Plants

Hollyhocks are one of the easiest ways to add height, color, and an old-fashioned charm to a flower garden. Their tall flower spikes can rise well above many other garden plants, carrying rows of large, colorful blooms from summer into early autumn. They are especially attractive when planted along fences, walls, cottage-garden borders, or at … Read more

Chrysanthemums, commonly called mums, are among the most rewarding flowers to grow in the garden. They produce abundant blooms in shades of yellow, white, pink, red, orange, purple, and bronze, and their flowers can last for weeks when plants receive the right growing conditions. Although chrysanthemums are often associated with fall gardens, they can provide … Read more

The Kwanzan Cherry Tree (Prunus serrulata ‘Kanzan’), also known as Kanzan or Sekiyama, is a dazzling deciduous tree celebrated for its profuse, double pink blossoms that create a stunning spring spectacle, making it a centerpiece of cherry blossom festivals and ornamental landscapes worldwide. A cultivar of the Japanese Flowering Cherry, this tree combines vibrant beauty … Read more

Apples are a widely popular fruit loved by many people all over the world. More than 100 varieties of apple are grown commercially in the United States and more than 7,500 varieties are grown worldwide. [Source: University of Illinois Extension]. Just like many fruits, apples can be in shades of Green, Red, Orange, Yellow or Golden … Read more

Fig trees (Ficus carica), cherished for their sweet, juicy fruits and lush, tropical foliage, are a gardener’s delight, blending ornamental beauty with bountiful harvests. Native to the Middle East and Western Asia, these deciduous trees or shrubs from the Moraceae family thrive in USDA zones 7–11, though some cold-hardy varieties extend to zone 5 with … Read more

Aspen trees, belonging to the genus Populus in the Salicaceae family, are deciduous hardwoods renowned for their shimmering leaves, striking bark, and vibrant fall colors. Native to temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere, these fast-growing trees thrive in forests, mountains, and disturbed sites, often forming expansive clonal groves through root suckering. Their name … Read more

Tomatoes are one of the most widely grown plants in home gardens, prized for their versatility in the kitchen and their forgiving nature in the garden bed. Native to western South America, tomatoes were first cultivated by early civilizations before spreading across the globe through trade and exploration. Today they are grown on nearly every … Read more

Pears are among the oldest cultivated fruit trees in the world, valued for their sweet flavor, juicy flesh, and elegant bell-like shape. They belong to the Pyrus genus in the rose family (Rosaceae), which also includes apples, cherries, and roses. Pears have been grown for thousands of years throughout Europe and Asia and are now … Read more

Tomatoes are technically a fruit, even though they are most often treated as a vegetable in cooking and everyday conversation. They are known for their round shape, smooth and glossy skin, and juicy interior filled with seeds surrounded by soft pulp. Tomatoes grow on sprawling or vining plants that need warm weather and plenty of … Read more

Peaches are a beloved summer fruit known for their round shape, soft fuzzy skin, and juicy, fragrant flesh. They grow on deciduous trees that thrive in temperate climates with warm summers and cool winters, producing fruit that ripens from a firm green stage to a soft, golden-orange color with red blushing. Inside, a peach holds … Read more