These striking plants are not widely cultivated and as a result, are pretty difficult to come by. Let’s just say this is definitely not a houseplant that you are going to stumble upon at your local nursery or garden center. If you’re interested in getting your hands on a Philodendron bernardopazii you will likely need to find a shop that specializes in rare aroids or importations. As with all plants in the Philodendron genus, be aware that the bernardopazii is considered toxic to pets and humans if ingested...

It’s fitting that the ‘speciosa’ in the botanical name of this plant (Oenothera speciosa) translates to “showy.” The lovely white to pale pink blossoms feature four overlapping petals and grow between 1 1/2 and 3 inches in size. They catch the attention of gardeners everywhere but must be planted selectively, as they have a tendency to multiply and overtake cultivated land. Pink evening primrose has a moderate growth rate and is usually planted in late summer or early fall....

River birch is usually planted in spring or fall as a container-grown or balled-and-burlap plant, when the soil is moist and the temperatures are cool. This is a fast-growing tree that averages about 36 inches of growth per year. Dwarf varieties may grow a bit slower, taking 10 years or so to reach 10 feet. A healthy river birch will be fairly trouble-free—they are not fussy and are easy to care for....

The flower panicles, which resemble wisteria due to their color and shape, appear in early spring, sometimes as early as February, and seed pods follow in summer. Though normally grown as a large shrub, it can also be trained via pruning into a small tree, growing to a maximum height of 20 feet. This shrub is a native evergreen that stays attractive through four seasons, with slender oval leaves that have a smooth, leathery texture....

Propagating a dog tail cactus with seeds is difficult but can easily be done using root division or cuttings. While dog tail cacti are hardy, they can become damaged by dampness or frost from harsh winter weather. It’s best to overwinter a dog tail cactus indoors with ample sunlight. Light Dog tail cacti grow best in full sun. Its stems usually become too thin and dull in color if grown in poor light conditions....

Blackberries are sold as dormant bare roots or as potted plants. They are best planted when the canes are dormant—generally in early spring. If you have the patience to grow blackberries from seed, plant them in the ground in the fall. Planted from seeds, blackberry canes generally will begin producing meaningful quantities of fruit in their second full year of growth. Plants should be spaced 5 to 6 feet apart; if planting in rows, space the rows 5 to 8 feet apart....

The catnip plant is a fast and aggressive grower and can quickly spread throughout the landscape if not kept in check. It is considered invasive in a couple of spots in the United States, such as West Virginia and Maryland. It will reach its mature size in a single season and should be planted in the spring. Note that, while many cats enjoy catnip, the oils of the plant are technically toxic to them....

Light This plant likes to grow in relatively bright light, but it may resent being in full harsh afternoon sun. Indoor plants will do best in a location that gets a full 10 hours of bright but indirect light. Soil Dragon tree prefers a very loose, well-drained potting mix. A succulent/cactus potting mix can work well; or you can make your own mix by blending fine gravel, peat moss, and leaf humus in equal parts....

The best time to plant veronica is in spring after the soil is warm enough to work easily. Spiked speedwell is a fast grower, but is not invasive, and it grows from nearly ground level after being cut back for overwintering to full height before the end of the growing season. Deadhead Veronica spicata flowers to extend their blooming season. There are very few pest or disease problems with spiked speedwell, but soggy soils can cause root rot....

Yardlong beans grow quite well in most climates. The compound leaves are bright green, with three heart-shaped leaflets. The flowers and resulting bean pods usually form in joined pairs. Flowers look as you’d expect of a legume (papilionaceous) with five petals, the largest on top. The size and color will vary with variety—either white, pink, or lavender. The long vines set copious numbers of delicious dangling rope-like beans throughout the summer and continue producing until the weather turns cold....

To help you get started rearranging those wires for good, we spoke with professional organizing experts who weighed in on the best ways to conceal cords. They also share what products to stock up on for different rooms of the home. Get ready to say goodbye to tangles for good. Take Inventory According to professional organizer Kathryn Lord, this is an important place to start. “The first tip is to reduce,” she says....

Where to Paint an Arch Arches are extremely versatile and can be enjoyed by minimalists and maximalists alike. As Francesca Stone of Fall for DIY explains, “An arch can create a more focused area inside a busy room, drawing the eye and allowing that space to feel calmer, or it can create a more interesting visual experience in a minimal space.” Love the look of arches but not sure where to incorporate one into your space?...

Year-Round Landscaping Strategy The basic idea of planting for all-season interest is to select trees and shrubs so that as soon as one plant is done putting on a show you’ll have a different plant picking up the slack and strutting its own stuff. To do this, start by researching which plants put on their best show in your local climate. Then, devise a planting plan that is “staggered.” That is, make sure your backyard does not end up with a plethora of high-performers for spring and summer display while neglecting fall and winter display....

The job goes fairly quickly if you have a lot of newspapers to work with. But the smothering process takes several months to play out, so this method appeals most to gardeners who have time on their side. Lay the newspapers down in the fall if you want to be gardening in the spot by next summer. Mowing Is Optional Some gardeners who use this grass-removal method begin by mowing the grass, but this step is optional....

Difficulty You don’t have to know how to sew or be an experienced craftsman to make sachets. You can buy ready-made mesh bags very inexpensively, fill them with your dried flowers and herbs, and tie them up. You can dress them up as much or as little as you like. You can enjoy the scent no matter how fancy they are. Time Required On average, sachets take about 30 minutes to one hour to make....