How to Plant and Grow Maidenhair Fern
There’s a maidenhair fern for every purpose, from tropical houseplants to winter-hardy ferns for moist and shady locations. With its feathery green foliage, maidenhair fern makes a graceful addition to shade gardens or areas of the home that offer it plenty of humidity and diffused light. Make the commitment to providing this plant the living conditions it requires and you’ll be rewarded with a specimen that enhances the landscape or brings the beauty of nature indoors. Maidenhair Fern Overview GENUS NAME Adiantum COMMON NAME Maidenhair Fern PLANT TYPE Houseplant, Perennial LIGHT Part Sun, Shade HEIGHT 1 to 3 feet WIDTH 1 to 2 feet FOLIAGE COLOR Blue/Green SPECIAL FEATURES Good for Containers ZONES 10, 11, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 PROPAGATION Division PROBLEM SOLVERS Groundcover Rick Taylor. Where to Plant Maidenhair Fern In their native habitat, maidenhair ferns grow in cool, humid areas such as near…
Magnolia Tree
Magnolia Tree Overview DESCRIPTION Magnolias are one of the great heralds of spring. These wonderful trees boast showy blooms—usually before the trees have even sprouted foliage. The sight of whole trees covered in thickly petaled blooms is truly stunning. As an added perk, many are also wonderfully fragrant. Some varieties are grown for lovely evergreen foliage that has fuzzy copper-colored undersides that looks good in holiday wreaths. GENUS NAME Magnolia COMMON NAME Magnolia Tree PLANT TYPE Tree LIGHT Part Sun, Sun HEIGHT 20 to 20 feet WIDTH 20 to 20 feet FLOWER COLOR Pink, Purple, White, Yellow FOLIAGE COLOR Blue/Green SEASON FEATURES Winter Interest SPECIAL FEATURES Fragrance, Good for Containers ZONES 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 PROPAGATION Seed, Stem Cuttings PROBLEM SOLVERS Slope/Erosion Control Types of Magnolias There are so many different magnolias to choose from that it’s difficult to pick just one. To narrow your choices, first consider…
How to Plant and Grow Lupine
This short-lived perennial is grown for its bold, bicolor blooms. Spring-blooming lupines display showy spikes of densely packed blossoms on stiff stems reaching 4 feet tall and green foliage covered in fine gray hair. In their native habitats, lupines cover hillsides with vibrant displays. In some varieties, the flowers are bicolor blossoms that pair a set of white petals with a second set in a primary color, creating a layered effect. Small pleated leaflets grow in rings around a central point, forming a cuplike shape. Hardy in Zones 4-9, lupine can be grown as either an annual or perennial, depending on the environment. Lupine Overview GENUS NAME Lupinus COMMON NAME Lupine PLANT TYPE Annual, Perennial LIGHT Sun HEIGHT 1 to 3 feet WIDTH 12 to 18 inches FLOWER COLOR Blue, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow FOLIAGE COLOR Blue/Green, Gray/Silver SEASON FEATURES Spring Bloom, Summer Bloom SPECIAL FEATURES Cut…
Lotus
Lotus Overview DESCRIPTION Native to Asia and Australia, the lotus is considered sacred by the Buddhist and Hindu religions. It’s also prized by water gardeners because it’s both beautiful and easy to grow. Lotus stalks start out in muddy soil and water, and end in sweetly fragrant white-to-pink flowers that can grow as large as 12 inches across. Although spectacular, the flowers are short-lived—appearing for only a few days followed by large ornamental seed pods. Also intriguing to observe, the plant’s canopy of waxy blue-green leaves can reach two to three feet in diameter—either lying flat on the water or rising up several feet above the water line. Lotus grows best in full sun and an aquatic feature without flowing water—which has the potential to disrupt growth and flower formation. Some lotus varieties require a massive amount of water surface to mature, while others do just fine in small water…
Loquat
Loquat Overview DESCRIPTION Glossy green leaves, sweetly fragrant flowers, and delicious fruit make loquat an all-star small tree. Grow it in the landscape, or plant it in a container to grow the tree as a patio plant. In the landscape, loquat grows to about 20 feet tall and has a round form. Its large leaves give it an unusual tropical texture. Loquats’ fragrant flowers debut in fall. The autumn bloom is a welcome addition when many other plants are resting after a long season of flower production. The sweet, juicy fruits ripen in spring. Bees and wasps are attracted to fallen loquats. Plant the tree away from outdoor living areas to avoid these insects. Loquats grow best in full sun and well-drained soil. After establishing a strong root system, the trees tolerate dry conditions. GENUS NAME Eriobotrya japonica COMMON NAME Loquat PLANT TYPE Fruit, Tree LIGHT Part Sun, Sun HEIGHT…
How to Plant and Grow Loofah Plants
Get essential tips for planting, growing, and caring for loofah plants. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Loofah, also sometimes spelled “luffa,” is a versatile plant that grows well in warm climates with long summers and plenty of space to extend its long vines. While there are technically two species of loofah grown for their edibility and use as sponges, Luffa cylindrica and Luffa acutangula, both have similar cultural requirements and can be used interchangeably. Belonging to the same family as other gourds such as pumpkins, cucumbers, squash, and watermelon, loofah has long been grown for its edible fruits. Like other “cucurbits,” when harvested young, loofah produces green fruits that have a flavor reminiscent of cucumbers. But when allowed to mature on the vine, they produce very fibrous fruits that can easily be dried and used as sponges. Unsurprisingly, loofah plants are grown in much the same way as their relatives and produce long vines that can…
Lobelia
Lobelia Overview DESCRIPTION Colorful lobelias are a wonderful choice for landscaping around ponds and streams — anywhere the soil is consistently moist. In fact, lobelia even loves downright wet conditions, making it a top choice for bog gardens.Perennial type of lobelia (not to be confused with the low-growing, often blue annual types) are magnets for hummingbirds, so they’re great for wildlife gardens. The foliage is a handsome rich green to sometimes dark reddish purple. The plant produces striking spikes of flowers in all shades of red, pink, blue, and white. Lobelia needs humus-rich soil. Mulch with a biodegradable material, such as wood bark or chopped leaves, to add humus to the soil. GENUS NAME Lobelia COMMON NAME Lobelia PLANT TYPE Perennial LIGHT Part Sun, Sun HEIGHT 1 to 3 feet WIDTH 1 to 3 feet FLOWER COLOR Blue, Pink, Red, White FOLIAGE COLOR Purple/Burgundy SEASON FEATURES Colorful Fall Foliage, Fall…
How to Plant and Grow Lisianthus
Add an elegant touch to any garden or floral arrangement. Lisianthus, often favored by floral designers when an elegant flower is needed for an arrangement, is the epitome of a classy, versatile flower. The ruffled petals and elegant buds come in many colors. The delicate-looking blooms are known not only for their beauty but also for their ability to hold up as a cut flower. Because many of these varieties were developed for cut flowers, some of these plants require staking to make sure they don’t flop. Some newer varieties are bred to be dwarf, which is much better for a home garden setting. When selecting blooms for cut flowers, pick stems that are nearly but not quite fully open. Buds that are too small and tight won’t open properly. Although this plant now has the common name lisianthus, it has a long history of botanical name changes. Whatever name…
Lime
Lime Overview DESCRIPTION Famous for adding a tropical taste to pies, margaritas, and other tasty foods, limes produce flavor-packed green fruits on a small, thorny, evergreen tree. The flowers are lightly fragrant compared to other citrus, but still add ambiance to the landscape in spring when the trees bloom. Limes grows best in a sunny spot with sandy or well-drained soil with a regular supply of moisture.Gardeners can grow dwarf varieties indoors in cold-weather climates. As houseplants, limes like a very bright spot protected from hot or cold drafts. Allow the soil to dry somewhat between watering. GENUS NAME Citrus aurantiifolia COMMON NAME Lime PLANT TYPE Fruit, Tree LIGHT Sun HEIGHT 6 to 6 inches WIDTH null to 15 feet FLOWER COLOR White SEASON FEATURES Spring Bloom, Summer Bloom SPECIAL FEATURES Attracts Birds, Fragrance, Good for Containers ZONES 10, 11 PROPAGATION Grafting, Seed, Stem Cuttings PROBLEM SOLVERS Good For Privacy…
Lima Bean
You can enjoy this vegetable fresh or dried, but it tastes best when homegrown. Lima Bean Overview DESCRIPTION If its name sets off less-than-pleasant childhood memories for you, you’ll develop a new appreciation for this nutrient-rich vegetable when you grow it yourself. A close relative of snap beans, this warm-season crop is easy to start from seed planted right in the garden. Plus, it’s a good producer. Enjoy lima beans fresh by picking pods when they are full and bright green, or allow beans to dry on the plant and harvest dried beans for use during the cooler months. GENUS NAME Phaseolus lunatus COMMON NAME Lima Bean PLANT TYPE Vegetable LIGHT Sun HEIGHT 1 to 3 feet WIDTH 18 to 30 inches ZONES 10, 11, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 PROPAGATION Seed Compact Versus Climbing Lima beans grow as bush-type plants or climbing plants. Often considered easier…