Linsay Evans

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Stories By Linsay Evans

  • Purple Coneflower Vs. Black-Eyed Susans For My Garden

    Purple Coneflower vs. Black-Eyed Susans for My Garden. Purple coneflowers (Echincea purpurea) and black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia fulgida) are sometimes both called coneflowers, but the two are distinct species. Both are perennials -- which means they live year after year -- and both are wildflowers native to forests, prairies and meadows of eastern North America. When planted together, these flowers bloom at the same time in late summer, creating complementary purple and yellow flowers that draw butterflies and bees to the yard.

    By Linsay Evans November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Evergreen Shrubs That Don't Grow More Than 2 Feet Tall

    Evergreen Shrubs That Don't Grow More Than 2 Feet Tall. Evergreen shrubs play many roles in the landscape, from creating borders to providing wildlife habitat. Evergreens keep their foliage year-round, so you'll always be able to enjoy their color and texture. If you want to plant evergreen shrubs that won't take up too much of the kids' play space in the yard, consider dwarf shrubs that stay less than 2 feet tall. Low-growing shrubs tend to require less pruning, too, which is good news for your busy schedule.

    By Linsay Evans November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Shrubs For A Front Yard With Southern Exposure

    Shrubs for a Front Yard With Southern Exposure. When selecting plants for a southern exposure, choose species that prefer full sun or sun to light shade. Southern exposures receive the most sunlight and experience the warmest temperatures. Shrubs for southern exposures should have some measure of drought tolerance, as full sun exposure is often associated with dry soils, according the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. Before planting, enrich the soil with organic matter, such as peat moss or compost.

    By Linsay Evans November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Shrubs With Yellow Leaves

    Shrubs With Yellow Leaves. When you think of adding color to the garden, perennials and annuals usually spring to mind. However, some shrubs offer color and visual interest with more than just their blossoms or berries. Evergreen shrubs with yellow foliage add a splash of color year-round, and the green leaves of some deciduous shrubs turn yellow in the autumn, providing a fall show. Plant yellow-leaf shrubs in moderation, as too many can distract from other plants, according to the Iowa State University Extension.

    By Linsay Evans November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Largest Trees In Washington State

    Largest Trees in Washington State. Forty-five percent of Washington state is covered with trees, and six percent of that area--or 3 million acres--consists of old growth forest, according to the Visit Old Growth Forests website. Some of the nation's largest trees are in Washington old-growth forests. American Forests, a nonprofit organization, maintains the National Register of Big Trees, which ranks trees by trunk circumference, height and average crown spread. Of the 733 registered trees, five of the top 20 are located in Washington (as of October 2010).

    By Linsay Evans November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Plants & Flowers That Grow Well In Phoenix, AZ

    Plants & Flowers That Grow Well in Phoenix, AZ. Phoenix, Arizona is set in the upland Sonoran desert, an ecosystem described as "lush," "hot," and "varied" by the Sonoran Desert Naturalist website. Far from being a stereotypical desert devoid of plant life, the Sonoran desert is home to a wide variety of indigenous plants and flowers. The region receive from four to 11 inches of average annual rainfall during two yearly rainy seasons, conditions that are conducive to succulent cacti and drought-tolerant shrubs, trees and flowering plants.

    By Linsay Evans November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Small Shrubs For The Front Of A House

    Small Shrubs for the Front of a House. When planted in sites with appropriate conditions and space, small shrubs offer years of low-maintenance color and texture. Before selecting shrubs, consider soil and moisture requirements, shrubs' mature heights and spreads, and the amount of light your site receives. If your house blocks sunlight for two to three hours a day, the site receives light shade; sites that receive three to four hours of sunlight are considered partially shaded.

    By Linsay Evans November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • What Is The Difference Between Yellow Pines And Lodgepole Pines?

    What Is the Difference Between Yellow Pines and Lodgepole Pines?. The Pinus genus contains 114 species, more than any other member of the conifer family. Although each species has its own unique size, shape and features, pines share some characteristics; all pines have aromatic, evergreen foliage; produce cones that take from two to three years to mature; and have rough, furrowed bark. The yellow, Southern yellow or longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) and the lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) possess common and varied features.

    By Linsay Evans September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Stabilizing Loose Soil On A Hillside

    Stabilizing Loose Soil on a Hillside. Just 1 inch of topsoil takes 500 years to form, but wind and water can blow or wash away that inch -- and many more -- in seconds. Soil is one of the most important yet easily degraded natural resources on Earth. Hillsides are especially prone to soil erosion. If you have a steep area in your landscape, a few simple solutions can help stabilize the soil and prevent degradation and erosion.

    By Linsay Evans September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Ten Plants With Yellow Berries

    Ten Plants With Yellow Berries. Plants that produce yellow berries add a splash of bright color to the landscape. Many also attract wildlife and provide food and habitat for beneficial pollinating species. Berry-producing plants vary widely in form, size and cultural requirements. When choosing species for your landscape, consider factors such as sun and soil preferences and plants’ mature height and width. Certain yellow berries are toxic if ingested.

    By Linsay Evans September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Plants To Plant Under A Gum Tree

    Plants to Plant Under a Gum Tree. Gum trees (Eucalyptus spp.) are prized for their aromatic foliage, drought tolerance and the shade they create in the yard. But that shade -- along with gums' tendency to soak up most of the moisture and nutrients in the soil and create dense leaf litter on the ground -- also makes choosing appropriate plants for understory planting a challenge. For the best results, choose shade-tolerant plants with shallow roots that thrive in occasionally dry sites.

    By Linsay Evans September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Shade-Tolerant Vs. Shade-Intolerant Conifer Trees

    Shade-Tolerant Vs. Shade-Intolerant Conifer Trees. Conifers, also known as evergreens, keep most or all of their foliage through the cold winter months. Called conifers because they produce cone-shaped seed pods, conifers can be categorized as narrow-leafed, broad-leafed or deciduous based on type of foliage. Most evergreen trees prefer full to partial sun, but some tolerate shady conditions.

    By Linsay Evans January 25th, 2022 Read More