Understanding Acid And Alkaline Soil The pH scale (from 1 to 14) is defined in very scientific terms as “the negative logarithm of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution” – in gardening and landscaping terms, the measure of acidity or alkalinity in soil.
A measure of “1” on the scale indicates an acid strong enough to dissolve anything it comes in contact with; one of “14” an alkali of similar destructive power; “7” is perfectly neutral. Pure water for example has a pH of “7” – being totally neutral.
The scale refers not only to soil (or soil moisture to be exact), but to any solution. Cosmetic companies for example develop their products to the pH equivalent of the skin.
Each step in the scale is 10 times that of the one before. A soil reading of pH5 is ten times more acid than a soil of pH6 and so on. Most soils fall between pH5.5 and pH8.6. Neutral or slightly acid soil in a range around pH7.5 to pH6 is considered ideal for most plants.
It’s important to know the pH of your soil before planting – kits to test your soil are readily available from most garden centers. Understanding the difference between acid and alkaline soil is critical to gardening success
Acid Soils contain very little lime (compounds of calcium). Alkaline soils have larger quantities of lime, in neutral soils the lime is in balance with other elements.
Calcium affects the availability to plants of other nutrient elements such as iron, which can be in extreme shortage in extremely alkaline soil. Plants that cope poorly with this will show signs of Chlorosis and need to be grown in acid soils. Other plants prefer lime and will like the soil to be alkaline.
The ideal is for the soil to be slightly on the acid side of neutral. This will suit most plants and those that need it can be given a small dose of lime to improve their health. It’s always best to group these plants together so a specific area of the garden can be treated.
It’s more difficult to make an alkaline soil acid though it can be achieved by adding an organic mulch – pine needles are quite acid and have proven efficient as an organic mulch for this purpose.
Adding sulphur can help also – as it weathers it makes the soil water acid and locks up some of the free calcium as insoluble calcium sulphate. The down side – sulphur will kill off microorganisms in the soil.
If your garden soil is alkaline and you want to grow acid loving plants it’s best to do so in containers or raised beds of lime-free soil. Water only with rainwater, as where the soil is alkaline the tap water is likely to be alkaline as well.
It’s a general (though by no means hard and fast) rule that soils in humid coastal climates tend to be acid. Soils in drier inland climates are typically alkaline.
The acidity or alkalinity of your soil can be easily quantified on the pH scale. Anything (on a scale of 1 to 14) less than 7 is acid and above is alkaline. Hydrangeas are nature’s indicator, flowering blue in acid soil and pink in alkaline soil. If they can’t seem to make up their mind and flower both ways your soil is likely neutral.
If you can’t be bothered to purchase a testing kit try the method your grandmother likely used – put a little soil on the tip of your tongue. If it is slightly sweet to the taste, your soil is alkaline, slightly sour and your soil is acid.
Want to know what to plant in acid or alkaline soil? Send us a message and I will be happy to offer some options.
Gardening is no easy task, especially if you have put quite a lot of effort into it. It won’t take you long before tending to the flower beds, pruning and doing all sorts of other gardening chores starts to feel tiring and overwhelming. The purpose of gardening is to make you feel happy, not super tired.
To achieve this, you can adopt a few clever tricks that will make the workflow easy. The following techniques aim to keep you sharp on the gardening jobs while helping you conserve your energy. Raised beds are a blessing Whether made of wood (manufactured or regular), pavers or concrete blocks, you can bet that they will make your gardening efforts easy. You needn’t worry about building raised beds yourself, as you will most often see kits in large stores. What you have to remember is the height of the raised bed shouldn’t be too great. A maximum of 40 inches is recommended. You also have to make them at least 3-4 feet wide so that access to the middle is not difficult. Gardening in containers Containers are also convenient for gardening purposes since you can practically place them at whatever height is appropriate. You can put them on the ground, or a table, if that is more convenient for you. Weeding plants in containers are much easier than in raised beds, and you can also water them without much trouble. Depending on the size of the container, you won’t have much trouble. It is worth it to check for containers with wheels, as those are very easy to move around. Use only ergonomic tools There is a wide variety of tools available out there, and you can make a choice to get more convenient ones. For instance, there are tools with smaller handles and such that come with braces to protect your wrists. Some tools feature special handle design with curved handles and indentations for fingers. If you feel the handle of a tool doesn’t feel as comfortable as it should use pipe insulation or tape to make it such. Invest in a pulley system for hanging baskets If you find hanging baskets too heavy to move, remember that you can always get a pulley system for them. This reduces the weight by half at least and is quite convenient. You can lower the baskets when you need to water them or tending to plants there and then return them where they need to be with ease. Tailor the watering can to your ability If you cannot lift heavy, perhaps a standard watering can prove a bad decision. What you can use is a smaller can that is easier to lift and carry around. Warm up before initiating work and take breaks Treat gardening work the same way you would as going to the gym. To prepare your body, you will need to start off easy, as a warm-up before the actual workout. Another important thing is to give yourself regular breaks so that you don’t grow tired quickly after you begin. Take a seat for a few minutes or stand up to stretch your legs if you are working something on the ground. Succession gardening If you are planting crops, you should try out succession gardening. What this means is planting crops at staggered dates. That way they will ripe at different times, which means you won’t feel greatly overwhelmed.
All of these practical tips can greatly help your gardening efforts. Remember to implement them and you will find the work is not that difficult.
Taking care of our plants and flowers is not very easy for most of us especially for those who have busy lifestyles. Gardening may be last in their priorities. So for those who love to garden but doesn’t have much time, the best way to take care of our plants is to choose the right planter boxes to use.
We usually put our plants on the ground or in ordinary pots. But using the right planter boxes can help a lot to make gardening easier for each one of us. Here are some factors that we should consider:
1. Durable materials. Outdoor planters should be made of durable materials so that it can withstand bad or strong weather conditions. Stone and fiberglass planters are just some of the durable planter boxes that are ideal for outdoor settings. Commercial planters are usually high in quality so their durability may be out of question.
2. Self-watering devices. Gardening would be easier for us if we choose outdoor planters that have self-watering devices. This will keep the plants and flowers moist for a long period of time. So this will reduce the number of times that we have to water them.
3. Size. Consider the size of the outdoor planter that you are going to use for your plants. Large planters may be necessary for trees or tall plants. Whereas small modern planters are ideal for your patio especially those that have beautiful designs.
4. Function. Planter boxes that have other functions other than being plant containers can be an added benefit for us. There are illuminated planters that can be a stylish source of light in our garden at night. They can also be an added protection for the plants so that they won’t be stepped on at the dark.
In this technologically-advanced world, it is now possible for everyone to maintain a beautiful garden at home. With the high quality and functional commercial planters, our plants and flowers will be well-taken cared of without taking much of our time. In addition to that, modern planters have excellent designs that can further enhance the beauty of our garden.
The Muscovy duck has been selectively bred for hundreds of years. It is often a good option for little farms and Gardens to help manage pest. Muscovies are distinctive, the only ducks that did not descend from mallards. They are South American natives. The initial name was “Musco” duck because they were voracious eaters of mosquitoes. Muscovies come in a number of colors. The most numerous commercial variety is probably the white. Muscovies. They are relatively good fliers.
They will roost in trees and they will also roost on “perches” or “roosts,” at night if available.Muscovy duck can live as free range and while they can fly, they just fly around will not fly away and leave the property. In fact our Muscovy ducks hardly ever fly. Muscovy ducks do not make as much noise as other ducks.
Use Muscovy Ducks as pest controllers
Muscovy Ducks do an awesome job at controlling mosquitoes and flies. They will eat all sorts of bugs, the black widow and the deadly brown spider, Japanese beetles, maggots, grasshoppers, mosquitoes, mosquito maggot, slugs, snails and everything else that crawls, creeps, or flies. They also make a quick food out of mice, snakes, wasps, and hornets. They love to eat roaches and will eat them voraciously. They consume every bug they observe including ants. One of the things that make them very valuable is that they love spiders. They will even eat poisonous ones including the deadly brown and the Black Widow spider. They will go under things such as picnic tables and get up in the corners and crevices and eat the bugs, spiders, and other insects.
Their bug eating activities help reduce problems with bugs when working in the blueberry field or garden. Using Muscovy also helps eliminate the need to purchase chemicals for pest control to keep pests down. This can help in raising a pesticide free blueberries and vegetables.
Muscovy Ducks are Easy to raise
They’re inexpensive and trouble-free: Muscovies reproduce well. They are very good foragers, they grow quick and they rarely get sick. They will eat what the other animals leave or spill. They are good mothers. Muscovy Ducks also are very useful on farms where you have other animals because they eat any the excess food left by other animals. This helps reduce rats because there is no excess food lying around that can attract rats. They will also eat the spare food from the chickens or other animals.
Meat and eggs of Muscovies
They are really efficient for meat production. Muscovy breast is the size of a steak; you wouldn’t deduce it was duck without knowing. The meat is lean when compared to the fatty meat of ducks of mallard decent. Its leanness and tenderness is often compared to veal. The meat of Muscovy ducks is one of the healthiest meats you can purchase or grow. It is 98% or greater fat-free. Some people declare that the breast of a Muscovy duck taste like a Sirloin steak. It is sometimes made into “hamburger”. Persons requiring a low-fat diet use it. The meat is great tasting and very nutritious. Being a very lean meat it is not greasy like that of other ducks.
Muscovy eggs are tasty and are used in many dishes. They are considered a delicacy. Muscovy ducks can lay as many as almost 200 eggs a year. This can provide plenty of eggs for you to eat. They will nest three or four times a year and hatch up to 20 ducklings a time.
There is a certain order in nature that should be maintained to make the lifecycle in the ecosystem continuous. This sense of order also applies in your garden, and the crucial factors would be your plants and insects surrounding them. That’s why telling the difference between harmful and helpful insects is important.
Garden Wars: Knowing Your Allies And Enemies
A lot of people think that having insects in their garden is a bad thing. This is true because some insects, like aphids, can be annoying and harmful. But not all of them should be considered pests. Other insects, like ladybugs, are very helpful. The trick here is to get a balance between the helpful insects and the harmful ones.
A Fine Lady Garden Helper
As said, ladybugs are very helpful insects, especially in your garden. This is because they feed on small caterpillars and Aphids mites, which are damaging to your garden. Both the larvae and adult ladybugs eat the pests in your garden.
Ladybug larvae are mainly active between the months of May and July, while the adults come after. You can even buy Ladybugs at many nurseries and greenhouses, or order them through mail.
Delicate Laces For Predating
One of the most excellent insect predators that you would want to have in your garden are Green Lacewings. Its larvae eat Mealybugs, Aphids, Spider mites, white flies, Thrips, and scales, just to name a few.
Hover Helpers
Another good insect for your garden are Hover Flies. They are very helpful insects and look like wasps or dark bees. Hover flies eat caterpillars, green flies, and fruit tree Spider Mites. Hover Flies are easily attracted to plants like phacelia plants and marigolds. Putting plants like these throughout your garden will encourage Hover Flies to thrive.
Dragon Friends
Dragonflies are also one of the best beneficial insects. They eat mosquitoes, which are not only harmful for your plants, but for humans as well. You should plant reedy plants to encourage dragonflies to thrive in your garden.
Busy Bees
Although bees may seem dangerous to some people, they are actually quite helpful to gardens and harmless to other insects. They do not eat or predate upon other insects. They help out in your garden by pollinating flowers and trees. A lot of vegetables need flower pollination too. Having bees close by will aid this process. You should plant flowers throughout your garden to encourage busy bee workers to visit.
Know Your Foes
Insects that you should watch out for are Scales, Leaf Miners, Japanese beetle and Spittlebugs. All of these are very harmful insects for your plants. So if you spot them thriving around your garden, appropriate action must be done.
Most people choose to use insecticides or pesticides. Yes, this may be the easiest way to kill insects, but too much of this can also be harmful, especially to your plants. That’s why making use of good insects is, generally, a much better way to deal with pests than the use of pesticides.
When you use good insects, the method is natural and you don’t contribute to polluting nature. With just a little effort in learning which bugs are good and bad, you can improve the way you and your garden handles insect problems. So the next time you see an insect thriving in your garden, always think twice before you even try to squish or shoo them away. They may just be the friends you need.
Garden pests are not the thing most gardeners relish talking about. But whether you’re container gardening or working in flower beds, for beautiful clay flower pots or blooming perennial flowers, herbs, and vegetables beds, knowing your stuff about pesky critters is essential.
Your first (and best) line of defense is good plant culture. This means paying attention to these 4 essentials:
Proper soil for your flowers, herbs, or vegetables you’re growing. Why? Because planting in the wrong soil (such as peonies in cactus mix) won’t promote a healthy plant. And poor plant health means less defenses to ward off garden pests and diseases. Characteristics of the right planting soil include that it’s rich enough for the plant, but well-draining, and light enough for good root development.
Water properly. Too much leads to water-logged roots and fungal root inflections plus all sorts of other debilitating problems. If the soil is moist, don’t water (unless you have a plant, such as mint or hydrangea that relish evenly moist soil). And make sure your pots have drainage holes. If the water stands in the soil, even out of sight, this spells trouble.
Fertilize well through the whole growing season (don’t start strong and then quit!). And know your plants in terms of soil ph requirements. For example, azaleas or the herb chamomile loves an acid soil, while basil prefers a neutral ph, and oregano a slightly alkaline one. Know your plant and provide the soil additives they need to stay healthy.
Clean environment. Remove spent blooms, dead leaves, and other potentially decaying matter. Garden pests and diseases thrive in an unclean environment. Add good air circulation here, too. Don’t crowd the plants together or you’ll be removing a lot more than spent blooms. In short, strong plants, like strong bodies of any sort, are better equipped to stay healthy.
But as we know, stuff happens.
We’ll deal with seven of the most common garden pests below, both in terms of how to spot the problem and what to do about it.
But before we get to the pests, one word about beneficial insects-yes, there are some! Lacewings, lady bugs, and praying mantis are three of the best.
They love to eat the destructive insects that harm your garden. And, you can find reputable suppliers online.
Ok, on to our subject: Garden Pests.
The Pesky Little Critters
Aphids The Problem: These are pretty common, but very hard to see. 3 millimeters and green, they love the undersides of leaves where they suck until the leaf becomes rolled and sticky. The Solution: You can spray the plant leaves to knock off the offenders and use a spray of water and soap (best to use insecticidal soap from the nursery). Repeat every few days until they’re gone.
Spider Mites The Problem: Too little to see with the human eye, these guys also hang out on the underside of leaves. You’ll know they’re there if your leaves turn yellow and wither. At the worst, there’s a white web on the leaves. The Solution: Rinse the leaves as with aphids and spray. You can also move the plants to a cool spot as you do this. Spider mites like it hot.
Whiteflies The Problem: Little white flies. Usually a whole lot of them, and they fly up disgustingly when you touch a leaf (they like the underside) or water. The leaves wither. The Solution: Use an insecticidal soap on them, and they’ll bite the dust pretty quickly.
Mealybugs The Problem: 3 millimeter yellow-brown nasties that hold onto the stems and leaves. They leave behind little white fluffs and the leaves get sticky. The Solution: You can squish the bugs between your fingers if you’re not like me and have a bug phobia. Otherwise, clean off the critters with a hose or hard spray with insecticidal soap and treat with horticultural oil you can buy online or at the nursery.
The Bigger Critters
Caterpillars The Problem: You’ll see hanging larvae and caterpillars-not too hard to spot. The thing about these garden pests is you need to decide if the harm is less than the pleasure of the butterfly that might come out. Sometimes letting them hang around, literally, can bring quite a lot of pleasure. The Solution: Just pick off and discard. Enough said.
Japanese Beetles The Problem: Big beetles with a shiny brown carapace and black head that reduce ornamental leaves to skeletons. The Solution: Pick off and discard. You can drop them in a soapy solution if you get no pleasure from the squish option.
Snails and Slugs The Problem: Little slow-moving, shelled creatures that love, love, love hostas. The Solution: I’ve heard of lots of solutions, none of which have worked very well for me-these include setting out jar tops filled with beer (Really). Putting sticky boards at the base of plants-you have to get rid of them in the morning. Pick them up and dispose of them. In a manner of your choosing.
There’s something truly enchanting about black flowers. They’re bold. They’re mysterious. They’re elegant in a way that demands a second look. And if you’re like me, you’ve probably dreamed of having a garden filled with those shadowy blooms that feel like they’ve stepped out of a fairytale.
But here’s the truth—we still haven’t achieved a truly black flower. Most of the blooms we call black are actually very deep shades of red or purple, so dark they appear black to the naked eye. And yet, that doesn’t take away from their beauty. In fact, it makes them all the more intriguing.
So if you’re curious to add a little drama and depth to your garden, I’ve gathered some of the best “black†flowers to help you bring that dream to life. Let’s take a closer look!
Black Violas and Pansies (Viola spp.)
Let’s start with one of the most charming and easy-to-grow black flowers: black violas.
These little treasures are among the closest to truly black that you’ll find. With their velvety petals and delicate shape, they add both elegance and a whimsical touch to containers, borders, or cottage gardens.
🌼 Why we love them:
Edible! Use them to decorate cakes or salads.
Cool-season favorites – they bloom best in spring and fall.
Great for pots, flower beds, and edging.
🌿 Tips: Keep them deadheaded to encourage more blooms. They love sun but tolerate light shade too.
Black Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata ‘Black Barlow’)
This one isn’t truly black either—but it sure looks the part with its deep, almost ink-colored double blooms.
Black Columbine adds a touch of elegance with a wild side. It’s perfect for woodland gardens or shady spots where it will spread gently over time.
🌼 Why we love it:
Unique star-shaped flowers.
Hardy, low-maintenance, and deer-resistant.
Adds a romantic, heirloom feel.
🌿 Tips: Plant in part-shade and keep the soil moist. They self-seed, so they may surprise you next year in a new corner of the garden!
Black Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
One of the easiest perennials you’ll ever grow, black daylilies are stunning in the landscape.
The variety ‘Black Emanuelle’ is one of the darkest you’ll find, with petals so deep red they’re nearly black. These flowers love the sun—but they’ll appreciate some shade during the hottest part of the day to prevent fading.
🌼 Why we love them:
Nearly indestructible!
Multiply year after year.
Attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
🌿 Tips: Daylilies thrive in full sun but provide afternoon shade for the darkest varieties to help preserve their color.
Black Hollyhock (Alcea rosea var. nigra)
Now here’s a classic with serious height and drama.
The black hollyhock can grow up to 8 feet tall, creating towering spires of dark maroon, almost black blooms. It’s a real showstopper, especially along fences or the back of garden beds.
🌼 Why we love it:
Edible petals that can be used for teas or dyes.
Attracts hummingbirds and bees.
Adds old-world charm to cottage gardens.
🌿 Tips: Plant in full sun and stake them if they get too tall. They’ll bloom in their second year, but you can start seeds indoors to speed things up.
Black Scabiosa, or Mourning Bride (Scabiosa atropurpurea)
Let’s talk about texture and scent.
Black Scabiosa gives you both. Its almost-black pincushion flowers smell sweet and look stunning in cut flower arrangements. Plus, they’re butterfly magnets!
🌼 Why we love it:
Long-lasting in vases.
Unusual and dramatic.
Blooms all summer long.
🌿 Tips: Give them plenty of sun and good drainage. Pinch back early for bushier plants.
Black Tulips (Tulipa ‘Queen of Night’)
Oh, tulips. The jewel of spring.
And if you’re chasing black beauty, ‘Queen of Night’ is your prize. This tulip has dark, silky petals that glow maroon in sunlight but look nearly black in the garden.
🌼 Why we love it:
Striking and elegant.
Pairs beautifully with bright yellows and soft pinks.
Blooms in mid to late spring.
🌿 Tips: Plant in well-draining soil and full sun. Tulips like a cold winter, so chill the bulbs if you’re in a warm climate.
Chocolate Cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus)
This flower is pure indulgence—for the eyes and the nose.
Chocolate Cosmos has dark, cocoa-colored petals and a sweet chocolate scent that’s simply irresistible.
🌼 Why we love it:
Smells like dessert.
Attracts butterflies.
Perfect for containers or borders.
🌿 Tips: Plant in full sun with good drainage. In cold climates, lift the tubers and store them indoors over winter.
Black Ball Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus ‘Black Ball’)
Cornflowers usually come in blue, but this dark beauty offers something extra.
The ‘Black Ball’ variety is a rich burgundy-black that pops in flower beds. They’re easy, cheerful, and great for cutting or drying.
🌼 Why we love it:
Drought-tolerant.
Edible petals for salads or drinks.
Gorgeous dried flowers for winter decor.
🌿 Tips: Sow directly in poor soil. Too much fertilizer makes them floppy and leafy.
Black Iris (Iris chrysographes or Iris germanica ‘Before the Storm’)
Few flowers are as dramatic as a black iris.
With their ruffled petals and stately form, black irises are the definition of garden luxury. They prefer a moist, sunny spot and reward you with bold, inky blooms in late spring.
🌼 Why we love it:
Exotic and mysterious.
Pairs well with water features.
Makes a statement in any garden.
🌿 Tips: Plant the rhizomes just below the surface. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Black Peony Poppy (Papaver somniferum var. paeoniflorum)
If you’re going for bold and dramatic, Black Peony Poppies deliver.
These stunning flowers look like ruffled black satin and bloom in early summer. They’re easy to grow and offer one of the deepest hues you’ll find.
🌼 Why we love them:
Big, bold, and breathtaking.
Great for cottage-style gardens.
Self-seed readily.
🌿 Tips: Sow seeds directly in early spring. They don’t transplant well, so start them where you want them to grow.
Black Roses (Rosa spp.)
Let’s end with the most romantic of all—the black rose.
There’s no such thing as a true black rose, but varieties like ‘Black Baccara’, ‘Deep Secret’, and ‘Midnight Blue’ come close. Their deep, dark petals are rich in color and emotion.
🌼 Why we love them:
Sophisticated and timeless.
Fragrant and long-lasting.
Perfect for dramatic floral displays.
🌿 Tips: Roses like rich, well-draining soil, full sun, and regular feeding. Choose disease-resistant varieties for less fuss.
Design Tip: Make Them Pop!
Black flowers can disappear into a sea of green if you’re not careful. Instead of planting them alone, pair them with lighter or brighter colors to make them shine.
Here are some combo ideas:
Bright yellow coreopsis with black violas.
Pale pink cosmos beside black tulips.
Lime-green foliage with black scabiosa.
Orange zinnias around black hollyhocks.
Black flowers are like velvet curtains in a room—they bring depth, richness, and focus. But they need contrast to show off their magic.
Bringing the Dream Closer
The dream of a truly black flower still dances just out of reach. But thanks to centuries of breeding and a bit of garden magic, we’re closer than ever.
And honestly? I don’t mind that most of these blooms are just very deep red or purple. Their mystery, their elegance, their drama—it’s all part of the charm.
So if you’ve been wishing for a garden with a little more edge, a little more mystery, or a touch of gothic glamour… now’s your chance.
Pick a few of these shadowy stars. Mix them with golds, silvers, and pastels. Let them shine. Let them whisper their secrets through your garden paths.
Because sometimes, the most beautiful flowers aren’t the brightest—they’re the darkest.
Have a favorite black flower of your own? Let’s talk blooms—I’d love to hear about your garden dreams!
