Dahlias have showy petal-packed blooms in myriad shapes, sizes, and colors. Originally native to Central and South America, today’s garden hybrids aretender perennialsthat grow from tuberous roots. Dahlia fanciersdivide the flowers into many classes based on form. Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch Some plants grow to an impressive 6 feet tall. Taller varieties need staking. Adding compost to the plants on new growth will help produce the best blooms. The more you feed dahlias, the more blooms they will produce....

You don’t need much more than a sunny spot to grow these easy (and gorgeous!) June is the peak bloom season for daylilies. You’ll see blossoms in myriad colors on stems ranging from one to five feet tall. Credit: Roger Foley Individual flowers last a day, but plants typically open successive blooms over four to five weeks. Rebloomers offer several performances yearly, while a handful of daylilies called everbloomers flower nearly all summer....

The delphinium, a spiky bloomer, is a hallmark of romantic cottage gardens. AndreaAstes / Getty Images Key Takeaways They’re strikingand unmistakable. In a garden design, they can add visual interest with height, shape, and color. Credit:AndreaAstes / Getty Images If you have many low-to-the-groundplantings in your cutting garden, consider adding delphiniums for an infusion of vertical variety. While most delphinium species reach heights from 1 to 6 feet tall, some hybrids grow much higher....

Pothos is ridiculously easy. Chances are you’ve seen devil’s ivy, also known as pothos, in many homes. So if you didn’t inherit a green thumb, this one might be for you. Credit: Getty/FeelPic Just be warned that it throws its inhibitions to the wind when taken outdoors. Devil’s ivy leaves tend to grow to about 4 inches long indoors. With support, the vines will scramble up poles, over shelves, or across walls on hooks....

It’s a waterfall in a plant, ideal for gardens, beds and window boxes. It creeps and trails and cascades wherever it’s planted. This native to West Texas is also called silver ponyfoot and silver nickel vine. Credit: vsanderson/Getty Images Both names reference the color of the plant’s foliage and the rounded shape of the leaves. Soil This plant grows best inloamy and sandy soils. It is also salt-tolerant, making it a good choice forcoastal areas....

Low-maintenance Drift roses add nonstop blooms to the garden. If you’re looking for an easy way to add profuse blooms to your garden, try Drift roses. But Drift roses have several advantages. Credit: okimo/Getty Images While similar to thelow-maintenance Knock Out, they are different enough to offer some variety to your garden. Drift roses are fast-growing, but they dont grow as large and have graceful forms. Their flowers have a traditional rose shape....

They also impart a rich, sweet flavor to quick sauces. Plants can be grown in locations where temperatures fluctuate between night and day, such as desert climates. Tomato plants require rich soil, warm temperatures, and plenty of sunshine to grow. Credit:USDA ARS Photo Unit , USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Wait until the threat of frost has passed before setting tomato plants out in the garden. see to it your plants still have full eastern exposure so they get plenty of morning sun....

The mild fruit soaks up surrounding flavors,making a great base for dips and casseroles. The plants grow at a moderate rate to 2-4 feet tall. Purple or white flowers bloom from the spiny stem, and the fruits are glossy and egg-shaped. Credit: Alison Miksch Here’s how to grow this easy warm-season vegetable. Plant Attributes Eggplant Care Eggplants thrive in 75oF soil and sulk if planted too soon. To raise the soil temperature for early planting, mulch with black plastic or grow in dark-colored containers....

Make room in your summer garden for the dazzling tropical beauty of elephant ears. Even the stems deliverimpressive colors. Plant these tuberous plants in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. Credit: Steve Bender They grow quickly, reaching their mature height in one growing season. If you have a damp spot that could use some drama, elephant ears will answer the call. Note that some elephant ears are invasive in some areas....

Beyond its prolific bloom in the spring, this evergreen tree is beautiful year-round. Flowering dogwood trees are hallmarks of Southern landscaping. One of our favorites is the Empress of China dogwood. Credit: Courtesy of the Southern Living Plant Collection The dazzling flowers turn into translucent ruby, strawberry-like fruits that songbirds enjoy eating. Empress of China is available in theSouthern Living Plant Collection. The best times to plant the tree are spring or fall....

This attractive foliage can get out of hand fast. Native to Europe, English ivy (Hedera helix) is a widespread, evergreenground coverthat thrives in theshade. Typically, it sports dark-green leaves with three to five lobes, but many variations exist. Credit: Glynlewis1/Getty Images Some selections feature variegated foliage with leaves edged in white or yellow. Other forms flaunt heart-shaped, deeply cut, rounded, or diminutive leaves. While beautiful, this invasive species is toxic to people and pets....

The blue-green foliage of eucalyptus is a favorite among florists and adds gorgeous texture to gardens. Key Takeaways Eucalyptus (Eucalyptusspp.) is a versatile plant in the home and garden. Credit:Flavia Morlachetti / Getty Images It’s easy forhouseplant beginnersto care for, and gardeners adore the fragrance it brings to the home. Eucalyptus makes a striking accent in landscapes with gorgeous foliage and colorful bark. Some cultivars can be grown indoors as a houseplant for a few years until they outgrow the space....

Learn how to grow figs right in your backyard. Every Southern garden should have a fig tree. These small trees or shrubs producedelicious fruitwith flavors best experienced ripe from the tree. Credit: Hilary Brodey / EyeEm / Getty Images Despitebearing delicious fruit, fig trees can be invasive, as the roots spread widely in optimal growing conditions. Rashes or skin irritation can occur in some individuals after exposure, so wear gloves when maintaining this tree....