Do Trees Talk to Each Other? The Secret Life of Woody Plants

If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? What about when a tree “talks” to another tree? Have you ever heard whisperings in the forest? Trees are abuzz with conversation beneath the soil. They share life-sustaining...

How to Grow Coneflowers for Your Pollinator Garden

“Coneflower” refers to the entire Echinacea genus, which includes about nine species. The most popular and studied one is Echinacea purpurea, with its striking purple blooms. Native American tribes used Echinacea for centuries to treat wounds, toothaches,...

Caring for Azaleas in Southern California’s Heat

Some azaleas are old enough to collect Social Security. These “royal” shrubs can live 50 years or more. Several plants in historic Japanese temples are centuries old. Azaleas belong to the Rhododendron genus and are native to Asia, North America, and...

15 Sustainable Garden Design Ideas for Beginners

Remember Earth Day? Yes, it’s still a thing. Rising public concern over pollution, smog, and environmental degradation fueled the first Earth Day in 1970. Sustainable gardening may seem like an Earth Day sequel, but many traditional cultures have practiced it...