This tough plant will actually thrive in poor soil. When in bloom, gaura’s wiry stems appear to be covered with small white or pink butterflies. And in fact, guara does drawplenty of pollinators. Credit:Richard Hirneisen Many of the new dwarf varieties make exceptional, drought-tolerantcontainer plants. Where to Plant Gaura Plants Plant gauras anywhere they’ll get full sun. The afternoon sun is fine in hotter climates. Credit: Jason Wilde Plant taller varieties of gaura in the center of a garden as a focal point....

Gazanias offer gorgeous colors as well as excellent heat and drought tolerance. Gazania is very easy to grow because of its extreme heat and drought tolerance. Its beautiful flowers, which can stretch to 4 inches across, come in vibrant colors. Credit: Justin Hancock Gazania is most commonly grown as an annual. However, several perennial varieties can survive winters down to Zone 4. While very similar in appearance, hardy and annual gazania have a few differences....

Gentian is pollinated by insects, such as bumblebees, that push their way into those tight buds. In its native environment this wildflower grows well in moist woodland areas near ponds and streams. It pairs well with other shade-loving plants that thrive in moist soil. Add gentian to a shaded rock garden where it will provide both height and color. How and When to Plant Gentian Fall is the ideal season for planting gentian....

The classic geranium plant thrives in beds, border, and containers in showy blooms or a trailing habit. A classic garden plant, geraniums have been a gardener’s favorite for over a century. A completely different group of plants hasGeraniumas its genus name. Credit:Andrew Drake No matter which geraniums you choose for yourcontainersor flower beds, regular deadheading will keep them blooming beautifully. And don’t forget to feed them! Andrew Drake Where to Plant Geraniums Geraniums shine in beds and borders....

These cheery flowers can light up your garden as well as your houseplant collection. A gerbera daisy is instantly recognizable for its vivid colors and bold silhouettes. Theyre among the most popular choices for cut flowers in the world. Credit: Justin Hancock Instead of buying a bouquet, get even more blooms for your buck when you grow them at home. The fresh-from-the-paint box colors are simple to combine for maximum impact....

With its attractive, fragrant, evergreen foliage, Mediterranean germander is a favorite plant for knot gardens. Germander is a genus of about 260 species in the mint family with worldwide distribution. Many species of germander are native to the Mediterranean. Germanders are either semi-shrubby plants or herbs. This sturdy perennial is easy to grow. Where to Plant Germander The best planting spot for germander depends on the species. Germander species that are native to the Mediterranean need full sun and well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soils....

Common ginger used for cooking comes from a tropical plant you could grow at home. Ginger is one of the oldest documented spicesits been used for centuries for seasoning Asian and Indian dishes. Its a familiar ingredient in todays kitchens, its warm flavor enhances many dishesfrom curriesand stews togingerbreadandbeer. Credit:Getty Images / Karl Tapales It also makes a refreshing tea. Its available dried and ground, but its flavor is far more impressive when you use the fresh root....

This flower makes for the perfect focal point in your garden. The retro look ofgladiolusflowers is popular once again. The perfumed Abyssinian gladiolus is a rare plant that everyone can enjoy. In the garden or a vase, gladiolus adds garden-fresh drama. When done right, fresh-cut flower spikes will last for more than a week in a vase. All parts of gladiolus are toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and horses. Most gladiolus corms overwinter in the garden only inZones 810....

Itattracts butterfliesand takes the summer heat without missing a beat. Its bright pom-poms last a long time in fresh and dried arrangements. You have to look closely to see globe amaranths tiny white or yellow flowers. Credit: Blaine Moats It also grows well in containers. Globe amaranth doesnt like alkaline soil, soamend the garden soil pHif needed. InUSDA Zones 2-8, globe amaranth is an annual. Credit: Blaine Moats In Zones 9-11, it can be grown as a short-lived perennial....

Add these peppy pompons to fresh arrangements or dry them to enjoy globe thistle long after the growing season. They are hardy in almost all climates (Zones 3-10) and tolerate poor soil conditions. Globe thistle foliage has prickly spines, so be aware when planting near pathways and childrens play areas. Credit: Peter Krumhardt Place the plant in the hole and fill in the soil, tamping it down as you work....

Essential growing information for these cheery, spring-blooming bulbs Glory-of-the-snow flowers (Chionodoxa spp. )are some of theearliest to bloom. Over the years, there has been much confusion on the proper nomenclature for glory-of-the-snow. Credit: Richard Hirneisen The foliage declines quickly and goes dormant just after the bulbs finish flowering. Glory-of-the-snow plants that are allowed to grow freely in lawns can then be mowed along with the grass. In coolhardiness zones3-5, this could mean planting as early as September....

Growing glossy abelia will give you years of enjoyment from this easy-care, flowering shrub. Glossy abelia(Abelia x grandiflora)is aneasy-to-grow flowering shrubwell-suited for foundation beds and mixed shrub borders. The small, glossy green leaves turn purple-bronze or shades of orange in autumn. Credit: Peter Krumhardt Count on the fragrant, bell-shaped flowers to appear in late spring and continue opening through fall. This guide to growing glossy abelia includes tips on watering, fertilizing, pruning, and more....

Add height and airiness to your shade garden with this easy-care perennial. Often mistaken for its lookalike astilbe, goatsbeard is a shade plant from an entirely different plant family. Goatsbeard belongs to the tiny genusAruncus,which comprises only two widely accepted species names. Credit: Marty Baldwin Their fernlike foliage andwispy white bloomslend airiness to gardens and look especially stunning en masse. Their flowers attract butterflies and bees. Goatsbeard is either male or female, with the wispy cream blooms of the male plants being showier....