Roses are a timeless classic. These beautiful, delicate plants have captured the hearts of gardeners for ages, and they're a wonderful addition to just about any garden. Many new gardeners… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Fern Damron is a writer at A-Z Animals who covers a variety of topics including plant life, gardening, and geology. They live off-grid in the Southeast U.S. and have been working to restore local Appalachian ginseng stands since 2020.
Roses are a timeless classic. These beautiful, delicate plants have captured the hearts of gardeners for ages, and they're a wonderful addition to just about any garden. Many new gardeners… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
If someone told you that the world's most colorful tree earned its title for its bark and not its flowers or leaves, would you believe them? If you didn't, you'd… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Many species of wild roses call Idaho their Idahome — and with such a diversity of climate zones throughout the state, that's probably no surprise. While there are several native… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
If you're just getting started in the art of bonsai, you may be wondering what tools are best to use when working with your tree. With so many cuts to… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Growing roses in Arizona presents some unique challenges. The high temperatures and intense summer sunlight can scorch roses in a hurry. Add to this heat the fact that roses are… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Although lengthy, growing your roses from seed is a rewarding process. With a bit of patience and persistence, anyone of any skill level can do it. There are several steps… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Key Points Wild roses are easy to grow and thrive on neglect, making them a great option for gardeners. Tennessee is home to four species of wild roses that have… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
The official South Dakota state insect is the European honeybee, Apis mellifera. State legislators formally adopted the animal into the list of official state symbols in 1978 to highlight its importance to… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Traditionally, the art of bonsai involves meticulous pruning and shaping of a tree to make it grow in miniature. But did you know that other types of plants can be… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
While they are often used in landscaping, yews also make for excellent bonsai trees. Their resilient nature and strong wood make them well-suited for shaping and styling. Versatility in terms… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
In 1992, state legislators designated the European honeybee as the Oklahoma state insect. Because of its important role in agricultural pollination and contribution to the global food supply, 16 other… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Swordtails are everywhere in the aquarium trade. You can find them at virtually any big box pet store or specialty aquatics shop. They are popular among new and experienced aquarists… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Over the last several decades, multiple non-native spiders have begun to appear across Texas. As recently as 2022, there have been sightings of another, recently introduced species that have left… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
In 1975, the state of Florida formally adopted the sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) as its state saltwater fish. These impressive ocean fish are plentiful in the state's open waters. Sailfish are… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Regardless of where you live, you've probably dealt with swarms of tiny biting gnats at some point. There are thousands of species of biting gnats and midges and over 600… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Koi, which means "love" or "affection" in Japanese, have been raised in captivity for centuries for a variety of purposes. Originally raised as a source of food, koi fish eventually… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Although they all belong to the family Carangidae, jackfish are a varied bunch. There are over 150 species of jackfish belonging to numerous genera, and they can be found in… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Key Points The largemouth bass is a dull, olive-green color and is easily the biggest species in its genus. They put up an exciting fight on the end of a… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
As early as 9,000 years ago, humans domesticated wild hogs in Eurasia. As trade and transportation developed, people were able to transport them all across the globe. Today, many wild… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Everything is bigger in Texas, they say. In hunting terms, this means record-setting big game like whitetail deer crisscross the state, enticing hunters to take their shot. Two species of… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Did you know that you can grow palm trees indoors? You may be surprised to learn that many species do great in the range of temperatures and light levels that… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
If you're considering planting a palm tree in your landscape, it is important to understand how its root system functions. How deep should you plant your palm? Should you trim… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
No matter where in the world you live, you are almost assuredly able to grow a fan palm tree in your climate. Far from being just tropical trees, fan palms… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Looking for a small, versatile palm to add a tropical feel to your home's landscape? The Robellini palm may be a great fit for you. Its gorgeous, textured trunk and… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
The huacrapona palm is a species of South American palm that is not commonly cultivated in other parts of the world. It is extremely common across its native range and… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
If you live somewhere with warm winters, odds are you've seen a Christmas palm. They're very popular ornamental plants that are showy, adaptable, and easy to care for. Due to… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
The Chinese fan palm makes for a decorative addition to the warm-weather landscape. Compared to other palms, its beautifully unique fronds lend a softer, more peaceful feel to outdoor living… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
The Bismarck palm is a stately and sought-after landscaping tree. Its great stature, wide crown, and stunning frond color make it a popular addition to warm-weathered, open landscapes. They are… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
The sago palm is an impressive and aesthetically pleasing plant. It is used in a variety of landscaping applications and makes for a wonderful, long-lived, and hardy houseplant. Because of… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
The banana palm is an important plant all over the globe. Its deliciously sweet fruits are rich in fiber and potassium and are key ingredients in many dishes. People grow… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Bottle palm trees are popular landscaping plants in the warm, coastal areas of the southern United States. Because of their unique, bottle-shaped trunks, they make for eye-catching specimen plants or… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
If you live anywhere on the east coast of the United States, you have almost certainly come into contact with the kudzu vine. It, along with Chinese privet, is a… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Bamboo plants are vigorous growers that can survive in a wide range of environments. They are often known for their ability to spread quickly and aggressively. Even slower-growing clumping varieties can… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Growing healthy bamboo is rewarding. It not only adds refreshing visual interest to an outdoor space but can provide shade and privacy as well. If you’re considering growing bamboo in… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
There are many plants that can be taken from their native environments and brought inside. Many of these come from tropical environments where year-round temperatures match the range of the… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Bamboos are incredibly diverse. These giant grasses are classified into about 100 genera which contain over 1400 distinct species. They exhibit numerous different colors and patterns, as well as varying… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Odds are, you’ve come across lucky bamboo plants for sale at your local grocery or hardware store. They are usually sold in small vases of water or in pots full… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Bamboo plants can create breathtaking landscape effects, from stately columns and elegant dividers to large, peaceful shade groves. They grow in a wide variety of colors, heights, and culm thicknesses,… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Whether you're considering using bamboo in your landscape, are a conservationist, or are just interested in identifying your local flora, learning to distinguish between bamboo species and their lookalikes can… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
When most people think of bamboo in the landscape, they seem to imagine dense, uncontrollable groves of towering plants that engulf their surroundings. While many species may do just that,… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Whether you're new to gardening or have been doing it all your life, planting a flower garden is a rewarding and enriching experience. With endless possible plant groupings, layouts, and… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Gardeners and florists around the world seek out freesias for their uniquely fragrant and vividly colorful flowers. These warm-weather plants are relatively flexible regarding their growing conditions. They can grow… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
If you're anxious to kickstart the spring color in your yard and garden, scillas are an excellent planting option. They produce their true blue flowers very early in the spring. Some… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Whether you are new to bonsai or are considering adding another specimen to your collection, the hackberry bonsai tree is a good choice. These trees make for hardy specimens that… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Whether you’re growing them competitively for exhibitions or as a hobby at home to brighten up your yard, the Gladiolus is a wonderful bulb to cultivate this spring. Their plentiful… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
When you think of the spring garden, you probably think of elegant, showy flower blossoms in all shades of the rainbow. You may not be very familiar, then, with caladiums.… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Having been cultivated since antiquity, the lily has earned its famed position in the hearts of gardeners and florists all over the world. It is this popularity of its iconic… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Planting flower bulbs in the spring is a common undertaking for many home gardeners. If you live in the warmer climates of the United States and are looking to add some… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
Dahlias are perhaps one of the most diverse and widely cultivated families of spring-blooming flowers all across the world and are adored by gardeners and florists alike. They afford the… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago
If you want to grow roses in your Delaware garden and are wondering which cultivars are right for you, you're in luck. There are more than 300 species of roses… Read More
By Fern Damron 2 years ago