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Several types of grasses can be grown in shade, if the growing area gets at least four hours of sun a day. Seed mixes of cool-season grasses selected for shade are readily available and should be sown in the early fall, no later than mid-September.
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Annual sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) don't just come in yellow anymore. The introduction of new cultivars offers gardeners a variety of options for color, flower shape and mature plant size, including several with purple petals. All cultivars, however, have similar growing requirements.
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In order to grow good grass, it's important to prepare the site first by applying 4 to 6 inches of topsoil rich in nutrients. This topsoil serves as a healthy foundation that promotes strong and healthy growth of your grass.
Read MoreColeus are grown for their gorgeous foliage and can be a welcome addition to a garden of flowering plants. They can survive in sun or shade, but different types have different preferences. Hardiness is a factor for this perennial plant, especially when grown outside of their native Southeast Asia.
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Since basements are often more damp and cool than the rest of the house, with little or no natural light, this location presents a unique challenge for growing houseplants. The plants chosen for a basement must tolerate low-light conditions and have the ability to grow under artificial lights.
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If you want to plant begonias in a sunny spot, you're in luck. Learn which varieties of begonias thrive in sunny location — and which do not.
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Laying sod is the faster, more reliable alternative to seed for planting a new lawn. It is also more expensive than seed, but for many homeowners the benefits outweigh the cost. Sod prices average $1.
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One of the first, and best known, re-blooming daylilies is the cultivar "Stella de Oro" (_Hemerocallis_ "Stella de Oro"), which is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant **hardiness zones 4 through 11**. It first appeared in 1975, and 10 years later won the Stout Silver Medal.
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Though each daylily (_Hemerocallis_ spp.) flower only lasts a day, you can have blooms all summer long if you plant the right type.
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Rather than throw out leftover whey from making cheese, re-purpose it to water and fertilize plants. Whey contains 6 to 7 percent milk solids, as well as several nutrients needed for plant growth.
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The large, showy blooms of peonies tempt many gardeners to include them in a landscape. Peonies (_Paeonia_ spp.) grow native in a wide variety of locations, including meadows and rocky ares. They typically prefer cool weather, but adapt readily to different garden conditions in Texas if properly cared for.
Read MoreCommon periwinkle plants, Vinca minor, spread rapidly, and are easy to propagate by dividing mature plants, taking stem cuttings or saving and starting seeds.
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Starting pansies (_Viola × wittrockiana_) from seed is a more economical way to grow a wide variety of cultivars than purchasing individual plants. Pansies are easy to start indoors in either the spring or fall.
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Considered one of the top perennials for fall color, "Autumn Joy" sedum (Sedum x "Autumn Joy") grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. Once you have one sedum, it's easy to make more by taking stem and leaf cuttings or dividing the plant. Because "Autumn Joy"
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Mother-in-law's tongue (_Sansevieria trifasciata_), also called snake plant, is one of those houseplants considered hard to kill. It was once grown commercially as a fiber source for making rope and other products.
Read MoreTransplanting bleeding hearts takes special care because the plant's roots prefer to go undisturbed. Choosing an ideal growing spot and preparing the new location can help the plant survive the transplant. Give it a nutrient-rich spot and continue caring for the plant after the move.
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To get a good crop of sweet, juicy citrus fruit, the plants need enough to eat. Citrus trees (Citrus spp.) require relatively high levels of nitrogen, as well as phosphorus and several micronutrients, in order to thrive. Citrus are hardy in U.S.
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