Many plants don’t grow well under black walnut trees due to a chemical called juglone contained in every part of these trees. Here are some plants that not only grow well near black walnut trees, but also attract many pollinator species to your garden.

10 Pollinator-Friendly Perennial Flowers That Grow Well Near Black Walnut Trees

If your garden is near a black walnut tree, you probably know that many plants have trouble growing there. This is because black walnut trees produce a chemical called juglone that makes it difficult for many other plants to grow. Black walnut trees have developed this as a way of reducing competition for soil nutrients.

Though many plants won’t survive in soil with high juglone content, there are many that have adapted to these conditions and will do just fine. Here are some juglone-tolerant plants that are especially attractive to pollinator species, such as monarch butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.

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There are several types of flowers often called “geraniums,” which have different growing needs and are native to different climates. Both can be planted in your garden, but which is the best choice?

Hardy Geraniums vs Tender Geraniums: Which Should You Plant in Your Garden?

If you are confused by the different types of geraniums available, you aren’t alone. It is easy to become confused about the different types of geraniums, considering there are multiple plants with different needs that share the name. Though the two types of geraniums are cousins, both belonging to the Geraniaceae family, they have different growing needs and are native to different climates. True geraniums are a hardy perennial plant, while the plants often sold as “geraniums” at garden centers, which are actually pelargoniums, are tender plants that are typically grown as annuals in cooler climates such as in my home-state, Ohio.

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This is a guide to caring for one of my favorite succulents; the elephant bush. It includes information on basic care, propagation, different varieties, and fun facts about this plant.

A Guide to Portulacaria afra: The Elephant Bush

Elephant bush (Portulacaria afra) is a slow-growing, shrubby succulent plant native to South Africa. As a succulent, elephant bush is drought-tolerant and loves dry, sunny areas. It grows best in arid, desert-like environments.

Elephant bush gets its name from the fact that it is a favorite food of elephants. Other common nicknames for this plant include porkbush, spekboom, elephant food, and dwarf jade (though it is not closely related to the jade plant).

Elephant bush is a versatile succulent and can be grown to meet a number of different aesthetics. It’s trailing, leafy stems make it a good choice for hanging baskets. Because of its tree-like growth habit, it also makes for a relatively easy bonsai. Though it is rare for this plant to bloom when grown indoors as a houseplant, it is possible for it to produce clusters of pink or white star-shaped flowers in ideal growing conditions.

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