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Serena Manickam

Serena Manickam is a freelance editor and writer and sustainable market gardener in rural Virginia. She holds a BA in environmental science and runs Fairydiddle Farm, a small market garden in which she grows no-spray produce and herbs to sell at a local farmer’s market.

Everyone knows that roses are red (and other colors, too), but so many other flowers come in crimson shades, too! Red is such a bold, romantic color- and it belongs in your yard. The list below celebrates 11 perennial red flowers that bring vivid color to the garden year after year. 1. Wild Columbine (Aquilegia …

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Many flowers are pretty but effervescent, delighting us with their beauty for only a few short weeks each year. While these plants certainly have a place in the garden, sometimes we just want a flower that blooms for a longer period of time. The following long-lasting annual flowers will ensure you have blooms in the …

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Growing native plants is a great way to support pollinators like butterflies and bees, songbirds, and other wildlife. Even the smallest patio garden can provide much-needed habitat for native creatures. And it doesn’t have to be difficult! Many beautiful native wildflowers, such as those listed here, are incredibly easy to grow. 1. Lupine (Lupinus spp.) …

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Often chosen for the texture and autumn interest they add to the garden, ornamental grasses have many virtues. Some are tall, towering over most other garden plants, and serve as a visual anchor or a privacy screen. Others form low mounds, tucked in among bright flowers to add softness to the landscape. As you decide …

Read More about 11 Companion Plants That Thrive Next to Ornamental Grasses

Whether they grow in the sun or shade, perennial yellow flowers bring a golden ray of sunshine to the garden. And since they grow back year after year, you don’t have to worry about replanting them every spring to enjoy their beautiful blooms. Want more bursts of yellow in your garden? Check out these 11 …

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Succulents come in wide unique varieties and can be so much fun to grow. Not so much fun? A mealybug infestation! These nasty little insects attack succulents indoors and outdoors and can quickly spread from one plant to another if left unchecked. Learn how to get rid of mealybugs on succulents easily and effectively without …

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Many types of flowers will bring butterflies to the garden, but these beautiful insects find some plants more attractive than others. What a joy they are to watch when they are around! Fill your planters and beds with beautiful, nectar-rich annual flowers that attract butterflies, and enjoy not only stunning blooms but friendly pollinators as …

Read More about 10 Annual Flowers for Upcoming Summer Garden to Attract Butterflies

Wildflower gardens come in many shapes and sizes, from lush meadows to tidy flower beds. In addition to beautiful, bright colors, wildflowers offer many benefits, such as attracting pollinators and providing wildlife habitat. Native wildflowers also tend to require less care than many other garden plants, as they are well-adapted to your soil and climate. …

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Justifying adding new greenery to your home is easy when you consider the air quality benefits. While all plants perform this task on some level, some are particularly efficient at it and do well in indoor spaces. Let’s look at the best indoor house plants for clean air to help you breathe easily in your …

Read More about 10 NASA Approved Indoor Plants That Act Like Air Filters

Lavender simple syrup imparts a wonderful floral flavor to your favorite beverages. With just three ingredients and three steps, you can easily make your own to impress guests, pamper yourself, or give as gifts. Once you learn how to make lavender simple syrup, your fridge might never be without it again. What is lavender simple …

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