Cover Ideas, Tips & Guides

Although air conditioning is the most popular go-to for cooling down a room fast, not every home comes equipped with a central AC system. And while window AC units can help take the edge off, they don’t necessarily boost curb appeal or promote energy efficiency.

Welcome to an exploration of flowers that start with the letter “B”. From the stunning Begonia to the vibrant Bluebell, this list covers a wide range of flowers, each with its own unique charm.

More and more homeowners are seeking to replace their traditional lawns with ones that are easier to maintain or more environmentally responsible. It sounds straightforward enough, but choosing the right plants for a lawn can be challenging. One must consider sun exposure, expected foot traffic, moisture requirements, and situational obstacles such as clay soil and juglone fromblack walnut trees (Juglans nigra, Zones 4–9). This list aims to help Southeast gardeners choose the lawn replacement with the best chance of success for their yards.

There’s a new product that seemingly everyone has been turning to lately: microcement. In the season of the home remodel, it’s no surprise that homeowners are looking for new ways to upgrade their style this summer. It’s the perfect time for outdoor or indoor projects, and microcement can cover both.

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Growing herbs from softwood cuttings is the best way to never let the supply of fresh organic sprigs come to a halt. You can grow them easily from new growth without waiting for the old hardwood growth to appear!

Although our first proper opening of the garden is not till a week tomorrow, we had a group visit on Thursday, a mixed blessing, as it meant the garden had to be more or less ‘ready’ over a week sooner than it might otherwise have had to be. We didn’t have any group visits last year, the first year that we hadn’t, and this was the first time we had a visit before the main openings as I had previously avoided this – June is probably the most floriferous month, and sometimes we could be in limbo for two or three weeks after the main openings until all group visits were over, before we could loosen the reins a little. Interestingly, this gardening group, from one of the local villages, had previously visited us the first year we opened, although all but a handful of them were new members so the garden was new to them.

These beetles with glowing abdomens create a blanket of tiny, flashy living bulbs that can turn any garden into a sparkling fairyland!

Aldi; Design: Better Homes & Gardens

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The napkins, cushion cover and table cloth seen here in Ivy Green

Most fruits have seeds lodged deep within their fleshy innards. But Mother Nature loves her exceptions! Read on to learn about those peculiar fruits that appear to have seeds on the outside.

When and How to Deadhead Cosmos Flowers

Butterflies are drawn to the scent of nectar, fragrant blossoms, and bright, bold colors. So, if you’re building a garden to tempt these stunning pollinators, it has to be one with extraordinary foliage and sweet fragrances, and these Climbers and Vines are exactly that.

With hot temperatures rising across the country this year, this summer is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. These insects look for hot and humid conditions—and they’re likely to find these conditions in more places than usual this year.

Carson Downing

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There’s exciting news ahead for homeowners who are looking to save money on their electric bills. New York is officially the first US state to implement the new Home Energy Rebates program, part of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.

Are you looking to revamp your home before putting it up for sale? It’s important to understand that some design ideas are not optimal in the long run if you’re planning to sell your home.

IKEA

Are you searching for the perfect gift for the gardening enthusiast in your life? Look no further than the GardenAdvice one-day gardening course. This hands-on experience is tailored to take place in the recipient’s own garden, ensuring a personalised and practical approach to learning.

If you’ve been looking for ways to make gardening more practical this spring, we’ve got you covered. Not only can you add to your garden’s aesthetic with a sleek potting bench, but it will also make gardening much easier. 

KAITLIN GREEN

James Carriere

When and How to Prune Weeping Cherry Trees

Have you ever seen a cactus with arms? Believe it or not, there are several cactus species that defy the typical prickly, columnar cactus stereotype. In this post, we’ll tell you all about them.

Vines are a great way to bring greenery to shady areas in your garden or home, and some of them can grow well without direct sunlight. Keep reading to discover these shade-loving vines.

Pothos, a popular and low-maintenance houseplant, is beloved by many and one of the joys of owning a pothos is propagating it! From selecting the healthiest cuttings to providing the optimal environment for root development, we’ll cover everything you need to know.

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Q: We have a small back garden that includes an old wall covered in ivy. I love the ivy, but it has become home to an army of slugs that have eaten many of my plants over the years. I have tried many different things to combat the slugs (ground eggshells, coffee grinds, various different pellets), none of which have really made that much difference. I am also concerned about using products that may harm the birds that visit the garden and our dog. At this stage, I think I have to accept that the slugs are part of the garden and learn to live with them. So, I would like to look at planting some small shrubs and flowers that are not appealing to slugs. I would be grateful for some suggestions. JM

In the arc of an Irish gardening year, May is the month of magical things. The first rose. The first swallow. The first properly hot day. The first beech tree in full leaf. The first sighting of wisteria in magnificent lilac bloom, draping itself languidly against a high, sunny wall. As nature flashes its brilliant feathers, it’s also our last real opportunity before summer finally arrives to make a substantial difference to our gardens or allotments, whether that’s filling them with fast-growing annuals to provide plenty of homegrown produce for the months ahead, planting up spectacular summer containers, or fine-tuning flower borders for maximum impact. With all of this in mind, here’s a handy little to-do list to help you stay on course.

We design gardens in northwestern Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills, and many of our clients’ properties have sections that are rocky and steep. Embracing the unique contours of each site, we have built rock gardens, terraces, and plantings that flow downhill. We see each hillside as an opportunity to put together a satisfying plant palette that is easy to maintain and beautiful to behold. A bonus with slopes is that they provide good drainage by their very nature.

Want to show a little love to your local bees with an easy-care lawn? You don’t have to keep bees to create an environment that helps them thrive. Bee lawns are a great way to improve the look and care of your yard while also helping bees.

Image: Newby Hall Gardens. Credit: Newby Hall Gardens.  Wondering what there is to do around Yorkshire this spring and summer? There are plenty of Gardens to Visit in Yorkshire, with lots to see and do — including impressive gardens, glorious stately homes, and much much more!  Here are just a few picks that might tickle your fancy this season.  Newby Hall Gardens Newby Hall and Gardens is located in Ripon, just a 40–50-minute drive from York and Leeds.Their gardens cover 40 acres and includes a whopping 15 areas of interest — including one of the UK's longest herbaceous borders! Not only that, but they also have a miniature railway, boat trips, an adventure playground and more to explore. Perfect for a family-fun day out, whatever the weather. Sheffield Botanical Gardens Image: The pavilions at Sheffield Botanical Gardens. Credit: Sheffield Botanical Gardens. Opened in 1833 and spanning over 19 acres, are the impressive Sheffield Botanical Gardens. They’re a Grade II site of special historic interest, featuring traditional glass Pavilions and sweeping gardens. There’s lots to see and do, including a Mediterranean Climate Garden, a Rock and Water Garden, and even a traditional Victorian Garden display. A must-visit if you’re near the area! Did you know that Manchester once had a Botanical Gardens? There’s even remains of the epic entrance, which can be seen at the front of the White City Retail Park near Trafford. You can read all about Manchester’s Lost Royal Botanical Gardens here. Harlow Carr (North Yorkshire) RHS gardens are a gem of the UK, and RHS Harlow Carr is no exception. This Harrogate-based Garden has lots to do and see throughout spring and summer – a perfect pick for all the family. Their main borders

As someone who shivers at the thought of a chilly breeze, I’m well and truly done with our long, wet, cold spring. So much so, that I find myself daydreaming of brilliant sunshine, blue skies and warm breezes.

If you don't have a green thumb, are in an environment that’s hard on plants, or are just tired of gardening, you might want to look into a garden that isn’t alive at all. Rock gardens are trending (especially in hot, desert planting zones) as a way to design your garden with little or no greenery required.