Essentials for hosting an awesome garden party

The alpine aster, Aster alpinus, is a short-lived cold weather perennial in the very large Asteraceae family that includes daisies, dahlias, and sunflowers.This herbaceous ornamental species is unique for having an earl

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Successful vegetable gardens begin with goo

Bees are essential for the home garden and the planet. But for people with allergies (or other reasons) who may want to avoid bees, there are natural ways to minimize bees in your home and outdoor areas. From DIY sprays to strategically placed plants, herbs, and spices, here's how to repel these valuable pollinators without harming them and the environment around you.

Is there any better feeling than a successful summer garden party? All your friends in one place, laughing and socialising in the summer sun. What's not to love?

Blue Sea Holly is a striking, architectural, often silverized annual or short-lived perennial thistle you will want to grow from seed. Often seed in designer gardens, blue sea holly brings a bold dramatic effect to any garden.

A stylish pergola is an excellent addition to any home, and an ideal choice to create comfortable coves in your lawn or backyard. A pergola emphasizes a home by adding shade to the backyard for family gatherings and get-togethers. The good news is that today, there are several choices available for those who are looking to get a pergola. From the style and the size to the materials used, you can easily find the perfect pergola to suit your needs. 

When my wifeand I finally got around to re-landscaping our 1922 Spanish-style bungalow in Los Angeles, we did what many space-challenged Angelenos do: reimagined the unused back half of our driveway. It’s a classic SoCal bungalow move. Why park in your driveway when you can play in it? Over the years, it has served our family well, as a toy and tricycle repository when the kids were little, an outdoor weight room when the kids were bigger, and a spot for random acts of improvisational wood-fired cooking. Occasionally, we would even park a car in it. But with the kids grown and the functional-if-a-bit-meh swath of concrete not getting much use, we wanted the driveway to become a multipurpose space where we could garden, grill, dine, and just hang out. 

Spring is a marvelously colorful time of year, with all the flowers and leaves unfolding as the days become warmer. And one of the brightest, boldest harbingers of spring is the redbud tree.These showy bloomers send out flowers earlier

With warmer weather and longer days on the horizon, it’s time to start thinking about throwing a garden party! But instead of the same old store-bought decorations and catering, why not add your own personal touch with some DIY Garden Party Ideas? Whether you’re hosting a small or larger gathering, these DIY Garden Party Ideas will have your guests ooh-ing and ahh-ing all night long. So roll up your sleeves, and let’s get started!

Columbine, or Aquilegia, is an intriguing member of the Ranunculaceae family with exquisite petals that give it an ephemeral quality, like a briefly glimpsed hummingbird.It is an herbaceous perennial that blooms from sp

If you're planning to host a dinner party soon but need a bit of a refresher on how to throw the best get-together possible, you won't want to miss out on these expert tips. Below, entertaining pros share their guidance for creating beautiful tablescapes, deciding upon a drink menu, and much more.

Coinciding nicely with my foraging ventures in the garden, the publishers, Green Books, invited me to a fungay foray in deepest Kent to launch their latest book – Edible Mushrooms by Geoff Dann (a licensed forager). We soon adjusted our ideas of setting off home at the end of the day with baskets laden with cepes and chanterelles when Geoff told us he had scouted the foraging area and there was hardly anything to be found – apparently it is a very late year. The foraging took place i