A Beautiful Home & Garden Made Easy
Shannon Caringi 
Do you want to update your patio? Here is a real life example of a patio makeover with a small sitting area. It will inspire you to transform your outdoor living area into a tropical retreat! Go to www.trilliumlivingllc.com to see the before and after photos and a video tour of the garden!
Perennials are a category of plants that live from year to year and can survive the winters in northern climates. Perennials are known for their exquisite flowers and/or beautiful foliage making them a must-have for any landscape. Some of my all-time favorite plants are perennials. There is just something different about them when compared to annuals (click here if you need a refresher on annuals). The blooms are more detailed and intricate, the foliage is more rich and striking. And for some, the fragrance is amazing. The obvious advantage of having perennials in your landscape is that you plant them once and they return each spring. I have found that this is definitely a plus as I get older and time and energy become valuable resources! Consequently, you will be seeing more perennials in my yard! Here are some easy-to-grow perennials that will thrive in your landscape.
Does mom want a hanging basket for Mothers’ Day, but has trouble keeping them beautiful all summer? Through some trial and error, my mom and I have found the best type of hanging basket to buy. Read more…
If you are planning on buying your mom cut flowers for Mother’s Day, here are some great tips for selecting the freshest available. Cut flowers sometimes get “bad press” that they die quickly, but I honestly have had very few negative experiences. I find that most retailers keep inventory fresh and the flowers last a week or more. Also below are tips for caring for fresh flowers. Pass them along to your mom so that she can enjoy her Mother’s Day flowers to the fullest.
This article contains links, which if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. One of the most economical and easy ways to start a flower or vegetable garden is to plant seeds directly into your garden. The return on the investment in a packet … Read more
Learn how to plant annual flowers for a beautiful garden.
Learn how to select the annual flowers that will thrive in your yard.
This article contains affiliate links for advertisers of this site. Forcing Spring-Flowering Bulbs Indoors Here in the Midwest, spring-flowering bulbs like daffodils, tulips, crocus, grape hyacinth, and hyacinths are long-awaited after a snowy winter. I enjoy looking for them in my neighbors’ yards when I am out and about. Their bright, clear colors are a … Read more
This article contains links, which if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. For many of us, after we enjoy our Easter lilies indoors, we can plant them in our flower garden. Easter lilies will survive winters in zones 5 and higher. This includes … Read more
Show anyone a white lily and they will know it’s a symbol of Easter. It isn’t uncommon that plants become associated with holidays- poinsettias at Christmas and clover at St. Patrick’s Day. And there is always an interesting history behind the symbolism. Lilium longiflorum (Easter lily) is no exception. Easter Lilies- A Symbol … Read more