Marianne Lipanovich

Grow Papery Ranunculus Blooms for Cheery Garden Charm (9 photos)

October 29, 2017 Marianne Lipanovich 0

It may take a second glance to realize that ranunculus flowers are real, given their resemblance to the paper flowers that children make. It’s even more amazing to realize these beauties come from tuberous roots that resemble a clod of dirt with prongs or tentacles growing from it. Persian ranunculus…

Grow Papery Ranunculus Blooms for Cheery Garden Charm (9 photos)

October 29, 2017 Marianne Lipanovich 0

It may take a second glance to realize that ranunculus flowers are real, given their resemblance to the paper flowers that children make. It’s even more amazing to realize these beauties come from tuberous roots that resemble a clod of dirt with prongs or tentacles growing from it. Persian ranunculus…

Plant Freesias for Sweet-Smelling Blooms in Spring (6 photos)

October 25, 2017 Marianne Lipanovich 0

Brightly colored freesias are a choice bulb for warm-winter climates. They can’t handle the chilly weather that many other bulbs need. Instead, they thrive where they get winter and spring rains and summer drought. If that describes your climate zone, then plant these bulbs in fall for almost guaranteed…

How Smart Is Your Irrigation System? (3 photos)

October 21, 2017 Marianne Lipanovich 0

An automated irrigation system may be more efficient than watering by hand, but it doesn’t ensure that you’re providing the amount of water your plants need or even helping save a precious resource. Once you’ve set a traditional controller, you still have to make manual adjustments.…

Plant Fritillary Bulbs for Something a Little Different (7 photos)

October 19, 2017 Marianne Lipanovich 0

All fritillaries (Fritillaria spp.) have bell-shaped dropping flowers, but otherwise you might never guess they’re related. Some, such as the imperial fritillary, are tall and in-your-face, while others, such as the checkered lily, are shorter and subtler. Some have clumps of leaves that reach…

Plant Easygoing Grape Hyacinth for Reliable Repeat Blooms (10 photos)

October 11, 2017 Marianne Lipanovich 0

Grape hyacinths (Muscari spp.) are truly plant-and-forget bulbs. Get them in the ground in fall, and then come spring — and for years to come — their distinctive, relatively long-lasting blooms and sweet, light fragrance will add ground-level color to your garden. They get their name from their…

12 Classic Bulbs for Spring Blooms (21 photos)

October 7, 2017 Marianne Lipanovich 0

Spring bulbs are amazing. One small, brown, often misshapen package contains everything needed to produce roots, leaves and a beautiful flower (or flowers). Bulbs are easy to grow, have relatively few pests and diseases, can go in the ground or into a…

12 Classic Bulbs for Spring Blooms (21 photos)

October 7, 2017 Marianne Lipanovich 0

Spring bulbs are amazing. One small, brown, often misshapen package contains everything needed to produce roots, leaves and a beautiful flower (or flowers). Bulbs are easy to grow, have relatively few pests and diseases, can go in the ground or into a…

Fall Planting: No Bulb Garden Is Complete Without Hyacinths (6 photos)

October 2, 2017 Marianne Lipanovich 0

The familiar Dutch hyacinth hybrids, derived from Hyacinthus orientalis, are known for their plump flower spikes filled with single or double blooms in shades of white, peach, yellow, orange, pink, salmon, red, blue, lavender and purple, as well as th…

Fall Planting: No Bulb Garden Is Complete Without Hyacinths (6 photos)

October 2, 2017 Marianne Lipanovich 0

The familiar Dutch hyacinth hybrids, derived from Hyacinthus orientalis, are known for their plump flower spikes filled with single or double blooms in shades of white, peach, yellow, orange, pink, salmon, red, blue, lavender and purple, as well as th…