How to Grow and Care for Yarrow Plants

The Yarrow plant is easy to care for, this garden beauty attracts pollinators is drought-tolerant, and insect resistant. Yarrow plants are aromatic or fragrant. This garden beauty is native to Eurasia and is found widely from the UK to China and North America, yarrows can be found commonly growing in grassland and open forest.

Yarrows belongs to the family Asteraceae, they were described as a genus by Linnaeus in 1753, the genus was named after the Greek mythological character Achilles. Sunflowers, aster, zinnias, and chrysanthemums also belong to this family.

What also makes yarrow a must-have is its healing properties that aid in reducing fever, treating muscle cramps or muscles that are swollen, and minor wounds.  This perennial can grow in your flower or herb garden and can be used as a ground cover or border plant.

The flowers of the yarrow plant are showy and come in colors of pink, yellow, red, gold, or orange improving the appearance of your garden and landscapes however, this North American plant is invasive which is why it’s important to give yarrows space to go for themselves. For more on how to grow and care for yarrows continue reading.

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 Cast Iron Plant Grow Guide

Cast irons are low-maintenance plants that are easy to care for and will go to work for you by bringing that much-needed flavor into your outdoor as well as indoor living space.  The five-star resort where I once worked as an interior plantscape designer had these plants installed in the lobby areas as well as garden walking pathways. There are many varieties to chose from which some include’ Hoshi-zora’, ‘ Variegata’, ‘Lennon’s Song,’ Asahi’ etc…

The cast iron plant is known for its durability, it is a tough hardy plant that can survive under just about any condition. The cast iron ( Aspidistra elatior ) or bar-room plant by which it is name is native to Japan and Taiwan, this plant has tough leathery foliage and is a popular house plant.

Cast iron is also cultivated to be grown outdoors, in some parts of the United States cast iron is used as a ground cover in shaded areas. The cast iron is family to lilies and produces small purple flowers that grow near the soil’s surface and are hidden by the leaves. Even when neglected the cast iron will still thrive. For more on this hardy plant which has been widely accepted growing both commercially and in many home gardens, let’s take a closer look.

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Tips on How to Care for Dusty Millers

Dusty millers are herbaceous sub-shrub in the Asteraceae family and are native to the Mediterranean regions. There are many types of dusty millers that include ‘New Look’, ‘Cirrus’, ‘Silver Lace’, ‘Silver’ Dust’etc… these garden beauties that produce beautiful yellow flowers are commonly used as an annual bedding plant and grow from 6 t0 12 inches. What I also love about the dusty miller is that it is drought-tolerant and not fussy at all when it comes to maintenance.

Deers and rabbits avoid dusty millers so planting them along the edge of your planters and pots will keep them away because they (dusty millers) are deer and rabbit resistant.

As far as I can remember I first saw this plant I believe while in a neighborhood passing a home that was nicely landscaped many years ago. I was so impressed by the appearance of dusty millers that I went and did research to find out what plant species this was, I was even taken by the name of this plant that stuck with me from that day until now.

The dusty miller does not only have a unique name but also an appearance that will have heads turning. This garden beauty can stand out among garden plants becoming a real show stopper. Since that day I have seen dusty millers all over the country in garden and landscaping designs. The dusty miller leaves are a gray-silver color with a velvety texture that is so stunning. For more on how to care for the dusty miller let’s take a closer look.

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 Growing and Caring for the Agave Plant

Agave belongs to the family Asparagaceae and is a genus of monocot native to regions that are hot and arid, this drought-tolerant plant dates back as far as the Aztec Civilization that is now northern Mexico. The sap called pulque was central to religious rituals rights and sacrifices, agave or the century plant is used widely in low maintenance gardens because of its ability to go weeks without water. This garden beauty is native to South and Central America and also Mexico.

American Indians use agave fiber to make twine, today the fiber is used by manufacturers in the textile industry, other companies use the fiber of agave in green products to make slippers, washcloths, spa products, belts, and artisan crafts.

There are more than 450 species of agaves, some of them have spiny thorns that are dangerous and can cause server injury which we will be discussing a bit later. Agaves are succulent plants that have long leaves, some species of agaves display a beautiful flower that really stands out but the flip side of the coin is once the flower is produced the parent plant dies leaving behind pups. Agaves are a must-have for your garden and landscape areas. For more on the installation and care of agave continue reading.

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