After a long, dreary, gray winter, we all want to welcome the spring season with a burst of color. And the more colors, the better! As you consider the beautiful… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 11 hours ago
A freelance writer in Cincinnati, OH, Mike is passionate about the natural world. He, his wife, and their two sons love the outdoors, especially camping and exploring US National Parks. A former pastor, he also writes faith-based content to encourage and inspire. And, for reasons inexplicable, Mike allows Cincinnati sports teams to break his heart every year.
After a long, dreary, gray winter, we all want to welcome the spring season with a burst of color. And the more colors, the better! As you consider the beautiful… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 11 hours ago
From the eastern coastal regions to the mountain foothills of the Upstate, South Carolina beckons us to go outdoors. Whether it’s a stroll on the beach or a hike through… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 2 days ago
Trees are essential to life. They absorb carbon dioxide and then release the oxygen that we breathe. Their roots prevent life-altering, if not fatal, soil erosion and landslides. Many communities,… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 3 days ago
The cherry blossom bloom in California heralds the arrival of spring each year. The Golden State shines even brighter when these pastel pink and white blossoms color the landscape. It… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 3 days ago
The phrase “Washington cherry blossoms” may immediately bring to mind the world-famous blooms of Washington, DC’s cherry blossoms. That’s understandable. The blooms in the U.S. capital are magnificent, to be… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 4 days ago
Tennessee is certainly most well-known for its music and its mountains, but that’s just the beginning of what the Volunteer State has to offer. For plant lovers, the flora of… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 5 days ago
Most people know about the cherry blossoms that adorn the Washington, DC landscape each spring. It’s a stunning spectacle, no doubt. But New York should not be overlooked when considering… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 5 days ago
This ancient tree has stories to tell. Stories of history, survival, human error, and lessons learned. These are the stories of Prometheus and its rings, the oldest living tree ever… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 7 days ago
When cherry blossoms appear each spring, many people immediately think of Washington, DC. The U.S. capital features a spring display of cherry blossoms that is known around the world. But… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 1 week ago
When it comes to South Carolina trees, the native sabal palmetto tree commands most of the attention. The tree has been on the state seal since 1777 and the state… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 1 week ago
When it comes to cherry blossoms, Georgia may not be the first U.S. locale that comes to mind. For most people, their thoughts will immediately turn to Washington, DC. Each… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 1 week ago
The most famous location to view spring cherry blossoms in the United States is undoubtedly in the nation’s capital. The arrival of the cherry blossoms in Washington, DC is a… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 1 week ago
Many succulents seem to almost thrive on neglect. Because they require such minimal care, it’s easy for a beginning (or forgetful) gardener to create a succulent plant display that will… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 2 weeks ago
Nothing is hotter in the gardening world right now than succulents. The ease of care combined with the seemingly endless interesting varieties of plants have made succulents popular with novice… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 2 weeks ago
Cacti and succulents are often lumped together. While they do share similar characteristics, there are some differences. Around 60 different plant families are classified as succulents, while cacti are all… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 2 weeks ago
Similar to music, plants can elicit a wealth of different emotions. Some add feelings of serenity and peace. When viewing these plants, it's as if you planted your favorite smooth… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 2 weeks ago
The national flower of Ireland is the shamrock which, interestingly, is not a flower in the truest sense. But, given how connected the shamrock is with Irish culture, we won’t… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 2 weeks ago
While it is the tenth-largest state in the United States in terms of land area, Wyoming is also the least populous. With so much land and so little urbanization, much… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 2 weeks ago
Wisconsin may be best known as America’s Dairyland to those outside the state. Their thoughts may also turn to the breweries of Milwaukee. While Wisconsinites do indeed produce some delicious… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 3 weeks ago
Situated in the heart of the Great Plains, Nebraska's plant hardiness zones are much more uniform than those in many other states. Nebraska ranges from Zones 4b to 5b, with… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 3 weeks ago
California is the third largest US state in land area, with nearly 156,000 square miles of land within its borders. It is also one of the most topographically and climatologically… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 3 weeks ago
With its low-lying typography and low latitude, Louisiana consistently ranks among the top three hottest states in the United States each year. The state's climate is largely influenced by its… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 3 weeks ago
Positioned in the Deep South of the United States, Alabama consistently ranks among the top ten hottest-weather US states each year. With the Gulf of Mexico as its southern border,… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 3 weeks ago
Succulents are all the rage among plant enthusiasts, with good reason. They are usually low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants that come in a virtually endless variety of structures and colors. Whether it’s… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 3 weeks ago
When we think of Georgia garden flowers, most of us will immediately consider petunias, geraniums, impatiens, and other classics that thrive in those hot Peach State summers. Far fewer will… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 3 weeks ago
New Mexico is the fifth largest state in the US, so it's not surprising that it has a considerable range of climate zones within its borders. Hardiness zones in the… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 4 weeks ago
We all love those wonderful spring flowers. They remind us that a cold, dreary winter is over, and warm, sunny days are on the way. But if you want a… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 4 weeks ago
Hawaii may be a paradise for many of us, but tulips see things differently. Tulips, and other bulb flowers, require a cold stratification period that lasts for several months in… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 4 weeks ago
The succulent craze shows no signs of slowing down, and why would it? Succulents come in a vast array of structural designs and colors that make these plants endlessly interesting.… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 4 weeks ago
Maybe you dreamed of growing your own jelly beans as a kid. Good news…you can! (You don’t want to eat these jelly beans, though. They are toxic.) The jelly bean… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 4 weeks ago
Succulent plants are popular in gardens and as houseplants for many reasons, not the least of which is their ease of care. Succulents can thrive even with mild neglect, making… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 4 weeks ago
Utah has one of the largest spreads of climate zones in the United States, ranging from Zone 4a in the northern mountains to Zone 9b in the southwest. This creates… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 4 weeks ago
While there are many gorgeous flowers to enjoy in the spring, the tulip really steals the show. These beauties can thrive in a wide swath of US climate zones, including… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 4 weeks ago
While Arizona is best known for its desert climate, that is not the only climate zone to be found in the state. The varying climates produce a diversity of magnificent… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 2 months ago
Located between the Dominican Republic and the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States and home to almost 4 million people. The tropical climate and… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 2 months ago
Despite its relatively small size, the archipelagic nation of the Philippines boasts the fifth-highest number of plant species in the world, including some of the most striking flowers on earth. Interestingly,… Read More
By Mike Edmisten 2 months ago