Unlike the clustered needles of pine trees, spruce trees grow only one needle per pulvinus. Spruce trees are excellent trees or shrubs for landscape design. Their color variations and narrow, conical shape makes them natural punctuation specimens. Theyre also popular choices for Christmas trees. The evergreen character of these small-to-large trees makes them year-round contributors to the landscape. Garden in a small space? Select a dwarf cultivar or a shrub cultivar....

2,000 species of this perennial offer an array of choices. Showy modified leaves (called bracts) provide visual interest. Most are green, but other colors are available, too. Credit: Helen Norman This tough and vigorous grower quickly fills a garden space. It grows in just about any environment and is considered a weed in many areas. Most spurge plants are spread by underground rhizomes, creating dense mats of foliage. Credit: Helen Norman...

Over time, Scilla forms a carpet of nodding early spring flowers. The leaves seem to emerge overnight in early spring. The flowers provide a welcome early-season nectar source for bees. Squill is toxic to humans. For the most eye-pleasing effect, plant squill in drifts of no fewer than 100 bulbs. Plant bulbs along walkways, interspersed with perennials, and in herb orrock gardens. Plant squill bulbs with the pointed growing tip facing upward....

St. John’s wortis a landscape workhorse that is a champion at providing food and shelter to wildlifeespecially pollinators. The shrub is easy to grow and a cinch to incorporate into almost any landscape. Shrubs growing in partly shaded sites may have fewer blossoms than shrubs planted in full sun. Credit: esemelwe / Getty Images Fill in around the roots and tamp down the soil firmly to remove air pockets. The native North American plant requires little maintenance once establishedbut watch out for unwanted growth....

The clusters of star-shaped blooms are petite and complemented by small, shiny evergreen leaves. Its twining stems anchor themselves to structures and move upward rapidly. Plant it at thebase of a pergola or arborto create a fragrant roof. Credit:Denny Schrock Star jasmine does not climb masonry. Prune regularly to prevent overcrowding of neighboring plants. Star jasmine is winter hardy inUSDA Hardiness Zones 8-10. It sometimes survives in Zone 7b but may need winter protection....

Brighten your garden (and your bouquets) with the wonderfully spicy scent of stock flowers. Julie Maris Semarco Stock flowers offer a wonderfully spicy, distinctive scent reminiscent of cloves. Stock plants are slightly spirelike, and their blooms come in a wide range of colors. Credit:Julie Maris Semarco They also make greatcut flowersand are favored by florists for their long-lasting flowers and intoxicating perfume. They are excellent forcottage gardensor planted near seating areas where their perfume can be appreciated....

Bring midsummer and fall flowers to your garden with stokesia. Stokes' aster, also known as stokesia, is native to thesoutheastern United States. It begins blooming sporadically in late spring but is prized for its midsummer and fall flower show. Alice O’Brien. A favorite stopping point for pollinators, Stokes' aster has lavender, pink, or white cornflower-like flowers. Reinvigorate the garden in late summer with Stokes' aster. Pair it withother fall favorites, and the autumn garden will end the growing season in blooming style....

There is nothing like harvesting sun-ripened strawberries. However, a location where the plants get plenty of sun is a must. For that reason, it is common practice to replace the plants every three years. Credit: Brie Williams Starting with impeccable plants ensures that the strawberries produce the best quality fruit. Strawberries require rich, loamy, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. you could plant strawberries in a garden bed, raised bed, containers, or hanging baskets....

While the vibrant fruit maylook a lot like strawberries, the flavor is milder and slightly sweet. Use moderation when eating this plants seeds, asthey can be toxic when consumedin large quantities. Just confirm that any container you choose is well-draining and at least a foot deep. Credit:MichelR45 / Getty Images Scatter your seeds in rows spaced 18 inches apart and cover your seeds with 14 inch of soil. Light Strawberry spinach shouldreceive 8 to 12 hours of full sun....

Add color to your gardenand your dried floral arrangementswith the “everlasting” blooms of the Strawflower. Peter Krumhardt Coming in a wide variety of glistening colors, strawflower is known for its everlasting blossoms. The colorful petals of this plant aren’t even petals at all, but modified leaves called bracts. Credit:Peter Krumhardt The flowers stand above narrow, green leaves that are often covered in dense hairs. Strawflowers also need little water, which makes them an excellent candidate forxeriscaping....

Growing sugar cane in your garden will give you sweet rewards. Sugar cane is a genus of large perennial grasses that is native to tropical southeastern Asia. Depending on the species, the grass ranges in color from green to red to purple. Credit:undefined undefined / Getty Images What all species have in common is their sizethey grow up to 20 feet tall. In warm climates, you’re free to grow sugar cane right in your backyard....

Sumac shrubs are autumn showstoppers with high wildlife value. Sumac shrubs provide intriguing visuals throughout the year, whether growing along roadsides or planted as garden accents. you could plant it in full sun orpartial shade, but it will grow taller in full sun. Credit: Denny Schrock Larger species, especially, may be difficult to control. Tamp down the soil and water it slowly and deeply. Mulching around the soil retains soil moisture andsuppresses weeds....

With its dainty nodding flowers, this bulb makes a wonderful companion for other spring bloomers. Ring in spring with the bell-shaped flowers of summer snowflake. The plant is toxic to humans and pets. When the small bulbs stop blooming, summer snowflake takes over the show. How and When to Plant Summer Snowflake Plant summer snowflake in the fall before the ground freezes. Plant the bulb 4 to 6 inches deep with the pointy side up and the root side down....