Master Gardener sharing garden inspiration and helpful tips for growing your own garden.
On a whim, I picked up a 6 pack of lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) at a local nursery several years ago. It was worth a try to see if they would survive the incredibly hot summers here in the low desert of Arizona. I wasn’t sure how to grow lisianthus, and was shocked when they grew […] Read more…
When I first saw the gorgeous blooms on ranunculus flowers, I didn’t think it was possible to grow them here in the low desert of Arizona. I’m glad I was wrong. Learning how to grow ranunculus is easier than you think. The stunning rose-like blooms with tissue-thin petals almost don’t look real. Ranunculus blooms come […] Read more…
Looking for a flower that doesn’t mind the heat? Tithonia (also known as Mexican sunflower) is a drought-tolerant and heat-loving annual plant native to Mexico and Central America. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds love the bright blooms. Tall branching plants bloom for several months (right up until frost), and make an excellent cut flower. Learn how […] Read more…
Would you like to grow something unique? Learn how to grow toothache plant. Spilanthes is a heat-loving flower commonly called “toothache plant” due to the numbing sensation experienced after eating the leaves or flowers. Toothache plant contains a natural analgesic within its spicy and slightly bitter-tasting leaves and blooms. Learn how to grow toothache plant with these […] Read more…
Chamomile’s daisy-like flowers are a beautiful and practical addition to your garden. Roman and German chamomile are two common types of this popular herb. Learn differences between the two types and how to grow chamomile with these 5 tips. Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more information. 5 Tips for How to […] Read more…
One of my earliest gardening memories is planting violas with my grandma in her flower garden in early spring. The name viola is a common name for the flower family “Violaceae”, which includes Johnny jump-up, pansies, violas, violets, and many others. These cheerful, edible, cool-season flowers are easy to grow and a delight in the garden. […] Read more…
Borage is a quick-growing herb that is easy to add to your garden. Pollinators love this annual herb with beautiful blue flowers. Borage leaves and flowers have a mild cucumber flavor and are a tasty addition to drinks, salads, and more. Learn how to grow borage outside and in containers with these 5 tips. Disclaimer: […] Read more…
Easy-to-grow calendula flowers greet the morning by blooming, and then close again each night. Calendula is a cool-loving flower used in salves and teas with many health benefits. Learn how to grow calendula with these 5 tips. Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more information. 5 Tips for How to Grow Calendula […] Read more…
Learn how to grow sweet peas with these 5 tips, and add beautiful and sweet smelling blooms to your garden. I first saw sweet peas at The Butchart Gardens in British Columbia, and I was blown away by their beauty. But, it wasn’t until I grew my own that I was blown away by something else […] Read more…
Learn how to grow purple hyacinth bean vine, and add this vigorous ornamental vine to your garden. Beautiful purple flowers and striking pods add beauty and interest. Grown as a perennial in zones 10-11, purple hyacinth bean vine loves the heat. In cooler zones, it is grown as an annual from seeds planted in the […] Read more…