These two species are often confused with one another. The “brown-eyed” and “black-eyed” labels are sometimes used interchangeably to refer to any of the commonly grown Rudbeckia species and their cultivars—even those that have been bred to eliminate the dark flower centers. However, black-eyed Susans are larger and have more petals than brown-eyed Susans. There are some additional rudbeckia varieties that are also common garden plants. Asking for little beyond regular garden loam and a full day of sun, rudbeckia plants will bloom during the dog days of summer and beyond, attracting bees and butterflies with plentiful pollen and nectar offerings....

True lilies are perennial plants that grow from bulbs that have a characteristic scale structure and notably large flowers. More than 80 species are in the genus, but most of the plants grown in gardens are hybrid crosses of various native species—or cultivars that have been selectively developed from those hybrids. The North American Lily Society recognizes nine horticultural divisions of garden lilies. Although not all are common in the nursery trade, the following nine types of lilies are sure to contain your new favorite....

Origin Story: A Life Inspired by Expedition Happiness Married for six years, Cody and Laura love to travel. However, they found that with such limited vacation time from their previous jobs, they could only afford to travel for friends’ and family events — never just for themselves. “We wanted to figure out a way to travel for our own enjoyment, while still making it to important events,” says Cody. One film, at the time available on Netflix, convinced them that it was possible: Expedition Happiness....

But when we spotted this stunner of a towel rack, our jaws literally dropped. Simple, elegant, and seemingly obvious, an oversized pegboard can hold towels and, with the right accessories, anything else you might want to store on your bathroom wall. So why isn’t every bathroom equipped with its own giant pegboard? As Mindy O’Connor of Melinda Kelson O’Connor Architecture & Interiors notes, “This towel hanging system is minimal and informal, yet a very elegant treatment for a functional bathroom element....

“I tend to use outdoor rugs most commonly under sofas and sectionals because it feels like creating an outdoor living room,” says New York-based landscape designer Amber Freda. “You’ll want it to be around the same proportions as an indoor rug, where the furniture pieces help anchor the rug usually to create a whole seating set.” After more than a day of testing and hours of research, we compiled the best outdoor rugs for all needs and budgets....

Natural fibers such as wool have several key differences from synthetics. Durability Wool is a naturally resilient fiber, although not as highly resilient as nylon. (The term resiliency refers to a fiber’s ability to bounce back after compression.) Being resilient means that wool has good texture retention, which is the ability of the fiber to retain its original appearance. As such, wool carpets are generally pretty durable, although wool’s resistance to abrasion is not as high as that of nylon or triexta....

Here are 30 shrubs native to North Carolina. It does sometimes spread by suckers and form thickets. This characteristic becomes positive when you are trying to create a native garden on a budget. Scientific Name: Castanea pumila. Some botanists have this as Castanea pumila var. pumila to distinguish it from Castanea pumila var. ozarkensis. Others separate these shrubs into several different species.Family: FagaceaeOther Common Names: American chinquapin, Ozark chinkapin, tree chinkapin, dwarf chestnut, chinkapin, common chinkapin, golden chinkapinAlso Native to: Eastern United StatesUSDA Zones: 5-9Size: 6-30’ tall and 6-20’ wideExposure: Full sun...

If you ever wondered what a high-end flashlight is like, take a look at the Anker LC130 Ultra Bright Tactical Flashlight. We’ll admit it: The last flashlight we purchased was in the clearance section of a pharmacy. This flashlight goes beyond anything we could have ever imagined—though unfortunately, that includes price. Still, the pros outweigh the cons if you’re looking for a flashlight that’ll last years. See if this top-rated flashlight outshined the competition in our tests....

Since that time, consumers have embraced dryer sheets as a way to reduce lint, wrinkles, and static cling while drying clothes. Billions of convenient-to-use dryer sheets have been sold by every leading laundry products company. But in recent years, some have expressed concern about the effects of some of the ingredients used to create dryer sheets. What’s in a Dryer Sheet Most dryer sheets produced by large laundry products companies have a non-woven polyester base sheet that is coated with a softening agent....

How Can Flushable Wipes Be Harmful If They Are Labeled as Flushable? One of the main reasons flushable wipes seem like a great option to have around the house is because the term flushable is included in the product name. This simple addition makes people feel comfortable about dropping these wipes into the toilet when they would typically avoid disposing of standard cleaning wipes in the same way. The problem with this is that there isn’t an industry-regulated criterion to determine what does or doesn’t make a wipe flushable....

Because they’re only hardy in USDA zones 10 and 11, baby’s-breath euphorbia are most often grown as annuals or as indoor plants for part of the year (if you can provide good light). Be aware, they may shed some flowers and leaves when first brought indoors. If this happens, provide them with a bit more humidity either by spraying the plants regularly or placing the pot on a tray of pebbles and water....

In the kitchen, it’s a different matter. Floor lamps have no place in a kitchen, and only in very rare cases will a table lamp work. So, kitchen ceiling lighting often needs to perform two functions at the same time: general lighting or work lighting. Kitchen General Lighting vs. Work Lighting General Lighting: Sometimes called ambient lighting, this is lighting that is powerful enough to illuminate the entire kitchen area....

Across the board, online reviewers rave about Bedsure’s Sherpa Fleece Blanket. According to happy and, ostensibly, well-rested reviewers, the throw is plush, easy to care for, and maintains its texture and quality after washing. The blanket comes in a range of colors and prints, as well as four different sizes, so you don’t have to compromise on personal style, either. Does the sherpa throw really live up to all its hype, though?...

However, perfectly in line with the seasonal feel, allowing your zodiac sign to help give some insight could be the perfect way to find that Halloween decor that will scream your personality far and wide. Below we’ve selected the Halloween decor you need based on your zodiac sign.

The large leaves of the blue potato bush are oval to elliptical, but the flowers of this species make the plant memorable. In cooler zones, the plant is described as deciduous with blossoms produced from March through October, while in the warmest zones it’s considered an evergreen that may bloom year-round. Flowering is most prolific during the summer months. Its poisonous seed-bearing fruit is produced in the form of inedible, small, and bright orange-red oval berries....

Looking to upgrade your everyday routine? Swapping your shrunken, threadbare towels for soft, oversized ones is a great place to start. There’s nothing like stepping out of the bath or shower and wrapping yourself in an absorbent towel that’s irresistibly plush. But if you want a luxury set, it’s going to cost you, of course. Thanks to its direct-to-consumer business model, Brooklinen, a company based in Brooklyn, New York, is known for producing premium home goods at relatively affordable prices....

The blueish-green leaves and the graceful, curving flowering stems add interest through much of the year. Even just watching them swaying in a breeze is relaxing and this trait is where they get their alternative name of nodding wild rye. For bird enthusiasts, the seeds that form are also an excellent source of feed for them. The green-colored flowers that appear in the summer look similar to traditional wheat or rye, and, along with the foliage, they turn light shades of sandy-yellow in the fall....

Regular weekly cleaning of your home is an important part of an allergy management plan. Even the act of cleaning–especially if it hasn’t been done in quite awhile–can trigger allergy symptoms as dust and other allergens are stirred up. If cleaning has been neglected for several weeks, wearing a protective mask is a good habit. Use the proper tools and cleaning products to trap allergens and prevent exposure to chemicals that might cause allergic reactions....