
Mary Ellen Ellis
Mary Ellen Ellis is an amateur gardener and freelance writer who lives in the Detroit area. She has degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry and is a former high school science teacher. She has been gardening for more than 20 years and writing professionally for 15. Mary Ellen is the proud owner of only a few houseplants because she has cats who cannot stop chewing on them. Because of this she has developed a hobby growing terrarium plants that cats can’t reach.
Latest articles by Mary Ellen Ellis
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What to Do with Your Spider Plant in May – 6 Easy Ways to Ensure Lush Leaves and Lots of SpiderettesDon't let your favorite houseplant stall this spring. Jumpstart your spider plant's growth with this essential May checklist.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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Azalea Care Made Easy: Your Complete Guide for Bright Blooms and Healthy Shrubs Year After YearMastering azalea care doesn't require much work, but you should know a few helpful tips for the best success. From planting to pruning, this guide has it all.
By Nikki Tilley
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White Hydrangea Varieties: Our Top 8 Shrubs That Will Make Your Garden PopWant a striking look in your garden this summer? The vivid white of these hydrangea flowers stands out strong against deep green foliage.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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7 Best Houseplants to Make Your Porch Pop: These Beauties Work Outdoors and Will Transition Indoors When the Weather CoolsTry these wonderful selections to add a pop of color to your front porch in the summer and then bring their verdant beauty indoors in the winter.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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What to Do With Lilacs After They Finish Blooming in May – 5 Essential Jobs (and the Mistake That Could Cost You Next Year’s Flowers)What you do straight after flowering determines next year’s display – these simple steps help lilacs recover, stay healthy, and produce more blooms.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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What to Do for Hydrangeas in May for Big Blooms & Strong Summer Growth – 6 Easy Tasks to Do Now Before Shrubs Start FloweringHere’s what you need to do in May to set up hydrangeas for a summer full of stunning blooms and strong, healthy growth.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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Do You Know the Most Aromatic Plants for Every Time of Day? Why You Should Be Planting for Morning, Noon, and Evening FragranceYou may think of fragrant plants as always on, but the truth is some are more potent at certain times of day. If you are looking for a scent-soaked evening patio or a burst of morning balcony freshness, find out which plants are best for you!
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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What to Do With Roses in May – 6 Essential Tasks for a Spectacular Display of Blooms That Keep Coming All SummerA few well-timed May jobs can transform your roses – encouraging repeat flowering, stronger growth, and healthier plants through the summer months.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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How to Grow Lilies for Dazzling Summer Blooms That Return Year After YearLilies are one of the most stunning flowers you can plant in your garden. Here's everything you need to know to grow your own.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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Is Your Yard Too Small? These 6 Powerhouse Roses Only Need 2 Feet to ThriveDon't let a small yard stop you. These six mini rose varieties are perfect for pots and patios.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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How to Tell if a Plant is Underwatered: Don't Let Lack of Water Ruin Your Hard Work in the Garden or Kill Your HouseplantsUnderwatering plants can be devastating. Wilting, brown leaf tips, and a lackluster appearance are major warning signs. Don't wait any longer.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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What to Do with a Peace Lily in May – 5 Easy Spring Tasks Will Help It Thrive and Bloom Better Than EverMake sure your peace lily is happy and healthy as it moves into its growing season. Do these five tasks in May for a thriving peace lily.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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Do Your Tomato Seedlings Have Yellow Leaves? These 5 Common Mistakes Could Be the Cause, But Here’s How to Fix ThemTomato seedling turning yellow can be a scary sight to find, but there's no reason to fret! Here are the most common causes of this problem and how to fix them.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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Underwhelmed by Your Fragrant Flowers? Scent-Stacking Is the New Garden Trend That Turns Borders Into a Wall of PerfumeTransform your garden into a living perfume blend. Discover how to balance top, middle, and base notes using aromatic herbs, roses, and night-blooming flowers.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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What Your Lavender Really Needs in April for a Dazzling Display – 5 Essential Tasks for the Longest Season of Fragrant Summer BloomsSet your lavender up properly now and it will reward you with more blooms, stronger growth, and a longer-lasting, more fragrant summer display.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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Surprisingly Invasive Herbs – Don’t Let These 6 Delicious Botanicals Take Over Your Yard or Ruin Your GardenInvasive herbs are sneaky. You plant them for their wonderful flavor and then they take over your whole garden. Learn what herbs are invasive and how to control them.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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How to Repot a Peace Lily the Right Way – Doing It Wrong or at the Wrong Time Could Seriously Set Back GrowthLearning how to repot a peace lily the right way and at the right time is vital for growing strong and healthy houseplants. Here's everything you need to know.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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Create a Pebble Tray for Plants – This Affordable and Easy DIY Project Will Keep Houseplants Perfectly HumidifiedA pebble tray for plants is one of the easiest things you can do to improve their health. Don't let houseplants get parched!
By Mary Ellen Ellis

