Ornamental Gardens

Learn how to cultivate beautiful ornamental gardens and how to troubleshoot common pests, diseases, and growing problems!

Various hosta varieties with a mix of blue, green, and gold leaves, displaying diverse shapes and textures, are perfect to plant in October.

Ornamental Gardens

11 Hosta Varieties You Can Plant in October

Versatile across growing zones and garden spaces, hostas are ready to fill the role of top shade performer. Their dynamic foliage and durable nature make them handsome, easy-care, and long-lived perennials. Gardening expert Katherine Rowe explores award-winning and top-performing hosta varieties to plant in October.

A close-up shot of a person's hand using a bonsai scissor to trim pink flowerheads, showcasing how to deadhead pinch and mums

Flowers

Extending Mum Blooms: Pinching and Deadheading Tips

Mums, or chrysanthemums, bloom in full at the end of the growing season. Their colorful buds provide a showstopping display of color; use some tricks to extend these blooms as long as possible. Seasoned grower Jerad Bryant shares expert tips for extending mum blooms with pinching and deadheading.

Red leaves tree with graceful, spreading branches covered in deeply lobed, dark red leaves forming a dense, vibrant canopy.

Trees

11 Trees With Red Leaves Year-Round

Fall isn’t the only season for red leaves. Some trees have them year-round! Then, the red-leaf trees turn brilliant colors in autumn. Scatter them about the yard to brighten up the space, or use one as a focal point in the garden. Join former nurseryman Jerad Bryant to discover 11 trees with red leaves all year.

Woman in a green glove planting bulbs in a white container filled with black soil, surrounded by variously sized and colored bulbs lying on the floor.

Bulbs

Potted Bulbs in Containers: How to Do It Right

Fall is prime for planting bulbs in containers for a cheerful welcome to spring. It’s also the time to force bulbs for holiday displays and gifts. With easy planting in endless combinations, the nearly effortless arrangements bring a big show.

Planting mums ground with the gardening holding the small plant in a hole in the soil appearing to have vibrant pink blooms

Ornamental Gardens

Planting Mums in the Ground: How to Do it Right

Garden mums are easy-care perennials with a big show in the fall. They bring seasonal color and support for pollinators as summer transitions to cooler weather. For years of performance, planting the best selection at the right time and in the right spot yields nearly effortless rewards.

Cut-back hosta bush with trimmed, short stems arranged neatly along a garden bed bordered by metal edging.

Ornamental Gardens

How and When to Cut Back Hostas

Hostas are hardy perennials that illuminate shady areas with their structural, multi-toned foliage. Long-lived, the tough plants need little maintenance to thrive. Part of their best care is promoting winter-readiness, including pruning at the right time. Gardening expert Katherine Rowe explores when to cut back hostas for seasons of recurrent interest.