Latest articles by Mary Ellen Ellis
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Why Are My Houseplant Leaves Dropping Off in November?Find out what's causing your precious plant to forgo its foliage, and when it's a cause for concern.
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How and When to Cut Back Black-Eyed Susans – Get the Timing Right for Gorgeous Flowers Next YearShould you tidy up fading stems or leave them standing? The answer depends on plant health, your garden's appearance, and the birds that visit.
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What to Do With Your Lawn in November – 6 Quick Checks You Need to Make Now to Get Ready for WinterFall yard cleanups tend to focus on weather-beaten perennials and messy plant skeletons lingering in beds and borders – but don’t neglect your backyard’s biggest plant!
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Buy These 6 Perennials “Bare-Root” This Fall – You'll Save Money and Enjoy Gorgeous Flowers for YearsThey might not look like much right now, but these unassuming bare roots hold the promise of a spectacular garden. Plant them now or in spring for years of joy.
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Is It Too Late to Plant Amaryllis for Christmas? Here's How to Get Gorgeous Blooms in TimeThe clock is ticking, but there's still hope for a festive flower show. Choosing the right bulbs and growing conditions can make all the difference.
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What Your Hydrangeas Need in November – 5 Ways to Get Plants Winter-Ready and Kickstart Your Best Blooms EverAlthough hydrangea flowerheads can look pretty framed against a winter landscape, it’s important not to leave them to their own devices this month. Make a little time in November for these care essentials
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Plant These 8 Hardy Vegetables in November – They’re Easy to Grow for Fresh Winter and Spring HarvestsThink your vegetable garden is finished for the year? Not so fast. Some crops relish cooler temperatures and can shrug off a little frost.
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What Your Dahlias Need Most After the First Frost Hits – 5 Ways to Save Your Favorite Blooms for Next YearThe season may be winding down but there’s plenty you can do now to protect those tubers so your dahlias come back stronger next summer. These 5 secrets unlock your best blooms ever
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These 7 Plants Need Pruning Before Winter – November is Your Last Chance to Make the CutAs the growing season winds down, some plants benefit from a final tidy-up. But knowing what to cut – and what to leave alone – is crucial.
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What to Do With Azaleas and Rhododendrons in Fall – 7 Winter Prep Tips to Protect Next Spring's BloomsThose gorgeous flowers are months away, but their buds are already waiting. The right fall care can make all the difference when warmer days return.
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Remove These 7 Flower Thugs Before They Self-Seed Everywhere – Or You’ll Be Digging Them Up Next YearEven the loveliest flowering ornamentals can cause problems if left to self-seed. Fall is the time to remove these key bloomers before they take over your backyard
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Don’t Leave These 7 Bulbs and Tubers in the Ground Over Winter – Lift Them Now Before Your Soil FreezesThe next few weeks can make or break some of your favorite bulbs and tubers so don’t leave things to chance and lose next year’s blooms to extreme winter cold. Lift these 7 gorgeous garden classics to safeguard your future flowers
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What Your Hostas Need in October – 6 Easy Ways to Guarantee Strong Plants and Lush LeavesWhile October signals dormancy for hostas, there are some very easy things you can do this month to give your leafy beauties a head start next year
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What to Do with Your Lilies in October – 5 Easy Ways to Unlock Stronger Plants and Bigger Blooms Next YearThe journey to your best lilies ever starts this month with some simple wins. Here's what to tick off before winter kicks in to be sure of towering stems and majestic lily blooms
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What to Do With Irises in October – 6 Tips to Get Them Winter-Ready and Ensure Gorgeous Spring FlowersNot all irises need the same fall care. Knowing what to cut back, what to leave alone, and how to protect their roots makes all the difference.
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7 Underused Shrubs and Perennials to Plant in October for Extraordinary Fall Color that Lasts into WinterLooking beyond standard mums and burning bushes for dazzling fall color? These hidden gems bring vibrant foliage, berries, and lasting winter tone and structure to your yard
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Grow a Bonchi Pepper Tree This Fall – Give Your Peppers a Second Life as a Unique Indoor BonsaiIf you love growing peppers and fancy squeezing a little more life out of them over winter, this indoor trend makes it possible to appreciate them in a whole new way
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What Your Roses Need in October – 6 Things to Get Right for a Fabulous Flower Show Next YearFrom the last glorious flowers to the first chilly nights, October brings a change in priorities for rose lovers. Here's where to focus your efforts.
