Mary H. Dyer
A Credentialed Garden Writer, Mary H. Dyer was with Gardening Know How in the very beginning, publishing articles as early as 2007.
Latest articles by Mary H. Dyer
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Coreopsis Overwintering: How To Winterize A Coreopsis Plant
Coreopsis is a hardy plant suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. As such, coreopsis winter care isn't a difficult task, but a bit of protection will ensure the plant remains hale and hearty throughout winter. This article will help.
By Mary H. Dyer
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Zone 5 Native Grasses – Types Of Grass For Zone 5 Climates
Grasses add incredible beauty and texture to the landscape all year round, even in northern climates that experience sub-zero winter temperatures. Click this article for more information about cold hardy grasses and a few examples of the best grasses for zone 5.
By Mary H. Dyer
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Plants Watered With Fish Tank Water: Using Aquarium Water To Irrigate Plants
Can you irrigate plants with aquarium water? You certainly can. In fact, all of that fish poop and those uneaten food particles can do your plants a world of good. Learn more about watering indoor or outdoor plants with aquarium water in this article.
By Mary H. Dyer
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Zone 4 Nut Trees – Tips On Growing Nut Trees In Zone 4
If you're gardening in zone 4, one of the coolest northern climates, you're in luck as there's no shortage of hardy nut trees that grow in zone 4 gardens. Click this article to learn about some of the best zone 4 nut trees, and a few helpful tips for growing them.
By Mary H. Dyer
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Growing Cold Hardy Vegetables: Tips On Vegetable Gardening In Zone 4
Vegetable gardening in zone 4 is a challenge to be sure, but it?s definitely possible to grow a bounteous garden, even in a climate with a short growing season. The key is choosing the best vegetables for cold climates. Learn more in this article.
By Mary H. Dyer
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Tropical Shade Gardening Ideas – How To Create A Tropical Shade Garden
If your dream is to create a lush, jungle-like garden filled with exotic, shade-loving tropical plants, don't give up on the idea. Even if your shady garden is many miles away from the tropics, you can still create the feeling of a tropical garden. Learn more here.
By Mary H. Dyer
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Perennials For Hell Strips: Choosing Perennial Plants For Hell Strip Planting
A hell strip is that forlorn strip between the sidewalk and the street. With a little advance planning and a careful choice of hell strip perennial plants, you can turn the hell strip into an urban oasis. Click here for examples of suitable perennials for hell strips.
By Mary H. Dyer
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Kermes Scale Lifecycle: Tips On Treating Kermes Scale Insect Pests
What are kermes scale pests? Kermes scale are aggressive, sap-sucking pests that can cause significant damage to oak trees. Treating kermes scale on plants is attained by a variety of methods. Learn about kermes scale control in this article.
By Mary H. Dyer
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Self-Seeding Perennials For The Garden – Growing Perennials That Self Seed
By Mary H. Dyer
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Types Of Theme Gardens: Learn About Garden Themed Landscaping
You're probably familiar with theme gardens such as Japanese gardens, Chinese gardens, desert gardens, wildlife gardens, or butterfly gardens. Types of theme gardens vary widely, and you're limited only by your imagination. Click here to learn more.
By Mary H. Dyer
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What Trees Bloom In Zone 3: Choosing Flowering Trees For Zone 3 Gardens
Growing flowering trees or shrubs may seem like an impossible dream in USDA plant hardiness zone 3, but there are several flowering trees that grow in zone 3. Click on this article to learn about a few beautiful and hardy zone 3 flowering trees.
By Mary H. Dyer
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Zone 3 Shade Plants – Choosing Hardy Plants For Zone 3 Shade Gardens
Selecting hardy plants for zone 3 shade can be challenging to say the least. Are there really suitable zone 3 shade plants? Yes, there are several tough shade plants that tolerate such punishing climates. Click this article for shade-loving plants in cold climates.
By Mary H. Dyer
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Yellow Fall Colored Trees: Trees That Turn Yellow In Autumn
If you're a fan of trees that turn yellow in autumn, there are many yellow-colored trees from which to choose, depending on your growing zone. Click this article for a few great suggestions on trees with yellow fall leaves.
By Mary H. Dyer
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Key Lime Pie Plant Care: How To Propagate Key Lime Pie Succulents
You may know key lime pie plants as crinkle leaf succulent plants. Whatever you choose to call these tough little plants, key lime pie plant propagation is about as easy as it gets. Click this article to learn about the propagation of Adromischus succulents.
By Mary H. Dyer
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Beaver Damage To Trees: How To Protect Trees From Beaver Damage
While it's frustrating to notice signs of beaver damage to trees, it's important to recognize the importance of these wetland creatures and strike a healthy balance. Click this article for some helpful tips for protecting trees from beaver damage.
By Mary H. Dyer
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Lantana Groundcover Plants: Tips On Using Lantana As A Groundcover
Most lantana plants reach heights of 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 m.), so lantana as a ground cover doesn't sound very practical - or does it? If you live in USDA plant hardiness zone 9 or above, trailing lantana plants make wonderful year-round ground covers. Click here to learn more.
By Mary H. Dyer
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Flying Duck Orchid Care – Can You Grow Flying Duck Orchid Plants
Native to the Australian wilderness, flying duck orchid plants are amazing orchids that produce - you guessed it - distinctive duck-like blooms. Click this article for a few more interesting facts about flying duck orchids.
By Mary H. Dyer
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Using Marigolds Around Plants – Do Marigolds Keep Bugs Away
Do marigolds keep bugs away? The best way to find out is to experiment in your own garden, and you really can't go wrong. There's no doubt they attract a variety of beneficial insects that prey on bad bugs. Learn more about marigold plants and pests here.
By Mary H. Dyer
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What's That Smell -The Beautiful But Malodorous Skunk Lily
One day I was becoming acquainted with the flower beds around my house. I found an interesting, tall plant topped by a ring of bright orange, bell-shaped flowers. That’s how I met the skunk lily.
By Mary H. Dyer
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Companions For Lemon Balm – Learn About Lemon Balm Companion Planting
A member of the mint family, lemon balm is easy to grow, even for newbie gardeners. If you're wondering what to plant with lemon balm, then look to this article for a few suggestions to get you started. Click here for more info.
By Mary H. Dyer
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Companions For Hellebores – Learn What To Plant With Hellebores
Hellebore is a shade-loving perennial that bursts forth in rose-like blooms when the last traces of winter still have a tight grip on the garden. If you're smitten with these blooms, you may be wondering what to plant with hellebores. Click here for helpful suggestions.
By Mary H. Dyer
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Hosta Companion Planting: Learn About Plants That Grow Well With Hosta
Hostas have become extremely popular in the last few years, with good reason. Gardeners love hostas for their colorful foliage, versatility, toughness, easy growth, and ability to thrive without bright sunlight. They also have many companions. Learn more here.
By Mary H. Dyer