Flower Guides

Gardening is a subjective art. There are those who swear by annuals for their glorious bounty of continuous color all season long and those who pick perennials every time. Each has its merits and shortcomings, but when you consider them together, you get the best of both worlds.

Wondering how to grow poppies? This popular annual flower produces colorful, cup-shaped blooms in late spring or early summer on two-foot long stems. 

If you pluck a flower off a snapdragon and pinch the sides of the blossom, you can make the dragon open it's lips and snap. If you never played with snapdragons in your grandmother's garden, perhaps you have bought them as cut flowers. Snapdragons are a florist's delight and they are also easy and colorful to grow in the home garden.

Cottage gardens have changed quite a bit in the past few centuries, but their casual charm never grows old.

Preparing and planting iris bulbs are the best way to get the most out of these beautiful plants. But be warned. Irises require very specific growing and storage conditions.

When learning how to make flower arrangements, choose blooms you love, colors that appeal to your senses and play with the color, height and width of your choices to achieve your desired arrangement.

Lillies are hearty and beautiful; a gardener's dream. Learn how to plant and divide lily bulbs and you will have flowers to spare next spring.

The cherry blossom's meaning changes according to the culture that is viewing it. Learn more about this magnificent and short-lived flower.

Lilies, while quite beautiful and delicate, are easy to grow. Lilies are flowering perennial plants that grow from bulbs or rhizomes that spread underground. Wild lilies are found in all of the continents of the northern hemisphere. Lilies generally prefer partially shaded areas and neutral to acidic soils.

Planning a perennial flower border requires research and planning. You will need to consider plant varieties' bloom times, heights, shapes and special needs before you even begin to plant. You will be rewarded for all that time and effort when your flower border blooms with a spectacular show of color and fragrance for years to come.

Although you can start rose bushes from seeds, the most reliable method is to start a rose bush from cuttings. This method, called propagation, has a high success rate. Propagation is also the only way to ensure that hybrid rose bushes grow true to their parent plant.

Edible flower arrangements made out of fruit are perfect for parties as well as gifts. Since making edible flower arrangements are only limited to one's own creativity, the possibilities are endless.

Once you learn the basics of making silk flower arrangements, you'll find yourself ready to create more elaborate forms of floral arrangements.

Seven sisters roses can be planted from fall to early spring, depending on your zone. Plant roses earlier in warmer zones, later in cooler zones.

Creating and tying decorative bows for wreaths is perhaps the most important part of wreath-making. Not only does the bow add a distinct personality to each wreath, but it is also the perfect way to hide flaws in the wreath, such as holes or broken stems.

Flower gardens are a classic landscaping choice that will add beauty to your home and give you a new connection with the earth.

Storing tulip bulbs takes some preparation and know-how.

Tips on making decorative wreaths, including choosing the right base, honing your design and proper hanging.

In late summer the soft-blue flowers and silvery foliage of Russian Sage make a soothing break from the more strident and bright colors of other blooming flowers.