tropical flowers brings a smile to the face of Northerners. But even if you don't live in the tropics or South Florida, you can enjoy tropical flowers in the summer landscape.

Hardscape and Landscaping With Stone

The myriad of uses for stone to enhance a landscape through hardscape. Explore the aesthetic and functional use of stone and concrete for patios and other hardscape projects.

Best Time to Prune Shrubs

What's the best time to prune shrubs? It depends on the type; I give examples in this article that help answer the question of the best time prune shrubs.

Trumpet Vines, Other Flowering Vines in the Landscape

Information on the many landscape design functions filled by popular flowering vines, such as trumpet vines. Pros and cons of trumpet creeper, other flowering vines, and their uses.

Uses for Landscape Shrubs

Pictures of and information on landscape shrubs. Discover the many uses for landscape shrubs in your backyard.

Patio Construction or Patio Plants?

When your patio is 'out of date,' what should you do? You have to decide between the costs of patio construction (for a new one) or using container-grown plants to dress up the old one.

Top 10 List of Weeping Trees

Descriptions of Japanese cherry trees and other weeping trees. Weeping cherry trees have a drooping habit and lovely blossoms, making them landscaping standouts.

Spring Flowers

Spring flowers cheer us up when we most need it, after surviving another long winter! But before incorporating spring flowers in your garden, learn which ones are the earliest blooming and how to inject variety into your vernal garden.

Planting Pussy Willow Trees for Spring Pussy Willows

Picking stems of pussy willows is one of our enduring spring rites. To ensure the survival of this most whimsical of spring rites, learn how to plant your own pussy willow trees from cuttings.

Flowering Dogwood Trees

Flowering dogwood trees win the top ranking in this list of best spring specimens. Specifically, 'Cherokee Chief' and Japanese flowering dogwood trees are the winners, partly because they excel at attracting wild birds.

Popular Plants, Ideas for Winter Landscapes

A 'Top 10' listing of the best plant (such as red osier dogwood) ideas for winter landscapes and attracting wild birds. Ranking is based on ideas for visual interest of winter landscapes and ability to attract hungry wild birds.

Eradication of Japanese Knotweed Plants

Description of the habitats which Japanese knotweed plants thrive (picture included), an understanding of which can help in its eradication. Eradication of Japanese knotweed plants has become a priority in the U.K. and parts of the U.S.

Landscaping 101: Landscape Design Tips

Index to a list of FAQs providing landscape design tips. These landscape design tips will function as an introduction or 'Landscaping 101' for beginners.

Fall Foliage of Quaking Aspen Trees

Description of quaking aspen trees as fall foliage plants. Quaking aspen trees, close relatives of poplar trees, display a shimmering golden foliage in a fall breeze.

Hedge Plants

Hedge plants may serve the practical function of affording a property some security, or be purely decorative. Examples of hedge plants are discussed and photos provided.

Shrub Problems

Readers communicate about their shrub problems through my Web site. Some of the more common shrub problems concern flower buds and the presence of yellow leaves in summer.

Rose Color Meanings: Ordering the Right Valentine Roses

Rose color meanings detailed, so you can 'get it right' for Valentines Day. Attributing meaning to roses by colors, whether as Valentine gifts or for other occasions, follows longstanding convention.

Landscape Design Ideas

Need landscape design ideas for your own yard? Study these photos illustrating landscape design ideas and learn about the concepts the pros employ.