Plant creeping thyme from seeds or potted nursery starts in the spring. In its first year, it’s a slow-to-moderate grower, but once it’s established, it will spread quicker in subsequent years. Creeping thyme plants can become woody over time. If woody stems take over, you may want to remove and replace the plants or strongly prune back the plants to rejuvenate growth. Creeping thyme is a hardy plant that doesn’t have many problems, although it can be susceptible to root rot in wet, soggy soil....

While the plant grows best in full sun, it does not do well in extreme heat. Therefore, in hot climates, or during the peak of the summer, the plants should be located in some shade, even if that curtails their bloom somewhat. If you grow diascia in containers, move the container to a protected spot. Light You’ll get the most blooms by keeping your diascia in full sun, but in really hot weather, the plant will do best when grown in partial shade, particularly afternoon shade....

Garden balsam is a fast-growing plant that is normally started indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date. Live plants are not commonly offered in nurseries, so gardeners usually need to buy seeds. It’s recommended to pinch back the stems once the plants are around 4 inches tall to create stronger and fuller growth. Also, be aware that these flowers are quite good at self-seeding in ideal growing conditions....

The foliage of N. damascena plant is ferny, the flowers are fluffy, and the seed pods are intriguing. Best known for the vivid blue-blossom variety, love-in-a-mist also has cultivars that bloom in purples, pinks, and white. Plant these adaptable flowers in the spring or even in the fall. The plants grow to nearly two feet tall and bloom for several weeks, starting in the late spring. When they reseed on their own, you’ll have blooms through fall....

Since Cornus florida var. rubra is an understory tree in the wild, it is best to grow it in partial shade in the landscape (particularly in hot climates). But some homeowners do grow pink dogwood trees in full sun (especially in the North), and this can work as long as you supply the plants with enough water. Applying a few inches of mulch during the hottest part of summer will help protect the tree’s root system and help the soil retain water....

The plant is a tender perennial that is generally only winter-hardy in zones 8 to 11 but sometimes it survives the winter in colder climates. Otherwise, it is grown as an annual. Sow seeds in the ground after the spring frosts and expect seedlings in two to three weeks. Seedlings turn into rounded mounds of foliage that grow to about 1 foot tall the first year. Dusty miller is toxic to humans, dogs, and cats....

Light Snow banana trees appreciate plenty of sunlight. If this is lacking, the color of the large leaves can be impacted. During the warmer summer months, they’ll do well outside, as this will maximize the amount of natural light they receive. Soil Your snow banana tree will need a well-drained soil or potting mix. Overly wet conditions aren’t good for this plant, but they do like to be kept moist....

Like its cousin Monstera deliciosa (also referred to as the Swiss cheese plant), Monstera adansonii has a fast growth rate and a vining habit. But it will remain at a manageable size when grown in a container indoors. When cultivated as a houseplant, Swiss cheese plants are typically grown from young nursery plants and can be potted at any time. It’s important to note that all parts of Monstera plants are toxic to pets, so be careful when growing them indoors....

Treat it as an annual.Grow it in the garden during the summer, then dig the rhizomes up in autumn to store them away for the winter indoors. In this case, you would cut off the top growth, then store them in a cool, dry location. Gardeners typically use peat moss, sawdust, or vermiculite as a storage medium. Keep the storage medium slightly moist throughout winter by occasionally misting it.Grow it in a pot that can be placed outdoors during the summer then moved indoors in fall, until warm weather returns....

The inflorescence of the voodoo lily begins with its central green and white speckled stalk, which is shared by the other plants within its genus. A circular, petal-like structure called a spathe (which is a modified leaf) tops the stalk. At first glance, this spathe may resemble a calla lily, as it’s composed of petal-like parts that are purple to reddish-purple in color. The spathe surrounds a spear-shape protrusion, called a spadix, which is sterile, and it’s also the source of the lily’s unique odor....

Cut any damaged roots off the root ball and loosen the roots. Place the tree in the hole at the same level as it was in the original pot. Backfill with two-thirds of the soil, and then gently tamp the soil. Before backfilling with the last third of the soil, soak the soil with a garden hose. Let the hose trickle water slowly, so the soil can absorb the moisture....

Selecting a Cherry Seed First, you’ll want to determine what kind of cherry tree you want to plant. Sour cherries or sweet? Red cherries or black cherries? Cross-pollinating or self-pollinating? Here are important tips to help you select an appropriate cherry seed. Consider your growing climate. Cherry trees need eight hours of sun every day to produce fruit. They do best in well-drained soil with a neutral pH. Cherry trees are part of the Prunus genus like peaches, nectarines, and plums....

Selecting a Planting Site Pick a sunny garden spot with loose, rich, well-draining soil that’s clear of rocks, roots, and other debris. Container growth is also an option, but you’ll need a deep, large pot. Note that horseradish can grow vigorously and crowd out nearby plants. So some gardeners plant it in buried containers in the vegetable garden to limit its spread. Spacing, Depth, and Support Root pieces should be planted at a 45-degree angle roughly 3 inches deep....

Standard Height Recommendation The generally accepted rule for hanging dining room chandeliers is that the bottom of the fixture should hang between 30 and 36 inches above the top of the dining table. This range assumes you have an 8-foot ceiling. If the ceiling is higher, the recommended standard is to raise the chandelier 3 inches for each additional foot of ceiling height. For example, if your ceiling is 10-feet-high, you might hang your chandelier 6 inches higher than you would in a room with an 8-foot ceiling....

Bridal showers originated centuries ago during the days of dowries. When women wanted to marry “unsuitable” husbands, their families refused to provide a dowry, so friends of the couple gathered to pitch in and make up for the lack of a dowry by helping them set up their home. Today, bridal showers are a time to share stories and advice, eat and drink, and pay special attention to the bride....

There is no treatment for plants with tomato spotted wilt virus. The only way to control it is to control the thrips, the tiny insects that transmit the virus. Here are the steps to take before, during, and after the gardening season. How to Identify Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus Tomato spotted wilt virus has many different symptoms but two stand out. Young leaves develop lots of yellow to brown circular spots on the upper side....

Plant Butterfly-Friendly Flowers It’s tough to find a flower that repels a butterfly. However, many flowers that attract butterflies will also attract bees and quite possibly hummingbirds. For the most vibrant, healthy garden, you’ll want all of these creatures flittering about! Here are some of the most popular perennials, shrubs, and nectar-rich blooms that you can plant to call in the butterflies. Perennials Traditional flowers that you see in butterfly gardens include brightly colored plants with shallow blossoms that allow easy nectar access....