34 growing guides
Grow healthier plants, season after season
Practical guidance for planting, watering, pruning, dividing, and protecting the outdoor plants you love — with the timing and conditions each one actually needs.
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Plant care, A–Z
Zones 4-10Agastache spp.
Agastache Care: Growing Hummingbird Mint
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for Agastache (Anise Hyssop or Hummingbird Mint). This guide covers sun needs, drainage, pruning, and attracting pollinators with these fragrant perennials.
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Zones 3-9Allium spp.
Allium Care: Growing Ornamental Onions
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for striking Alliums (Ornamental Onions). This guide covers planting bulbs, sun needs, drainage, and leaving foliage to mature.
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Zones 3-9Anemone spp.
Anemone (Windflower) Care: Spring and Fall Bloomers
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for Anemones (Windflowers). This guide covers spring-blooming woodland types and fall-blooming Japanese Anemones, focusing on light, soil, and spread.
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Zones 3-9Aquilegia spp.
Aquilegia (Columbine) Care: Growing Graceful Spurs
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for delicate Aquilegia (Columbine). This guide covers light needs, soil preferences, dealing with leaf miners, and encouraging self-seeding.
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Zones 3-8Symphyotrichum spp., Aster spp., Eurybia spp., etc.
Aster Care: Growing Fall-Blooming Stars
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for Asters, the cheerful stars of the fall garden. This guide covers sun needs, preventing mildew, pinching for bushiness, and division.
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Zones 3-8Astilbe spp.
Astilbe Care: Growing Feathery Plumes for Shade
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for elegant Astilbes. This guide covers shade and moisture needs, division, and choosing varieties for their feathery flower plumes and attractive foliage.
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Zones 5-10Buddleja davidii & hybrids
Buddleja (Butterfly Bush) Care: Attracting Pollinators
Learn how to plant, grow, and prune Buddleja (Butterfly Bush). This guide covers sun needs, drainage, deadheading, hard pruning techniques, and its role as a pollinator magnet.
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Zones 3-9Clematis spp.
Clematis Care: Growing the Queen of Climbers
Learn how to plant, prune, and care for beautiful clematis vines. This guide covers different pruning groups, training techniques, and tips for abundant blooms.
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Zones 3-9Coreopsis spp.
Coreopsis (Tickseed) Care: Growing Cheerful Sun-Lovers
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for bright and cheerful Coreopsis (Tickseed). This guide covers sun needs, deadheading for continuous bloom, and common perennial and annual types.
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Zones 3-9Narcissus spp.
Daffodil Care: Planting and Growing Narcissus Bulbs
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for cheerful daffodils (Narcissus). This guide covers bulb planting, bloom care, essential foliage maturation, and naturalizing.
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Zones 8-11Dahlia spp.
Dahlia Care: Growing Show-Stopping Summer Blooms
Learn how to plant, grow, care for, and store dahlias. This guide covers planting tubers, staking, pinching, and digging/storing for winter to enjoy their spectacular flowers year after year.
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Zones 3-9Hemerocallis spp.
Daylily Care Guide: Growing Easy and Prolific Blooms
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for versatile and resilient daylilies. This guide covers planting, division, deadheading, and choosing varieties for continuous summer color.
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Zones 3-9Dianthus spp.
Dianthus Care: Growing Pinks, Carnations, and Sweet William
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for fragrant Dianthus (Pinks, Carnations, Sweet William). This guide covers sun needs, drainage, deadheading for repeat blooms, and common types.
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Zones 3-9Echinacea spp.
Echinacea (Coneflower) Care: Growing Vibrant Prairie Natives
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for resilient Echinacea (Coneflowers). This guide covers planting, division, attracting pollinators, and managing common issues for these cheerful perennials.
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Zones 4-9Digitalis spp.
Foxglove (Digitalis) Care: Growing Tall, Toxic Spires
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for stately Foxgloves (Digitalis). This guide covers biennial life cycles, light/soil needs, toxicity warnings, and managing self-seeding.
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Zones 3-9Geranium spp.
Hardy Geranium (Cranesbill) Care: Growing True Geraniums
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for versatile Hardy Geraniums (Cranesbills). This guide covers different types, sun/shade needs, shearing for rebloom, and distinguishing them from Pelargoniums.
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Zones 4-9Helleborus spp.
Hellebore Care: Growing Lenten Rose and Christmas Rose
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for elegant Hellebores (Lenten Rose, Christmas Rose). This guide covers shade tolerance, planting tips, bloom care, and managing common issues.
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Zones 5-11Hibiscus spp.
Hibiscus Care: Growing Tropical and Hardy Varieties
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for stunning Hibiscus. This guide covers tropical Hibiscus (H. rosa-sinensis) and hardy Hibiscus (H. moscheutos, H. syriacus/Rose of Sharon).
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Zones 3-9Hosta spp.
Hosta Care Guide: Growing Lush Foliage Plants for Shade
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for hostas, the quintessential foliage plants for shade gardens. This guide covers varieties, planting tips, and protecting them from slugs and deer.
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Zones 3-9Hydrangea spp.
Hydrangea Care Guide: Growing Gorgeous Blooms
Learn how to plant, prune, and care for various types of hydrangeas, including Bigleaf, Panicle, Smooth, and Oakleaf varieties, for stunning blooms year after year.
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Zones 3-10Iris spp.
Iris Care Guide: Planting and Growing Elegant Blooms
Discover the beauty and diversity of irises! This guide covers planting bearded, Siberian, and Japanese irises, plus essential care tips for healthy growth and stunning flowers.
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Zones 5-9Lavandula angustifolia
Lavender: Complete Growing and Care Guide
Discover how to grow lavender successfully in your garden or containers. This comprehensive guide covers planting, care, harvesting, and troubleshooting tips for this fragrant and versatile perennial.
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Zones 3-9Lilium spp.
Lily Care: Growing True Lilies (Lilium)
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for true lilies (Lilium). This guide covers different types (Asiatic, Oriental, Trumpet), planting bulbs, staking, and managing lily beetles.
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Zones 3-8Lupinus spp.
Lupine Care: Growing Showy Spires
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for Lupines. This guide covers planting seeds or plants, soil preferences (well-drained!), avoiding transplant shock, and managing common issues.
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Zones 3-9Nepeta spp. & hybrids
Nepeta (Catmint) Care: Growing Easy, Long-Blooming Perennials
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for tough and beautiful Nepeta (Catmint). This guide covers sun needs, drainage, shearing for rebloom, and its appeal to cats and pollinators.
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Zones 3-8Paeonia spp.
Peony Care Guide: Growing Magnificent Blooms
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for stunning peonies. This guide covers herbaceous, tree, and Itoh peonies, focusing on proper planting depth, support, and avoiding common problems.
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Zones 2-9Phlox spp.
Phlox Care: Growing Garden Phlox, Creeping Phlox, and More
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for versatile Phlox. This guide covers tall Garden Phlox (P. paniculata), groundcover Creeping Phlox (P. subulata), and Woodland Phlox.
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Zones 2-9Papaver spp.
Poppy Care: Growing Papaver Species
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for various Poppies (Papaver). This guide covers Oriental Poppies, Iceland Poppies, and annual field poppies, focusing on sun, drainage, and self-seeding.
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Zones 4-9Rhododendron spp.
Rhododendron & Azalea Care: Growing Acid-Loving Shrubs
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for Rhododendrons and Azaleas. This guide covers their crucial need for acidic, well-drained soil, light requirements, pruning, and common issues.
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Zones 3-10Rosa spp.
Roses: Essential Care Guide for Healthy Plants and Beautiful Blooms
Learn how to plant, prune, fertilize, and protect roses from common pests and diseases. This guide covers essential care for hybrid teas, floribundas, climbers, and shrub roses.
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Zones 4-11Salvia spp.
Salvia Care Guide: Growing Vibrant Sages for Sun Gardens
Discover the diverse world of Salvias (Sages)! This guide covers planting, care, and pruning for popular annual and perennial types known for their colorful flower spikes and pollinator appeal.
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Zones 3-8Tulipa spp.
Tulips: Spring Bulb Planting and Care Guide
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for vibrant tulips. This guide covers different types, planting techniques for stunning spring displays, and tips for ensuring their return year after year.
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Zones 3-9Veronica spp.
Veronica (Speedwell) Care: Growing Spiky Blue Flowers
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for versatile Veronica (Speedwell). This guide covers common spiked and groundcover types, sun needs, drainage, and deadheading for rebloom.
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Zones Varies greatly; Pansies often annuals; Violets Zones 3-9Viola spp.
Viola Care: Growing Violets, Pansies, and Violas
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for cheerful Violas, including Violets, Pansies, and Johnny-Jump-Ups. This guide covers cool-season preferences, light, water, and deadheading.
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