Garden designers have a trick for making the most of the views in your garden: They borrow scenery from the neighbors -- or from the nature and architecture around you.... more
Alliums burst into glorious spheres of bloom in late spring, as jaunty and debonair as the season. Fall is the time to plant them by the dozens.... more
Butterflies are a wonderful part of a healthy garden. They -- and innumerable other insects that pollinate plants -- are also ecologically and economically vital, but they are on the decline.... more
Water is always a powerful element in a garden, but you don't need a rushing cascade to capture the magic. It only takes a splash. You can have water in your garden and conserve resources, too.... more
Playing is what childhood is all about. Making a place to play in the garden inspires kids and sets them an example for the rest of their lives. Even in a tiny backyard, there is plenty of room for ch... more
Garden furniture is taking its cues from living rooms these days. Collapsible tailgate-party chairs and stackable plastic no longer seem graceful enough for back yards and porches, where substantial, ... more
This year, there are more reasons than ever to grow your own tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and broccoli. It's a banner year for the introduction of new varieties -- now is a great time to make room for v... more
An invisible hand is at work in successful naturalistic landscapes. Nature gets all the credit in the eyes of the beholder, but there's plenty of hard work behind the scenes.... more
There's a reason why farmers -- not gardeners -- are the great producers of wheat, oats, barley, and other major grains: These are challenging crops to manage. But other interesting and beautiful grai... more
Tired formulas for foundation plantings only make a house look frumpy. Forget about pointy evergreens at the corners of the house and bun-shaped shrubs in the center under the windows, and give your f... more