Photos Ideas, Tips & Guides

Every day I seem to spot the first rose of the year on yet another bush and, today, the first of hundreds on ‘Rambling Rector’; in the warmth and sunshine this afternoon there was even a hint of fragrance in the air. I can’t post any fragrance on this blog, but I can share the beauty of the roses along with their varied colour and form, beginning with ‘Olivia Rose Austin’, above, which grows into a neat and shapely bush.

If you feel it's high time to update a certain piece of furniture in your home or to finally add a piece to a room that's been sitting empty for some time, don't do so without learning some of the most common mistakes people make when furniture shopping.

Happy Friday, GPODers!

Hi GPODers!

If you’re looking to update the flooring in your home—whether with a simple area rug or a full swath of hardwood or ceramic tile—don’t do so without first reviewing the potential missteps that may seem minor but can set back a flooring project or even larger home improvement goals if overlooked.

Which common bird made its nest underneath this cucumber plant?

Hi GPODers!

Collaborative post

A couple of weeks ago we saw the bulbs and buds growing in Carla Zambelli Mudry’s garden in Malvern, Pennsylvania. (Check those posts out here and here.). She’s already back reporting on the flowers (some way ahead of schedule) that have emerged since then.

“Gardening is learning, learning, learning. That’s the fun of them. You’re always learning.”

Happy Monday GPODers!

Happy Friday, GPODers!

Creating an entryway that truly works is a worthwhile investment. You will enjoy how it makes your home look and feel, and providing a welcoming first glimpse of your home and property will increase that all-important ‘curb appeal’ if and when you sell your home.

Hey GPODers!

Hey GPODers!

Today we’re exploring more of Jay Sifford‘s lesser-seen back garden. We’ve toured and featured the award-winning landscape designer’s immaculate stylized meadow front garden, but now we’re wondering why the blooming bogs at the back of his home aren’t getting more attention.

The old saying about clematis growth is, “The first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they leap.” Growth may seem slow as the plant builds its root system, but once established, clematis are strong growers. Clematis likes to be planted where it has cool roots and a sunny top.

It’s always a treat when award-winning landscape designer Jay Sifford sends in photos of his fabulous home garden in the mountains of North Carolina. Today, we have an extra-special treat:

It is your GPOD editor, Joseph, here today, sharing photos of more wildflower adventures, this time in southern Indiana. It is amazing to me what beautiful flowers I saw and how many of them I have never seen in gardens! There is so much more we can do to truly appreciate and grow our beautiful native plants.

Joseph here, your GPOD editor. Last week I was in the Cincinnati area for a work project, and I took some time to hike in a few area parks. It was perfect time for spring wildflowers, and I saw some real beauties!

Mother's Day is just around the corner and it's time to show your mom just how much you appreciate her. If gift-giving isn't your strong suit, you're not alone—moms can be really hard to shop for. How can you convey all the love you have for her in a simple gift? Every year I find myself scratching my head at what to get my mother, and I'm constantly in competition with myself and my siblings.

Brigitta Stewart, the owner of the small mail-order nursery Arrowhead Alpines in Michigan, has a garden full of tiny treasures, many of them very rare—special plants that you don’t see in many gardens.

April has been a mixed and breezy month, with April showers and sunny periods, and although it has been pleasant in the sun we have not really felt much warmth from it, with temperatures rarely rising above the mid teens (centigrade). Today has seen a change, however, with a mild night and blue skies from daybreak onwards, and our weather monitor recording temperatures over 19°C – but we still have the breeze! We are forecast more days like this, and I feel confident of beginning to plant up the cutting beds.

My name is El, and I have always been surrounded by plants. My original interest in succulents and the fun in propagating them led me to creating my dream indoor garden. Over the years, I began to collect more plant varieties, and I currently have over 250 plants growing year-round indoors. My collection consists of a wide variety of houseplants and succulents. Plants bring me so much joy and excitement, especially when I wake up in the morning and find new growth or a flower beginning to form.

Carson Downing

Cicada Brood XIX has arrived in Greenwood County. Enjoy the amazing photos taken by HGIC Agent, Ginger Long. Brood XIX is one of the largest broods in the country, covering the greatest geographic area. In South Carolina, the emergence is projected to be in many upstate counties and counties along the Savannah River basin down to Aiken County. The adults live only for a few weeks, and after about a month, they will disappear as mysteriously as their arrival.

I’m Ebony, and I’m from southwestern Louisiana. I’ve been growing succulents for nearly six years, and it’s been such a great hobby for me. I’m a wife, mom, and pharmacist, and caring for my succulents has given me an outlet to relieve stress and care for myself. Here are some of my favorite photos of my plants.

If you're craving a bit more color in your living room but are renting your home or are not looking to make any major, permanent changes, by no means is all hope lost.

A while back I saw a post for a pool noodle chair and thought that, since my grandson was coming to visit, I'd surprise him with a float he could 'chill' in the pool with. Using the same method, this is what I came up with. (This is my first ever Hometalk post, so on that thought...here goes.

Today’s photos are from Connie Raines in Georgia.

My name is Anna Lindquist, and I’m a personal and professional plant nerd based in the Intermountain West. I’m especially enamored with native plants and am constantly in awe of the magical vignettes created by native plant communities. Though I’ve tried my best to replicate them in gardens, I’ve found that nature always does it best. I moved to Utah two years ago and unfortunately do not currently have space to garden at my rental property, so I have had to rely even more on public lands for my nature fix. Being at the confluence of multiple eco-regions, Utah encompasses a little bit of everything. These photos showcase the beautiful diversity of plants found across the state, from the desert to the high alpine.

We’re back today to see more spring blooms in Carla Zambelli Mudry’s garden in Malvern, Pennsylvania.

Today we’re visiting with Carla Zambelli Mudry in Malvern Pennsylvania:

Even seasoned interior designers started their careers somewhere—and that somewhere may not have included all the decorating tips and tricks they keep up their sleeves now. That's why we asked several interior designers which decorating secrets they now incorporate into every space. Their secrets are out. Spare yourself the trial and error of decor woes, and read on for eight decorating musts designers wish they knew about sooner.

“April is the Kindest Month. April gets you out of your head and out working in the garden.” ~Marty Rubin~

Today’s photos are from Lee: