Tricolor sage is a perennial herb. It is herbaceous at the colder end of its hardiness range (see below). But in the warmer parts of its range, its foliage is evergreen. Characteristics, Planting Zones, and Growing Conditions Although Tricolor sage plants do put out violet-colored blooms, they are often grown more for their variegated foliage. The older leaves on this herb tend to be green in the middle, with an irregular white margin; the younger leaves are purplish....

Many people turn to humidifiers in drier months (or climates) to help relieve common issues like allergy flare-ups, congestion, and dry skin. Which one you choose for your living space, though, boils down to a number of preferences beyond just performance. We tested Pure Enrichment’s humidifier every night for a week to see not only how effective it is, but also if its extra features enhanced or detracted from the product overall....

Damage Rats and mice can cause structural damage to homes, apartments, offices, and virtually any type of building through gnawing, nest-building, and defecation: Mice will chew on just about anything that they see as useful in building their nests. This could be wood, paper, cloth, books, etc. A mouse will gnaw and burrow into upholstered furniture or seats of cars to create a hidden, snug nest. Insulation is not safe from mice either....

The real reason most people pick a plant in the first place is the aesthetics value it brings to a landscape. A Shantung maple does not fall short there. It has interesting bark that lends value even as the tree loses its foliage. The foliage, though, is what steals the show when it comes to this landscape treasure. The tree’s leaves emerge as a purplish maroon in the early spring before turning a dark green through the summer before bursting into their autumn brilliance of yellows, oranges, reds, and purples....

Dealing With Carpet Allie Mann, senior designer at Case Architects & Remodelers, is a proponent of working with carpet. “Carpet is an ideal flooring material for bedrooms, playrooms, and basements because it absorbs airborne sound, and provides significantly more insulation than a hardwood floor covering,” she explains. Still, not all carpets are created equal, and you will want to base your selection on the room where it will live. When it comes to bedrooms, natural wool or synthetics like nylon will provide the most comfort underfoot....

Factors such as rarity, beauty, breeding, and propagation all potentially play a role when it comes to pricing expensive plants. Gardening activities have become increasingly popular in recent decades with the younger generations, and there has been a “plant boom” of late. The desire to own rare and attractive species is also, consequently, rising. As an example, to meet recent demand, cuttings of variegated monstera plants are selling for three-figure prices in Australia, Canada, and the United States....

Ways to Utilize a Small Space You don’t need a large area to have a vegetable garden. Small sunny spots in your yard, patio, or balcony can all be successful locations. Heirloom seeds and the development of new hybrid varieties also offer great options like colorful novelty vegetables, varieties from around the world, and compact plants. Choosing the right location and ideal varieties of your favorite plants will help you maximize your harvest....

Dealing with a mice problem can get anyone down. Whether they’re running amuck in the kitchen or chewing through your food in the cupboards, having mice in the house is a real problem. Of course, there are professionals who can come in and assess the situation, but most times, it’s easy enough to handle on your own. From poison to electric shock traps, there are many different methods of capture....

Amidst all of the hard furniture that tends to fill this room, it’s wonderful to have some fabric and add a touch of softness. So even if you don’t normally include flowing curtains and drapes, it’s worth considering adding some to the dining room. Choosing Curtains and Drapes for the Dining Room Think about the style of your room and what will work. If you like big flowing curtains that puddle on the floor, go for it....

Standing seam metal roofs were only a figment of the imagination in the minds of average homeowners. Most metal roofs were confined to commercial buildings or only to very cool, very expensive architect-driven residential structures. Now, they seem to be popping up on every block. Will standing seam metal roofs supplant composition shingles as the roofing material of choice? Composition Shingles vs. Standing Seam Roofing Asphalt and composition shingles do have their high points, and they are not going away anytime soon....

Fast Facts Scientific Name: Haliaeetus pelagicus (formerly Aquila pelagic, Faico leucopterus and Thallasoaetus pelagicus)Common Name: Steller’s Sea-Eagle, Steller’s Sea Eagle, Pacific Eagle, White-Shouldered Eagle, Mottled Sea Eagle, Great EagleLifespan: 20-25 yearsSize: 35-40 inchesWeight: 11-20 poundsWingspan: 75-90 inchesConservation Status: Vulnerable Steller’s Sea-Eagle Identification This is a massive, heavy raptor, and its massive, heavy bill is strongly hooked and bright yellow. The cere and gape are also bright yellow and emphasize the bill’s large size....

Location: Manhattan Beach, California. “I am a native Southern Californian and have always enjoyed the lifestyle that the beach communities offer,” Harautuneian says. Style Describing her aesthetic as “cozy California beach with European influences,” Harautuneian says she chose the property initially because she loved the home’s remodeling potential, its location, and its natural light. Turning a Tiny Duplex Into a ‘Mini-Compound’ After purchasing the initial property, a house built in 1948, Harautuneian added square footage to turn the space (initially a duplex) into a single-family home....

Gardening Makes Exercise Fun Exercise increases your endurance, shapes your muscles and burns off excess fat. While most of us are content with hitting the gym to get our bodies in shape, you can get those same benefits in a garden. “By exercising outdoors in the garden or walking outdoors daily, you are also exposing yourself to the daylight spectrum,” says Coronado. Exposure to sunlight makes the brain release serotonin, a hormone associated with boosting mood and it helps you feel calm and focused....

Tempting though this might be, it’s not the normal recommendation, at least not with ordinary paint. While laminate cabinets can sometimes be painted, a hard-working surface like a countertop is not very suitable for an ordinary paint surface. But there is an innovative product from Rust-Oleum, the Countertop Transformation kit, that is as easy as painting but creates a completely resurfaced countertop. What Countertop Transformations Is Offered by paint manufacturer Rust-oleum, Countertop Transformations is a kit that contains most, but not everything, of what you will need....

Convenient Reassurance The obvious benefit of a video monitor is the ability to see your baby. One click provides anxious mothers with a peace of mind that normally only comes with actually laying eyes on their sweet little dreamer. For many, that peace of mind alone is a luxury worth paying for. Of course, you can always check in on your baby in person, but a video monitor will save you a lot of legwork, especially in those early months where every unfamiliar sound from baby’s crib feels like cause for concern....

The blooms of swamp milkweed come in shades of soft mauve to pink to reddish-violet or occasionally white. Five nectar cups form a crown on five small petals, ideal for intricate pollination. By autumn, narrow pods reveal flat brown seeds attached to the white tufts characteristic of all milkweeds. Like most milkweed species, swamp milkweed is clump-forming. Sturdy, upright clumps grow on stems four to five feet tall and two to three feet wide....

You have probably driven over miles of tar-and-chip roadways and parking lots. And this form of paving has a long history of successful use, especially in rural areas. Plus, it’s a good driveway choice for those wanting to keep costs down. Tar-and-Chip Driveway Cost Since it is primarily composed of asphalt and gravel, it is useful to compare the cost of a tar-and-chip surface to those other two options. A tar-and-chip driveway will typically cost about twice as much as a gravel driveway and a little less than an asphalt driveway....

Brown, or as the internet endearing calls her, “America’s Mom,” is an actress, author, vegan foodie, and social media personality. Her first collection with Target, which launched in June of this year, was a huge success, and now, she is turning to a new chapter for this collection: a focus on home. “A pop of color or statement piece around my home, office or even a fun accessory for my dog Blacky helps fuel my creativity and motivates me to live a joyful life,” Tabitha tells Target....