Smart Garden

Looking for a perennial you can trust? You will not be disappointed with the beauty and blooms of these dependable perennials. Dependable perennials Sometimes, gardeners have so many perennials that opening a catalog or visiting a greenhouse can make your head hurt. How do you know which is best? Just because it looks good in a photo or in a pot in the nursery doesn't mean it will do well in your garden. Never get tired of shopping for perennials! When it comes to choosing the best flowers, there are certain plants that you can always count on to perform well. How to get started with a reliable perennial? Learn more about our favorite six below! 1. 'HGC Joseph Lemper' Hellebore (Hellephorus niger) One of the best qualities of this new cultivar is its upward facing flowers. But, the beautiful dark green foliage is attractive. Because it blooms so early, give 'HGC Josef Lemper' a spot where you can see the flowers without tripping over snow or mud. Althou

Color for front yards Whether you have a modest-sized yard or fill large spaces, these varieties are a perfect fit. They may not reach towering heights, but small trees can pack an even bigger punch in your landscape. Whether you have a modest-sized yard or run out of room to add more plants, these varieties are perfect. 1. Crabapple Add spectacular seasonal flair to your landscape with crabapples. There is a wide array with flowers in white, pink and red colors. Although they have weeping, rounded or columnar habits, they are known for producing orange, gold, red or burgundy fruit. 'Prairiefire' is a unique variety with deep pink flowers, reddish-purple leaves and excellent disease resistance. Another popular small tree for landscaping is 'Centurion' with rose-pink flowers, upright form and excellent disease resistance. 2. Redbud Redbutt is an easy-to-grow small tree with delightful heart-shaped leaves that turn golden-yellow in fall, with pink or white flo

 Container plants to make your space If you find yourself with limited space, poor soil quality, or just want to add beauty to your front porch, container gardens offer a great solution. They allow you to elevate your landscape and work around common gardening difficulties. Although many plants can be grown in containers, some species are better suited to this particular growing environment. Below, we'll highlight the best plants that not only thrive in containers, but also contribute to the aesthetics of your outdoor landscape. 1. Coleus Coleus plants are known for their vibrant foliage in a variety of colors and patterns. They thrive in partial shade and are relatively low maintenance. Coleus is perfect for containers because of its compact size and colorful foliage, which is why it's a great choice for adding visual interest to patios and balconies. 2. Succulent Succulents have thick, fleshy leaves that store water, are drought tolerant and easy to maintain. Suc

Beautiful blooms all summer long Get the most life, longevity, and blooms from your containers by following these simple maintenance tips Has this ever happened to you? You buy a beautiful hanging basket overflowing with colorful flowers at the end of May, and you can see it come mid-summer. . . Too many leaves and not enough flowers, droopy and sad? There are many reasons why a hanging basket may not perform well earlier in the season, as many of their needs must be met on a consistent basis. Usually, hanging baskets are made of annuals or soft perennials. In the borders of small containers such as hanging baskets, these plants are more demanding than in a large container or on the ground. But fear not: If you give them the right amount of sunlight, water, fertilizer, and pruning, you have the greatest chance of keeping your basket a blooming powerhouse until the first frost. But first, you need to start with the best plant material. Where is the best place to get a hangin

 Desert Landscaping Ideas  Deciding on desert landscaping ideas can seem daunting at first, but there are many inspiring plant combinations, head-turning looks, and design choices you can use to transform a hot, dusty yard. Although not many flowers and colorful flowers are included, there are plenty of plant shapes, enchanting textures and details to play with. From soaring cacti, captivating succulents, to tactile tussocks of drought-tolerant landscape plants, there are plenty of opportunities to create a stylish and practical outdoor space using clever and drought-tolerant planting ideas. 1. Combine shade trees Mature trees are dramatic and valued features of any desert landscape. Often standing alone, set against the horizon or barren surroundings, they make striking sculptural statements and provide shelter for birds and wildlife, as well as casting valuable shade. If you are lucky enough to have existing trees on your land, make sure they are well maintained and desig

 Fascinating Round Garden Ideas  One of the best ways to add beauty and visual interest to your outdoor space is to add a garden bed, and a circular garden can decorate your yard. Circular gardens are visually appealing and bring a great combination of functionality and aesthetics. They provide excellent visibility from any side and are versatile. 1. Zen Round Rock Garden The beauty of round gardens lies in the uniqueness of their design. In this beautiful circular garden, the primary design element is the rounded rock formation, which has a log as the centerpiece of the design, surrounded by smooth river stones and gravel on the outer layers. The design is complemented by some greenery on the exterior with round manicured shrubs adding to the circular flair of the design. These designs work best in well-kept lawns. 2. Gardens around cottages Adding cottage garden plants is the perfect way to add some informal flair. The circular design in this flower garden provides a brea