Blues Ideas, Tips & Guides

Stacy Zarin Goldberg

You might have seen the most colorful or the most fragrant blossoms, but have you ever witnessed the longest and the tallest flowers? Well, you are in for a treat!

In terms of a review of the year as a whole, there is not a lot to say, with it being more a case of consolidation than of change, building on subtle changes made the year before, like moving snowdrops to the woodland, thinning the apple trees to introduce more light to the woodland edge border below, and extending the blue & white borders. Even the current project, despite the organised mayhem it has generated, will only bring about a subtle change to the garden. Within the garden as a whole, mixed weather patterns created uncertainty in flowering times but there were negligible losses from the previous cold winter and no problems with waterlogging during the last few rainy and unsettled months.

If you can't find poppies, here are the next best things. We'll share details about Ranunculus, Cosmos, Tulips, and more flowers that look like poppies and the colors they bring to your garden.

Gardening is a world full of wonders, and one such on its list is the Blue Strings of Pearls Plant. You might have seen its pictures, and wondered –Is it Real? Well, time to find out!

Year after year, we see trends come and go, and the most popular designs and decor of 2023 are no different.

Tattoos With Roses and Butterflies are wonderful – put them together, and it’s a colorful diary etched on you. Read on for the meanings they hold and the lovely ideas you can get.

It's easy to make New Year's resolutions—what's more difficult it sticking to them. But keeping your resolutions gets so much easier when you have the right gear.

Whether you’re preparing a charcuterie board soon or just like to have a few blocks around for snacking, chances are you’ve got cheese in your fridge. And if you’re a seasoned cheese lover like we are, you’ve probably run into some mold—it’s nearly inevitable when it comes to dairy.

We've enjoyed an exciting season of Color of the Year announcements, from Behr's deep black-gray choice to Pantone's peachy pick to half a dozen brands in between.

Home Depot

Not all but most of the Blue Agave plants, are not only popular for their role in tequila production, but they also look eye catchy, thanks to their silvery-blue leaves!

Restoration Hardware

As I look outside my office window, I can see a serene layer of snow has begun blanketing my garden.  So, it seems like an appropriate time to celebrate the often-overlooked beauty and joys of winter gardening. While the plummeting temperatures have forced much of our gardens into a state of rest, this season actually offers a unique and magical opportunity to connect with nature in a different way.

Christmas flower bulbs are a great way to bring the festive spirit into your home and garden and enjoy a blooming holiday celebration.

Watching birds feeding, displaying and collecting nest material in the garden is the most wonderful way to connect with the natural world. Whether you are listening to chiffchaffs singing while you are weeding the borders in spring or watching redwings feeding in the snow, birds bring life and joy to our gardens throughout the year.

Better Homes & Gardens

Spotting a heron in your garden might not be common, as these large birds are mostly common near water sources. If you find one flying around, then it might be a little more than a sign of a thriving ecosystem!

Blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata) are medium-sized, beautiful birds loved for their striking blue plumage with white underparts and black markings on their wings and tails.

Blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata) are medium-sized, beautiful birds loved for their striking blue plumage with white underparts and black markings on their wings and tails.

As the year comes to a close and we look back on the biggest pop culture moments, Olivia Rodrigo’s sophomore album Guts is top of mind. After the success of her debut album Sour, expectations were high—and Rodrigo delivered.

Tropical evergreen shrubs of the Verbena family can be a vibrant addition to any garden, offering a blend of lush foliage and vivid flowers.

Looking for flowers that start with the letter ‘X’ is a bit like a treasure hunt and seems difficult, but there are not just one or two but many that start with X.

Ivory flowers are known for their soft, creamy, and off-white tones. This neutral color brings peace and tranquility to any space. With so many types to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect one for yourself.

This isn’t much of a secret, but Tan France’s generosity knows no limits. He’s provided several lifetimes’ worth of fashion and life advice through his work on eight seasons of Queer Eye (with the newest set to premiere in January) and Next in Fashion, the competition show he hosts with Gigi Hadid. But his taste extends beyond closets—and it shows in every corner of his home.

Blaine Moats

Werner Straube

Believe it or not, 2024 is almost here. With a new year comes fresh home design trends. We had to ask: what’s in and what’s out? We turned to a few interior designers and architects for their 2024 home trends predictions. After all, they’re the closest thing to a Magic 8 ball of design.

From delicate wrist blooms to bold shoulder statements, these Best Chrysanthemum Tattoo Designs are more than just art. Read on and find out fantastic inks you can get on your skin if you’re a fan of mums.

Using a grow light to start seeds or grow houseplants, microgreens, and herbs inside your home is an efficient way to promote healthy plant growth. LED grow lights have become the standard for indoor gardeners for their energy efficiency and long life. Yet with so many options available you might be wondering how to choose the best LED grow lights. Over the years I’ve used many LED light systems to grow all types of indoor plants. Below I share my top choices for LED spotlights, tabletop models, and multi-tier grow stands. Keep reading to learn more.

Read McKendree Photography

Blooms are almost non-existent in the garden at the moment after several days of frost, but I had two options: another pelargonium from the Coop, or stems of the overwintering Salvia ‘Phyllis Fancy’ in the working greenhouse. The latter, which never made it back into a border last year after its previous overwintering, remaining in its pot in disgrace, won the toss. After continued underperformance, I have been on the point of banishing it altogether, but now plan to give it a reprieve, albeit keeping it in a pot rather than giving it border space. However, I am not holding my breath…

Encountering a peacock, with its vibrant plumage, can be an awe-inspiring moment, especially when it happens unexpectedly in your own backyard. So, What Does it Mean When a Peacock Crosses Your Path?Let’s have a look!

Designing your home is an exciting endeavor—that is until you realize just how many interior decorating styles there are. If you're firmly rooted in a particular style, happy designing. If you're feeling dizzy from the number of choices, don't fret.

The leaves of these purple trailing plants are a striking combination of deep purple and silver, with a zebra-like pattern that adds an eye-catching element to the indoor decor.

This year gave us so many different aesthetics and home trends that it’s tough to see how 2024 could bring us anything more—or at least anything different.