How to Plant and Grow Iris
This perennial is a garden classic that comes in a huge variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. With over 200 species in this diverse group of plants, there is bound to be the perfect iris for your garden. In general, irises are low-maintenance and easy to grow. Their flowers come in almost every color and bloom times vary depending on the species; some irises bloom in spring or summer, while others bloom in spring and again in fall. 4 Rarely Shared Facts About Irises All species of iris boast flowers that are intricate and detailed. The three lower, drooping petals are commonly referred to as the falls. The three upright petals are called the standards. All parts of an iris blossom are colorful and can have a variety of patterns. Bearded irises are especially noteworthy for being available in a rainbow of colors and forms. The foliage of irises can…
Indian Paintbrush
This perennial does best when paired with other native plants. Indian Paintbrush Care Must-Knows Wild Indian paintbrush thrives in sandy soil, sagebrush plains, grassland, and semidesert locations up to 9,500 feet. That’s why it’s best suited for naturalized areas and prairie pockets alongside other native plants rather than manicured gardens. A symbiotic plant, Indian paintbrush grows best when planted where its root system can tap into the root system of a host plant to obtain nutrients. The host plant is rarely harmed by the relationship and Indian paintbrush thrives. Good host plants include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), beardtongue (Penstemon), and blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium). Seeding is the best way to plant Indian paintbrush because container-grown plants are difficult to transplant. Seed Indian paintbrush in early spring or late summer in full sun and well-drained soil that’s between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Be patient; the seeds may take a few months to germinate. Keep the soil…
How to Plant and Grow Impatiens
Impatiens are blooming powerhouses. Learn how to plant and grow these colorful flowers, and they’ll keep going until the first frost. A classic shade garden annual, impatiens have long been popular because of their bloom power and wide variety of colors. They can produce flowers nonstop for an entire growing season and don’t need deadheading to keep going. This quick-growing annual (often planted as a perennial) makes an excellent filler for garden beds and containers. The soft color palette of impatiens allows them to blend well with pretty much anything. More recently, many impatiens have become susceptible to downy mildew, a devastating fungal disease, so look for resistant varieties. Impatiens Overview GENUS NAME Impatiens COMMON NAME Impatiens PLANT TYPE Annual, Houseplant LIGHT Part Sun, Shade HEIGHT 1 to 3 feet WIDTH 1 to 3 feet FLOWER COLOR Blue, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow FOLIAGE COLOR Blue/Green SEASON FEATURES…
Hyssop
Hyssop Overview DESCRIPTION Hyssop is a strongly flavored aromatic herb—similar to rosemary or lavender—that bears shiny green leaves and clusters of purple-blue, pink, or white flowers starting in midsummer. This herbaceous perennial grows in a bushy clump that reaches 18 to 24 inches tall, making it perfect for use in herb gardens, rock gardens, borders, and containers. It can also be shaped for use as a low hedge in milder climates, where it stays evergreen. Over the years it has escaped gardens and demanded a place alongside roadsides where it can naturalize to its heart’s content. GENUS NAME Hyssopus officinalis COMMON NAME Hyssop PLANT TYPE Herb, Perennial LIGHT Part Sun, Sun HEIGHT 1 to 3 feet WIDTH 12 to 18 inches FLOWER COLOR Blue, Pink, Purple, White FOLIAGE COLOR Blue/Green SEASON FEATURES Summer Bloom SPECIAL FEATURES Fragrance, Good for Containers, Low Maintenance ZONES 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 PROPAGATION…
Hydrangea
Known for their beautiful blossoms, these shrubs can fill your yard with color all summer long. Hydrangeas can flourish in sun or shade. Huge bouquets of hydrangea flowers, which vary from mophead to lacecap types, show beauty from summer to fall. Varieties of hydrangea differ in size, flower shape, color, and bloom time. Hydrangea Overview GENUS NAME Hydrangea COMMON NAME Hydrangea PLANT TYPE Shrub LIGHT Part Sun, Shade, Sun HEIGHT 1 to 3 feet WIDTH 2 to 12 feet FLOWER COLOR Blue, Green, Pink, Purple, Red, White FOLIAGE COLOR Blue/Green, Chartreuse/Gold SEASON FEATURES Colorful Fall Foliage, Fall Bloom, Summer Bloom, Winter Interest SPECIAL FEATURES Cut Flowers, Good for Containers, Low Maintenance ZONES 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 PROPAGATION Leaf Cuttings, Stem Cuttings Types of Hydrangea Mophead Hydrangea Macrophylla—also known as mophead—varieties are what people most commonly associate with hydrangeas. These varieties are the large, rounded clusters…
Hyacinth
Spring Perfume Boldly fragrant hyacinths unfurl their pastel wands of colorful flowers in early spring, perfuming the garden for two weeks or more. The sweet, spicy scent of these spring bulbs is pleasing to gardeners but seems to turn deer away. Hyacinths, like daffodils, squill, and grape hyacinths, are seldom browsed by deer, squirrels, or other rodents. These short-lived perennial bulbs thrive for years in some areas. When planted in well-drained soil and full sun or part shade, they can return year-after-year, but are considered short-lived perennials. Encourage strong, healthy bulb development by planting them where the soil is dry in late summer to early fall. They don’t tolerate irrigated garden beds well. Best Companion Plants Plant drifts of hyacinths alongside other spring bulbs. Lofty daffodils and tulips are good planting companions. Most hyacinths bloom in early spring. For a hyacinth bloom show that coincides with daffodils and tulips, be sure to select tulip…
Hoya
Hoya Overview DESCRIPTION Commonly called wax plant, hoya is a large group of long-lived vines (usually climbing or trailing) most often found in tropical forests. Since these plants grow both in and on top of tree canopies, they adapt well to different light levels—part of what makes them great houseplants. Hoya’s thick, waxy leaves store water, so no worries if you forget to water it from time to time—another helpful houseplant trait. When conditions are right, long, leafless tendrils give rise to clusters of fragrant star-shape waxy flowers that bloom for weeks. GENUS NAME Hoya COMMON NAME Hoya PLANT TYPE Houseplant HEIGHT 6 to 12 inches WIDTH 6 to 48 inches FLOWER COLOR Pink, Red, White, Yellow SEASON FEATURES Fall Bloom, Spring Bloom, Summer Bloom SPECIAL FEATURES Fragrance PROPAGATION Stem Cuttings PROBLEM SOLVERS Drought Tolerant Hoya Care Must-Knows Hoya does best planted in moist well-drained light soil and sitting…
Hot Pepper
Just a little bit of these fiery fruits will kick your homemade salsa up a notch. Growing Hot Peppers Grown in vegetable gardens for generations, hot peppers are now becoming popular as ornamentals, too. Ranging in size from dwarf to full-size shrubs, peppers are suitable for patio pots, hanging baskets, and ornamental beds and borders. While the flowers tend to be understated, the pepper fruits themselves are colorful and often have playful shapes and textures. Some varieties also have darkly colored or variegated leaves. Hot Peppers Care Must-Knows Hot peppers grow best in summer heat. Although these plants are perennial in Mexico and parts of South and Central America where they originate, hot peppers are usually grown as summer annuals in the United States. They are sensitive to low temperatures, so if you live in an area with cold spring weather, start hot pepper seeds indoors about eight weeks before the last expected…
How to Plant and Grow Hostas
This perennial is a shade garden favorite for its fabulous foliage as well as its elegant and sometimes fragrant flowers. Also called plantain lily, hostas come in a range of foliage shapes, colors, textures, and sizes. There is truly a hosta for everyone, whether it be an adorable miniature hosta for a trough garden or a mammoth monster of a plant to fill up a big space under a shade tree. Plus, they’re among the easiest plants to grow and are a perfect addition to any garden. They act as a dynamic filler in shade gardens. And some hostas also have showy, fragrant flowers, adding to their appeal, both to people and pollinators such as bumblebees. Follow these tips for growing hostas in your own garden. DAVID NEVALA Hosta Overview GENUS NAME Hosta COMMON NAME Hosta PLANT TYPE Perennial LIGHT Part Sun, Shade, Sun HEIGHT 6 to 6 inches WIDTH null…
Horsetail
Horsetail Overview DESCRIPTION Water plants don’t get any easier than horsetail, which tolerates a wide range of soils and even grows in standing water. And although it prefers full shade, it can grow in full sun to part shade, too, as long as conditions are right. It’s not surprising to find out horsetail is so tough: This plant has survived—and thrived—since prehistoric times. The good news is it adds unique structure and texture to water gardens with its segmented hollow stems that are ringed in black and resemble thin bamboo. The bad news is that horsetail is incredibly invasive, and it’s tough to eradicate. Horsetail’s good points include its ability to add interest to the landscape, even in winter. It’s particularly well suited to water gardens, bog gardens, tub or trough gardens, the edges of streams and ponds, and covering a boggy area where nothing else works. Grow lofty horsetail…