Smart Garden

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...