SUN Ideas, Tips & Guides

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.

If sunlight is playing hard to get, it’s time to usher in these lush shade-loving climbers into the spotlight! Morph those shady spots and dingy corners of your garden into green havens with these low-light outdoor vines that shine where the sun won’t!

Houseplants like the Tradescantia Zebrina are known for their colorful foliage, but sometimes, those wonderful colors fade. Why? What is the reason? How can you get that color purple back and metallic stripes glowing again? Everything is answered in this article.

If you don’t have a sunny spot in your garden, then don’t worry. You can still enjoy juicy fruits! How? Check out the list of Fruits in Shade!

Happy Monday GPODers! Today we’re visiting Heidi’s beautiful garden in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Her yard ranges from full sun to part shade, and (from the looks of these pictures) she has absolutely filled every corner possible with sensational blooms. A feast for the senses, a kaleidoscope of color can be found from annuals and perennials.

I have chosen roses to go in my Monday vase this week because they are the most floriferous blooms in the garden at this point in mid-June. There are two varieties, growing together in the gallery border, and both seem to have done better this year than before – behind the gallery fence is the woodland which blocks sun from the south, so the roses only get the morning and late afternoon sun. However, our neighbours cut some of the lower branches from their huge mature beech over the winter and perhaps this allows more light to filter through.

There’s much to love about hydrangeas, whether it’s their voluminous blooms, vast range of species and colors, or varying heights. This all means the options for incorporating hydrangeas into your yard are nearly endless. But, if having so many options to choose from sounds more intimidating than invigorating, Linda Vater, plant expert for Southern Living® Plant Collection advises looking to your yard for the best fit.

Have a shaded area in your garden and want to add more color, dimension, and texture? Grow perennials that thrive in the shade. Many perennials need an abundance of sunlight but there are plenty of plants that prefer partial or full shade. Shade perennials add vibrancy to your yard and many attract pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and birds, too.

Easy Summer Flower Planter Ideas Transform your outdoor living spaces with these 3 container recipes full of textures and blooms. 3 Flower planter ideas perfect for summer!

From crocus to clematis, each flower on this list manifests as a masterpiece by Mama Nature! Appearing in surreal pastels and extraordinary form, our pick of Flowers that Look Like Sketches is all the inspiration you need to awaken the Picasso in you!

Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.

Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.

Hailing from hot, arid climes, such as the Mediterranean and Australia, drought-tolerant plants can withstand prolonged periods of heat with no rain. The majority thrive in full sun, with their roots in well-drained soil or gravel beds that have been enriched with peat-free compost. As our climate changes, they ensure borders are a floriferous show of colour and scent all summer long, without the need to water.

You may notice leggy growth in your Wandering Dude plant for various reasons. Before it gets worse, learn how to make it lush and colorful again with these tips.

Most flowers are filled with grace and beauty, but even in the world of blooms, some are undisputed champions. Our exclusive pageant for the Prettiest Flowers handpicks aren’t just stunners but come with oodles of personality. Check it out!

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.

Temperatures are expected to be higher than ever this summer, with record-breaking heatwaves already hitting the Southwest United States. You might be prepared with ways to beat the heat, but what about your garden? 

Harvesting a crop of ripe, juicy tomatoes is one of the highlights of the gardening year. To get the most from your plants, it pays to know which type you are growing and their particular requirements. Get to know some common varieties with our recommendations for 20 of the best tomatoes to grow. One thing that can spoil your tomato crops is tomato blight, a fungal disease that thrives in warm, humid conditions. Consider growing blight-resistant tomato varieties to help avoid it. Watch Alan Titchmarsh’s video guide to caring for cordon tomatoes and discover eight more tips for boosting your tomato harvests, below.

Planting annuals in your garden provides continuous blooms throughout the season. Grow them directly in the ground, in raised beds, in pots, or even in hanging baskets to use vertical space. Annuals, unlike perennials, need to be planted each year. Growing annuals allows plenty of opportunity to experiment with what flowers you like and thrive in your geographical area and which blooms you want to have in your landscape year after year.

French fries, French kisses, French perfume—how about another one for the list? Best French Flowers! Slip on your beret, and let’s go on an adventure florale through your backyard!

When it's time to harvest summer squash, whether it's for asummer squash casserole, squash cake, or stewed squash, gather all your best squash recipes because these plants produce abundantly. Before you count on your bounty a couple of months after planting, some insects may want to feast on the summer squash leaves and stems. This can negatively impact the plant if not kept at bay. Companion planting is a method that can help reduce pests in the garden as well ad attract pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and birds, to help increase summer squash pollination and put important nutrients back into the soil.

Whether it's blocking a busy street just beyond your property line or hiding from a nosy neighbor who pops by every time you step outside to water your plants, you may find yourself in need of a quick solution for privacy in your own backyard. While you could put up a sky-high fence, there's an easier, less expensive, and more aesthetically pleasing solution. Fast-growing privacy trees will give your yard a natural barrier that makes it feel like a private getaway.

If there’s one thing the most exciting gardens have in common, it’s that they always have something beautiful happening. And that “something” usually means something in flower. Bringing that idea home may seem challenging for gardeners, but happily, plant breeders know we want more—more beautiful foliage, more interest across every season, and most importantly, more and better bloom—and they have answered our calls. This is excellent news because, let’s face it, most gardeners today have less time to spend in the weeds (or looking for strong bloomers) than in years past. And everyone stands to benefit from bigger, continuous summer blooms with less effort. The following group of superstars starts flowering at the onset of summer and keeps going all season long, many even going right into fall. Use them as supporting players for those that shine more briefly, or switch it up and make them the centerpiece.

To get ahead of summer—the best season for home revamps, in our opinion—home renovation company Dwellify released a list of their best expert tips for updating your home on a budget.

Being out in the garden is a feast for the senses, particularly when you're surrounded by fragrant plants. There's color, texture, the sound of breeze blowing through the trees, and, of course, the scent of a sweet smelling flower wafting through the air.

You’ve probably heard about companion planting, or the idea that some crops can “help” each other out. Much of companion planting is based on observation and folklore. But a few studies have shown limited positive effects, such as usingcollards to attract moths away from cabbage or planting African marigolds near your squashto attract beneficials that suppress pests such as aphids.

Feeling a bit down? We’ve scoured the internet for the best plant puns and jokes to uplift your mood like a daisy in the sun! Easy to remember and definitely drought-tolerant, plant these succulent one-liners at your next gardener’s meet-up, and watch the magic sprout!

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When and How to Water Dahlias

Calla lilies are gorgeous flowers that grow well in moderate climates; when planting them, striking a balance in growing conditions is very important. For example, if you live in a hot, frost-free climate, grow them in the shade; in a slightly warm climate, provide partial shade; and in cold regions, find a spot that receives part to full sun for best growth.

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There comes a time when indoor plants crave for some outdoor air, and summer is the best time to take them out to satiate their hunger!

Flowers add soul to every garden, and to make yours extra beautiful, try growing some long lasting perennials that will never let your yard down!

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Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.