Ornamental Gardens
Ornamental gardens are, first and foremost, gardens that look good. What makes your garden look good is totally up to you, and luckily there are almost countless ornamental plants to grow.
Explore Ornamental Gardens
Editor's Picks
-
7 Flowering Perennials That Thrive in 95°F Heat – And Still Look GorgeousAs summers grow longer and hotter across much of the US, these reliable bloomers keep putting on a show (even when the rest of us are wilting).
By Kayleigh Dray
-
Zinnias: the Sun-Loving Blooms You Can Still Grow in a HeatwaveAll the best gardeners are growing these heat-tolerant flowers this summer, and you should be too. Here's everything you need to know to get a great result.
By Sarah Veldman
-
These 8 Flowers Stay Covered in Blooms Through July and August – Without DeadheadingThese long-flowering favorites keep borders, beds, and containers looking colorful through the hottest weeks of summer with minimal maintenance.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Living Mulch Plants Keep Soil Cooler and Cut Watering – Here Are 6 to Plant NowDiscover the ground-covering plants that act like a natural mulch, keeping soil cool, conserving moisture and helping summer borders flourish.
By Thomas Rutter
-
These Gorgeous Shrubs Make Your Garden Look Expensive – But They're Surprisingly Easy to GrowIf you want everyone to think your yard was professionally landscaped, these gorgeous low-maintenance shrubs are the closest thing to a cheat code.
By Kayleigh Dray
-
These 6 Self-Seeding Flowers Come Back Every Year Without Becoming InvasiveSelf-seeding flowers can be a gardener's dream ... or a nightmare. Plant these easy-going self-sowers that won't take over your whole garden.
By Tyler Schuster
-
Are Your Hydrangeas Dying From the Heat or Just Done Blooming? How to Keep Shrubs Looking Lush All SummerBrown flowers on a hydrangea could be sign that your plant is stressed from summer heat or drought – or they could just be done blooming. Here's how to tell.
By Laura Walters
-
What Orchids Need in July to Trigger Blooms – and the Heatwave Mistake That Quietly Stops FloweringJuly can make or break the next round of orchid blooms. A few good summer habits – or one careless mistake – decide whether that spike ever appears.
By Tyler Schuster
-
7 Plants to Prune in July Before it’s Too Late – Next Year’s Flowers Depend On the Right TimingMost plants need pruning in winter or spring, but these popular perennials need a midsummer trim if they're to flower and fruit well next year.
By Emma Kendell
-
Cut Back These 5 Flowers in July to Keep Gorgeous Blooms Coming Through Summer and Into FallA little July trim will ensure your flower garden has bountiful blooms for the rest of the season, plus more nectar for pollinators!
By Teo Spengler
-
7 Beautiful Vines That Cool Down Your Home on Hot Days – All Hail Nature’s Living Awnings!These hardworking climbers create cooling summer shade before shedding their leaves to let winter sunshine flood back in.
By Kayleigh Dray
-
These 7 Flowering Plants Look Like You Spent Hours Gardening But They Practically Grow ThemselvesYou don't have to work hard to have a gorgeous garden. These low-maintenance beauties fill your yard with color year after year, without much help from you.
By Emma Kendell
-
The Heat-Loving Climber That Fills Your Garden With Jasmine Scent All Summer (And Hummingbirds Love It)Gardeners say this evergreen vine smells even better than roses.
By Kayleigh Dray
-
What Roses Need in July for Gorgeous Blooms – 5 Key Tasks and the Mistake That Can Stop FloweringJuly is a crucial month for roses, with a few simple maintenance jobs helping plants stay healthy and produce repeat blooms well into summer.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
What Hydrangeas Need in July – 6 Vital Tasks for Vibrant, Fade-Free BloomsSummer heat can quickly dull even the most spectacular hydrangeas. These essential July tasks help keep flowers full of life and color.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Beat the Heat – These 5 Plants Work Like Natural Air Conditioners to Keep Patios Cooler in SummerDon't let a heatwave ruin your outdoor living this summer. Add a few vines to block the sun, airy trees to let the breeze in, and plants that release cool moisture.
By Teo Spengler
-
These 7 Gorgeous Thornless Roses Fill Your Yard With Lush Blooms and Dreamy Fragrance – And All Pain Free!Who says every rose has a thorn? These snag-free varieties are perfect for tight urban spaces, stress-free summer patios, and prickle-free pathways
By Mary Ellen Ellis





