Native Plants The best types of plants to use to attract local birds are the plants they are most familiar with. Native landscaping uses local and regional trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses, and those are the same plants that birds recognize as rich food sources and appropriate shelter. Exotic plants may be beautiful, but if the birds do not like plants they will not be attracted to them. Landscaping with native plants is also beneficial because those plants are adapted to the local climate....

If they are in the first category, you’ll likely want to organize by color or type of Lego, and use bins or baskets of various sizes. If they’re in the latter and enjoy focusing on one set and displaying their finished creations, organizing by sets may be the way to go for you, since that way, each set is stored separately and assembled ones can be displayed on floating shelves or in a bookcase....

There are more than 8,000 different species of scale insects, all of which are members of the insect superfamily Coccoidea. One of the more troublesome species is magnolia scale (Neolecanium cornuparvum), which is one of the largest of the scale insects at nearly 1/2 inch in length. Magnolia scale is often evident from the bumpy areas covering magnolia twigs, due to a sticky residue that is produced by the insects, or from the general decline of the tree....

These birds vary in coloring but commonly have a grey body with black and white markings and purple and green coloring around their neck area. Pigeons have been known to cause pest control issues worldwide, from the Americas to India, throughout Europe, in New Zealand, and beyond. Pigeons can densely populate areas that provide food, water, and shelter for them. Their nesting materials, feathers, and droppings can pile up and spread down the sides of walls and underneath spots where the pigeons like to perch....

There are more than 4,000 species of cockroaches, but only a few species comprise the iconic pests that commonly dwell in homes. The most common of these include: American cockroach (Periplaneta americana): This is the largest of the roaches found in homes, growing up to 2 inches long. Reddish-brown in color, it is most likely to be found in dark, heated areas, such as in furnace rooms or beneath stoves and water heaters....

Light To get the most prolific blooms with the best color from your tree, pay attention to the amount of sunlight. Crepe myrtle needs full sun to thrive. You should place it in a spot in your landscape that gets at least six hours of sun a day. Anything less and you will notice a big fall off on blossoms. Soil Crepe myrtle is not too demanding regarding soil pH, but it prefers neutral or slightly acidic soil over alkaline soil....

‘Blue Princess’ has a moderate growth rate compared to other hollies, adding one to two feet per year. Its leaves are glossy, dark green with a bluish cast and moderately spiny. The inconspicuous flowers bloom in the spring and are followed by bright red berries that remain on the shrub into winter. The best time for planting is in the early fall, though spring planting can also work in colder regions....

‘Red Sunset’ maple is a moderately fast grower that typically adds 12 to 24 inches per year. It is best planted in the late fall or the early spring. A 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch over the root zone will help keep the root system cool and retain the moisture that is craved by this tree, but make sure the mulch does not come into contact with the trunk, which can invite pest and disease problems....

Grown as an annual in cooler climates, angelonia is grown as a perennial in USDA cold hardiness zone 9 and higher. Clusters of tiny, orchid-like flowers bloom in white, pink, mauve, violet, or purple racemes at the tips of strong stems covered in narrow green leaves. The fruity scent of angelonia is a bonus and is especially strong on warm summer evenings. Light Plant angelonia in full sun to provide the energy it needs to bloom continuously....

The plant’s unique and colorful appearance, including flowers that range from white to pink to coral, is what makes it so popular among plant enthusiasts. However, it is a temperate, tropical perennial native to Central America and can only survive outdoors in zone 10 or above, making it hard to keep it going outdoors anywhere in the USA. Growing it indoors does have some challenges, as it is rather fussy about its growing conditions....

Although Japanese camellias are slow-growing, they are often used as an informal screen. You can also train them as an espalier specimen to grow up against a wall or fence. Japanese camellia work as companions for trees like magnolias and pines because of their love of partial shade and acidic pH levels. Planting in fall or spring is possible. In northern regions, early spring is best because a hard freeze makes it hard for the shrub to establish....

Many gardeners purchase common foxgloves as second-year potted nursery plants to ensure flowering, but it is also possible to start them from seeds. Planted from seeds, the plants usually don’t flower until their second year, but foxgloves freely self-seed, creating a sustained patch that produces flowers every year. There are also some cultivars that are bred to bloom in their first year from seed, though this doesn’t always hold true....

Common yarrow’s native propagation originated in the temperate regions of Asia and Europe, and it was introduced to North America during the colonial era. It is commonly seen growing across the United States in dry, disturbed soil, and while its beauty is delicate, the plant is also considered an aggressive weed. Common yarrow can be toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, yet poisoning is rare, as the tannins in the plant give it a bitter taste that deters animals from overconsumption....

Selecting a Planting Site Pick a spot that has plenty of space for the tree’s full size. It should get lots of sun and have sharp soil drainage. Make sure nearby plants won’t shade a young palm too much as it grows. Container growth for young palms is also an option. Spacing, Depth, and Support Dig a hole twice as wide and slightly deeper than the palm’s root ball. And make sure to take into account a mature palm’s 20- to 40-foot spread when determining its positioning near other plants and structures....

The perfect location is any area or garden in the landscape that is drier, warmer, and receives more light than the rest, or receives a good amount of water but drains extremely fast, like the top area of a rain garden. Light The desert willow’s natural habitat gets plenty of sunlight, so it naturally loves its rays and thrives in nothing less than full sun. To get the best bloom production, ensure that you place it in an area that receives a full six hours of direct sunlight per day....