Organic Gardening News

If your container garden started out thriving in May but completely gave up by July, you're probably not doing anything wrong with your watering or feeding. Actually, you're doing something wrong before you even get to the garden center.

Instagram influencer @mamakaytie.green puts it bluntly: "Flowers don't fail in pots because you picked the wrong color. They fail because you paired a sun-loving drought survivor with a shade-loving moisture addict and watered somewhere in the middle." To put it simply, the problem isn’t your commitment; it’s the compatibility of your plants.

(Image credit: Tunatura / Shutterstock)Why Mixed Containers Work So Well

The appeal of growing multiple flowers in a single pot has taken off for good reason. Cindy Funes, founder of Garden Revelry and a certified professional horticulturist, explains it well: "Mixed flower container plantings are popular because they are space-efficient, creating seasonal impact, and the feeling of a whole garden without requiring a full garden. A thoughtfully planted container with a combination of flowers can feel like a floral arrangement, but one that lasts much longer and changes over the season."

There's also something about the visual effect that a single plant just can't achieve. "When you combine flowers and foliage with different heights, textures, colors, and growth habits, the planting can feel a little more expressive, and your eye moves through it instead of landing on one flat note," Funes says. "It creates a pause – and I think that's what people are craving right now."

The Framework Every Beginner Needs

(Image credit: jorgeantonio)

Before you start grabbing every pretty thing in the plant section, it will be more helpful to start with some structure. McCauley Adams, principal designer and owner of Ramble on Rose Garden Design in Louisville, lives by one rule: "thriller, filler, and spiller – something tall and structural, something full in the middle, and something that creeps over the edges." He's been using it to get client patios Derby Ready this spring with combinations like coral geranium, diamond frost euphorbia, and potato vine, as well as Kimberly Queen fern, blue hydrangea macrophylla, and potato vine and vinca vine.

Funes agrees with the framework as a starting point: "Although it's basic, it is still a wonderful place to start because it naturally creates layers within a planting. From there, keep the color palette simple, select a mix of textures and leaf shapes, and choose plants with a long bloom time."

6 Container Planting Recipes Worth Trying

These easy thriller, filler, spiller recipe combine compatible plants for a balanced, professional-looking display that keeps its color through fall.

1. Geraniums + Petunias + Ivy

"As a beginner, you can't go wrong using geraniums, petunias, and ivy," says Seymen Usta, CEO and landscape designer at Modern Chandelier. Together, they make a well-balanced container combination, with upright geraniums providing height, petunias filling the middle with abundant color, and ivy trailing gracefully over the edges.

Crucially, they also thrive in broadly similar conditions, preferring well-drained soil and regular watering, while the contrasting foliage and flower shapes keep the display looking full and varied.

(Image credit: Adam Yee/Getty Images/ Gemini AI)2. Pansies + Dusty Miller + Lobelia

Seymen also suggests that another classic combination is pansies, dusty miller, and lobelia. Together, they create a beautifully layered container, with pansies providing bold color, dusty miller adding silvery foliage and structure, and lobelia spilling softly over the edges.

All three prefer cooler conditions, making them especially well suited to spring and fall displays.

(Image credit: Cciexplore / Shutterstock)3. Zinnias + Marigolds + Portulaca

Zinnias, marigolds, and portulaca for full sun and heat make for a great drought-proof trio. "It's the pot you forget to water that still looks good in August!" says @mamakaytie.green.

All three thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, while their varied flower shapes create a cheerful, long-lasting mix. Zinnias provide the height, marigolds give dense color through the middle, and low-growing portulaca softens the edges.

(Image credit: Alex Manders / Getty Images)4. Petunias + Calibrachoa + Verbena

Petunias, calibrachoa, and verbena for a trailing hanging basket (like these on Amazon) that covers an entire porch railing. They are ideal for creating a container that looks effortlessly abundant, as their blooms mingle and spill together in a cascade of color. They all flower best in a sunny spot and, with regular feeding and watering, will keep the display going for months.

(Image credit: Alamy)5. Begonias + Impatiens + Coleus

Begonias, impatiens, and coleus bring plenty of color to containers that receive little direct sun. The flowers of begonias and impatiens brighten shady spots, while coleus adds bold, long-lasting foliage that keeps the display interesting even between blooms.

(Image credit: Janice Storch / Shutterstock)6. Dahlias + Cannas + Sweet Potato Vine

Dahlias and cannas turn a large container into a bold, tropical-looking focal point, while ornamental sweet potato vine tumbles over the rim to soften all that height. Give the combination a deep pot, rich soil, and full sun, and it will build into an impressive display that lasts throughout summer.

(Image credit: Alex Manders / Shutterstock)Shop Container Flowers

Proven Winners Pink Supertunia Vista Bubblegum (4 Pack)

This vigorous petunia delivers nonstop bubblegum-pink blooms and cascades beautifully from sunny containers and hanging baskets.

Proven Selections Solera Dark Red Geranium

For a bold container focal point, this heat-tolerant geranium produces rich dark-red blooms from planting until frost.

American Beauties Great Blue Lobelia

This native perennial produces striking blue flower spikes that draw butterflies and hummingbirds.

Home Grown Thumbelina Zinnia Seeds

These compact zinnias bring months of mixed color to sunny containers while attracting bees and butterflies.

Proven Winners Superbells Evening Star Calibrachoa

Purple blooms with golden star-shaped centers spill beautifully from sunny pots, baskets, and window boxes.

Proven Winners Sunpatiens Compact Purple Impatiens

Bring vivid purple color to sunny or partly shaded containers with this compact, long-flowering impatiens.

The Mistake That Kills the Whole Pot

Every expert lands on the same issue. Funes calls it out directly: "One of the most common mistakes I see people making is combining plants with different exposure requirements – mixing sun-loving plants with shade plants, or pairing drought-tolerant with thirsty water-loving plants."

Adams agrees: "The most common mistake I see is a single plant sitting too low with no height or texture contrast." And Usta flags overcrowding: "Too many plants will compete for water, light, and nutrients."

Keeping It Going All Season

(Image credit: Kypros / Getty Images)

Getting the combination right is only half the job. Adams is specific about maintenance: "Keep combinations thriving with consistent moisture, regular deadheading, and a mid-season cutback on aggressive fillers – sweet potato vine especially. Slow-release granular at planting (try this Osmocote Slow-Release plant food on Amazon), liquid feed monthly through summer."

Funes adds that spacing matters more than most people think: "Planting with enough spacing and choosing plants with similar growth rates means plants have room to fill in and no single plant overwhelms another. Reading the plant tag is a great place to start."

Get the roommates right, and the pot will take care of itself. Get them wrong, and you'll be making a second trip to the garden center before August.

Lavender makes any yard feel sun-drenched, softly scented and altogether dreamier – if you choose the best lavender variety for your climate, that is. Pick a lavender that's less than ideal and that billowy purple haze will be short-lived when a bitter winter, a prolonged soggy spell or relentless tropical heat takes its toll. Whether you want a fragrant border, a bee-friendly pot by the back door or armfuls of stems for drying, choosing the right lavender is the difference between a fleeting flourish and a plant that truly earns its place in your garden year after year.

Matching the best lavender variety to your USDA zone is the smartest place to start when growing this garden must-have. From hardy, yard-worthy choices for chilly northern regions to heat-loving types that can cope with the Deep South and beyond, this guide brings together one perfectly-suited lavender for every zone. Because, while those 'suitable for zone X' tags give you a pretty good indication of whether the plant will survive a particular climate, they paint too broad a brushstroke to tell you which varieties will truly thrive.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you've ever visited a lavender farm, then you'll know how intense lavender color, fragrance and flower density can be – and you can be sure that's down to selecting the exact right variety for the conditions as well as good care.

Besides, there's far more to discover than the familiar purple classics, with white, pink and foliage-led lavender varieties all waiting in the wings. A clear lavender recommendation for every zone, practical lavender growing tips and plenty of planting inspiration will help you pick the perfect lavender for your plot. And with the exact right variety for your climate, you can turn a sunny spot into a richly scented, pollinator-friendly haven full of fragrant lavender blooms, wherever you garden.

Best Lavender for Zones 1-3: Munstead

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Enjoying the dreamy scent of lavender in zones 1 to 3 is totally possible through the summer months with Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead' if you grow it in a pot in your sunniest garden spot, and move to a bright, cool but frost-free spot through winter. That's an easy task if you pop a plant dolly with lockable wheels such as this indoor/outdoor caddy from Amazon under the pot.

‘Munstead’ is a classic English lavender with soft blue-purple flowers and a lovely culinary fragrance, and is compact enough to love life in a container. Because it blooms relatively early in summer, its flowers set a strong display even where the growing season is short and cool. This is a super variety to dry, too, and its edible flowers have a sweet, mild flavor so you can bring the scent and taste of summer to those long winter months. Munstead lavender plants are available from Burpee.

• Perennial outside in zones 4-9
• Full sun
• Flowers June-July
• Grows 18" high and wide

Best Lavender for Zone 4: Phenomenal

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Lavandula x intermedia 'Phenomenal’ is a newer hybrid that’s a hardier, more adaptable lavender, coping better than most with cold winters down to around -20°F, summer heat and a little humidity. In fact, it's often touted as the toughest lavender, ever, so it's easily the best lavender variety for zone 4. While it laughs in the face of heat or cold, it does need good drainage so plant it in the sunniest, driest place you have – think raised beds, a gravel garden or beside a warm south-facing wall.

Its height and resilience makes Phenomenal lavender a fabulous choice for an informal hedge either side of a path, but it's equally good in a big pot near a bench for maximum fragrance appreciation. Its long purple flower stems are also excellent for cutting, drying and stuffing into homemade lavender bags. Phenomenal lavender plants are stocked by Burpee.

• Perennial in zones 4-9
• Full sun
• Flowers June-July
• Grows to 3' high and wide

Best Lavender for Zone 5: Exceptional

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Another hybrid cross between English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and spike or Portuguese lavender (Lavandula latifolia), Lavanadula x intermedia Exceptional brings a softer, more unexpected colour palette to zone 5. Its clean white flowers glow against narrow silvery foliage, especially in evening light, and it feels wonderfully fresh mixed with pale pink roses, white cosmos or blue salvia. Use Exceptional to light up the front edge of a sunny border or pop it in a plain terracotta pot for chic simplicity.

Exceptional lavender plants are available from Plant Addicts and this robust, resilient variety will thrive in zone 5, combining excellent cold hardiness to around -20°F with a remarkably long flowering season, provided the soil drains quickly.

• Zones 5-9
• Full sun
• Flowers June-August
• Grows to 28" high and wide

Best Lavender for Zone 6: Big Time Blue

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Big Time Blue’ is a fairly compact lavender with impressively large, deep violet-blue flower spikes. It’s an excellent choice for zone 6 because winters are cold enough to satisfy English lavender’s preference for a winter rest, while summers are warm enough to produce its beautifully plump flower spikes.

Its neat cushions of sweetly scented blooms will fill your yard with color and buzzing bees all summer long, making it especially well-suited for edging a paved courtyard, lining a walkway, or adding structure to a narrow border where larger lavenders would feel too bulky. Big Time Blue lavender plants are available from Plant Addicts.

• Zones 5-9
• Full sun
• Flowers June-August
• Grows 28" high and wide

Best Lavender for Zone 7: Provence

(Image credit: Getty Images)

A cross between English lavender and spike or Portuguese lavender, Lavanadula x intermedia 'Provence' is a tall lavender with long flower wands, a strong fragrance and a wonderfully relaxed French-country look. It will produce exceptionally long flower stems and abundant blooms when given extended summer heat, making it the perfect choice for zone 7. Just give it plenty of room to stretch out and show off, rather than squeezing it into a tiny border, as it will flourish!

Provence lavender plants are stocked by Nature Hills and should be planted in a sun-drenched spot and allowed to become a slightly unruly billow of delicious perfume. Take advantage of this plant's slightly wilful nature and use it for softening the edge of a sunny driveway or creating a heavenly drift to meander through. The stems dry brilliantly for everlasting bunches and wreaths, too.

• Zones 5-9
• Full sun
• Flowers June-August
• Grows to 18" high and 24" wide

Best Lavender for Zone 8: Goodwin Creek Grey

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

‘Goodwin Creek Grey’ is the foliage-lover’s lavender that's expecially valuable in zone 8 because it tolerates heat, humidity and mild winters better than most English lavenders. Even summer temperatures that regularly reach 90°F won't phase this reliable bloomer! Its large, toothed, silvery-grey evergreen leaves add great texture even when the flowers take a break. And that's not often, as Lavandula x ginginsii 'Goodwin Creek Grey' is a hybrid cross that's sterile – which means it doesn't set seed so flowers for months and months. And the dark violet-blue spikes are just wonderful!

This variety has a slightly wilder, coastal-Mediterranean feel than a formal English lavender and it’s a great feature plant, especially in a large container or as a sculptural accent in a gravelly border, jostling among ornamental grasses, agaves and drought-loving salvias. Goodwin Creek Grey lavender plants are available to buy from the Winter Greenhouse Store via Amazon.

• Zones 9-11
• Full sun
• Flowers May-October
• Grows to 12" high and wide

Best Lavender for Zone 9: Sensational!

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

A cross between sweetly fragrant English lavender and Portuguese lavender which has a sharper, fresher scent, Lavandula x intermedia Sensational! has a perfume that's perfect for a hot day. This is a sturdy lavender with large dark-purple flowers that won’t flop at the first sight of rain or wind, and is particularly happy in zone 9 where warm summers encourage generous reblooming from May to September. This hybrid's improved tolerance of heat and humidity gives it an edge over fussier English types, too.

Hardy to about 0°F, the real strength of Sensational! is its sturdy flower spikes that hold up exceptionally well during hot summers, often continuing to bloom through prolonged periods of heat that cause other lavenders to fade. For this reason, it makes a superb backbone in a pollinator border or a striking focal point in a large container. Sensational! lavender plants are available from Plant Addicts.

• Zones 5-9
• Full sun
• Flowers May-September
• Grows to 24" high and 36" wide

Best Lavender for Zone 10: The Princess

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Just as its name promises, Lavandula stoechas The Princess is gloriously theatrical, with bright pink flower heads and showy pink bracts that dance above the foliage. It’s ideal for zone 10 where, in frost-free or nearly frost-free climates, it will flower for months on end, often from spring through to fall.

The Princess lavender plants are available to buy at Lowe's, and this diva deserves a starring role that allows its dramatic Spanish character to shine through a long, warm season. Use it in a statement pot by a pool, at the center of a sunny courtyard, or mixed with white gaura and silver foliage for a gloriously elegant combo.

• Zones 8-11
• Full sun
• Flowers March-November
• Grows to 30" high and wide

Best Lavender for Zone 11-13: French

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Rain and humidity are challenges for growing lavender in a tropical climate, but it's perfectly possible if you know which type to choose. So, if you're wondering which lavender to plant in zone 11, 12 or 13, look no further than French lavender (Lavandula dentata). For fragrance as well as looks, this warm-climate charmer with finely toothed leaves is a clear winner. Adapted to subtropical and Mediterranean climates with very mild winters, it will bloom almost continuously throughout the year, including during periods of intense heat.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

French lavender plants are stocked by Plants Express and, while they're recommended for zones 8-11, you can stretch this by giving plants great air circulation to guard against fungal disease, and protection from heavy rain. Though it's a sun-lover, it's a smart idea to position it so it's shaded from intense midday sun, too. It hates to have soggy roots so plant in a tall pot filled with a fast-draining potting soil, placed on risers, then stand the container beside your outdoor sofa because you'll love this lavender's heady scent.

• Zones 8-11
• Full sun
• Flowers March-November
• Grows to 24" high and 54" wide

Lavender Secrets to Success in Any Zone

Lavender is one of the most ravishing purple flowers of all time and is super-easy to grow, providing you stick to these growing tips.

• Choose a location with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day.
• Well-draining, gritty soil is a must. Improve heavier soils with coarse grit and plant on a slight mound rather than in a dip and, if your ground tends to stay wet, consider planting in a raised bed, on a slope or in a container.
• In a pot, a suitably fast-draining soil is easily achieved by mixing a few handfuls of a succulent soil mix such as Jacks Gritty Mix from Amazon with any all-purpose potting soil. Raising the pot on risers such as these pot lifters from Amazon, too, is a must.
• Giving lavender plants a gravel mulch helps drainage, airflow and suppresses weeds, in pots as well as the ground.
• Avoid rich compost and heavy feeding as overly fertile soil encourages soft, floppy growth and fewer flowers.
• Water new plants regularly and deeply for their first season but let the soil dry between waterings. Once established, lavender is drought-tolerant, though you'll still need to water occasionally in extended dry spells, and more often in containers.
• Prevent fungal problems, especially in humid climates, by giving plants enough space to allow good airflow.
• Prune lavender immediately after flowering, and trim into shape in early spring, but never cut into old, leafless wood.

Weekly roundup of three properties that recently sold in Metro Vancouver.

5425 Angus Dr., Vancouver

Type: Nine-bedroom, six-bathroom detached

Size: 5,367 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $4,846,000

Listed for: $5,290,000

Sold for: $5,290,000

Sold on: May 28

Days on market in this listing: Four

Listing agent: Danny Chow PREC and Salina Kai PREC at Rennie & Associates Realty

Buyers agent: Maddy Lindahl Coflin, Kelley Lindahl and Tony Ioannou at Dexter Realty

The big sell: Superlatives abound with this colonial-style family estate that occupies an elevated position within Vancouver’s rarefied Shaughnessy neighbourhood on an enviable 12,825-square-foot lot. The 100-year-old house has a beautifully landscaped frontage, a columned entryway, shuttered windows, and sophisticated renovations. It showcases rich hardwood floors with inlay detailing, decorative crown molding, Victorian-style radiators, skylights, sash windows, wainscot panelling, premium Sub-Zero, Wolf and Miele appliances, and French doors that open to a manicured garden with multiple seating areas. There are five bedrooms upstairs — all elegantly presented — including a primary suite with access to a balcony, while a further two bedrooms occupy the top floor. The lower level offers private nanny or guest accommodation as well as a recreation room.

305 — 1328 West Pender St., Vancouver

Type: Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment

Size: 1,005 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $994,000

Listed for: $899,800

Sold for: $900,000

Sold on: June 12

Days on market in this listing: 12

Listing agent: Holly Calderwood PREC at Royal LePage Sussex

Buyers agent: Meeti Martin at eXp Realty of Canada, Inc.

The big sell: According to listing agent Holly Calderwood, multiple offers were received for this two-bedroom condo that resides in Coal Harbour’s Classico tower. Built in 2003, the rainscreened building offers a smorgasbord of amenities for residents including concierge services, an indoor swimming pool, a sauna/steam room, a fitness centre, a party room, bike room, and several guest suites. The unit in question has a corner position and was renovated earlier this year to the tune of new floors, quartz countertops, stainless-steel appliances including premium brand Bosch, fresh paintwork, heated floors in the bathroom, and updates to the fixtures, doors, and gas fireplace. There is a solarium as well as a storage/flex room and a balcony, separated bedrooms, and the northwesterly exposure offers mountain views. The unit comes with a storage locker, parking, and a monthly maintenance fee of $526.15.

B318 — 31940 Raven Ave., Mission

Type: One-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment

Size: 604 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $386,700

Listed for: $409,900

Sold for: $400,000

Sold on: April 16

Days on market in this listing: 48

Listing agent: Jay Ilhareguy at ReMax Magnolia

Buyers agent: Shannon Drummond PREC at Royal LePage Elite West

The big sell: Mission is the location for the sale of this one-bedroom condo that resides in the city’s Wren + Raven development — a three-storey condo building that was constructed in 2023. It features a number of facilities including a fully-equipped gym and a party room with a kitchen and seating, and a central position with shopping, schools, eateries, and the West Coast Express all nearby. This particular unit has a private balcony that converts into a solarium for year-round enjoyment, a den that could be a home office or small bedroom, quartz countertops and stainless-steel appliances including a flat top range in the kitchen, and radiant heat throughout. The home comes with one parking stall in the underground garage, a large storage locker, and a strata that permits pets and rentals with restrictions. Its monthly maintenance fee is $361.84.

These transactions were compiled by Nicola Way of BestHomesBC.com.

Realtors — send your recent sales to nicola@besthomesbc.com

Learn more about the latest mortgage rates and explore our guide to Canada’s lowest national insured and uninsured mortgage rates, updated daily.Related

• Sold (Bought): East Van artist loft offers distinctive character and ample room
• Sold (Bought): Marpole home offers flexible living arrangements

Here’s a typical scenario. You worked hard to create a beautiful outdoor space to enjoy in the summer. You set up an area to enjoy the evening in the garden only to hear a buzzing in your ear. Next, you’re slapping your neck, your arm, and running inside to avoid the mosquitoes that are plaguing your yard and garden.

Mosquitoes can absolutely ruin your outdoor peace. Not only are they a nuisance, but they are also a health risk, carrying diseases that can harm both humans and pets. Successful backyard mosquito control includes several key elements, including proper plant choice.

You might not have realized it, but there are some types of plants that actually attract mosquitoes. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to make your outdoor space less welcoming, even if you already grow some of these plants. Here are a few of the most common culprits that could be harboring mosquitoes in your yard and what to do if you grow them.

1. Bromeliads

(Image credit: Cris Cantón / Getty Images)

Bromeliads are colorful air plants that lend a tropical feel to the garden. They can grow outdoors year-round in warm climates or as houseplants that you move outside in summer in cooler climates.

Either way, if you have them in your garden, these delightful plants create cups of standing water, which is how they survive without soil. But the water, unfortunately, can become an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. They look for still water like this to lay eggs, which can hatch in a matter of days.

There is a solution, though. Add a little oil or dish soap to the standing water to break the surface tension, so mosquitoes can’t land on it.

2. Dense Ground Covers

(Image credit: Alamy)

Ground cover plants play a very useful role in the garden, creating lawns of green where grass won’t grow or where you don’t care to mow. Many ground covers do their job well, creating dense mats of low-growing plants: pachysandra, spurge, deadnettle, and sweet woodruff, just to name a few.

But these ground covers create an ideal environment for mosquitoes who love shade, cool temperatures, and moisture. You might even get standing water under these plants that helps skeeters breed.

To manage mosquitoes in these areas, trim the plants with a string trimmer to improve airflow – here's a list of our experts' top tested trimmer tools – and inspect regularly for standing water that should be drained. Rake out any leaf litter that gets trapped under the plants, as mosquitoes love this kind of environment, too.

3. Bamboo

(Image credit: Alamy)

Bamboo can be a fun plant to grow. It’s easy, forgiving, and grows very quickly to create privacy borders and living fences. But your bamboo plants might be harboring a secret: standing water in the hollow stems that attracts mosquitoes and protects their eggs and larvae. Additionally, bamboo grows quite densely in moist conditions that mosquitoes love.

Thin out crowded bamboo canes to reduce localized moisture and improve airflow. Keep the area around the canes clear, too, by weeding and raking up fallen debris.

Remove damaged canes regularly, as these are more likely to contain standing water. When you trim canes, cut them at an angle to help water drain out. Use a sharp, clean pair of loppers, like these ones from Fiskars, to make easy cuts.

4. Hostas

(Image credit: Bankiras / Shutterstock)

Hostas are extremely popular bedding plants for several reasons. They’re easy to grow, thrive even in the deepest shade, and come in a variety of sizes and shades of green. But the issue, when it comes to mosquitoes, is that these beloved plants create the perfect environment for unwanted pests under their broad, overlapping leaves.

Although mass plantings of hostas look nice, you can minimize the ideal mosquito conditions by spacing them out. Allow for a little airflow between each plant. Also, be sure to regularly rake out debris from under the leaves.

5. Ornamental Grasses

(Image credit: Molly Shannon / Shutterstock)

Ornamental grasses have become very popular in landscaping because they are generally easy to grow, offer a unique texture and look, and offer visual interest year-round. Unfortunately, when grown close together, these grasses can attract and harbor mosquitoes.

The dense growth of closely packed grasses creates areas of shade, stagnant areas, and moisture that mosquitoes love. Also, the dense grass makes it more difficult for natural predators of mosquitoes, like birds or dragonflies, to find and eat the pests.

Avoid planting ornamental grasses too close together and thin out those you already have. Trim away dead growth as it develops – a handheld hedge trimmer like this one from Amazon makes it easy – and divide mature clumps every few years. It also helps to plant ornamental grasses in areas where a breeze naturally passes through them.

6. Overgrown Shrubs

(Image credit: Vvoe / Shutterstock)

Any shrub can become a haven for mosquitoes if it becomes overgrown. Some types of shrubs are especially likely to create dense cover that provides these pests with the moisture and cool temperatures they love: boxwoods, hollies, viburnums, for instance.

The easy fix is to keep your shrubs trimmed. Prune them every year to open the canopy. Remove interior branches to reduce density. Clean up the area under shrubs to remove mosquito-harboring debris.

While certain plants tend to be very attractive to mosquitoes, you don’t have to avoid them altogether. Typically, it’s more the environment than the plant itself that causes the issue, so you can take steps to enjoy these plants while eliminating pests. Trim regularly, space plants adequately, check for and remove standing water, and you can naturally get rid of mosquitoes in your yard.

Shop Mosquito-Repelling Essentials

Summit Mosquito Dunks, 6-Pack

Use these highly-effective Mosquito Dunks to create a mosquito bucket of doom.

AUTGA Solar Fountain Water Pump for Bird Bath

If you have a bird bath in your garden, it could be a mosquito breeding pool. Add this under $10 gadget to keep it free of skeeters.

Thermacell Fuel-Zoneguard Mosquito Repeller

Create a 15-foot mosquito barrier around your patio or backyard bonfire pit with this DEET-free repellent device.

Fun fact about me: I am always on the hunt for fast-growing flowers that can add some serious color to my garden before the fall rolls around. Especially at this time of year.

Why? Well, because every single time August rolls around, I start noticing the gaps. The spring annuals have lost their sparkle, all but the longest-blooming perennials are beginning to fade, and suddenly the garden feels like it's quietly winding down long before I'm ready to say goodbye to summer.

For too many years, I assumed I'd missed my chance. Once August arrived, I thought it was too late to plant anything new and I'd simply have to wait until next spring. Thankfully, that's one of those gardening myths that's wonderfully easy to prove wrong, as August can be one of the smartest times to add fast-growing flowers to the mix.

7 Fast-Growing Flowers You Can Still Plant In August

If you want to plant fast-growing flowers this month so that you have oodles of color over the autumn, you're in luck! Warm summer soil helps roots establish quickly, which means many annuals race into bloom before the first frost; in fact, gardeners in warmer USDA zones can often enjoy flowers well into October or even November.

There is a knack to it, of course, and it's this: choose the plants that don't mind getting a late start. The ones that grow astonishingly quickly from seed (or even the ones best planted as young nursery plants for an almost instant splash of color).

Before you fill your cart, though, it's worth checking your USDA hardiness zone and average first frost date. Gardeners in Zones 8–10 have a much longer planting window than those in Zones 3–5, but every region still has options for extending the season.

With that in mind, then...

1. Calendula

(Image credit: RM Floral / Alamy)

If I could only sow one fast-growing flower in August, calendula would be near the top of my list (especially so now that scientists have been raving about its unexpected superpowers of late).

Burpee Calexis Yellow Calendula Seeds

Calendula marigolds make pretty border plants and they are safe to eat. We love this yellow variety!

Its cheerful orange and yellow blooms often appear in as little as six to eight weeks, making it perfect for late-season color. Better still, calendula actually prefers the cooler weather that arrives as summer fades, so it often performs better in fall than it does during the hottest weeks of July.

Winner winner, chicken dinner!

2. Sweet Alyssum

(Image credit: Yui Yuize / Shutterstock)

Want fast-growing flowers that spell big, bold, beautiful color for fall? Never underestimate this little plant.

Sweet alyssum quickly forms soft cushions covered in tiny, honey-scented flowers that pollinators absolutely adore. Garden centers often stock young plants throughout late summer, making it one of the easiest ways to refresh containers and borders.

In warmer parts of the country, it can continue blooming right up until winter. Bag yourself some Sweet Alyssum Flower Seeds from Walmart, then, and get sowing.

3. Nasturtiums

(Image credit: Nadya So / Shutterstock)

Nasturtiums are one of those fast-growing flowers that seem to grow with astonishing enthusiasm, with their rounded leaves and jewel-colored blooms quickly scrambling through containers, raised beds, and vegetable gardens.

Both the leaves and flowers are edible, which is no small boon in this day and age. And, from seed, many varieties bloom within six to eight weeks. Give the Sweethearts Mix Nasturtium Seeds from Burpee a go.

4. Violas

(Image credit: Imladris01/Getty Images)

Most people think of violas as spring flowers, but I actually love planting these fast-growing flowers toward the end of summer.

As temperatures begin cooling, they burst into flower and often continue long after many summer annuals have given up. In milder climates, they may even flower through winter. That being said, though, I suggest you plant nursery-grown starts in August for the quickest display; something like the Halo Golden Yellow Hardy Violet Perennial from Walmart should do the trick.

5. Zinnias

(Image credit: Carolyn Jenkins / Alamy)

If your first frost is still several weeks away, zinnias are absolutely worth squeezing in.

These cheerful annuals love warm soil, which means August-planted nursery starts settle in quickly and can keep flowering until frost. In warmer USDA zones, you can also sow fast-maturing dwarf varieties directly from seed, though gardeners in cooler regions will usually get the best results by starting with established plants.

One of my favorite things about zinnias is that the more you cut them for bouquets, the more flowers they seem to produce. They're also magnets for butterflies, making them one of the easiest ways to add both color and pollinator activity to a late-summer garden.

Pick yourself up a pot of zinnias from Walmart, then, and get cracking!

6. Lantana

(Image credit: Bruev / Getty Images)

If your summer garden is looking tired, lantana is one of the fastest ways to bring it back to life.

This heat-loving flower seems to become happier as temperatures climb, producing clusters of tiny blooms in fiery shades of orange, pink, yellow, purple and white. While other plants start struggling in late summer heat, lantana keeps flowering – often right through the first frost.

It's especially valuable for gardeners in warmer USDA zones, where it can grow as a perennial and continue returning year after year. In colder regions, treat it as a colorful annual and enjoy its long final burst of flowers. A Lantana Rose Live Starter Plant from Walmart should do the trick nicely.

7. Marigolds

(Image credit: Schnuddel / Getty Images)

If there's one flower that refuses to admit summer is ending, it's the not-so-humble marigold.

Garden centers are usually still well stocked with marigolds in August, making them an easy way to refresh tired containers, borders, or vegetable gardens. Once planted, they'll happily keep pumping out cheerful yellow, orange, and deep red blooms until the first hard frost with very little fuss.

I also love that marigolds earn their keep. They're excellent companion plants in edible gardens, attracting pollinators while adding bold color exactly when many summer flowers are beginning to slow down.

Shop Marigolds:

Expert Gardener 2qt Yellow Marigold Live Annual Plant Sun 3-Pack

Three pots of marigolds, all beautifully yellow and ready to go? Sounds a deal to us!

Expert Gardener 2qt Orange Marigold Live Annual Plant Sun 3-Pack

Orange marigolds are just so synonymous with late summer and fall, aren't they?

FLOWERSBULBS African Marigold Plants

This looks like a stunning fall bouquet just waiting to happen, doesn't it?

Now, it's important to remember that the beauty of late-summer planting is that there isn't one perfect flower for every garden. Your USDA zone, first frost date and growing conditions all make a difference.

If you're gardening somewhere with a long, hot growing season, don't overlook heat-loving favorites like angelonia, pentas, celosia and salvia. These flowers can handle the toughest weeks of summer and continue bringing color when many other plants start to fade.

In cooler climates, the smartest approach is often choosing fast-growing annuals or picking up established nursery plants rather than starting everything from seed. Marigolds, petunias, snapdragons and violas can all give you that fresh burst of color without needing months to establish.

Not to get all Ryan Gosling in The Notebook about it, but it wasn't over. And honestly? Neither is the gardening season.

It can be tempting to create a perfect garden, with every square inch tended and cultivated. Not only is this level of perfectionism difficult to achieve, but it’s also not great for your native wildlife. If you can think of a part of your yard that is currently a little weather-worn and dry, it’s hardly surprising now that early flowering annuals are starting to die back. So what if I were to tell you that you can do your bit for Mother Nature simply by leaving a patch of that soil bare and empty?

The elements you need to create a wildlife garden don’t have to be complicated, and they don’t have to detract from the aesthetics of your outdoor space. They can be as simple as one or two bare patches that easily blend into cultivated areas. You might be surprised at how much this small concession can help native bees, butterflies, and birds thrive in landscapes that are often unfriendly and sterile for wildlife.

With midsummer still baking hot in many places, our backyard creatures face a grueling daily battle for survival. Scorching sun and drying water sources create challenging conditions. Any gestures of help you can give your wildlife matter, but one of the most powerful gestures you can offer is simply leaving a small patch of raw dirt untouched. Find out why exposed soil is vital for native bees, butterflies, and birds this summer.

How to Create the Best Patch

You don't need fancy landscaping or expensive soil amendments to prep your spare wildlife patch. In fact, keeping it simple is the best way of giving key species what they have relied on for hundreds of years. Native ground-nesting pollinators prefer unimproved, natural soil over rich, heavily composted potting mixes. A dedicated patch just 2 feet by 2 feet (60 cm square) is all you need to make a huge impact. Whether sandy, loamy, or clay-heavy, this soil is fine, as long as it isn’t compacted by heavy foot traffic or treated with synthetic fertilizers.

(Image credit: Maple's Photographs / Getty Images)

While you don’t need to do much to treat the soil itself, it’s worth making sure you have some native plants next to your patch of earth. Grouping sun-loving perennials like purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, or monarda nearby ensures that emerging pollinators have a source of energy inches from their front door. You can buy black-eyed Susan from Fast Growing Trees as pre-potted arrivals, plus American Beauties Native Purple Coneflower from Plant Addicts to support your patch. These vibrant perennials will create a nectar-rich perimeter around your bare earth.

3 Reasons Wildlife Needs Bare Earth

Even though many natural habitats are shrinking, our yards can be vital corridors of life for resident bees, butterflies, and birds. Leaving exposed earth is one of the easiest, most rewarding ways to sustain sensitive species during the brutal heat and extremes of summer. Here are 3 ways a simple patch of dirt can serve and protect your local ecosystem.

1. Helping Ground-Nesting Bees

(Image credit: STGrafix / Getty Images)

When we think of bees, we tend to picture honeybees in hives. But most bees, including most native bees in your yard, are not communal and don’t live in hives. Iridescent green sweat bees, mining bees, digger bees, and cellophane bees live mostly solitary lives. The females dig tunnels in the soil to create chambers that hold pollen, nectar, and eggs. These burrows are essential for their life cycles.

Dense turf, mulching, weed barriers, and landscape fabric all stop native pollinators from building burrows. If you have covered every inch of your yard with barriers, these solitary pollinators will struggle to find shelter and will be less likely to visit your flowering plants. So keep that dusty patch of soil free. After heavy rains and heat, you might see a crust on the soil surface. Just scratch across the top few inches gently with a cultivator or hand rake, to help mining and sweat bees to dig their chambers.

To give them an extra boost, add a hydration station. Pretty Bee & Butterfly Drinking Flower from Uncommon Goods lends delicate color to your patch, while providing extra service to thirsty bees. Alternatively, fill a shallow water dish with a little water and some Natural River Rocks from Amazon. These are flat and gently textured to help pollinators drink safely.

2. Helping Butterflies with Puddling

(Image credit: Elliot Barnathan / 500px / Getty Images)

It’s not just native bees that need patches of soil. Butterflies also benefit from little spots of bare soil in your yard. They use small, muddy spots for a behavior called puddling. If you’ve seen a flutter of swallowtails, red-spotted purples or monarchs in a patch of driveway dirt, you’ve witnessed puddling. This damp soil is being used to extract minerals and salts. Males are reliant on this practice to extract sodium and minerals, which they pass along to females during mating to help with eggs.

You can create puddling spots naturally by letting your patch of earth collect water after a rain, or after you’ve watered your beds or the lawn. To make a simple mineral station, find a 6-inch (15 cm) terracotta saucer, like the Pennington Terracotta Saucer Tray from Lowe's. Lay this level with the soil, fill it with a little earth and a splash of water, and keep it moist to create a puddling pool for swallowtails and monarchs.

If you like, you can sprinkle a tiny pinch of unrefined sea salt, wood ash or compost over this damp dirt. Keep this mud patch lightly moist throughout July and August. As summer winds down, migrating monarchs will rely on these quick mineral pitstops to fuel their long journeys south. They will also appreciate any late season nectar-rich blooms you can provide, like coneflowers and monarda. You can buy Sugar Buzz Grape Gumball Monarda from Plant Addicts. In late summer, butterflies also use nearby bare patches to bask in the sun and warm their wing muscles.

3. Helping Songbirds with Dust Baths

(Image credit: Raw / Getty Images)

Many of your local birds also rely on areas of dirt. Sparrows, wrens, robins, towhees, and others use bare dirt patches for dust baths to remove parasites and clean their feathers. Watching a cheeky wren, junco, robin or sparrow fluffing fine, dry soil into its feathers is one of the most enjoyable sights in a wildlife-friendly garden. And all you need is a little bit of soil that is soft and powdery to attract birds to dust-bathe.

When birds are shedding and regrowing flight feathers, access to this powdery soil gives them great comfort. During summer, birds struggle with mite infestations that can compromise flying. Dust-bathing helps them absorb excess feather oil in humid weather, and it can trap cool air. Birds also ingest tiny bits of sand and fine gravel. These particles stay in their gizzard to help them crush hard seeds and beetle shells.

You can support your patch by making sure it is near a bird bath. Keep the bird bath filled with fresh water, and replace it regularly. It’s also a great idea to add a solar fountain or a water wiggler, like the Solar Water Wiggler from Walmart. Moving water attracts many more birds than standing water. One of the most efficient solar fountain add-ons is the Mademax Solar Powered Bird Bath Fountain Upgrade, available from Amazon. These little extras all help to create a safe, quiet retreat.

Where to Place Bare Patches

(Image credit: Jacky Parker Photography / Getty Images)

It’s beneficial to have these bare areas a little out of sight. Tuck them into back corners of the yard, or near the edges of flower beds. A bare patch in the middle of a turf lawn won’t be much help to wildlife, and it won’t look nice. Any old random patch of uncovered soil will help your local wildlife, but to help the animals while honoring the aesthetics of your yard, there are a few simple ground rules (so to speak).

Pick a sunny spot, so your bees, butterflies and birds can absorb heat and warm themselves. Aim for a south or east-facing spot that catches early morning sun rays. Ground bees need that initial solar warmth to warm up their flight muscles on cool summer mornings. Make sure it’s a quiet area that’s relatively undisturbed by people and pets. Also, make sure it is well-drained, and not completely soggy (allowing for a spot that you want to keep moist for puddling pollinators).

Avoid steep slopes, where summer thunderstorms might wash away loose soil or drown bee burrows. Tuck bare patches along gentle borders, under the lee of a shed, or beneath low-hanging native shrubs like serviceberry or arrowwood to give small birds quick cover if they spy a predator. You can buy Proven Winners Blue Muffin Arrowwood Viburnum from Nature Hills for extra canopy protection above your hard-working patch of soil.

Maintaining Your Patch

(Image credit: RA Kearton / Getty Images)

Yes, you can leave these spaces alone, but you’ll help wildlife more by maintaining them just a little. Check moisture levels regularly. Ideally, your bare patch needs to have a puddling area and a spot that always stays dry for dust baths and burrowing. Place a few small stones in the areas that puddle to help wildlife with access. Don’t let soil in dry areas get too compacted. When needed, give the soil a little raking to keep it loose. If you’re after a good soil aerator, the Fiskars Hand Cultivator from Amazon is great for gently breaking up soil for ground bees and birds.

Avoid using pesticides near these areas, or you’ll risk inadvertently killing your native guests. Ground-nesting bees spend up to 11 months underground in these burrows, making them exceptionally vulnerable to chemical runoff. Plant ornamental grasses or wildflowers to hide some of the bare dirt from view, while also supporting wildlife with cover and food sources. You can also edge the soil patch with stones or logs, like Amosfun Log Edging from Walmart. This gives your tiny wildlife habitat some natural looking definition, while offering daytime shade for beneficial toads.

Make sure you maintain that dual-texture in your wildlife-friendly patch. Keep one half loose, powdery, and sun-baked for dusting birds and mining bees. Meanwhile, keep lightly dampening the other half for puddling butterflies, frogs, and local toads, which will shelter under your edge logs during the day and feast on pests by night.

Shop Summer Wildlife Care

(Image credit: Kevin Trimmer / Getty Images)

Round off your wildlife-friendly patch of earth with a few thoughtful wildlife treats. This handpicked summer bundle is tailored to nurturing a safe, comforting retreat for ground-nesting bees, fluttering butterflies, and dust-bathing songbirds. The perfect accompaniment for your bare soil habitat, these little upgrades will keep your wild visitors happy, hydrated, and nourished all season long.

Wildlife Trio

For Bees

Uncommongoods Bee & Butterfly Drinking Flower

Solitary ground-nesting bees spend many hot afternoons searching for small drops of water. These gorgeous textured glass cups can be pushed straight into your bare soil patch, holding tiny pools of liquid so bees can hydrate safely.

For Butterflies

Plant Addicts Sugar Buzz® Grape Gumball Bee Balm

Planting monarda near your puddling dirt gives swallowtails and monarchs (and ground-nesting bees) a nectar treat, summer through fall. It's also so pretty, with its tufty purple firework blooms.

For Birds

Mademax Mademax Solar Bird Bath Fountain Pump

Birds locate water as much by sound as by sight. Just drop this floating solar pump into a bath or water dish near your bird dusting area, and wait for the splashing water to draw in nearby robins, bluebirds, and wrens.

Making a little space for local wildlife doesn’t have to be a big chore, or mean that you leave things messy and untended. So, the next time you're tempted to fill that spot with one more bloom, consider leaving just one sunny area alone. That seemingly empty space could soon be one of the busiest and most important spots in your yard.

Need more ideas for timely gardening jobs and seasonal expert advice delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the free Gardening Know How Newsletter!

As Canada’s population ages, interior designers will play an increasingly important role in meeting the needs of older adults who want to maintain their independence, safety and quality of life by proactively taking steps to future proof their homes and age in place.

In British Columbia, one in five people are currently over the age of 65, and the Office of the BC Seniors Advocate projects that within the next decade, that figure will rise to one in four.

This statistic is important in light of the National Institute on Ageing (NIA) 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey released in early 2026, that shows more than 80 per cent of Canadians want to remain in their homes in their later years, but only 38 per cent have taken steps to do so.

“Aging-in-place design is less about preparing for decline and more about preserving independence through beautiful, ergonomic environments that can flexibly support people across their stages of life,” says Lori Sutherland Burns, principal at Port Moody-based Studio Ten Interior Design .

Hannah Cheng, founder and principal interior designer at New Westminster-based CHY Design agrees.

“What draws me to aging-in-place design is the opportunity to create homes that are not only safe and comfortable, but also beautiful and welcoming. I believe some of the best design solutions are the ones people hardly notice. They quietly remove barriers, make everyday tasks easier and support independence without compromising the feeling of home,” says Cheng, who is certified in adaptive home renovation with an emphasis on aging-in-place design through the Canadian Home Builders’ Association.

Burns says when discussing a custom home or a renovation, adaptable — or aging-in-place — design is always part of the conversation.

“We design beautiful homes that just happen to be adaptable,” she says, adding, “everybody deserves to live somewhere that’s super functional and beautiful.”

That early conversation with clients is exemplified in a recently completed project that included aging-in-place design throughout a home that won several awards in the 2026 Homebuilders Association Vancouver (HAVAN) Awards for Housing Excellence.

“We knew this was going to be their forever home,” says Burns, adding the primary bedroom, en suite and closet are all on the main floor.

“All the doorways are accessible width so that if they ever needed a walker or a wheelchair, they wouldn’t have to make any modifications,” she says. All the showers are curbless and accessible width and the hallways are wide for the same reason.

In addition to her role at Studio Ten, Burns is program head for BCIT’s Diploma in Residential Interiors and a faculty member who teaches all levels of the Interior Design Degree program including Inclusive Environments, a design studio that focuses on designing an independent living/assisted living residence for ages 55-plus.

According to the British Columbia government’s Seniors’ Fall Prevention information, one in three residents in the province over the age of 65 will fall once every year, and falls are the main reason why older adults lose their independence.

The risk of home stair falls is a major concern. Having no stairs is the best solution but if a home does have stairs ensure good lighting especially in hallways, stairways and entrances where level changes may be difficult to see, particularly at night. Even short sets of two or three steps should have sturdy handrails to provide extra support, says Cheng.

Stair dimensions also matter, she says, adding that steps should have a consistent height because uneven risers can disrupt a person’s natural walking rhythm.

“Our body has a sense of memory. So when you’re going up or down the stairs and all of a sudden one tread is a little bit shorter or higher it catches you off guard and you can easily lose your balance,” she says, adding if flooring is being replaced it’s important to account for any changes that could alter stair height.

Bathrooms, with their hard, sometimes slippery, surfaces are one of the most important places in the home to focus on to reduce the risk of falls.

Grab bars are often one the first things on the list but safely adding them can be a challenge. However, planning ahead can make this a relatively easy task. In a new build, or during a bathroom reno, installing wood blocking to fit between the studs before the walls are closed with drywall or tile will provide anchor points for future grab bars.

“Even if you don’t feel like you need [grab bars] right now, I would still put in the wood blocking so that in the future you don’t have to take down your wall tiles, you can just add the grab bar,” says Cheng.

She points out that adding comfort-height toilets is also a feature worth considering. “Comfort-height toilets are typically around 17.5-inches from finished floor to seat,” says Cheng, who advises optimal heights should be tested in bathroom showrooms because needs may vary according to body stature.

But aging-in-place design isn’t just about mobility, it’s also about vision, says Burns who notes the importance of making sure there’s a difference in lightness and darkness that is easily discernible even if a person has vision challenges.

“We always make sure that there is sufficient [visual] contrast between the floors, cabinets, countertops and backsplashes,” she says adding that carefully planned, balanced lighting with appropriate colour rendering to reduce glare, show trip hazards and limit visual confusion is also necessary.

Smart home technologies — such as motion-activated lighting, video doorbells, smart locks, programmable thermostats, motorized blinds and touchless faucets — can improve safety and convenience for older adults.

“My mom, for instance, is 85. We set up her home so that she has everything voice activated — smart locks and lighting — she doesn’t have to get up to turn off a light, it’s all voice activated,” says Burns.

Cheng says circadian lighting systems that mimic natural daylight to support peoples’ internal biological clock can also be helpful.

“It’s a type of lighting system that adjusts the colour temperature and also the intensity to sync with our natural sleep patterns and help with our sleep at night,” she says, explaining a system can be preprogrammed through a computer, or there are light bulbs, such as Philips Hue , which can be managed through a smartphone.

While making a home more adaptable is an important part of aging in place, the NIA says preparation goes beyond renovations. It also includes budgeting for future accessibility upgrades, setting aside funds for care, planning for changing health needs and maintaining strong social connections to help prevent isolation.

The five pillars of a healthy home

Creating a home that supports healthy aging should incorporate wellness-focused design to promote both physical comfort and overall health, says CHY Design’s Hannah Cheng, adding those principles are based on five key elements.

Indoor air quality

During renovations, choose low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, flooring and finishes to reduce off-gassing. Good ventilation and air filtration also help maintain healthier indoor air.

Thermal comfort

A home that’s consistently comfortable is easier to live in year-round. Cheng recommends radiant heating where possible, noting that it provides even warmth while circulating less airborne dust than forced-air systems.

Lighting

Good lighting doesn’t rely on adding more fixtures. The goal is to increase overall light levels while minimizing glare from reflective surfaces, which can strain aging eyes.

Acoustics

Open-concept homes can amplify noise, making spaces feel overwhelming. Soft furnishings, textiles and textured finishes help absorb sound and create a calmer environment.

Water quality

Faucet filters, under-sink filtration systems or refrigerators with built-in filters can provide an added level of protection and improve the quality of drinking water.

Related

• Interior design rules that can — and can’t — be broken
• How to integrate all five senses at home

If you’re seeking a powerful tool for pruning large tree branches – thicker than anything you could cut with regular pruning shears – then the Greenworks 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw might be the perfect tool for you.

This mini chainsaw packs tremendous cutting power into a lightweight and minimal design, weighing just 70 oz and fitted with a 4-inch chain. The tool comes with everything you need to start pruning, including a 24V lithium-ion battery and charger, a soft carry case, and some lubricating bar oil.

Do bear in mind that this pruner is not designed to meet all your pruning needs. It can’t reasonably be used to cut thin plant stems, or perform delicate tasks such as deadheading flowers. However, if you just need a tool for pruning thicker tree branches, then the Greenworks 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw is surely one of the best pruners you can buy.

Greenworks 24v 6 in Mini Pruning Chainsaw, 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger

While this pruning saw is relatively user-friendly, it’s still technically a chainsaw. As such, you should always use it with care, while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). The bar and chain will sometimes require oiling and tensioning between uses.

That being said, the battery and charger can be used with other tools from the Greenworks 24V/48V range, which includes a wide variety of DIY power tools and yard tools, which is very convenient. Buy this pruning saw first, and you can then buy other compatible Greenworks tools as bare units, at a very affordable price point.

Greenworks 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw: At a glance

The Greenworks 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw plus accessories. (Image credit: Pete Wise)

Since its launch in 2009, Greenworks has emerged as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of reasonably-priced, good-quality yard tools (as well as power tools for home improvement).

The 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw represents the brand at its best, with an innovative, user-friendly design, and cutting performance that rivals some of the tool’s premium-priced competitors.

This mini chainsaw is designed specifically for cutting tree branches, up to a thickness of 4" (and perhaps beyond, with the right technique).

You can pick up the Greenworks 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw (plus accessories) for about $160, direct from the Greenworks online store or on Amazon. At the time of update, it's currently on sale for $147.28 on Amazon!

Greenworks 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw: key specsThe specs of our Greenworks 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw review unit

Type

Bypass pruner

Cutting capacity

4″+

Blade material

Stainless steel

Handedness

Left or right

Accessories

24V lithium-ion battery and charger; soft carry case; bar oil

Greenworks 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw: Performance

This mini chainsaw is made especially for cutting tree branches – and that’s exactly the kind of work we used it for during product testing.

The Greenworks 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw, cutting a thick tree branch. (Image credit: Pete Wise)

The Greenworks 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw proved capable of cutting through various sizes of branch with absolute ease. Tilting the saw back and forth, we were able to produce a clean cut every time, even when pruning trees with thicker branches.

For an even tougher test, we decided to use the pruner to cut a large, protruding knot away from a tree trunk. While this took a few more seconds than cutting through the branch, the task was effortless.

Adjusting the tensioning of the The Greenworks 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw. (Image credit: Pete Wise)

Using the Greenworks 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw is incredibly easy, although it should be noted that the tool will require maintenance over time, including adjustment and lubrication of the chain.

The saw kicks up quite a bit of sawdust while it cuts through branches – so it’s a good idea to protect your eyes by wearing goggles during use. The operating noise is pretty loud and abrasive, so you might want to avoid using this tool for pruning while other folk are relaxing in the yard.

Greenworks 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw: should you buy?Greenworks 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw score card

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Price & availability

Well-priced, with great accessories.

5/5

Design

Powerful, innovative and easy-to-use.

5/5

Performance

Perfect for cutting thick tree branches.

4/5

Buy it if...

Cutting thick branches is your priority

Pruning wider tree limbs is this pruner's specialty. The tool cuts through thick branches with exceptional ease and speed.

You value convenience

This product is fantastically user-friendly. We loved this pruner's toolless chain tensioning mechanism, and the convenience afforded by cordless, lithium-ion battery power.

Other Greenworks tools have caught your attention

The battery and charger included with the Greenworks 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw can be used with other Greenworks products for the home and yard, which can often be purchased as bare tools.

Don't buy it if...

You need a pruner for your plants

The mini chainsaw design of this Greenworks pruner is totally unsuitable for delicate pruning tasks, such as cutting thin plant stems and deadheading.

You're uncomfortable around powerful tools

While this tool may be relatively accessible, it still has formidable cutting power. Chainsaws are not for everyone.

You don't enjoy servicing your tools

All chainsaws require routine maintenance tasks such as oiling and retensioning. If this sounds like an off-putting prospect, choose a lower-maintenance option such as a bypass pruner instead.

How does it compare?

Given that you’ve read this far, you’re probably comfortable with the idea of buying a mini chainsaw. However, we’d like to remind you that if you’re looking for an all-purpose pruner that can also cut soft plants, then you should be looking at a more versatile, lower-powered tool – for example, the manually operated Wolf-Garten Anvil Pruner RSEN, available on Amazon.

If branch cutting is your main requirement, another option to consider is the Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Pole Lopper from Home Depot (which needs to be used with a compatible Ryobi battery and charger, both sold separately).

Ryobi’s lopper has a lower cutting capacity than the Greenworks 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw, but it is better equipped to cut high-up tree branches, thanks to its telescopic pole lopper design. Which option is best? That depends on the size and shape of your trees.

How we tested the Greenworks 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw

The Greenworks 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw, undergoing testing in writer Pete Wise's yard. (Image credit: Pete Wise)

The Greenworks 24V 6" Brushless Pruning Saw is designed especially for cutting tree branches, including thicker branches than most pruners could possible cut. To test the tool's capabilities, our reviewer used it to cut several branches away from the fruit trees in his yard, including branches with a thickness of over 4". The reviewer also tested the pruner's bundled-in accessories, including its 24V lithium-ion battery and charger.

First reviewed: September 2023

Forget the classics; did you know you have a forbidden birth month flower?

Every year, without fail, I find myself looking up birth month flowers. I know perfectly well what mine is by now, but somehow I still end up reading every list I come across, nodding along as though I've uncovered a profound new truth about my personality. Then, before I know it, I'm halfway down another rabbit hole of birth month trees, birth month birds, birth month animals, birth month bugs – honestly, if someone can assign me a symbolic creature or plant based on the month I was born, I'm interested.

It's not just me, of course; we all like seeing ourselves reflected in nature. We like to believe there's a flower that captures our best qualities, a tree that shares our quiet strengths, or a bird that somehow understands us on a soul-deep level. Whether it's scientific or not hardly matters. It's comforting, it gives us another excuse to learn about the natural world, and it's fun... especially if you use it to lean into your dark side!

All 12 Forbidden Birth Month Flowers

That's right; lately I've found myself wondering about our shadow sides instead. Not the parts of ourselves we'd necessarily change, but the qualities that make us a little more mysterious, complicated, stubborn, passionate, or quietly rebellious. Every personality has one, right? So if every month has a traditional birth flower celebrating sweetness, hope, or friendship, surely there's a darker botanical counterpart waiting in the wings.

Enter stage left, then, the forbidden birth month flowers.

Some of these plants are poisonous. Some were prized by herbalists before becoming tangled up in folklore. Others have long been associated with witches, spirits, ancient myths, or whispered superstitions simply because they were unusual or misunderstood. Either way, I think we ca all agree that every last one of us deserves a flower with a little mystery...

January – Hellebore

(Image credit: Alex Manders / Shutterstock)

If you were born in January, I can't imagine a better forbidden birth month flower than the hellebore.

While the rest of the garden is still asleep, hellebores are already flowering through frost and snow, earning nicknames like the Christmas Rose and Lenten Rose. They look impossibly delicate, but every part of the plant is poisonous if ingested. And, just like January babies everywhere, they survive difficult seasons not through noise or force, but through determination and staying power.

Go for something like the Frostkiss® Vibey Velvet™ Lenten Rose from Nature Hills if you want to grow your forbidden birth month flower at home!

February – Foxglove

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Tall, elegant and almost impossibly beautiful, foxgloves have inspired fairy folklore for centuries. Legend claimed the tubular flowers were gloves for fairies or tiny lanterns lighting woodland paths.

The reality is rather darker; foxglove contains compounds that have transformed modern heart medicine, but the plant itself is highly toxic if eaten. So, what does that tell us about February babies? Why, that creativity is powerful – and so are you. Never underestimate imagination.

If you're going to do it, do it like Wham! would want and do it right. I love the Dalmatian Purple Foxglove from Walmart for its vivid purple blooms, if you're wondering.

March – Monkshood

(Image credit: MichelR45 / Getty Images)

March personalities are often thoughtful before they're outspoken, which makes sense, when you consider that their forbidden birth month flower is monkshood.

Its rich violet-blue flowers are among the prettiest in any perennial border, yet it's one of the most poisonous ornamental plants in the world. Also known as wolfsbane, it's been linked to myths involving witches, wolves and ancient hunters for centuries.

Buy yourself a pollinator-friendly monkshood from Walmart and watch your garden become a buzzing hotspot for bees and butterflies galore!

April – Bloodroot

(Image credit: Ed Reschke/Getty Images)

I know, I know; at first glance, bloodroot looks wonderfully innocent, but don't let this forbidden birth month flower fool you.

The native beauty opens brilliant white blooms in early spring before disappearing back into the woodland. But snap the root, and a dramatic crimson sap appears almost instantly – the feature that inspired its unforgettable name and centuries of traditional use.

It hammers home the credo, then, of every April baby: never mistake gentleness for weakness. Pick up a pack of Bloodroot Native Wildflower Seeds from Everwilde, then, stat!

May – Lily Of The Valley

(Image credit: Johner Images / Getty Images)

May is reliable, warm, and sociable – exactly the sort of personality people tend to underestimate. So, yes, naturally their forbidden birth month flower is much the same.

The tiny white bells of lily of the valley smell heavenly and look so beautifully innocent... but every part of the plant is highly poisonous.

There's a lesson in that, I guess; the kindest people are often stronger than anyone realizes. Bag yourself a Lily of the Valley Bare Roots Plant from CZ Grains, then, and channel that spectacular resilience in your own yard!

June – Belladonna

(Image credit: PicturePartners/Getty Images)

Few plants have a reputation quite like deadly nightshade. For centuries, belladonna was woven into stories of witches, cosmetics, medicine, and poison. Its glossy black berries and purple flowers have fascinated people for generations.

It makes sense, then, that it is the forbidden birth month flower for June. Because romantic, open-minded, and endlessly curious, June personalities are often drawn to mystery.

Belladonna reminds us that fascination and danger sometimes grow side by side – and that charm is a force all of its own. You can buy Belladonna Seeds from Walmart, but... be careful. Poisonous, remember?

July – Angel's Trumpet

(Image credit: Shef-time)

Some flowers whisper, but angel's trumpet... well, the clue's in the name, folks! Those enormous trumpet-shaped blooms hang from the branches like chandeliers, releasing their sweet fragrance as dusk falls. And yes, every part of it is highly poisonous.

If any forbidden birth month flower belongs to July, I think it's this one. Bold, magnetic and impossible to ignore, it mirrors the warmth and confidence so often associated with midsummer personalities. Channel that and buy yourself an Angels Trumpet from Walmart, stat!

August – Oleander

(Image credit: KrasiKanchev / Alamy)

If I had to crown one flower the survivor of the garden, it would be oleander.

It thrives where many plants give up, shrugging off relentless sunshine, poor soil and weeks of dry weather while continuing to flower as though nothing has happened. In warmer parts of the US, it's the shrub that keeps looking immaculate long after everything else has started to wilt... and that resilience? A trademark of August babes.

Its beauty comes with a warning, though. Oleander is one of the most toxic ornamental plants you can grow, a reminder that strength and softness can exist side by side. Pick up a Petite Red Oleander from Walmart, then, stat!

September – Autumn Crocus

(Image credit: Romolo Tavani / Shutterstock)

There's something wonderfully confident about a flower that refuses to bloom until everyone else is packing up for the season, right?

Autumn crocus waits patiently while summer takes centre stage, only unfurling its elegant goblet-shaped flowers as the days begin to cool. It's a forbidden birth month flower which effortlessly proves that arriving late doesn't mean missing your moment – sometimes it's exactly what makes you unforgettable.

Beneath that graceful exterior lies a darker secret. The plant contains colchicine, making it one of the most poisonous flowering plants in cultivation. If you're willing to be careful, though, you can bag Saffron Crocus Corms from Amazon easily enough!

October – Castor Bean

(Image credit: JRJfin / Shutterstock)

If ever there were a forbidden birth month flower that proved beauty can be deceptive, it's castor bean. Gardeners grow it for its enormous burgundy leaves and striking scarlet seed pods, which give borders an almost tropical feel by late summer. Hidden inside those spectacular seed capsules, however, are some of the most toxic seeds found in any ornamental plant.

For analytical October personalities like yours truly, it feels like the perfect match. Thoughtful, composed and quietly unforgettable, it reminds us that appearances rarely tell the whole story. You can buy castor bean seeds at Walmart if you want to honor your floral shadow!

November – Crown Imperial

(Image credit: Olga Seifutdinova / Getty Images)

Few flowers command attention quite like crown imperial. Its fiery orange or golden bells hang beneath a spiky tuft of leaves, giving it a regal silhouette unlike anything else in the spring garden. For centuries, it's been surrounded by folklore, with one legend claiming the flowers bowed their heads in sorrow after witnessing Christ's arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane... and they've never looked skyward since.

Beneath all that grandeur lies a more mysterious side. The bulbs are poisonous if eaten, and the plant has a famously musky scent that many believe helps deter moles and rodents. Still, for determined November personalities, it feels like the perfect forbidden flower: proud, resilient and quietly unforgettable.

Try these Yellow Imperial Crown Flower Seeds from Amazon for a twist on the classic.

December – Moonflower

(Image credit: Kev Kibble/Getty Images)

While most flowers close up as daylight fades, the moonflower is only just waking up.

As evening falls, this forbidden birth month flower's enormous white blooms slowly unfurl, glowing against the darkness and filling the air with fragrance before closing again with the morning sun. Catching one open almost feels like stumbling across a secret, and that fleeting beauty is exactly why I love it!

For optimistic, adventurous December personalities, moonflower is a reminder that some of life's most magical moments happen after everyone else has stopped looking. If you want your garden's brightest moments to happen after the sun has set, buy yourself some moonflower bush seeds from Walmart.

The more I researched these forbidden birth month flowers, the more I found myself wanting to grow them all. Traditional birth blooms celebrate the qualities we proudly wear on the surface. These celebrate something quieter – resilience, curiosity, independence, determination and the wonderfully complicated parts of ourselves that don't fit neatly into a greeting card.

Of course, many of these plants are genuinely toxic and should always be grown with care, especially around children and pets. But admired from a respectful distance? Why, then they remind us that the most captivating flowers are often the ones with the richest stories to tell.

And, sure, they add a little spookiness to the equation, too. What could be better?

We rely on trees to provide us with shade. But who chills down the trees when a heatwave strikes?

I planted over 200 native trees on my hillside in French Basque Country in order to give me shade in the summer and protect my house from strong winter winds. Planting trees has also filled my yard with morning birdsong all year round. So when the canicule (French for heatwave) arrived in late June, with record temperatures never before seen in France, I wanted to do the right thing for the oaks, beeches, and chestnut trees in the landscape.

Here’s a shortlist of the 5 steps I took.

1. Water Low, Long and Slow

(Image credit: karetoria / Getty Images)

If you are anything like me, you’re tempted to rush outside early every morning and offer your trees a drink. After all, they haven’t been watered since the prior morning, so they must be thirsty. But shallow, daily watering actually does them more harm than good.

The best way to water trees in summer is deep but infrequently at the root zone, extending it out to the drip line. Get out there early in the morning - it’s the best time of the day to irrigate since the water has sunk into the soil well before the sun is hot enough to evaporate it. Using soaker hoses makes the process easier.

Slow, deep watering at ground level is the way to get the top 12 inches (30cm) of soil moist, since that’s where most of the feeder roots are located. Do this once a week. It’s not a short process. Depending on the size of the tree, it can take between 30 minutes and several hours. A great way to get water to the lower roots is to invest in a root irrigator, like this one from Amazon. Remember, the heat doesn’t actually kill many trees; it’s a combination of heat and drought. Watering can save your trees, so don’t skip it.

2. Mulch Like Your Life Depended on It

(Image credit: kazakovmaksim / Getty Images)

Mulch is not just for city flower beds. Layering an organic product on the soil – wood chips or shredded bark works well for trees – protects the soil and “locks in” moisture. It also serves to regulate the soil temperature, keeping the roots cooler in the heat of summer. Use a thick layer, 2-4 inches (5-10cm) of mulch, spread to the drip line.

You’ll want to keep the mulch some 4 inches (10cm) away from the trunk of the tree. Overmulching is a serious problem, and when mulch piles against the trunk, it can cause rot. Keep the mulch flat across the base of the tree and don’t let it form a volcano shape around the tree. You can get dye-free mulch from Lowe's.

3. Avoid Stressing the Trees

(Image credit: Natalia Kokhanova / Getty Images)

Extreme heat stresses a tree, so one of your jobs is to make sure you don’t stress it any further. What might stress a tree? Fertilizer is one stresser, and that’s true even if you use an organic product instead of chemicals. Especially avoid fertilizers with high or rapid release nitrogen. That’s because all fertilizer - especially nitrogen-heavy fertilizer - encourages the tree to grow, grow, grow, at a time when it doesn’t have the resources (especially water) to do so.

Don’t start doing major pruning while the summer sun is beating down. Trees have to “recover” from pruning, and during a heatwave, they need all their energy to survive. If they have to use energy to heal wounds, it means they have less at the end of the day. Is there an exception? Yes there is. If a branch has broken and represents a safety concern to you or to the tree, prune it off without further debate.

4. Where There’s No Shade, Create Shade

(Image credit: tylim)

My trees in France and not exotic specimens, but tough native trees, species that have lived on the lower slopes of the Pyranees for time out of mind. So adult trees know how to survive without shade if they get sufficient water. However, young trees are more delicate and may have a harder time.

If you have young trees or anything exotic that is delicate, consider creating temporary shade with shade cloth, which you can get from Amazon. Trees need at least three years to develop a sizable root system, so any tree you brought into the landscape within the last three years may need help. Use breathable shade cloth over a temporary frame to reduce their direct sun exposure. For young trees, consider twice a week deep watering given their smaller, more vulnerable root systems.

5. Watch for Pests and Diseases

(Image credit: BackyardProduction / Getty Images)

In times of intense heat, your trees are not at their strongest. This means that they are more vulnerable to common tree insects and diseases. While a healthy tree can often shake off an attack, a tree weakened by heat and drought will have more trouble.

It’s up to you to monitor your landscape trees while they are baking under summer heat. Early detection is the key to saving an infested tree. Look for unusual holes in the bark, sawdust-like material on the ground near the trunk, insect activity on the trunk or leaves, running sap, or even fungal growth. Use gentle, organic treatments like Neem oil from Amazon to help the tree fight off issues.

Tree Care Essentials

Make Shade

10x20 Ft Shade Cloth

Water Deep

Root Irrigator – Targeted Deep Root Watering Tool

Mulch

All Natural Organic Mulch

Adding a bird bath to a border is a huge trend this year, and no wonder. Pair the beauty of blooms with the joy of splashing birds and you have the very best pool party any garden could wish for! What’s more, this is a quick and easy DIY garden project for a summer evening or weekend, and making a bird bath yourself means it can be achieved on a budget, so as border ideas go, it's a winner.

As a gardening editor, I’m lucky enough to visit lots of gardens and flower shows and I’ve seen an incredible increase in container ponds of all sorts this year, from make-it-yourself microponds to wonderfully innovative DIY water features using cheap floating solar fountains. But the idea I’ve loved most of all is in-border bird baths. Siting a bird bath in a border is a beautiful way to quickly turn a bed from lackluster to lovely, but this project isn't only for your benefit, as many bird species are seed eaters. You're probably already growing flowering plants with seeds that birds love to eat so adding a border bird bath will pair water with food.

I’ve been snapping photos of examples I’ve spotted so I can create a bird bath in my own garden, where charms of goldfinches regularly descend to feast on scabious seedheads. From pretty kitchen basins raised up on reclaimed brick pillars to gravel-lined pools sunk into the soil, I’ve gathered a ton of inspiration. And, as there’s no telling how long this summer’s heatwave is going to last for, I figured your garden friends as well as mine might appreciate their very own bespoke backyard spa.

Which is the best bird bath design for you will depend not just on your garden style but how frequently cats and other predators use your backyard. The higher the threat, the higher you need to raise the birdbath from the ground, and the clearer the airspace around it should be. Do consider the other wildlife in your garden, too, as a few well-placed rocks can open water access to all sorts of pollinators and other beneficial insects. Here are the 10 best ideas I saw to DIY a border bird bath.

1. Upcycle a Garbage Can Lid

(Image credit: Emma Kendell)

We all have an old metal trash can sitting at the back of the garage, right? Use its lid, upside down in a border, to create a bird bath as has been done here, with a line of pebbles to give insects that fall in safe passage out of the water. I'm loving these wooden-peg plant labels, too!

If you’re one of the very few homeowners without a tired trash can stashed years ago, then why not drill some holes in the base of this well-priced galvanised steel Garden Garbage Can from Ace Hardware? That'll transform the body into a sleek modern planter and hey presto, you have yourself a spare lid to make a bird bath.

2. Make a Water Bowl Safe With Pebbles

(Image credit: Future/Emma Kendell)

If you already have a water bowl or feature in your garden, you can make it a safe depth for birds to use by adding pebbles or gravel. The maximum safe depth for any birdbath is four inches, though varying depths, particularly shallower areas around the rim, mean small birds such as goldfinches and sparrows can use it as well.

This idea can work for water features of any scale, from bijou bowls to expansive pools like this showstopper – imagine that full of a boisterous group of splashing starlings!

(Image credit: Emma Kendell)3. Repurpose a Reclaimed Item

(Image credit: Emma Kendell)

Pebbles also allow you to adjust the depth of reclaimed items to make them safe to use as bird baths, and using aged materials is a stylish match for more relaxed, cottage-garden-style yards. This old metal trough uses larger pebbles in the base bath but a finer gravel in the upper pool to make it suitable for insects as well as smaller birds.

Do you have an old item that could be repurposed? If not, find your nearest reclamation yard through the Salvo architectural salvage directory and go hunt for one. Small holes or areas of damage are easily made watertight with a marine sealant such as this from Amazon.

4. Raise a Kitchen Basin on Bricks or Blocks

(Image credit: Emma Kendell)

I’ll wager you’ve got a heap of pretty bowls you hardly ever use sitting in a kitchen cupboard – so why not use one to create a unique border birdbath? This shallow ceramic bowl that’s been raised on a stack of alternating pairs of bricks would be perfect for a cottage garden. For a sleeker vibe in a more modern garden, how about a marble bowl on a stone plinth?

(Image credit: Emma Kendell)

As quick and clever DIY ideas for containers go, this DIY bird bath rewards minimal effort with maximum style.

5. Use Bricks to Sink a Spiral Bird Bath Into a Border

(Image credit: Emma Kendell)

This has to be my favorite idea of all. Though the result is super-stylish, this spiral gravel bird bath is simple to replicate using a section of pond liner, bricks or block pavers, and pea gravel. Simply dig a sloping-edge hole and line with the aquaculture material, being sure to spread it well beyond the pool rim, then landscape with blocks and gravel. For longevity, it would be a smart move to lay a couple of inches of sand, such as this All-Purpose Sand from Home Depot, between the soil and the liner, too.

I love how this pool has been integrated into the border with a line of angled bricks leading into the planting. The sloping gravel means it’s safe for insects as well as birds to use.

Pond liner

7 x 10 Ft Pond Liner

Paver

Old Town Concrete Paver

Pea Gravel

Bagged Pea Gravel Pebbles

6. Make a Naturalistic Gravel Scrape Pool

(Image credit: Emma Kendell)

This wildlife pool sits in a gravel border of Carex grass and hart’s tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium), with rounded pebbles creating a naturalistic look as well as giving safe bathing for all sizes of birds. To stop mosquitoes from breeding, a small fountain has been used to keep the water moving, and it’s easy to do the same using a floating solar-powered fountain.

You can make a gravel scrape pool for your garden birds in the same way as the spiral birdbath above, by digging a depression and lining it with sand and pool liner material. Take a tip from this lovely example, though, and extend the pool further than you plan the surface area of the water to be. Filling in part of the shallow pool completely with pebbles allows you to add aquatic plants such as this pretty corkscrew rush (Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’) (bottom right of this image) as part of your border.

Round pebbles

Mexican Beach Pebbles

Carex grass

Feather Falls Sedge Grass

Solar Fountain

Mademax Bird Bath Fountain

7. Sink a Shallow Container

(Image credit: Emma Kendell)

For a quicker DIY sunken bird bath, you can dig out a depression in a border and use a shallow container to hold the water, rather than a pond liner. Any vessel can be used as long as it’s watertight and winter-proof, as you can make the water depth shallower and create sloping sides using gravel or pebbles. Here, rocks in the center and cut logs around the perimeter have been added to create landing perches for flying insects as well as birds.

The wider the container, the better. Not only will it need topping up less often but there will be room to add a floating solar fountain to keep the water moving, making it unsuitable for mosquitoes to breed. A layer of sand such as this All-Purpose Sand from Home Depot between the container and soil will make it easier to do final fine-tuning with a spirit level as well as improve longevity.

on-a-budget bargain

Behrens Feeder Pan for Livestock 16.25" x 3.75"

13 colors available

Crescent Garden Planter Saucer 20" x 2"

Robust choice

Molded Stock Water Trough 29.75" x 23" x 8"

8. Upturn a Plant Stand to Hold a Pot Saucer

(Image credit: Emma Kendell)

This genius idea uses a trio of ceramic plant saucers in an upturned plant stand. The top pool is a birdbath while the lower two are half-filled with gravel as well as water to provide drinking spots for bees, butterflies and ground beetles. Just don't use unsealed terracotta plant saucers as the clay is porous.

9. Create a Mud-Pillar Bird Bath

(Image credit: Future/Emma Kendell)

Here’s an interesting idea to try if you live in a dry zone with clay-rich soil – a pillar bird bath created from a mix of earth and chopped up straw. It takes inspiration from the traditional house-building material of ‘daub’, a mix of an aggregate such as sand or soil, a binder such as clay, and reinforcement like straw, hay or animal hair. As long as the daub gets a full week of dry weather to cure, it’s surprisingly resilient in occasional rain, though is unlikely to last more than a summer without a coat of limewash.

Fashion some sort of a mold using a container or plywood boards. Mix clay-rich soil with any fully dried, chopped-up plant stems (crush first if they're hollow) and just enough water to combine, and pack the mixture into the mold. Such a fun garden project, especially if you have children!

10. Relocate a Pedestal Bird Bath

(Image credit: Future/Emma Kendell/AI)

Of course, the easiest way to create your very own in-border avian plash-park is to simply move an existing pedestal bird bath into a flower bed. This bath is especially attractive to feathered friends as it’s tall enough for the water to sit just above the flowers, and a flat rock has been placed in the centre to make an easy landing pad.

46" high

Vintage Iron Bird Bath Stake with 5 Prongs

20" diameter bowl

Vivohome Polyresin Pedestal Bird Bath

Stunning Mosaic Glass

23" Blue Mosaic Glass Bird Bath Bowl With Metal Stand

There are plenty of other wins in this quick garden project for you as well as the birds. Whether or not yours is a wildlife garden, attracting birds to your plot with a border bird bath is a smart choice because, as well as snacking on flower seedheads, many bird species readily feast on slugs and snails. Add pebbles so insects can drink safely from your bird bath and you'll also welcome an army of smaller pest-control experts. Add some stylish homes for your garden wildlife to shelter all these critters, and your yard will be a haven for beneficial backyard critters that help to keep pests at bay.

Whether you have a large backyard patio or a small, postage stamp-sized balcony, there is nothing better than filling outdoor spaces with potted plants. Indeed, container displays are one of the easiest ways to transform any outdoor yard.

The trouble is, many patio seating areas are positioned in sunny spots where you can enjoy the sunshine with a refreshing drink and chat with family and friends. But when temperatures climb and humidity lingers, many popular bedding plants grown in pots in sunny positions can begin to wilt, stop flowering, or simply give up altogether.

Fortunately, there are plenty of patio plants that thrive in such conditions. The key is choosing species that evolved in tropical or Mediterranean climates where hot, sticky summers are simply part of the environment. A little heat and humidity in July and August won't worry these plants too much.

Whatever you grow, remember that even the toughest heat-tolerant container plants need a little help every now and then. Water deeply rather than little and often, feed regularly during the growing season to encourage extra blooms, and always use a quality, free-draining potting mix so roots never sit in water.

With the right care, these humidity and heat-loving patio plants will reward you with spectacular displays from early summer right through to the first frosts. Here are five of my favorites that I have grown in my time as a gardener.

Heat-Loving Patio Plants

While all of these patio plants enjoy sunshine, always match them to your growing conditions. If your yard is especially hot and dry, lantana and bougainvillea are hard to beat, while mandevilla and hibiscus will appreciate regular watering during prolonged dry spells.

Whatever you choose, though, good drainage is essential for these plants. So, always buy pots with drainage holes (or drill them yourself), and combine a little sand, grit or gravel in the mix to help. With the right care, these five heat-loving low-maintenance patio plants will keep your containers looking colorful and healthy all summer long.

1. Lantana

(Image credit: Nuk2013 / Shutterstock)

With clusters of fiery orange, yellow, pink and red flowers, lantana will bloom almost continuously through summer. It thrives in heat, humidity, and even periods of drought once established.

Hardy in USDA growing zones 9 to 11, it is typically grown as an annual in cooler regions, although you can overwinter container plants indoors or in a frost-free greenhouse from November through March.

Try these live lantana plants, available via Amazon, planting them in pots filled with good quality, free-draining soil. Or, if yellow borders are more your thing, try the 'New Gold' variety of Lantana, available now to order from Fast Growing Trees.

One word of caution: lantana is considered invasive in some frost-free parts of the US, including Hawaii, Florida, and parts of Texas, where it can spread into natural habitats. It is also toxic to pets and livestock if ingested, so always check with your local government office before planting and keep pots away from curious dogs or cats.

In summer, I would also suggest using an organic bloom-booster feed, high in phosphorus, or potash, which will help to encourage flowering for as long as possible. Something like this Dr. Earth fertilizer, available from Walmart, should do the job.

2. Bougainvillea

(Image credit: Thang Tat Nguyen / Getty Images)

Bougainvillea will always remind me of holidays in Italy where brilliant cascades of hot pink and magenta spill over whitewashed walls and terracotta pots in the summer sunshine. It looks wonderfully exotic, but it is also one of the toughest patio plants you can grow, thriving in heat, humidity and full sun where many other flowering plants struggle.

Hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11, bougainvillea is best grown in containers in cooler regions, allowing you to move plants indoors or into a frost-free greenhouse before winter arrives. Given plenty of warmth and sunshine, don't be surprised if it puts on 3 to 6 feet of growth in a single season.

The 'La Jolla' bougainvillea variety, available via Walmart, is a particularly striking variety, producing vivid fuchsia bracts that create a spectacular display all summer long.

Plant it in a pot filled with free-draining potting mix and resist the temptation to overwater. Bougainvillea actually flowers best when allowed to dry slightly between thorough soakings, so a bit of neglect is no bad thing. To keep blooms coming, feed weekly from mid-spring through to early fall

3. Mandevilla

(Image credit: photo-lime / Getty Images)

Rocktrumpets, or mandevilla, are native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, stretching from the southern United States through Mexico and into Central America. As you might imagine, these are plants that positively thrive in high heat and sticky humidity, making them one of the best choices for a summer patio.

Given the right conditions, this vigorous climber can easily produce 10 feet of growth in a single season, although newer compact varieties are perfect for smaller patios and balconies.

Live mandevilla plants are available to buy from the Fast Growing Trees store, just be sure to water well on delivery and position in a bright, sunny location on your patio. While they enjoy consistently moist soil during the growing season, avoid letting containers become waterlogged.

In cooler regions, simply move pots indoors before temperatures begin to dip in September or October. Kept somewhere bright and frost-free, the evergreen foliage will carry on looking good until it is time to return the plant outdoors the following spring (typically around April).

4. Hibiscus

(Image credit: Douglas Peebles / Getty Images)

With enormous blooms in shades of red, pink, orange, yellow and white, hibiscus shrubs are hard to beat, particularly as they seem to flower all the more enthusiastically during long spells of heat and humidity.

Most tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) are native to Asia and are hardy in US zones 9 to 11, although they thrive in pots elsewhere, allowing you to move them indoors before the first frosts arrive.

For a North American option, Hibiscus coccineus, also called swamp hibiscus or rose mallow, is native to the southeastern US including Texas. It features striking, bright red, firework-like flowers. It thrives in warm but wet, swampy areas down to zone 6.

Position containers somewhere warm and sunny, watering deeply whenever the top inch of soil begins to dry, but never allowing roots to sit in soggy compost (unless you are growing the swamp hibiscus!).

During the growing season, feed plants every week or two with a fertilizer high in potash to encourage as many blooms as possible. Remove spent flowers by deadheading as they fade and, with a little care, your hibiscus will keep producing spectacular tropical color right through to fall.

Walmart has a range of attractive hibiscus varieties, including some beautiful bicolored options.

5. Geraniums

(Image credit: Grace Cary / Getty Images)

No list of heat-loving patio plants would be complete without zonal pelargoniums. Often called geraniums, these classic summer flowers have been brightening pots, window boxes, and patios for centuries – and for good reason.

Native to South Africa, they are perfectly adapted to hot, sunny conditions, producing masses of flowers in shades of pink, red, salmon, orange and white throughout the summer months.

Pink and red live pelargonium plants can be ordered via Amazon and planted at any point through the summer. Position in a sunny spot on the patio (they will also cope with part-sun/part-shade), water, and feed regularly for the best results. Removing faded flower heads will also encourage fresh flowers well into October.

Shop Patio Garden Essentials

Zingy Color

Dallas Red Lantana

An incredibly tough, drought-tolerant and humidity-resistant lantana is perfect for populating your patio pots. Pair with yellow zinnias or cosmos for a bright and showy affair.

Garden Inspiration

The Garden Through Time book

The Garden Through Time by Thomas Rutter is the perfect gift for garden lovers, with 45 of history's greatest gardens including plant and flower inspiration to add to your own yard.

Reliable Reds

Live Flowering Zonal Pelargoniums

These pelargonium plants are impressively tough, thriving in sunshine and drought. Grow in a free-draining soil and feed every other week through summer to keep flowers going.

To find out more about inspirational gardens and gardening, read The Garden Through Time by Thomas Rutter, available from Amazon. From Persian paradises to New York’s High Line, this volume offers practical ideas and plant selections to help you design a gorgeous, low-maintenance garden. Telling the story of 45 gardens found worldwide, it is an essential read (or gift) for gardeners looking for timeless inspiration.

The peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) has a reputation for being unkillable, which does it a slight disservice. It survives neglect. Looking lush and pushing out those white spathes is a different bar, and July is when the gap between surviving and thriving shows. Warm air and faster growth pull more from the plant than the quieter months do.

None of it is complicated. Good peace lily care in summer comes down to reading what the plant is already telling you and adjusting before a droop turns into a brown edge. The five tasks here cover the stretch through the hottest part of the season, and none of them takes long.

5 Peace Lily Tasks Worth Doing in July

A peace lily is expressive, which makes it forgiving. The leaves sag when it's thirsty and perk back up soon after watering, so it tells on itself before harm sets in. That feedback is what keeps the summer routine manageable.

1. Water More Often, but Read the Soil First

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Heat drives thirst, and a peace lily that coasted on a weekly drink in spring may want water every few days once July settles in. The dramatic wilt is the giveaway, but chasing that peace lily droop on a rigid schedule overcorrects into soggy roots. The soil is the better guide. When the top inch (2.5cm) feels dry, it's time; when it's still damp, wait.

Watering a peace lily with rainwater or filtered water is better than hard tap, since the browning leaf tips so many owners fight often trace back to fluoride and chlorine building up. Letting tap water stand overnight helps a little. The plant drinks fast in the heat, so a pot left to dry out completely collapses hard and takes a couple of days to recover, if it recovers all the way. Humidity is the half of watering that summer strips away, since air conditioning pulls moisture out of a room. A peace lily raised on tropical damp responds with brown, papery leaf tips, and watering more never fixes that one. The answer is putting moisture back in the air – group it with other plants, set the pot on a pebble tray like this one from Amazon, or run a small humidifier nearby.

2. Feed Lightly for Those White Spathes

(Image credit: gadost / Getty Images)

July sits in the middle of active growth, and a hungry peace lily puts out leaves at the expense of flowers. A balanced houseplant fertilizer keeps both going, and a gentle 3-3-3 liquid houseplant food from Amazon diluted to half strength suits a plant this sensitive to salt buildup. Feeding once a month through summer is plenty.

More is not better here. Over-fertilized peace lilies show it fast. The leaf tips crisp up brown, and a white crust of mineral salt starts creeping across the soil. Flush the pot through with plain water if that shows up, then skip the next feeding. Plenty of people mistake a plant with all leaves and no blooms as hungry, when usually it's the opposite.

3. Get the Light and Placement Right

(Image credit: FotoHelin / Shutterstock)

Peace lilies pass as shade plants. Indoors that mostly holds, so summer sun through a south window can scorch them in a way low winter light doesn’t. Watch for pale washed-out patches, or bleached blotches where a leaf has taken too much direct sun. Bright indirect light a step back from the glass keeps the color rich without burning.

The flip side is true too. A peace lily parked in a genuinely dark corner stays alive but rarely blooms, since it needs decent light to bother producing spathes at all. Somewhere it casts a soft shadow is about right. Keep it clear of air-conditioning vents while you're adjusting placement, because that cold dry draft browns leaf edges as surely as too much sun does. Giving the pot a quarter turn each time you water keeps growth even, since a peace lily leans toward its light source over a few weeks and grows lopsided otherwise.

4. Groom the Leaves and Deadhead Spent Blooms

(Image credit: Fotohelin / Alamy)

Dust is a quiet problem on a broad-leaved plant. A film across those big leaves blocks light and slows the plant down, so wipe each one with a damp cloth every couple of weeks to keep them working and glossy. Spent flowers matter as well – once a white spathe fades to green and then browns, cut the whole stalk to the base with a clean pair of Fiskars micro-tip pruning snips from Walmart so the plant redirects that energy into new growth.

Older leaves yellow off on their own schedule, and those get trimmed at the base as they go. The wiping does double duty, putting your eyes on the leaf undersides where spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) and mealybugs settle in before anyone spots them. Both love the summer heat. Catch a handful early and you can often skip the infestation entirely.

5. Check Whether It's Ready for a Bigger Pot

(Image credit: Iryna Imago / Getty Images)

Summer growth can tip a peace lily into being root-bound. A few things give it away. Water runs straight through instead of soaking in, roots poke out the drainage holes, and the plant wilts again almost as soon as it's watered. A rootbound peace lily blooms poorly and dries out constantly, undoing the other four tasks.

When repotting a peace lily, go up just one pot size – too large a container holds excess water and invites root rot, which peace lilies are prone to. A Vigoro 8-inch ceramic planter with drainage from Home Depot suits a plant stepping up from a 6-inch nursery pot. That said, these things flower best a little snug in the pot, so if none of those signs are showing, leave it where it is and look again in fall. Do these five through the summer and your peace lily rewards you with that deep green flush and a steady run of white spathes, right when the rest of the garden is wilting in the heat.

Colors are so intrinsically linked to your gardening choices, you might not always realize you’ve got carried away until you see some of the results. Then one day, you’ll be sitting on the front patio and it will hit you: yikes. Maybe all those dozens of colors competing for attention in your flower beds and borders are a little bit much?

Maybe what started as the odd crayon-bright variety has become multi-toned chaos. But if it feels like your plants are clashing rather than cooperating, don’t panic. You needn’t settle for visual friction. A little mindful color selection will instantly help you achieve a calmer ambiance. And rethinking the way you approach front yard landscaping doesn't mean adhering to cold rules. Winning curb appeal just means simplifying your color pairings and combinations.

This sort of discipline might sound like it sucks a little of the fun out of growing flowers, but it’s quite the opposite. Limiting your palette can be freeing in terms of how you combine specific plants, textures, shapes, and sizes – and all with visual balance in mind. Find out how the 2-color trick can help you tame your yard and create high impact visuals that everyone will want to stop and admire.

Why Color Chaos Kills Curb Appeal

(Image credit: Darrell Gulin / Getty Images)

In color theory, pairing too many saturated warm and cool shades creates intense visual friction. When hot-pink magenta petunias, fiery orange marigolds, electric blue lobelia, and bright yellow zinnias are all squeezed into a single bed, their competing light waves bounce around chaotically. Under bright summer sunlight, this overload turns into visual noise. This jarring static makes a front yard look cluttered and messy rather than intentional. It can even make a yard look smaller.

When every bloom screams for attention, it’s hard to distinguish and appreciate their individual beauty. Collectively, it can feel like a jumble. Situated by a colored wall or front yard fence, the problems magnify, and none of this is great news for curb appeal. Instead of drawing the eye toward your entryway or porchway, an overactive color palette creates visual stops and starts. The overall effect can feel disjointed, dragging down curb allure instead of framing your property with purpose.

This doesn’t mean there is no place for a riot of blooms. Whimsical cottage gardens, meadow plantings and backyard pollinator patches can handle a colorful free-for-all, because their informal boundaries soften the impact. But landscaping for curb appeal relies on something else. This is where you need instant, clean legibility from the street, and where less can be so much more. Introducing simple curb color rules isn't about stifling expression. It’s just about giving plants room to breathe, so your front yard looks effortlessly put together. Here’s how it can work for you…

The 2-Color Trick (And Why It Works)

(Image credit: VeIrina / Shutterstock)

The two-color trick isn’t about stripping joy from your garden or banning your favorite blooms. But if your front yard feels messy rather than magical, capping your plant palette at 2 dominant hues works like a reset button. Forget the confetti mix seed pack that will create a lively mishmash of all the colors of the rainbow. Instead, select 2 colors that can play well off each other. A duo-toned front border will instantly upclass the yard, creating cohesiveness and a high-end, elegant look.

When you limit your palette with these color rules, your brain stops trying to reconcile competing color signals. The eyes shift their focus to subtle details, like variations in plant height, leaf shapes, and contrasting textures. By curbing the rainbow, you allow anchor plants, hardscaping features like brick walkways, and porch details to stand out rather than compete with your flower beds. Whether framing a tight bed beside a door or running a long border down a driveway, choosing a couple of harmonizing or opposing colors brings immediate structural focus, balance and harmony.

You don’t need to rely on just flowers to make this trick work. High-impact foliage can offer long-lasting contrast with less maintenance. For instance, planting a burgundy foliage plant alongside a lime-tinted companion creates a high-contrast border that holds its color all season without looking cluttered. Try rich burgundy Tiny Wine Ninebark from Nature Hills, and add Proven Winners Limelight Hydrangea Shrubs from Fast Growing Trees to offset those deeper wine tones.

3 Ways to Make it Work

Limiting yourself to two shades has a calming effect on the entire front yard. Instead of overwhelming passers-by with bouncing colors, a duo-tone approach focuses the attention on plant heights, leaf textures, and bloom shapes. So if you need to calm the visual turmoil and bring the harmony back, the trick is to find a simple color partnership that works for your space and aesthetic. Here are 3 smart color matches you can try. Treat these as flexible templates you can adapt according to your plant desires and your yard, to help you frame your space in style with minimal fuss.

1. Monochromatic Shift

(Image credit: CBCK Christine / Getty Images)

Choosing two shades from the same color family, like a cool lilac paired with a rich violet, is the ultimate shortcut to a sophisticated yard. A monochromatic palette relies on tonal gradients to create depth across beds, borders, and containers. My favorite is monochromatic green. This approach allows you to focus on foliage plants, using a single, dominant base color while incorporating shades a bit lighter or darker. So you could pair white, off-white and silvery shades. This could blend tall Aruncus dioicus, white peonies, and trailing alyssum, backed by silver foliage.

The key to making this palette work is to vary plant shapes and heights. For a purple scheme, plant tall, dark spikes of Caradonna salvia (S. nemorosa) and airy purpletop vervain (Verbena bonariensis) at the back of a border. In the middle, try 'Walker's Low' catmint or drifts of Hidcote lavender. Add Supertunia Royal Velvet petunias or the lush folds of Plum Pudding heuchera at the front (or in porch pots) to tie the look together.

(Image credit: Ventura Carmona / Getty Images)

If you prefer a sunnier tone, try gold and chartreuse. Use medium-sized shrubs like Gold Mound spirea and variegated Emerald 'n' Gold euonymus toward the center of your bed. Surround them with butter-yellow Moonbeam coreopsis and Lime Marmalade coral bells. To soften hard driveway edges or stone steps, let golden Japanese Forest Grass and cascading creeping Jenny spill onto the paving. You can get both Lime Marmalade and Plum Pudding Coral Bells from Plant Addicts, along with a broad range of heuchera colors.

2. Clean White + Hero Color

(Image credit: Sarah Lynch / Getty Images)

For a crisp and sophisticated front border, use the classic aesthetic of white with another color (green works well if you aren’t sure). This is a clean, timeless look that looks cool and chic while brightening up shady corners. You might start with a snowy carpet of fragrant sweet alyssum, backed by iceberg rose varieties and white foxgloves. Fill in the corners with creamy hostas or silver ragwort.

Pairing crisp, light-reflecting white flowers, shrubs and even white flowering trees with a single, high-voltage hero color gives instant front yard curb appeal. White can act as a natural spotlight, bouncing ambient light into shaded entryways, softening dark masonry, and making fence lines pop from the street. However, using white alone can sometimes feel sterile or washed out in midday sun. The trick is layering subtle tonal variations of white, ranging from cool, apple-green whites to classic creams and soft silvers, alongside one intense accent color.

(Image credit: Firina / Getty Images)

For a high-contrast “peaches and cream” scheme, try a lush Limelight panicle hydrangea or Foxy White foxgloves at the back of your border. In front, plant Tangerine Dream coneflowers (Echinacea) or compact Profusion Orange zinnias. Interweave some soft, velvety Silver Dust Dusty Miller, available from Amazon, along the edge. Then let bright white sweet alyssum spill out over walkway pavers. For a shady corner, opt for fluffy Vision in White astilbe to bring the look together.

Or, if you prefer a rich magenta-and-cream palette, frame your porch or gateway with white floribunda roses and wispy wand flowers (Gaura lindheimeri). In the middle, set punchy PowWow Wild Berry coneflowers with silvery artemisia. Pick up Perennial Farms’ PowWow Wild Berry Coneflowers from Amazon. Finish with magenta calibrachoa cascading out of front door urns. Just bear in mind that white petals and pale silver leaves show heat-browning and water spots faster than darker foliage, so select tough, self-cleaning varieties for summer planting.

3. Bold Designer Opposites

(Image credit: Photos by RA Kearton / Getty Images)

Is there room for bright colors anywhere in the 2-color universe? Absolutely! You can make this work with our color trick, as long as the eye only sees these bright shades. Backed by foliage greens, the result is upscale and elegant, which is a winning combination for curb appeal. If you want your front yard to command attention from down the block, just look to opposite sides of the color wheel.

Complementary color pairings create high-contrast energy, because our eyes process opposing wavelengths simultaneously, making both appear more saturated than they would on their own. For a look that gives balance but also feels deliberate, establish one of the pair as the dominant color across three-quarters of your bed, then sprinkle the remaining area with pops of its visual opposite.

(Image credit: LianeM)

Try one of these pairings that work in any border layout or size:

• Royal Violet & Gold: For a high-contrast classic, weave deep purple salvia or dark lavender spires with Goldsturm Rudbeckia, available from Plant Addicts, finishing with trailing Superbells Yellow calibrachoa. For an easygoing shrub, try a brilliant yellow weigela like Golden Jackpot (Weigela florida 'MonRigney').
• True Blue & Copper Orange: Another option that looks smashing is true blue and copper orange or hot coral. Offset soft nepeta 'Cat's Pajamas' or bright agapanthus with Totally Tangerine geum. You can get Hirt’s Gardens’ Cat’s Pajamas Nepeta from Walmart. Or try blue lobelia as a low-growing element, backed by coral bells, with true blue delphinium towering in the background.
• Magenta & Chartreuse: For a modern designer vibe, pair the punchy pink petals of Magnus coneflowers with the electrifying foliage of Lime Marmalade heuchera or Sambucus Lemony Lace by Proven Winners, available from Nature Hills.

Golden Rules for 2-Color Planting

(Image credit: © Frédéric Collin / Getty Images)

Limiting the palette does raise the stakes in terms of layouts. You can’t just plant your colors willy-nilly. It’s important to plant with an eye to design, rather than just scattering seeds as you may have done in the past. This isn’t hard, though, and it’s fun to experiment. These easy rules ensure your 2-color theme feels intentional:

1. Master 60-30-10: This designer approach suggests that one color should be the primary, and over half of the bed should reflect that. The second shade takes a third of the space, while the remaining 10% is a varying texture or hue of the two primary colors. So if you had 60% green foliage, you could give 30% to sweeps of purple Walker's Low Catmint, from Nature Hills, with a 10% accent of fiery crocosmia.
2. Weave in Drifts not Blocks: Avoid static grids or rigid blocks of one species that make borders feel stiff and unnatural. Instead, use sweeping, intermingled plantings. Try feathering silver artemisia with spires of salvia, interwoven with purple coneflowers. Soften the boundaries with some purpletop vervain. You can get Perennial Farm Verbena Bonariensis from Amazon as live plants.
3. High-Contrast Textures: Color catches the eye from across the lawn, but tactile leaf forms keep it fascinating up close. Mix ferny foliage with rounded leaves, and contrast massive, powdery Halcyon hosta leaves with pops of curling wine-soaked coleus. You can buy CZ Grain Blue Halcyon Hostas from Walmart as live plants. Thoughtful diversity is key to make the most of your curb-friendly color palette.

Shop Summer Curb Heroes

(Image credit: RGBStudio / Alamy)

Putting together a high-impact, two-color border is a lot simpler once you can hook your schemes around a clear, tidy planting plan. By focusing on a few well-chosen perennial anchors, you can set the foundation for stunning monochromatic, clean white, or bold designer contrast schemes that thrive season after season. Selected with popular color purple in mind, the following options bring instant wow factor.

Purple-Friendly Picks

Mono Style

Fast-Growing-Trees.com Lyrical™ Blues Salvia Plant

With its striking dark purple stems and intense violet-blue spires, this salvia is an impressive structural partner in any purple-themed border. It offers months of continuous color, has excellent branching, holds its upright form late into the season, and has brilliant reblooming prospects. Plant it in full sun alongside lighter purples.

White Hero

Nature Hills Incrediball® Smooth Hydrangea

For a stylish, elegant white knight, the basketball-sized flowers of this much-loved shrub make a formidable match for your purple partner. With extra-thick stems that hold heavy blooms upright, this shrub provides clean, bright contrast. Place it behind purple lavender or catmint for iconic curbside glam.

High-Contrast Gold

Plant Addicts Goldsturm Black-Eyed Susan

For a bold designer opposite pairing, Goldsturm is the ultimate golden-yellow pop. Producing dozens of daisy-like blooms with dark central cones, this classic perennial flowers late into summer. Its golden petals sit directly across from purple on the color wheel, creating a smart and zingy display that looks very intentional.

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Hafeez Jiwa is kind of bummed that potential buyers don’t particularly care about his property’s biggest selling point: that it’s built to net zero standards. Slightly different from zero emissions buildings, which the City of Vancouver states use only renewable energy and generate no pollution at all, net zero causes some pollution but produces as much clean energy as it consumes.

Jiwa, of boutique property development company Maven & Co. Projects, who developed and consulted on the four-bedroom front-back Dunbar duplex, says, “We’re finding not a lot of people care about the net zero aspect itself. You have to educate them on that. But what they do notice is there’s more space in the unit because of that bonus density that the city allows you to have.”

Density bonusing , a zoning rule that allows for bigger buildings — in this case, 20 per cent bigger — than are normally permitted in an area, appears to be the bigger draw. “It doesn’t seem like a lot but it’s allowed us to have a really big main floor, which you don’t normally get in these half duplexes,” says Jiwa. “We’re also able to get a third bedroom onto the second floor when, typically in these half duplexes, the second floor has two bedrooms, and you need to go up to the third floor to get to a third bedroom. The third level has a spare/guest bedroom/office, so it’s actually a true four-bedroom unit. That 20 per cent bonus density makes a big difference.”

As does the attention to detail. “There are very few spec builds that use brand name architects and interior designers and put this much effort into design. We used Noble Architecture and Shift Interiors, who (made) sure it’s timeless, modern and quite unique compared to what’s on the market right now.”

He does acknowledge, however, that the exterior won’t win any beauty contests in the traditional sense. “It’s meant to be sort of Scandinavian: very muted, very clean and modern.” It’s what’s inside that counts.

What’s inside

Jiwa says, “When you walk into this unit, you get a sense of quality that you don’t get anywhere else.”

He points to the white oak herringbone on the main floor that was more expensive because of the additional labour involved in laying the pattern in short strips.

Also, the new generation of engineered stone for the powder room, kitchen countertops, backsplash and island from Coquitlam company Bordignon Stone was costlier. According to the company, it has the durability and practicality of quartz with a look of natural marble but without the required maintenance of marble.

The bathrooms all have seamless showers with no sill; custom glass and mirrors; and the main en suite has a double sink vanity and detailed porcelain tile that meets smoothly without the need for a corner trim.

Jiwa says that detail extends to the staircase edge, which is usually built with a one-inch nosing, whereas the duplex’s waterfall staircase has a clean, sharp edge and no trim. The wood cabinetry was custom-made by a local craftsman.

The fully integrated Miele appliances are induction, not natural gas, to meet the requirements for net zero homes.

When you enter through the French doors into the top-floor bedroom, a unique circular window frames the trees that line the lane below. Two skylights, one that is electronically operable, add extra natural light.

There is a detached garage, and the backyard features a big, multi-level deck that runs across the back unit with space for seating as well as a lower area for a fire pit or barbecue.

“The quality of construction has to be a step above; everything has to be more efficient, in order to meet this net zero standard,” says Jiwa. “So the windows are all triple-glazed from Delta manufacturer Norden Windows; the envelope has to be nearly air tight; there has to be a fresh air ventilation system so there’s fresh air continuously being pulled in from the outside and exchanged with interior air.

“With net zero, you’re trying to balance the amount of energy that you’re using in the house with the amount of energy that you’re producing by using your solar panels, and you only have so much space on your roof. So that means all the electrical heating and cooling equipment is more efficient than normal; you’re not using natural gas for heating or cooking; your building envelope has to be more air tight so you have greater insulation and less rogue air coming into the house.”

He says the more than 20 solar panels on the roof generate 11 kilowatts of energy, and even though the house is empty, it’s been generating more energy than it’s been using. “B.C. Hydro actually pays you for that excess energy,” says Jiwa. “So over the course of the year, the savings can amount to $3,000 to $4,000 on electricity. Plus, you’re living in a healthier home and contributing to the city’s zero emissions targets.”

Now that’s worth caring about.

In the neighbourhood

The coveted Dunbar area is a blend of quiet, upscale neighbourhoods with the buzz of nearby Dunbar Village and its many independent businesses, including specialty shops, bakeries, grocers, gyms, pubs, restaurants and the historic Dunbar Theatre.

Downtown Vancouver is a 20-minute drive away. Many parks, including Pacific Spirit Regional Park, are close by, as are the beaches of Jericho and Spanish Banks, and public and private elementary and high schools, plus UBC.

Location:2 — 3449 West 22nd Avenue, Vancouver

Listed for: $2,599,900

Year built: 2026

Type: Four bedrooms, four bathrooms

Size: 1,852 square feet

Realtor: Listed by TJ Almodovar, The Almodovar Group , Vancouver

Related

• Sold (Bought): East Van artist loft offers distinctive character and ample room
• New Westminster townhomes blend heritage-style facades with contemporary living

Can you use flour to deter garden pests? That's the question everyone's asking at the moment, thanks to some pretty bold claims on social media.

Honestly, every week it feels like the online masses find a new kitchen staple that's apparently destined to become the next miracle gardening hack. I've seen cinnamon, banana peels, coffee grounds and baking soda all have their moment in the spotlight. Now, though, it's the turn of plain old flour.

Video after video has shown gardeners dusting it over their plants, with some even sprinkling it across flower beds, claiming it keeps pests away without using chemicals. All of which sounds... well, highly unlikely. Then again, stranger garden hacks have turned out to contain at least a tiny grain of truth.

So naturally, I did what I always do when the internet starts making bold gardening claims. I turned to my husband, who just so happens to be an RHS-trained professional gardener with over two decades of experience under his toolbelt.

Can You Use Flour To Deter Garden Pests?

My moment of curiosity happened halfway through an episode of Taskmaster (you know how it is), which meant I paused the TV, asked whether I should start throwing flour around the garden, and was met with the sort of long sigh that suggested I had committed a cardinal sin by interrupting Greg Davies.

Once my husband had accepted that the episode wasn't restarting until he'd answered my question, though, he admitted the internet wasn't completely wrong.

"There's a grain of truth to it," he told me. "But it's one of those hacks that's been stretched so far online that people think it's a miracle cure, when really it only has a very limited use."

(Image credit: JulieStar / Shutterstock)

According to my husband, plain all-purpose flour can sometimes help against small, soft-bodied pests like aphids, cabbage loppers, and some mites.

"The flour isn't poisoning anything," he explained. "It's purely mechanical. When tiny insects feed on leaves coated with flour, the starch mixes with moisture from their mouthparts and digestive system, creating a sticky paste that makes feeding much more difficult."

Eyes flickering between me and the paused television, he rolled his eyes as he realized I needed more. "It's a similar idea to using food-grade diatomaceous earth as a physical barrier rather than a chemical pesticide," he added.

(Image credit: Samuel Howell / Getty Images)

The important word there? Sometimes.

"It's only really effective as a very light dusting in dry weather," he said. "As soon as it gets damp, most of the benefits disappear."

And this is where his enthusiasm disappeared completely, as my husband pointed out that flour is (whether we'd happily chow down on it ourselves or not) food. "If you're scattering it around your garden, don't be surprised if mice, rats or other hungry visitors decide you've laid out a free buffet," he warned

Warming to his theme of 'don't you dare use flour to deter garden pests in our yard, Kayleigh', he moved onto the not-so-little issue of the weather.

"If flour gets wet, it it turns into glue," he said. "You end up with this sticky paste coating the leaves, trapping moisture against the plant. And that's exactly the sort of environment fungal diseases love."

(Image credit: Ratnakorn Piyasirisorost / Getty Images)

My husband also pointed out that flour washes away surprisingly quickly, which means you'd need to keep reapplying it after rain or even heavy dew.

"And if you get a bit overenthusiastic," he added, "you can end up coating the leaves so heavily that you're blocking sunlight and making it harder for the plant to photosynthesize. That's hardly helping, is it?"

So if you can't use flour to deter garden pests, what should you use instead? Well, his answer came without hesitation: food-grade diatomaceous earth.

"It works on the same basic principle, as it's a physical barrier rather than a poison, but it doesn't become a sticky mess or invite rodents into the garden," he said promisingly.

Shop Essentials for Deterring Garden Pests:

Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth is a widely used physical barrier against crawling pests that doesn't turn into paste when it gets damp (although it does need reapplying after heavy rain).

Garavigo Durable Fine Mesh Netting

Fine mesh netting offers a simple way to stop cabbage butterflies and other pests reaching vulnerable crops in the first place, without affecting pollinators once plants aren't in flower.

Clark&Co Organic Live Ladybugs

Rather than trying to eliminate every aphid yourself, encourage the insects that naturally keep their numbers under control with pollinator-friendly planting and insect habitats.

For gardeners dealing with aphids, he also recommends starting with the gentlest solutions first, such as a strong jet of water, encouraging beneficial insects like ladybugs, or simply tolerating small numbers of pests where possible.

As is so often the case with gardening hacks, the viral version isn't completely made up, but it usually leaves out the important part. In this case, flour can have a small (albeit temporary effect) on certain pests under very specific conditions, but it's far from the miracle cure social media sometimes makes it out to be

Personally, I think I'll save the flour for baking... and let my husband get back to Taskmaster in peace.

Boundary fences are an afterthought in most gardens, but integrating these backdrops into your yard design will upgrade the whole space. Fences come in all shapes, sizes and materials but all can be commandeered to help bring style and color to your garden.

Whether you opt for a decorative panel or painting the fence a dark color to show off bold border planting, or turn bare sections into textural treats with vining plants or natural screening, fence-scaping is a DIY project you can achieve yourself in a weekend. Some ideas enable you to use your fence as an extra planting area, too – a real bonus if your plot is compact.

Your boundaries serve a practical function, making your home safe and secure as well as screening you from neighbours. But once you have those essentials covered, there are all sorts of ways you can use your garden fences to improve your landscape design. And, as you'll see, you don't have to spend a fortune to get a stunning result. Here are 10 of the latest DIY fence ideas to inspire you.

1. Clad With Stylish Bamboo

(Image credit: Neil Hepworth/RHS)

Choose sturdy bamboo cladding to give a dull garden fence a natural and eco-friendly upgrade. This affordable option is quickly achieved by attaching rolled fenced panels such as this one from Wayfair to existing fence panels using cable ties or wire, making this an easy DIY garden project.

This natural bamboo fence has hollow stems that provide vital habitat for pollinators in your garden. If you love the idea of attracting bees and butterflies to your yard, design the planting around them too, choosing pollinator magnet plants such as foxgloves, salvia and yarrow. Go one step further and add a bug house to give wildlife a home and max up your green credentials.

2. Create a Focal Point With Colored Panels

(Image credit: Clive Nichols/Getty Images)

Elevate your yard by slotting in decorative colored fence panels to define a seating area and add an elegant designer touch. This is an easy way to bring outdoor living vibes to your garden, giving it a more interior-led feel to match whatever style and aesthetic you want to create. It's also a budget-friendly option for upgrading standard fences into more of a feature.

DIY this idea yourself by using sections of pressure-treated plywood suitable for exterior use such as this Pine Ply from Lowe's. Priming the wood first will give you a smoother finish and richer colors, then apply two coats of an exterior paint. Take a look at the range of Glidden Fundamentals Exterior Paint at Walmart for an inspiring range of colors from Blue Oasis to Turning Oakleaf and Pepperberry Pink. There's also a range of exterior Glidden paints with primer if you want to skip that step.

Installed by pre-drilling them then fixing to the fence with screws, using a spirit level to check they're straight. A versatile option, it's easy to change the color when you want a different look, too.

3. Install Decorative Panels for Instant Results

(Image credit: Getty Images)

You can buy decorative panels in so many different patterns, colors and sizes, it's easy to find a design that suits your garden style perfectly. There are tall, narrow panels and circular designs as well as the standard rectangles, so you can get creative.

Panels can be fixed to an existing boundary if it's strong enough, or how about using a panel to replace a short section of the fence? It's also possible to inset a smaller panel into a fence, as has been done here. Punctuating a long fence with several equally-spaced panels is a smart way to add rhythm and regularity to a garden.

Using the same design of decorative panel in different ways around your yard as well as fixing one to your fence brings a cohesive, prefessional look, too. Some panels are stronger than others so do check, but some are robust enough to be used between pergola struts to cast shapely shadows, or laid into gravel as a textured feature.

Decorative Fence Panels

TROPICAL AESTHETIC

Bahama Decorative Panel

Foliage fun

Sanibel Decorative Panel

ELEGANT DESIGN

Nuvo Iron Decorative Insert

4. Hang a Mirror to Make A Small Garden Look Bigger

(Image credit: Kampee Patisena/Getty Images)

If you're looking for small garden ideas, another trick designers often use is hanging a mirror on the fence. This will reflect your plants and make it seem like there are more of them, and is surely the easiest of DIY designer tricks to make a small garden look bigger. Outdoor mirrors help to bounce light around to create the illusion of space.

In this design a mirror is hung on a fence in a shady corner of the garden. It adds light and depth to brighten and open up the garden, adding the illusion that another space lies beyond. Find a round garden mirror design like this at Amazon. Most come with strong adhesive pads and are easy to fix to a clean surface, but it's smart to back that up with exterior glue.

5. Create Fence Shelves and Start a Curated Collection

(Image credit: Joanna Kossak/RHS)

A big trend at the moment is the idea of a curated garden. This means making more considered choices where plants, materials, and accessories are concerned. The aim is to achieve a cohesive look where everything fits together in a harmonious design that's entirely unique to you.

Integrating shelves into garden fence ideas is a great way of tapping into this trend, allowing you to add a unique customised finish with, for example, a collection of small potted plants similar to the look achieved with a plant theater. Or perhaps your DIY garden shelves could house your collection of rocks and other natural treasures?

It's an easy weekend DIY project, too. Attach sturdy outdoor brackets directly into fence supports, using exterior-grade deck screws, then secure pre-cut treated shelf boards.

6. Run A Raised Bed Along a Fence

(Image credit: Future Publishing Ltd)

The strip of ground in front of a fence often ends up as an underused space where nothing grows. But it's easy to add either an integral raised garden bed or a freestanding one right in front that allows you to maximise the space by adding a layer of planting to beautify the boundary.

Raised garden beds along fences add a visually appealing and structural element to your garden. Use a similar material for the raised bed as the fence, and the pairing will serve as a modern focal point. While it's smart to follow the recommended spacing guidelines for any plant variety to ensure there is enough room for growth to give your design longevity, it's okay to plant more densely in a raised bed as you can easily control moisture and nutrient levels.

7. Use Trellis to Add Texture

(Image credit: timeincukcontent.com)

There are no rules to say trellis must be used solely to support plants and, as you can see from this small garden, it's an effective way to add an accent in its own right. Choose expandable trellis made from willow such as this Latticed Willow Trellis from Lowe's and you can use hand pruners to cut it into creative shapes.

Defining a space by fixing trellis to fence is quick and affordable, too.

8. Let Light in With Contemporary Slats

(Image credit: Roberto Westbrook/Getty Images)

If you're gardening in a small space like a courtyard or patio garden it's important to let in as much light as possible. This is where airy wooden slat fencing comes into play, which is one of the biggest garden trends for 2026.

Characterized by neat horizontal planks that allow light to filter through, wooden slatting allows you to create a crisp, modern aesthetic while simultaneously softening the look of boundaries. This design is elegant and minimalist with the fence offering clean lines as a backdrop to the restrained planting.

There's no need to replace your entire fence, but switch out a couple of sections with modern horizontal slat panels such as these Nature's Composites Panels from Lowe's.If you're on a budget and handy at DIY, then you can cheat the look by removing a section of existing fencing and fixing treated roofing batons at intervals to fenceposts.

9. Cloak a Bare Fence With Climbing Plants

(Image credit: Boris Zhitkov/Getty Images)

One of the easiest and most pleasing ways to turn a fence into a feature is by covering it with climbing plants. Choose the right varieties and they will grow vigorously to disguise fence panels with beautiful-looking flowers and foliage.

From fragrant climbing roses, scented honeysuckle and perfumed jasmine flowers to tropical trumpet vine and heavenly wisteria, there's a world of choice out there. When you're wondering what climber to grow on a fence, start by looking at fast-growing vines that won't scramble out of control. Clematis is always a great choice if you like flamboyant flowers, and there's a clematis vine to suit every spot.

Before making your choice take into account the aspect of your yard, and opt for either sun-loving or shade-loving plants accordingly. Next, check the plant's water and fertilizing requirements. Then be sure to offer something for them to cling to such as wires or trellis, to make their transformation of your fence even easier.

Pretty Climbing Plants For Fences

fast growing

Coral Star Honeysuckle

hummingbird magnet

Cup and Saucer Vine

continual blooming

Climbing Rose 'Jasmina'

10. Paint a Black Backdrop for Dramatic Planting

(Image credit: Neil Hepworth/RHS)

The black paint trend is a big look for fence ideas right now, and one of the most dramatic garden ideas you can achieve in a weekend. Timber or metal fencing stained in shades of deep charcoal to jet black deliver a modern aesthetic that acts as a dramatic backdrop to visually enhance planting. With clever lighting and the use of accent plants that landscape designers love, you can really turn your fence into a feature.

A favorite among garden designers for offering dramatic impact and a high-end finish, black fences instantly make a garden feel more considered. It's an easy look to copy too. Choose an outdoor fence paint such as Fence Pro in Black from Lowe's that will deal with even the harshest weather conditions for a long-lasting look.

Pick up the black look elsewhere, too, with other details such as plant stands, pots and planters, and garden furniture or accessories.

No gardener wants to need a hazmat suit to handle the spray they’re using for their tomatoes, especially when you’re going to be eating them. Lucky for us, organic pest control has come a really long way! Now, there are products available that are effective, widely available, and gentle enough to use on your veggies right up until the day you want to harvest them.

Whether you're battling aphids on your roses, slugs on your lettuce, deer in your vegetable patch, or something crawling where it shouldn't be, there's an organic solution for it. For a broader overview of your options, check out our guide to natural pest control in an organic garden before you shop.

Below are six products that actually deliver on their promise.

Ready-to-Use

BONIDE Bonide Captain Jack's 32 Oz Neem Oil Organic Spray

If you’re only going to buy one organic pest control product, let it be this one, please. It’s derived from the seeds of a neem tree, as well as being a three-in-one fungicide, insecticide, and miticide that works on over 200 pest species. These include aphids, beetles, spider mites, whiteflies, and fruit flies at every stage of their life cycle: egg, larvae, and adult.

How does it do this? By disrupting the pest's hormonal system, which prevents them from feeding and reproducing rather than simply killing on contact. This means it's far less likely to harm beneficial insects like bees when you use it correctly. It also controls fungal diseases including powdery mildew, botrytis, and blight.

A few tips: Apply it in the early morning or evening, never in full sun, and coat all surfaces including the undersides of leaves. It’s safe to use on vegetables, fruit trees, roses, herbs, and houseplants right up to the day of harvest.

Insecticidal Soap Concentrate

Safer Insect Killing Soap Concentrate

This is truly the workhorse of organic soft-bodied insect control. The active ingredient is potassium salts of fatty acids, which means it works by penetrating and breaking down the protective outer shell of insects, causing them to dehydrate and die on contact. In my book, this is essentially magic in a bottle!

It's especially effective against aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, spider mites, thrips, earwigs, and scale insects, and because it breaks down naturally within seven to ten days, it doesn't hang around in the environment. The 16 oz concentrate makes over six gallons of usable spray, which is perfect if you’re looking for something economical.

It's OMRI Listed for organic use and doesn't affect beneficial insects once dried. That means you can apply it directly to the pests rather than covering the whole plant.

One important note: Don't spray during peak sun or temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, as it can cause leaf damage.

All Natural Bug Killer

Harris Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer, 4lb With Powder Duster

Diatomaceous earth is one of those products that sounds too simple to work, and yet it does. It's just fossilized algae ground into a powder, but the results speak for themselves. It kills insects mechanically rather than chemically: the microscopic sharp edges of the powder damage the exoskeleton of crawling insects as they move through it, causing them to dehydrate and die within 48 hours.

It's effective against ants, cockroaches, fleas, earwigs, silverfish, bed bugs, grasshoppers, and more, and as long as it stays dry, it works indefinitely. You can apply it in a thin layer along baseboards, in cracks and crevices, around entry points, and as a barrier around the base of plants. It comes with a little powder duster that makes precise application much easier. It’s safe to use around kids and pets when used as directed; just make sure to avoid breathing in the dust when you’re applying it.

Powered by Bacteria

Monterey Sluggo Plus Bundled With Measuring Spoon

Slugs and snails are the silent destroyers of the vegetable garden, and I’ve found myself outside at night killing slugs like a madwoman after finding them munching on my plants. They do a massive amount of damage in just one night, leaving tell-tale ragged holes and slime trails. Yuck!

Sluggo Plus tackles them with a combination of two natural ingredients: iron phosphate, which occurs naturally in soil and breaks down into fertilizer after use, and spinosad, derived from a soil-dwelling bacterium, which extends control to earwigs, cutworms, sowbugs, and pill bugs as well. Scatter the granules around affected plants in the evening when slugs and snails are most active, and within a few days, their population will dramatically fall.

It's OMRI Listed for organic use, safe around pets and wildlife, and remains effective even after rain or irrigation. This is actually a really crucial feature as slugs are often most active when it’s wet.

Safe for Pollinators

Bonide Captain Jack's Deadbug Brew

Where neem oil works by disrupting insects' hormones, Deadbug Brew works differently, and that's exactly why it earns its own place in the organic pest control toolkit. The active ingredient is spinosad, which is a naturally occurring soil bacterium originally discovered at an abandoned rum distillery in the Caribbean. It attacks the nervous system of target insects when ingested or touched, and is particularly effective against the harder-to-kill pests that neem oil doesn't cover, like caterpillars, bagworms, borers, codling moth, tent caterpillars, leaf miners, and thrips.

Most importantly, it doesn’t impact beneficial predatory insects like ladybugs or lacewings, making it a smart choice if you want to protect pollinators. It’s OMRI listed for organic use and safe on vegetables, fruits, berries, citrus, and ornamentals.

Animal Deterrent

Orbit Yard Enforcer Motion-Activated Sprinkler

When people hear pests, they often think of insects eating their precious veggies, but they aren’t the only pests. Deer, rabbits, squirrels, cats, and birds can do as much damage to a garden as any bug, and the Orbit Yard Enforcer is one of the most effective and humane ways to deal with them.

An infrared sensor detects movement up to 40 feet away and triggers a sudden burst of water. This startles animals and conditions them to avoid the area over time. No chemicals, no traps, no harm, just a bit of water. It covers up to 3,840 square feet and can be set to activate during the day only, night only, or around the clock depending on when your uninvited visitors tend to show up. It also functions as a regular timed sprinkler for garden watering, which makes it a dual-purpose purchase.

Can you ever have too many flowers in your garden? It's hard to believe, but the answer may be yes. “Too many” in this context just means more than you wanted. Although self-seeding flowers may seem like a godsend the first few years, you may get tired of seeing the same darn blossoms filling your landscape year after year – especially in parts of the garden where you don't want them. Once established, they can be hard to get rid of.

Self-seeding plants do the work for you. You plant them once and then they reseed themselves and provide new blooms every year. But they often come back in even greater numbers and ultimately become hard to control or remove. You can prevent this issue by avoiding the flowers that self-seed most prolifically.

Here are five flowers that fit into that category. Be sure you love them before you plant them – because they’ll keep coming back for quite a while!

Self-Seeding Flowers You May Regret

Take a close look at this list of self-seeding flowers. If you love them and are certain you will love them forever, go ahead and plant them. Otherwise, find another flower to plant that doesn’t self-seed so freely.

1. California Poppy

(Image credit: kenny hung photography/Getty Images)

This is a hard one for me to warn others about because I am totally in love with these vibrant orange and yellow papery blooms. California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is California’s state flower and it takes my breath away to see fields and fields of these flowers in bloom.

Poppies look delicate, but they are in fact tough as nails. They bloom profusely in poor, dry soil, and when they die, they form long seed pods that scatter the tiny seeds everywhere. Their deep taproots allow them to survive even in periods of drought, but the same taproots also make the poppies hard to eradicate once established.

2. Sweet Alyssum

(Image credit: TonyBaggett / Images)

You may be familiar with this popular low-growing annual, with its sweet honey-like fragrance and tiny white, pink, or purple flowers. Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) creates a colorful carpet of small blooms to blanket your garden or landscape. They move from seed to flower in less than two months.

Alyssum’s finest moments occur in cooler weather – it blooms best in spring and fall. In the fall, this annual’s tiny seeds explode across the entire garden bed, sometimes falling into cracks and pathways as well. It is a highly prolific self-seeder that pops up relentlessly year after year.

3. Forget-Me-Not

(Image credit: Jasenka Arbanas / Getty Images)

Forget-me-nots (Myosotis spp.) are yet another plant that can be termed prolific self-seeders. These beautiful shade-loving flowers will create a magnificent low-growing cloud of blue flowers with yellow or white eyes in April and May. The blooms are small with five lobes and appear in dense clusters in springtime.

But forget-me-nots are more resilient than their delicate appearance may suggest. Once established, these lovely flowers look to their future. They drop innumerable dark seeds in late summer.

Their sticky seeds can travel on clothing or pets to reseed in new locations. They often drop enough seeds to reseed the original patch as well. Their valiant self-seeding efforts can create an unyielding carpet of blue in your landscape.

4. Columbine

(Image credit: Photos from Japan, Asia and othe of the world / Getty Images)

Most of the tough self-seeding plants featured in this article look frilly and romantic at first glance. But few can equal the lyrical beauty of the ethereal and enchanting columbine (Aquilegia spp.) when it blooms from April through June.

This breathtakingly beautiful flower offers small bell-shaped blossoms with five petals nestled within five long backward-extending spurs. The petals can be red, pink, lavender, blue, yellow or white – or a combination of these shades. They have lacy, blue-green foliage that is also attractive.

But columbines bear seeds once they have flowered. As the seed pods dry out, they scatter their seeds freely. The tiny seeds can fall to the ground near the plant, but can also travel on the wind. They are quick to sprout whether they fall in full sun, dappled sun, or deep shade.

5. Johnny Jump-Up

(Image credit: y-studio / Getty Images)

Johnny jump-up (Viola tricolor) is a little, tricolor flower that makes people smile. The flower “faces” are cheerful shades of purple, yellow and white, and they appear on compact plants. These are also cool-weather plants, blooming best in the weather of spring and fall rather than summer.

Is Johnny jump-up a re-seeder? And how! It reseeds so freely that one small planting can carpet a bed with returning color for years. It can actually reseed and grow in virtually any location, so look for the flowers not just in garden beds, but along pathways, in gravel driveways, and even between stepping stones.

Shop Plant Control Must-Haves

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife

This editor-approved soil knife makes digging up unwanted self-seeding plants easy.

Frost King Polyethylene Sheeting, 10' X 25'

If you have a large area of unwanted plants or weeds you want to kill off, smothering them with black plastic sheeting is an effective method.

Grampa's Weeder Original Stand Up Weed Puller Tool

If you have individual plants you need to pull, Grampa's Weeder is so easy (and pretty fun!) to use.

Pothos is prized for its long vines and lush foliage, as well as its low-maintenance needs. Even newbies to growing houseplants can easily keep a pothos alive. That said, a little care here and there will ensure it thrives for years, help it to reach impressive dimensions, and keep it looking lush and vibrant while doing so. July is the heart of the growing season, a time when your pothos is growing faster than ever – so why not take advantage of the growth phase to tweak key elements of appearance and health?

July pothos care is really quite simple, but these little tasks make a huge difference. During peak summer, indoor light levels and ambient temperatures align to trigger rapid cell division in tropical vines. However, without a few deliberate tweaks, that sudden burst of energy can result in sparse, leggy growth or scorched foliage. If your indoor pal is looking a little tired or, conversely, is shooting off long, naked runners, then now is your prime window of opportunity to get on top of things.

Taking just 15 minutes this month to finetune your plant’s appearance and quality of living will set the stage for lush, dense growth over the next few months, and also give your pothos the foundation it needs to thrive year after year. Here’s how to give your gorgeous twining vine an easy-peasy July glow-up.

Quick Pothos Tasks in July

These simple tasks all work together to encourage longer vines, fuller growth, and healthier leaves. Your pothos will be well-positioned to thrive throughout the rest of summer and continue producing lush greenery well into fall. But before jumping into your pothos care routine, it helps to assess where your plant lives and how your local environment might be influencing its indoor climate.

Perhaps you live in a hot, dry climate (like USDA hardiness zones 9-11), where air conditioning constantly strips the indoor air of humidity? Or maybe you are growing your pothos in a cooler, humid region (zones 5-7), where windows are left open to invite summer breezes. Either way, your pothos will react to its surroundings. Container-bound vining plants also rely heavily on conditions within the pot.

(Image credit: Olga Yastremska / Getty Images)

Setting aside just 20-30 minutes for prep work pays huge dividends. Check for early signs of common summer pests, like spider mites or mealybugs, which thrive in dry indoor conditions, and tackle early issues with a diluted neem oil spray. Next, test the density and moisture level of your soil mix. Compacted, nutrient-depleted soil cannot support the vine expansion typical of summer growth. Keeping a moisture monitor like the XLUX Soil Moisture Meter from Amazon on hand takes the guesswork out of root-zone checks, so you can be sure existing moisture levels are healthy.

If your soil has degraded or lost its airy texture, grab a bag of high-drainage substrate like Miracle-Gro Potting Mix for Tropicals from The Home Depot. It’s a good idea to topdress your houseplant potting soil before tackling these care steps. This will help to refresh the pot without suffocating delicate roots, and will balance drainage before you start on these key pothos tasks for July.

1. Water Your Pothos Regularly

(Image credit: Grumpy Cow Studios / Getty Images)

Pothos is very forgiving, but it grows best with consistently moist soil. Water is especially important in July, when growth is rapid and indoor air tends to be dry. The best way to water is to give the potting soil a good soaking infrequently. Let the water run out of the drainage holes. When the top inch or two (5 cm) is dry, water again. While your pothos likes moist soil, it doesn’t like soggy roots, so empty the saucer under the container after watering, or raise the plant on risers or pot toes, like these sweet Tortoise Decorative Pot Toes for Planters, available from Walmart.

Highly variegated cultivars like N'Joy or Manjula have less chlorophyll and slightly slower transpiration rates than solid green or Jade pothos. This makes them more sensitive to overwatering. Conversely, fast-growing Golden or Blue Cebu will drink rapidly during heatwaves. If you neglect deep watering, you risk root desiccation, which leads to yellowing lower leaves and premature leaf drop along the main vines.

For controlled hydration that won't wash away surface soil, a narrow-spout watering vessel like the Vatenkrasse Ivory and Gold Watering Can from Ikea ensures even delivery directly to the root zone. You can expect to see perked-up, turgid leaves within 12-24 hours of a deep soak.

2. Protect from Bright Light

(Image credit: Grumpy Cow Studio / Getty Images)

This is an easy plant to grow indoors: indirect light, dappled light, and filtered light all work well. Indeed, it is often too much sunlight that can cause issues. Direct afternoon rays passing through window glass act like a magnifying glass, causing irreversible foliar sunburn. Variegated varieties like Snow Queen or Marble Queen are especially vulnerable, because their white sectors lack protective pigments.

If the July sun is too intense in your plant’s usual spot, move it for a while. Remove it from very bright windows, place it outside under a patio, or move it to an east or north-facing window. Too much direct sunlight can scorch leaves, ultimately killing them. Definitely don’t shock the plant by moving it straight from a dim interior room to an unshaded outdoor patio. Intense UV light can bleach leaves pretty quickly.

To maintain high humidity without harsh sun exposure, especially if keeping your plant near a bright bathroom window, consider softening direct rays with a decorative window film like the Rabbitgoo Frosted Window Privacy Film from Amazon. If shifting your plant away from natural windows leaves it in too dark a corner, use a gentle, full-spectrum light source, like the Maystar Full Spectrum 2000W Dual Switch Grow Lamp from Walmart. Adjusting light exposure yields noticeable results within a week, preventing further leaf loss and encouraging rich color development.

3. Feed Lightly

(Image credit: Jacob Wackerhausen / Getty Images)

Pothos plants don’t always need to be fertilized. Again, they are forgiving plants. They can grow well in rich and poor soil. If you never fertilized it, the plant would survive. That said, a little light feeding while it’s putting out new growth will keep it healthy and vigorous. Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer about once a month in the summer. For gentle, consistent nourishment, use a balanced liquid formula like Back to the Roots Organic Indoor Plant Food from Amazon.

These plants don’t need a lot of extra nutrients, so use the fertilizer at half strength. Ensure the root system is pre-dampened to prevent chemical burn. Water the pot thoroughly along with the fertilizer to reduce the risk of scorching the roots. To boost root vigor and enhance natural leaf sheen, you can also add a tiny splash of a seaweed tonic, such as Neptune’s Harvest Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer from Walmart. Within 2-3 weeks of a gentle July feed, you should see glossier unfurling leaves.

Supplying a light, balanced diet now ensures that new leaves open at their full potential size, with rich pigmentation and thick, durable cuticles. Skipping fertilizer entirely during active summer growth may not be the end of the world, but it often leads to small, pale leaves and thin, fragile stems. Just don’t go too far the other way with heavy formulas. These can cause salt buildup and brown leaf tips.

4. Prune and Propagate for Denser Growth

(Image credit: Liudmila Chernetska / Getty Images)

Pothos is very good at putting out long, trailing vines. In the wild, the vines can grow as long as 70 feet (21 meters). If you are seeing long, stringy vines, you can trim your pothos in July to encourage growth to branch out. Try pruning the longest vine to a point just above a leaf node. This will stimulate the vine to split, giving denser, bushier growth. To ensure clean cuts, use precision cutters like Fiskars Micro-Tip Pruning Snips from Amazon and sterilize before and after. Don't remove more than 25-30% of the total plant foliage in one session, as this can shock the root system.

As a bonus, you can take select cuttings to create a new plant. You can either pot up your cuttings or place them in a glass or jar of water. Select healthy cuttings with 2-3 nodes for propagation. Root your fresh summer cuttings in style, using a tabletop propagation setup like the Mkono Plant Propagation Station from Amazon, or the Arlmont & Co Plant Terrarium with Wooden Stand from Wayfair for a modern yet organic twist. Cuttings placed in water will begin throwing out white water roots within 10 to 14 days during July's warm window.

5. Give New Growth Something to Climb

(Image credit: Isabel Pavia / Getty Images)

Most pothos plants grow vines that trail from pots and baskets. In their natural habitat, pothos vines will climb. Provide a vertical support, and you’ll be rewarded with larger leaves than if they trail. Since pothos puts out new growth in July, this is a great time to tackle this simple task. Try a small trellis that you can sink into the soil of the pot or secure to the outside of the container. One pretty trellis frame that slides into the pot is the WellSign Honeycomb Potted Plant Trellis from Amazon.

Another option is to use a moss pole. You can also make your own moss pole, or you can get one ready made. For a natural option, try Lanney Moss Poles for Plants from Walmart. Secure your trailing vines gently along the pole or trellis, using soft, adjustable ties like Velcro One-Wrap Garden Ties from Lowe’s. Within 3-4 weeks of securing aerial roots to a moist support, you will observe new leaves emerging that are much larger than their trailing counterparts.

In their native tropical environments, pothos are epiphytic climbers. When aerial roots contact a sturdy, moist surface, the plant signals its mature phase, producing larger leaves with structural integrity. Leaving vines to hang downward keeps the foliage in a juvenile state, where leaves remain small and uniform. Providing vertical climbing real estate in July takes full advantage of aerial root development. Keep moss poles slightly damp to encourage aerial roots to latch on firmly.

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