Page 56 - News

A hand drops coins into a birdbath with two small birds perched on the edge in a garden setting.

Copper Coin in the Bird Bath: The Cent Trick for Cleaner Water

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

Across gardening forums, TikTok and Facebook groups, the same suggestion keeps cropping up: if you have a bird bath in...

Person tending to two snake plants in terracotta pots on a wooden table near a window.

St George’s Sword Plant: How Light Changes Its Appearance Indoors and Out

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

The St George’s sword plant is found in many Brazilian homes because it is hardy and highly adaptable. Despite its...

Person inspecting a yellow leaf on a hanging plant by a window with other houseplants nearby.

Pothos Yellow Leaves: Causes and Fixes

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

A change in leaf colour on a pothos (often kept as a houseplant) tends to be one of the first...

Hands planting a rosemary sprig in a terracotta pot on a wooden table with gardening scissors nearby.

How to Make Rosemary Cuttings Without Seeds

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

Propagating rosemary cuttings without using seeds is an easy, budget-friendly method for anyone who wants to keep this herb close...

Young person watering a flowering succulent on a wooden table by a sunlit window with potted plants and a notebook.

Why Your Succulent Doesn't Flower (and How to Encourage Blooms)

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

Many people are surprised to find that a succulent doesn't flower even when it is watered regularly and kept in...

Person standing on a step stool picking pink flowers from a climbing plant against a white wall under warm sunlight

How Bougainvillea Transforms a Sunny Façade

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

Residential façades take on a whole new character when they are dressed with flowering ornamental plants that have real presence....

Person tending to a green indoor plant in a terracotta pot on a sunny wooden floor near a window.

Why the Zamioculca Doesn't Grow: Common Care Mistakes

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

The zamioculca is widely regarded as a tough, low-maintenance houseplant, yet many growers feel disappointed when it seems to stay...

Person watering a pink flowering potted plant on a wooden table with gardening tools nearby outdoors.

Japanese camellia (Camellia japonica) for the terrace: a practical pot guide

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

The Japanese camellia keeps its leaves glossy and green all year and can flower right in the coldest months. Well...

Person spraying water onto orchid leaves on a sunny windowsill with plants and gardening tools nearby

How to Care for the Phalaenopsis Orchid Indoors: A Long-Flowering Orchid Guide

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

Among the many orchid species grown today, the Phalaenopsis orchid has become one of the most common choices for homes...

Person planting herbs in garden bed with lavender and watering can nearby on sunny day

Mint, Lavender and Rosemary: Aromatic Plants to Deter Rats from the Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

Mint, lavender and rosemary are three aromatic plants recommended to keep rats away from the garden. Their strong scents can...

Pink flowers with bees and a butterfly, a watering can, and gardening gloves in a sunlit garden bed.

Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium): a nectar-rich plant for pollinators

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

Turning green spaces into lively refuges starts with choosing plants that genuinely meet the needs of local wildlife. The genus...

Hand holding a small plant with visible roots above a terracotta pot on a wooden table with soil, a watering can, and gardeni

Pothos: When to Repot, Signs of Rootbound Growth, Substrate and Watering

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

Pothos (devil’s ivy) is one of the most common houseplants found in homes and flats because it copes well with...

Person pouring liquid into jar with fruit slices on wooden table surrounded by potted plants.

How to Make Natural Liquid Fertiliser from Fruit Peelings at Home

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

Making a natural liquid fertiliser from fruit peelings has become a popular option for people who want to get more...

Person tending to yellow and white honeysuckle flowers in a garden with gardening tools nearby.

Japanese honeysuckle in landscaping: how to grow and use it

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

Japanese honeysuckle has become a common choice in landscaping projects because it combines qualities that are highly sought after in...

Hand adding activated charcoal to a glass terrarium with plants on a wooden table by a window.

Charcoal in a Closed Terrarium: How to Keep Plants Healthy

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

Keeping a miniature ecosystem inside glass containers calls for careful planning. Using additive-free charcoal provides ongoing purification of the micro-environment,...

Person adding soil to a tray with pebbles, surrounded by potted plants, watering can, and gardening tools.

Rosemary Not Flowering in Full Sun: Soil Aeration and Nutrients

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

Growing rosemary calls for specific conditions if you want abundant, healthy blooms. When the plant gets consistent sunlight yet still...

Hands planting a small seedling in a recycled plastic bottle on a wooden table by a sunny window.

PET Bottle Plant Pot: How to Make, Decorate and Choose Plants

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

People who grow houseplants often look for affordable, straightforward ways to expand their collection without spending much. A PET bottle...

Person pruning a pink azalea plant in a terracotta pot on a sunny balcony table with gardening tools nearby.

How to Make Your Azalea Bushy After Flowering

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

Growing a full, rounded shrub takes patience and the right post-bloom routine. Trimming the tips encourages fresh side shoots to...

Woman placing a potted green plant on a wooden table next to a bowl of coins in a sunlit room.

Saint George’s Sword: Where to Place It to Attract Prosperity

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

Saint George’s sword is one of the most common ornamental plants in homes and offices in 2026. As well as...

Hands trimming a basil plant in a terracotta pot on a sunny windowsill with other herb pots nearby.

How to Build a Kitchen Windowsill Herb Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

Setting up a herb garden in the kitchen using nothing more than a bright window is a practical way to...

Young scientist in a lab coat holding a red orchid plant inside a greenhouse with a laptop and boxes nearby.

Dracula orchids: trade records reveal conservation risks in the Andes

Harriet M. Ashford • August 14, 2026

In the mist-laden Andean cloud forests, one orchid genus has become a particular obsession for wildlife traders. It is not...