Winter showcases tree bark, often hidden by leaves. Bark serves many functions but it can also be beautiful with varied textures and colors. Learn about the woody plants in the landscape that have ornamental bark.
Garden Trivia
True or false: Removing all fallen leaves from the landscape is necessary for a healthy yard and garden next spring.
Hollies are popular landscape shrubs and often used in holiday decor but most are not reliably hardy in Iowa. However, a few species can be successfully grown in the state.
December brings many holiday celebrations and traditions. Poinsettia, Christmas trees, and amaryllis are just some of the plants that play a role in many holiday activities. Here are all the resources you need to help keep these special plants healthy and attractive all season.
There were a few fine-textured annuals at Reiman Gardens this year you may want to consider adding to your containers next season. See which plants they are in this article.
It's that time of year! The 2025 All-America Selections winners have been announced! Explore three of the award-winning plants that will be available soon in this article.
Other Items of Interest
Garden Trivia Answer
False… with one notable exception! Fallen leaves in garden beds can be left over winter as long as they are not so deep they smother the crowns of perennials. Leaving a layer of leaves helps many plants and insects overwinter. However, leaves left on the lawn over winter will smother and kill the turfgrass, creating bare patches that will become weedy in the spring. So, clear the leaves from the lawn and leave the leaves on the rest! Learn more in this article: Can I just leave fallen leaves on my yard and garden?
