Learn more about bird’s nest spruce. Learn about the best fast-growing trees for your landscape. Test Garden Tip: Make a bold statement by selecting varieties that offer different shapes and colors, but stay compact so they don’t outgrow their space. ‘Blue Shag’ white pine, ‘Montgomery’ blue spruce, and ‘Silver Whispers’ Swiss stone pine are smaller selections that combine beautifully with ‘Profusion White’ zinnia, for example. Discover top plants for growing as hedges....

Velvet Groundsel Care Velvet groundsel grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It tolerates a range of soil types and has good drought resistance, although it grows best with occasional rainfall or irrigation during long dry periods. Velvet groundsel can be grown in shade, although it will not flower as much. Choose a planting location that is protected from strong winds as its large leaves become tattered on windy sites....

1 ounce rice sticks 1 dry wood ear (cloud ear) mushroom 1 tablespoon cooking oil 1 tablespoon green onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced ¼ cup shredded carrot ½ teaspoon sugar 8 ounce finely chopped, cooked, peeled, and deveined shrimp 1 tablespoon fish sauce Chicken-Crabmeat Filling hot water 1 ounce bean threads (cellophane noodles) ½ ounce dried black Chinese mushrooms 1 tablespoon cooking oil 6 ounce finely chopped skinless, boneless chicken breast ¼ cup onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 6 ounce can crabmeat 6 ounce frozen crabmeat 1 tablespoon fish sauce Lime Dipping Sauce...

What Is a Ruggable Rug? Ruggable is a company that makes washable rugs with a patented two-piece system, which consists of a non-slip pad (either a cushioned or flat version) and a rug cover. The two items attach to each other with a hook-and-loop closure. The brand has been around since 2010, but it has grown popular in the past few years—if you’ve ever scrolled through social media, you’ve probably seen ads for it....

Watersprouts vs. Suckers—What’s the Difference? Woody stems that spring up from the roots of a tree are called suckers. Suckers are most common on trees that are grafted to different rootstock than the upper portion of the plant. If left in place, a sucker can grow into a second trunk and compete with the main tree. Because suckers usually develop from the rootstock of a grafted plant, the sucker will likely have a different leaf shape, growth habit, and size than the main tree....

1. Choose a complementary color palette. One of the trickiest parts of decorating with wood floors is selecting the right color scheme. The best way to determine which colors go with your wood flooring is to look at the material’s undertone. Wood often features subtle hints of yellow, orange, red, gray, or brown within the finish. Once you’ve determined the underlying hue, apply the principles of the color wheel to select colors that complement your wood floors....

What Is a Pineberry? Here’s a little strawberry history to get you acquainted with how we got to the pineberry. Red strawberries from Europe first made their debut in North America in the 17th century and were followed by white strawberries from South America about 100 years later. The white strawberry is female and harder to grow because it needs red strawberries and bees to continue pollinating. That’s how the male, self-pollinating red strawberries became the strawberry we find in our grocery stores today; they simply are easier to grow in large quantities....

What Is Slow Decorating? “Slow decorating is the process of taking your time to curate the perfect space for yourself,” says New York-based interior designer Amy Baratta. Slow decorating is not about completing your home right away but allowing time to get to know the spaces you live in and determine your own style. While “slow” can easily refer to the speed of decorating, it also alludes to the greater intention and purpose behind acquiring pieces for your home....

Whole Wheat Bread Prepare as directed, except reduce all-purpose flour to 3-3/4 to 4-1/4 cups and stir in 2 cups whole wheat flour after beating 3 minutes in step 1.

* The added cocoa makes the cakes bake in a shorter time.

Coarse sea salt Food coloring

Gardenia Growing Basics If you live in the warmer regions of the country (USDA Zones 8-11) you can grow gardenias outdoors where they’re easier to maintain. Growing gardenias indoors during cold weather is where it gets tricky. The basic indoor gardenia needs are bright light, humidity, and regular watering. So try to put your plant in your sunniest window, set it on a saucer of rocks with water part way up the saucer to add humidity, and water it as soon as the top inch of soil feels dry....

See more perennial plant combos we love. Yellow Wax Bells Care Must-Knows Yellow wax bells thrive in moist, shaded sites. Plants can tolerate 4 to 5 hours of sunlight if the soil is consistently moist. This easy-to- grow perennial thrives in deep, humus-rich soil. When selecting a planting place for yellow wax bells, keep in mind that the plant matures to 3 to 4½ feet tall. Plant it near the back of the border where it has space to expand without blocking other plants from view....

Flowering varieties add extra color and sweet fragrances. Depending on where you live and the conditions in your yard, different shrubs can add evergreen texture, groundcover on a slope, and even more privacy by blocking street noise. They also help protect the soil from erosion and support wildlife with food and shelter. Here’s a look at various important characteristics to consider to pick out the best shrubs for your yard....

Where to Plant Astilbe This showy garden perennial produces spikes of beautiful flowers that enliven the garden and add texture to flower arrangements in spring and summer. Hardy in USDA Zones 4-8, it grows best in partial shade, although it tolerates sun as long as it is kept moist. How and When to Plant Astilbe Plant astilbe early in the spring in well-drained soil with added compost and a general-purpose granular fertilizer....

Bell Pepper Care Must-Knows Peppers are a warm-season crop. In many areas, they are one of the last vegetables to be planted in the garden in spring. Wait until nighttime temperatures are regularly in the 50 to 55°F range before planting transplants in the garden. Plant transplants 2 to 2½ feet apart in full sun in rich, well-drained soil. Peppers demand at least 8 hours of direct sunlight a day to produce fruit....