Poinsettias are the most popular potted plant during the holiday season. For millions of us, it's not the holidays without a few brightly colored poinsettia plants in our homes. That's why we all need some tips on how to care for poinsettias. Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are excellent plants for natural decoration, and they will easily look great throughout the holiday season with minimal care. Fortunately, they thrive in warm indoor growing conditions. To keep your poinsettia plants alive and well during the holiday season and beyond, just follow the expert tips on how to care for poinsettias listed below. If you follow these easy steps, your poinsettias will look healthy and happy throughout the holidays. Tips on How to Care for Poinsettias During the Holidays 1. Start out with healthy plants. When selecting poinsettias for your home or office, choose the plants that have lots of leaves. Avoid the plants that have dried out so much that the leaves are drooping—or … [Read more...] about 7 Expert Tips on How to Care for Poinsettias
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How to Create a Goth Garden
Halloween marks the beginning of the trifecta of big Fall and Winter holidays. Whether you are into scary gardens, a witch’s medicinal ‘cures and curses’ herb garden, or a Goth garden full of vampires and zombies-- creating a Halloween landscape doesn’t have to be a nightmare. But trends being the way they are, Goth gardens aren't just for Halloween anymore. A sinister-looking Goth garden can be awesome all year long. A Goth Garden and the love of Goth gardening is inspired by the dark, brooding Gothic gardens popular in the Victorian era. Quite simply, a Goth garden suggests a fascination with cemeteries and death. Themes of death and decay dictate the use of black plants. Today, expressing your inner dark side with homemade or store-bought tombstones, gargoyles, flickering lights (no open flames, please) and cobwebs will add drama as uneasy guests make their way to your front door. A Scary Goth Garden Creating a Goth garden is the perfect time to repurpose any lifeless … [Read more...] about How to Create a Goth Garden
Overgrown Trees, Volunteer Plants and Tough Love in the Landscape
The end of the growing season doesn’t mean the job of the gardener or homeowner is done. Not when there are overgrown trees to trim and volunteer plants to remove. And that’s just the beginning. The annual flowers and spent vegetables need to be pulled from the garden and the growing containers. Fallen leaves need to be mowed, composted or raked. But that’s just the beginning. Those black-eyed Susans have traveled from one sunny spot to five. The ninebark shrub grew so much this summer that its branches now crowd the sidewalk. Over the last few years, you’ve noticed there are fewer flowers on the daylilies. And, then you remember the co-worker who couldn’t find your house because the shrubs hide the front door and address. It’s time to walk the yard and determine what’s working and what’s not. It’s time for tough love in the landscape. Overgrown trees Some plants have gotten too big for their borders, so to speak. Overgrown trees and shrubs fit into this category. … [Read more...] about Overgrown Trees, Volunteer Plants and Tough Love in the Landscape
Easy Tips for a Low Cost Room Makeover
Are you tired of your home or apartment? Do you look around your place and get the blahs? It may be time for a low cost room makeover. Don't worry, because you can create the feel of a fresh room makeover without spending a ton of money. Decorating on a budget can even be fun. A little creativity can stretch a few dollars into a Pinterest-worthy interior. Just remember the 3 P’s of a fast, low cost room makeover. I’m talking about paint, pillows and plants. Here are a few thoughts and inspirations to get you started on a room makeover that won’t break your bank account. Low Cost Room Makeover Tip #1: Paint is Cheap One of the least expensive and easiest ways to upgrade a room interior is with paint. That’s right, a gallon or two of paint. A coat of fresh paint in a new color can give an instant face-lift to an otherwise tired or ordinary room. My favorite way to make a big impact with paint is to buy one gallon of paint in a dramatic jewel-tone color. Select a … [Read more...] about Easy Tips for a Low Cost Room Makeover
12 Cold Hardy Tropical Plants to Grow Now
Everyone loves the feel of the tropics. Palm trees swaying in the breeze. Exotic flowers with intoxicating aromas. The fragrant fruit that seems to melt in your mouth. But did you know you can grow cold hardy tropical plants as far north as New York State? By incorporating some of these cold hardy tropical plants in your garden, you can enjoy your own tropical stay-cation without leaving your backyard! Cold-hardy tropical plants can be hard to find in local stores. That's why we have included some of our favorite website sources for these plants, including NatureHills.com and Amazon. When you click one of our links to a recommended product, Home, Garden and Homestead will receive a small commission for qualifying sales. Thanks for supporting this website! We really appreciate it! Happy Face Emogi! Best Cold Hardy Tropical Plants for Cooler Climates Hardy Banana You can’t get much more tropical than a banana tree. And luckily … [Read more...] about 12 Cold Hardy Tropical Plants to Grow Now
