SUN Ideas, Tips & Guides

As native grasses such as little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium and cvs., Zones 3–9) and prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis and cvs., Zones 3–9) increasingly gain traction in gardens, exotics such as miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis and cvs., Zones 4–9) are losing favor because of their invasive tendencies. But not all exotic grasses are troublesome and need to be avoided. Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora and cvs., Zones 5–9) is a natural hybrid of C. arundinacea and C. epigejos, which are both nonnatives and prolific self-sowers, but the hybrid rarely sets fertile seed—a major plus for an exotic grass, right? So why are other reed grasses—‘Karl Foerster’ aside—so underused? To answer that question is to understand the phenomenon of ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass (C. × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’).

I am often asked to recommend plants for problematic garden areas during my call-in radio program or after public-speaking engagements. As a result, over the years I have developed a list of my top picks for sunny and shady gardens depending on whether the soil is dense, heavy, and clay-based, or lean, sandy, and quick-draining. Fortunately, I have experience gardening with both soil types, and so I know that each presents its own challenges and opportunities. Here are a few options for perennials, trees, and shrubs that can survive and even thrive in the trickiest soil conditions.

My name is Enrique Zuniga. My husband, Christian Altman, our three dogs, and I live in Forest Park, Illinois (Zone 5b), which is located just west of downtown Chicago. Both Christian and I have had a love of gardening since we were children, but we fully tapped into our inner gardener when we were presented with the opportunity to work with a yard full of turf grass when we moved to our current house in 2017. The vast majority of the yard gets full sun, so we decided to remove large patches of turf grass and plant sun-loving perennials that are mostly native to Illinois.

Are you a hibiscus owner who’s noticed some alarming changes in your plant’s leaves? You’re not alone. Many plant enthusiasts experience this problem and struggle to identify its cause. Fear not, for we’re here to help! Here are the various reasons behind Hibiscus Leaves Turning Yellow and a guide to help you through some practical solutions to restore your plant’s lush green foliage. So, let’s dive in and save your hibiscus from the yellow leafy disaster!

Pink Fruits add a delightful touch of color to any garden, enticing both the eyes and taste buds. From sweet and juicy strawberries to exotic dragon fruit, there are plenty of Pink Fruits varieties to choose from!

Caladiums are not as difficult to care for as many people think, and they make a beautiful addition to any home or garden.

How to Grow and Care for Euphorbia Euphorbia spp.

Mushrooms are an unusual grow-your-own crop that’s increasing in popularity. Mushrooms take more effort than most crops to grow, but mushroom growing kits offer easier growing methods, and give you the opportunity to grow ‘gourmet’ varieties such as oyster and shiitake, as well as the more usual button mushrooms.

Looking to add some life to your home without having to put in too much effort? Why not try a succulent garden? These water-storing plants are perfect for those who want to enjoy the beauty of nature without having to put in too much work. Plus, they come in a wide variety of textures and colours, so you can easily find the perfect look.

With spring coming to its peak, we at Fantastic Gardeners decided to take a look back at the beginning of this jolly and fresh season and at one recent good deed. The Acol Nursery in London reached out to us back in February with the little asking to help them get their outdoor gardens in order.

A fad in modern architecture and gardening or a necessity to bring back nature into industrialised densely built urban landscapes? Living green walls are becoming more and more popular, so we decided to explore the benefits, installation and maintenance process of these structures. Read on to find out how long they have been around, why so many buildings are having them, and how you can make one for your home.

Winter season doesn’t mean you have to turn your back to your flower garden until spring comes. There is a good number of plants that bloom beautifully even in the coldest of weather. Let’s dig into their world and see which ones you will fancy.

These are perfect to use in BBQ parties, birthday party or even weddings as a table decoration piece and to light up the party when the sun goes down. It's very easy to do it and will cost almost nothing.

Andrew Drake

Learn how to make a DIY solar pool heater with supplies from the dollar store. Heat your pool by harnessing the power of the sun with this easy tutorial using a pool noodle, hula hoop and a trash bag.

Flowering shrubs can grace your garden, adding color, interest and sometimes fragrance to the home landscape. For the biggest, showiest flowers, you’ll also need to take into account the sun exposure of the garden site. But never fear, there are flowering shrubs for landscaping that like sun and others that like shade.

During increasingly common heat waves in summer, temperatures can soar, making it a challenge to maintain a healthy garden.

Looking for Lesser Known Flowers to grow? You’ve come to the right place! Explore extraordinary and enchanting flowers as we discover lesser-known types that grow gracefully in lovely pots, bringing a touch of magic to your garden.

Inspired by trendy furniture store, i came up with this hunting lantern for 2 dollars. I shopped supplies from Dollar Tree store and used a cheese ball jar from Costco that we enjoyed my kids and me. I love cheese ball and ended to have lots and lots of jars at home. The whole sale ones are super big compared to the grocery store. Anyway, ones I had everything in between my hands I started imagining how my lanterns gonna look like and how I will hang them. I got a black synthetic rope from dollar tree store that I lined all over the jar horizontally and vertically using a hot glue. For the handles I used an old rattan woven basket that i dismantled and covered with the black rope to solidify the handles. Finally, I drilled the bottom of the jar and insert the solar light for a convenient lighting.

Capel founded Border Sundials in 1991 initially making Armillary Spheres and later branching out into horizontal and vertical sundials.  ‘I love the connection that sundials provide between the heavens and earth but also the mathematical, scientific and cultural links they create between us and our forbears.’

With large leaves that are also serrated, perforated, and cut stylishly, Monsteras never fail to make a bold impression with their large foliage. If you want to add more bling, then growing these Types of Variegated Monstera Varieties will make your home stand out!

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Try these delicious flavoursome summer cocktail recipes to recreate Chelsea at home. We’ve even got the kids covered with a homemade elderflower cordial recipe just perfect for this time of year.

Biennials are plants that have a two-year life cycle. In the first year, they grow leaves and in the second they flower, before setting seed and dying. June and July are the ideal months to sow their seed. You’ll have young plants ready to go in the ground where you’d like them to flower by early autumn. Then, next spring or summer (depending on which biennial you’ve grown) they’ll produce their flowers.

Not all violets are violet coloured at least not African Violets.

Some of the best garden flowers are white! See our selection.

On a hot summers day (what is that ? ed.) there is nothing better than a woodland walk with its distinctive scents and surprising colours. Well spaced deciduous trees often provide the best displays as the filtered sun helps develop then highlight the woodland growers.

Japanese maple or Acer palmatum are popular trees and small shrubs. They are grown for an attractive habit and dramatic foliage.

Vitamin D from sun to plate via well grown Carrots

Sometimes as gardeners, we place all the emphasis on plants. However, a few well positioned ornaments and focal points can heighten the interest and drama within a garden.

As flowers age they can lose some of their colour. The sun can have a bleaching effect and the pigment should already have done it’s job of attracting pollination insects.

Convolvulus is synonymous with bindweed that grows in poor soil and is notably hard to eradicate. However there are some species of Convovulus that are worth a space in a Mediterranean style garden.

Here in Oxford, we tried sowing some Kale in the middle of August.

The colour of green.

Insects play a key role in pollination and plants reward them with pollen and nectar in a symbiotic process.

As gardeners mature they enter a purple patch in their life and potentially in the garden. Some of the best plants with purple or coppery coloured leaves take several years to mature like the notional gardener. Amongst the favourites must be the copper beech and the many Acers with reddish leaves.