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Cayla Leonard
Cayla Leonard
Contributor

Cayla Leonard is a writer from North Carolina who is passionate about plants.  She enjoys reading and writing fiction and poetry of all kinds, playing dungeons and dragons, and putting together jigsaw puzzles.

Send all editorial inquiries HERE.

Grass with dew on it

How often should you water your grass seeds? Here’s what we know

Growing grass from seed can be challenging — don't blow it by watering incorrectly.
A field of lavender flowers

How to grow lavender from seed to keep your garden and your home smelling fresh

How to grow lavender from seed to keep your garden and your home smelling fresh

Keep your garden and home smelling fresh by following this simple guide for growing lavender from seed.
banana tree with ripe fruit

How and when do bananas reproduce? We have answers to all your questions

This is everything you need to know about banana reproduction, whether you want to grow your own or are just curious.
A pair of morel mushrooms

How to grow morel mushrooms at home and save yourself tons of money

Here's everything you've ever wanted to know about morel mushrooms, as well as a guide on how to grow and care for them.
Purple orchid flowers with white stripes

Growing orchids in water for an exotic and beautiful display is easier than you might think – here’s what to do

Combining orchids and hydroponics can do wonderful things. We list everything you need to know to successfully grow orchids in water.
Hackberry tree with hackberries at various stages of ripening

How to grow hackberry trees, a native tree with unique and tasty berries

Add hackberry trees to your fruit and vegetable garden for delicious crunchy fruit in the fall. Here's how.
Pittosporum shrub with variegated leaves and white flowers

If you’re in need of a durable flowering shrub, then consider growing pittosporum! Here’s your care guide

Pittosporum is an easy-to-grow flowering shrub that's perfect for containers and garden borders. Use this care guide to start growing your own.
A cluster of stargazer lily flowers

Stargazer lilies are excellent warm-weather flowers – how to grow them for stunning blooms all summer long

Add stargazer lilies to your home or garden for stunning flowers this summer. This simple care guide will tell you how.
Purple periwinkle (Vinca minor) flowers

Should you be using Vinca minor as a ground cover in your lawn? This is what you need to know

Vinca minor can offer a lot of charm as a ground cover, but it has drawbacks as well. Here's how to decide if it's right for you.
Ripe loquats on a loquat tree

Loquat trees provide flowers, fruit, and even herbal tea! Here’s what you need to know about growing these useful plants

Loquat trees provide delicious fruit, beautiful flowers, and even herbal tea. Here's how to grow one and make use of all it can offer.
Light purple angelonia flowers

Angelonia is excellent for containers, borders, and more – how to grow this beautiful and sweet-smelling flower

Angelonia is a great choice for garden borders and containers. This is how to grow your own.
Orange crocosmia flowers

How to care for crocosmia – get stunning red and orange flowers all summer long

Crocosmia flowers can fill your home or garden with bright orange and red blooms. This is what to know about growing them.
Pink muhly grass

Ornamental grasses add texture and color to your garden – how to grow these 6 different varieties

These are the best ornamental grasses to plant in your garden to add color, interest, and definition to your yard.
Quaking aspen trees

Quaking aspens are tall, beautiful, and easier to care for than you might expect

Looking for a gorgeous native tree to add to your yard? Quaking aspens might be just what you need!
Tall purple liatris (blazing star) with butterflies

Blazing stars will fill your summer garden with color: A liatris care guide

Liatris is a great addition to summer flower gardens. Here's how to get started growing your own.
White hellebore flowers

The delicate lenten rose has some unusual and delightful varieties – here are our favorites

Looking for a new lenten rose variety to bring home? Why not try one of these five?
Hydrangeas with blue flowers

Take advantage of hydrangeas’ color-changing quirk – how to get beautiful blue hydrangeas

Turn your hydrangeas blue by making your soil more acidic. Not sure how? Start here.
A black and blue butterfly on a Texas sage shrub

Texas sage: This colorful shrub can withstand almost anything

Texas sage is resilient and beautiful. This is how to grow it yourself.
Light orange kalanchoe blossfeldiana flowers

Could Kalanchoe blossfeldiana be the perfect addition to your outdoor succulent garden? Here’s how to grow it

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a stunning and popular houseplant, but did you know it can grow outdoors? Here's what you need to know.
A ripe loofah gourd on a vine

Loofah plants are unique and interesting vegetables – here’s how to add them to your garden

Looking for something unique to add to your summer vegetable garden? Try growing loofahs!
Pink verbena flowers

Don’t be fooled by it’s silly name! Turkey tangle frogfruit might be the perfect ground cover for your lawn

Phyla nodiflora, also known as turkey tangle frogfruit, is a great alternative to grass lawns. Here's what you need to know to grow it.
Kniphofia torch lilies in a field

How to care for the red hot poker: Add this exotic-looking plant to your garden

Grow this unique and exotic-looking plant in your garden by following these tips.
A cluster of ripened tomatoes

Summer is approaching: Time to plant tomatoes for your favorite meals

These are the top tips for planting and growing delicious tomatoes in your garden.
A tulip field with many colors of tulips

Are your tulip bulbs not sprouting after winter? This is what the problem might be and how to fix it

If your tulips aren't growing after a rough winter, here's what to do to jumpstart their growth.
Bundles of cinnamon sticks tied together

How to grow a cinnamon tree for delightful homemade cinnamon sticks

Cinnamon trees are beautiful and delicious. Follow these steps to grow your own.
Several older bird chicks in a nest

What should you actually do if you find a baby bird on the ground in your garden?

If birds are nesting in your yard, you might find a baby bird on the ground. This is what you should do to help it.
A large maple tree with red leaves

Don’t wait until fall to plant an autumn blaze maple! Here’s how to plant your own today

Here's your guide to caring for a stunning autumn blaze maple tree.
A squirrel eating out of a hanging bird feeder

These easy DIY squirrel-proof bird feeders for your garden will keep unwanted visitors out

Here's how to keep squirrels out of your bird feeder so your birds can eat in peace.
Two strawberry tree fruits on a branch

This unusual fruit tree will delight you and your guests – how to grow a strawberry tree

Strawberry trees are beautiful and unique fruit trees. Here's how to grow your own.
A monarch butterfly on a milkweed flower

Attract tons of migrating monarch butterflies by adding common milkweed to your garden

If you want to see monarch butterflies at your house, you'll need to add milkweed to your garden. Here's how.
Poison ivy sprouts surrounded by fallen leaves

Want to avoid itchy rashes this spring? Here’s how to get rid of poison ivy from you garden or yard

Follow these tips to safely get rid of poison ivy so you can enjoy your garden in peace.
A weeping willow in fall

Planting and caring for a willow tree, an elegant addition to any yard or garden

If you want a beautiful willow tree in your garden, here's how to grow and care for one.
A lawn of Irish moss mounds

How to grow Irish moss for a low-maintenance and beautiful ground cover

Irish moss makes a beautiful ground cover or addition to a garden. Here's what you need to know about growing your own.
Purple and blue hydrangeas

Endless summer hydrangeas will keep your garden colorful all year – a complete care guide

Endless summer hydrangeas make beautiful additions to gardens. Follow these tips to grow your own.
Predatory mite

What are those tiny red bugs in your garden, and what should you do about them?

Tiny red bugs could be a minor annoyance or a serious problem. Here's what you need to know.