How to Grow and Care for Bird of Paradise
PHOTO: DENNY SCHROCK Bird of paradise plants are hard to miss, with their large leaves and beautiful, spiky, colorful blooms that resemble birds on the wing. With indirect sunlight and weekly watering, a bird of paradise can grow well as a houseplant. It makes a bold focal point, adding a tropical touch wherever you grow it. A moderate level of maintenance is required to keep your plant healthy. All bird of paradise plants are native to tropical and subtropical areas of southeastern Africa. The common name, bird of paradise, is attributed to several plants in the Strelitzia genus. Of the 5 recognized species (S. reginae, S. juncea, S. nicolai, S. caudata, and S. alba), the first two are the most “easily grown as houseplants,” says Dan Pogust, co-founder of the Portland Botanical Gardens. It’s also worth noting that bird of paradise plants are considered toxic to dogs, cats, and horses1, so exercise caution when…
Birch
Birch Tree Overview DESCRIPTION Graceful, delicate branches combined with small leaves and peeling bark (on some species) make sure that birch trees amp up a landscape’s appeal. They’re especially dramatic when planted as an allee (in rows on either side of a path), in a grove, or near water where their impact is doubled in reflection. As medium to large trees, members of the birch family can be incorporated into large suburban residential landscapes with relative ease. Many native species provide welcome habitat for local wildlife. Birch trees generally thrive in moist, well-drained soil and cool, moderate climates. They struggle to survive in hot, dry regions. GENUS NAME Betula COMMON NAME Birch Tree PLANT TYPE Tree LIGHT Part Sun, Sun HEIGHT 20 to 20 feet WIDTH 15 to 25 feet FOLIAGE COLOR Blue/Green SEASON FEATURES Colorful Fall Foliage, Winter Interest SPECIAL FEATURES Attracts Birds ZONES 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,…
How to Plant and Grow Bellflower
This group of perennials produces long-lasting, bell-shaped blossoms, including rare blue-hued flowers. PHOTO: DENNY SCHROCK Bellflowers are a diverse, easy-to-grow group of plants that come in many sizes and varieties, perfect for a low-maintenance cottage garden. From diminutive alpine species to upright woodland varieties that make pretty cut flowers, most types of bellflowers feature the trademark bell-shaped blossoms, comprised of five petals fused at the base. Depending on the variety, these bells sometimes face upward on little mats of foliage, or they may dangle in the breeze, suspended in drooping clusters. No matter how they’re held, the display of blooms will always be abundant. Bellflowers are among the most popular blue flowers, a rare hue in the plant world. While blue is the most common color, you can also find them in purple, white, and pink. These cheery little bells will grace your garden for weeks, generally starting in late spring and…
How to Plant and Grow Bell Peppers
With plenty of sun, warmth, and water, this annual plant will reward you with its colorful fruit. A cinch to grow in home gardens in most regions of the U.S., bell peppers are much more than the classic green bell these days. Survey the supermarket and you’ll see a rainbow for the picking. It is a little more challenging to grow purple, red, and some orange peppers at home as they require an exceptionally long growing season. Green fruits are actually immature peppers. If you leave them on the plant, they eventually will develop one of the other colors, most commonly red, and become sweeter. Bell Pepper Overview GENUS NAME Capsicum annuum COMMON NAME Bell Pepper PLANT TYPE Vegetable LIGHT Sun HEIGHT 6 to 12 inches WIDTH 18 to 24 inches ZONES 10, 11, 9 PROPAGATION Seed Bell Pepper Care Must-Knows Peppers are a warm-season crop. In many areas, they…
How to Plant and Grow Begonias
Don’t let their showy blossoms fool you: These gorgeous plants are quite easy to care for. PHOTO: JUSTIN HANCOCK Begonias are a garden classic for good reason: This easy-to-grow plant takes root in a variety of conditions and requires little to thrive. Choose any of the many shapes, sizes, and colors, and you’ll be rewarded with stunning flowers and foliage. Some plants showcase single flowers with just one row of petals, while others have double blooms with numerous rows of petals. Keep in mind, begonias—especially the part that’s underground—are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Perhaps the most well-known type, wax begonias are named for the waxy look of their leaves. These reliable plants come in a variety of sizes to fit just about any space, from as small as six inches to nearly three feet tall, and can often handle partial shade or full sun. Their boldly colored flowers, which…
Beet
Beets Overview DESCRIPTION A cinch to grow in any full-sun garden, beets are a fast-growing, early-spring crop that can be planted a second time in midsummer to yield a fall harvest. When growing beets, keep in mind that both the leaves and the fleshy roots are edible—which makes this vegetable exceptionally productive for small spaces. Beet varieties range from those with deep crimson roots to ones with golden yellow and candy-stripe red-and-white roots. Plant a couple of varieties and explore the different colors. And enjoy the flavor of garden-fresh beets, which is a delicious combination of sweet, rich, hearty, and earthy. GENUS NAME Beta vulgaris COMMON NAME Beets PLANT TYPE Vegetable LIGHT Part Sun, Sun HEIGHT 1 to 3 feet WIDTH 18 to 24 inches FOLIAGE COLOR Blue/Green PROPAGATION Seed What to Plant Beets With Beets thrive in cool weather. They produce the most tender, flavorful red roots and greens…
Beech
Beech Overview DESCRIPTION A versatile, handsome tree, the beech takes center stage in the garden come fall when leaves change to red, gold, orange, or brown. Beech trees stand proudly upright or bend and weep; jagged leaves vary from deep green to variegated rose, white, green, or bronzy-purple. For the best leaf color, plant beeches in full sun. The hardy American beech is a U.S. native with larger leaves and light gray bark. GENUS NAME Fagus COMMON NAME Beech PLANT TYPE Tree LIGHT Part Sun, Sun HEIGHT 8 to 20 feet WIDTH 35 to 45 feet FOLIAGE COLOR Blue/Green, Purple/Burgundy SEASON FEATURES Colorful Fall Foliage, Spring Bloom, Winter Interest SPECIAL FEATURES Attracts Birds, Good for Containers ZONES 5, 6, 7, 8 PROPAGATION Seed, Stem Cuttings PROBLEM SOLVERS Slope/Erosion Control More varieties for Beech European beech Fagus sylvatica features smooth gray bark and glossy leaves that turn gold in autumn. It grows…
How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Bee Balm
This native perennial works well with almost any garden color scheme. Whether you call it bee balm, monarda, bergamot, or Oswego tea, this plant is a sure bet for bringing pollinators to the garden. Blossoms reminiscent of fireworks in a variety of colors mean more than just pollinators enjoy the summertime display. Vigorous growth and a long bloom time also make this native plant a standout in any garden setting. The many additional uses of different parts of the plant make them handy to have around. Because of the popularity of pollinator plants, availability has surged, and many varieties of bee balm are easy to find for sale. Typically the bloom’s colors fall between warm reds and cool lavenders. They begin unfolding in early summer, and many varieties continue to bloom well into the fall. Bee Balm Overview GENUS NAME Monarda COMMON NAME Bee Balm PLANT TYPE Perennial LIGHT Sun HEIGHT…
Beautyberry
Add charm to your garden with this shrub. Colorful Combinations Lovely green leaves, which last throughout the growing season, act as a verdant backdrop for both flowers and berries. Beautyberry’s small flowers are held in tight clusters near the stems, a display that adds subtle charm to the garden in early summer. They also set the stage for fall’s grand finale. As summer winds down, the small green berries that follow blooms turn a majestic purple that looks especially appealing when dusted with frost. Long-lasting beautyberry branches make colorful additions to cut flower arrangements. Beautyberry Care Must-Knows Several species of beautyberry are commonly grown. In the wild, this shrub grows along the edges of woodland areas. In a garden setting, beautyberry prefers moist, well-drained soils with a fair amount of organic matter present. Beautyberry also tolerates clay soils as long as they don’t remain too wet for long periods of time. If planted in the…
Bay
Bay Overview DESCRIPTION A culinary classic, bay’s glossy green foliage is a flavor favorite in soups, stews, and meat dishes. Bay only survives to 25 degrees, so it’s commonly grown in containers, sounding a steady evergreen note on patios during the growing season and gracing sunny interior windows after frost. In the landscape, established trees are fuss-free and drought tolerant. Potted bay is susceptible to scale insects; hand-pick any offenders. Protect potted bay from intense sunlight in hottest zones. If you love to cook, keep dried leaves on hand; they’re an essential herb for bouquet garni. GENUS NAME Laurus nobilis COMMON NAME Bay PLANT TYPE Perennial, Shrub, Tree LIGHT Part Sun, Sun HEIGHT 6 to 6 inches WIDTH 1 to 20 feet FLOWER COLOR Green SEASON FEATURES Spring Bloom, Summer Bloom, Winter Interest SPECIAL FEATURES Good for Containers ZONES 10, 11, 8, 9 PROPAGATION Stem Cuttings PROBLEM SOLVERS Deer Resistant…