The ‘Duke’ blueberry variety is grown for its prolific production and ability to withstand cold. Gardening expert Madison Moulton explains how to take care of this blueberry bush best Growing fruits reliably can be tricky for gardeners in colder climates. There is a balance required— some plants need a certain amount of cold exposure to fruit successfully, but too much frigid weather can damage some species. Blueberry lovers in colder regions won’t need to worry when growing the ‘Duke’ variety. This northern highbush is one of the hardiest blueberries available, suitable for frosty regions around the United States. They are also easy to grow when following these simple guidelines. What Is It? ‘Duke’ is a northern highbush blueberry variety known for its cold-hardy nature. These shrubs don’t mind a little chill, growing in USDA Zones 4-7. They produce flowers a little later in the season, avoiding issues with frost and ensuring cold-region gardeners don’t have to worry about frost protection. Although flowering is later, this variety is also one of the earlier producers. You can typically start harvesting berries at the beginning of summer, unlike other varieties like ‘Pink Lemonade’, which only start ripening in the middle of the season. The bush not only has berries that ripen early, but it also produces mountains of them – agricultural researchers assert it is one of the most prolific producers you can grow. You won’t have a shortage of delicious purple-blue berries to snack on if you choose ‘Duke.’ Planting Once you’ve purchased your blueberry bush, you’re bound to be excited to get it in the ground. However, it’s best to give it a little time to adjust before you plant. Changing environments are stressful for any plant, especially when they’ve been growing in optimal conditions at the nursery. For the first few days, keep your ‘Duke’ blueberry in a partially shaded area in its container. Avoid areas with high winds, as this can increase stress. Keep the soil lightly moist but not waterlogged until you’re ready to start the planting process. Don’t wait too long either – they only need a few days to adapt and limit shock. Plant within the first week in the shrub’s final home. Once your blueberry bush is acclimated, choose an ideal location for planting. Full sun is best for the highest possible yield, but these plants can also grow in partial sun. Soil is an important consideration, as blueberries are acid-loving plants. They won’t be happy in soil with a pH above 5.5 and prefer an even lower pH around 4.5 for the best possible growth. Test your soil and amend it until you achieve the right pH before planting. With your location identified, start digging the hole. It should be around twice as wide as the container and only slightly deeper, encouraging the roots to grow outwards into the soil. Lower the bush into the hole and plant at the same level it was at in the container, filling in the gaps with rich soil mix. Press down around the base of the plant to settle the roots in place and remove any large air pockets that may require a soil top-up. Water immediately after planting to prevent any further stress and encourage the roots to stretch deep into the soil. If you’re planting another blueberry bush simultaneously, leave at least 5 feet of space between each plant. Overcrowding can increase your risk of disease in both plants and increase competition for resources. However, growing multiple blueberries will improve pollination and overall yields.

In dry, temperate areas, gardeners look for border plants that shine from spring through fall. 'Ballerina Red' Armeria is the perfect candidate! Follow along as experienced gardener and master naturalist Sarah Jay details how to grow this carefree plant. Gardeners along coastlines and in rockier areas sometimes struggle to find perennials that can handle all the salt spray and low soil nutrients. Armeria pseudarmeria is one choice that won’t promote a struggle or regret. As a first-year flowering perennial, this species is a great choice. With numerous cultivars available, it can be hard to choose. But the striking ‘Ballerina Red’ armeria is preferred in areas that need a little extra color, and punctuated blooms from spring through summer. Walkways, borders, and edges are perfect places for these crimson blooms. Armeria – regardless of the species or variety – is typically a low-maintenance plant, even in extreme conditions. The only thing to avoid is high fertility. Otherwise, these plants practically take care of themselves. What Is It? The most common armeria cultivated in North America is Armeria maritima. This plant and all members of the Armeria genus are commonly known as thrifts or sea pinks, alluding to their ability to pop off in harsh conditions. They are also called lady’s pincushions due to their rounded structure. Armerias thrive in rough, rocky areas in and around the Mediterranean. This natural range has led them to become a favored plant for waterwise gardening in coastal and generally rough regions. Armeria pseudarmeria is no exception. Characteristics Most members of the Armeria genus have a similar structure. They are small, clumping evergreen plants with lance-shaped leaves. They have compound, ball-shaped blooms in varying colors, ranging from white to pink, all the way to deep purple and red. These have a full flush of flowers in spring, and then bloom sporadically through summer and fall. Ballerina red armeria has deep red blooms and a stature that reaches under one foot tall, making it great for planting anywhere lower-stature plants fit in. Unlike other species, this armeria blooms in the first year, rather than the second. The fronds and blooms are salt and sun-tolerant, providing color through the elements in coastal areas. Native Area Armeria pseudarmeria is native to Portugal, along its rocky coastline. Seaside cliffs, rocky slopes, and salt marshes are its home. Thriving in areas that could be either consistently moist or completely dry, this plant takes the extremities like a champ. Along its native range, A. pseudarmeria thrives in highly sunny sites with poor fertility. The marshes and coastal places this plant is from lack trees, and are therefore susceptible to intense winds, and unhindered sunlight. ‘Ballerina Red’armeria is a cultivated plant developed alongside other cultivars in the ‘Ballerina’ series. These were selected from the wilds of Portugal and introduced into gardens as xeriscaping became a more popular mode of gardening. ‘Red’ was a Fleuroselect Gold Medal awardee in 2009. Planting As mentioned, ‘Ballerina’ Red Armeria is perfect for garden borders, particularly in water-wise and xeriscaped gardens. Coastal gardens benefit from the salt tolerance and short stature that enables them to withstand high winds. In-ground plantings should have rocky or sandy soils, whereas container plantings should have soil with excellent drainage.

There are many outdoor pests you may be keen to avoid, but flies can very easily become the most annoying when you're trying to enjoy your outdoor spaces, the insect you're most eager to deter. Adult flies can circle your head, buzzing endlessly, while you're trying to enjoy your garden or patio—and worse, they're prone to sneaking in the house and becoming an even bigger hassle to get rid of. We spoke with Amber Noyes from Gardening Chores to get her recommendations on some of the best plants that flies like to avoid, and her top tips for getting the most pest-deterring power from them. Meet the Expert Amber Noyes is an expert horticulturist and editor at Gardening Chores. She holds a Master's degree in horticulture from the University of California and has experience working on and caring for organic farms. 01 of 10 Basil (Ocimum basilicum) A plant Noyes says truly "worked wonders" for her own garden is one you might already grow, or want to. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a very popular herb found in many kitchen gardens and adds dynamic, delicious flavor to a huge range of meals. Noyes stresses that the aroma of basil, which most humans like and associate with a good meal, is actually highly unfavorable to some of the most common garden pests, like flies and mosquitoes. If you want to be successful at repelling flies you'll need your basil plants thriving outdoors as well as indoors. Name: Basil (Ocimum basilicum) USDA Hardiness Zones: perennial in 10-11 Light: Bright, 6-8 hours per day Soil: Well-drained 02 of 10 Lavender (Lavandula) Another plant Noyes recommends highly is also popular with many gardeners. Lavender (Lavandula) is sought-after for its relaxing, spa-like scent and is also popular for drying or use in essential oils. While we tend to love this beautiful flowering plant, a perennial that can live up to 20 years if given the right conditions, flies are repelled by its scent and will likely stay far away. Lavender can also deter moths and mosquitoes, so it's a multi-functional bug-repellent plant that looks and smells lovely in your garden. Name: Lavender (Lavandula) USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9 Light: Full sun Soil: Well-drained, slightly alkaline 03 of 10 Catnip (Nepeta cataria) This herbaceous perennial may be a favorite of housecats around the world, but it's also an option that may help you keep pesky flies out of your yard or patio. Low maintenance and fast-growing, this plant can spread quickly around your garden if left unchecked, so opt for container growing if you want to control its size. Flower spikes appear from late spring through fall, with clusters of white and purple blooms. While the dried leaves of this plant are popular for cats, note that the oils of the fresh plant can be toxic to them. Regardless, the scents and oils of this plant can deter pests and is a great option for those seeking natural bug repellant. Name: Catnip (Nepeta cataria) USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-7 Light: Full sun Soil: Well-drained, loamy, sandy 04 of 10 Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) A relative of mint with a citrusy profile, lemon balm is a lovely addition to home gardens with a bright scent that gardeners usually love—and plenty of insects avoid. Packed with the key compound citronellal, which is used in most natural insect repellants on the market, it's a natural solution for driving away flies, mosquitoes, and other unwelcome garden visitors. Name: Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-7 Light: Full sun, partial shade Soil: Well-drained Tip Keep in mind that lemon balm, like its close relative mint, is a rapidly growing plant that will quickly overtake your other plants, so most gardeners keep this one container-bound. 05 of 10 Marigold (Tagetes spp.) Another favorite recommendation of Noyes, marigolds are a popular flower known for their bright, cheerful colors and plentiful array of blooms throughout the summer. They come in a range of size and color varieties, but all include the compound pyrethrum, which is used in many insect repellants, and is what makes this plant valuable in your efforts to keep flies away. Marigolds are a true annual, growing quickly and reaching maturity in only a couple of months, providing plenty of flowers throughout the summer before dying off when frost arrives. Name: Marigold (Tagetes spp.) USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-11 (annual) Light: Full sun Soil: Well-drained, moist 06 of 10 Carnivorous Plants It's possible your first thought when it comes to getting rid of flies was a Venus flytrap or other carnivorous varieties—and not for no reason. While these plants won't keep flies from entering your home or garden in the first place, a healthy carnivorous plant will kill any fly that lands on it, helping take care of some stragglers, especially those who sneak inside. There are more carnivorous plants than just Venus flytraps, including pitcher plants, butterwort, and cobra lily. Each has unique structures that trap insects and immobilize or even consume them. Carnivorous plants are typically tropical and unlikely to survive outdoors in most of the U.S., but they can thrive indoors if given proper care and growing environment. Name: Various carnivorous species USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9, depending on species Light: Typically full sun Soil: Usually boggy, acidic soil 07 of 10 Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) This fragrant perennial herb is an easy-to-grow and popular plant, both for kitchen gardens and as a larger, border shrub when given space to thrive outdoors. Edible needle-like leaves grow on woody stems, with flowers blooming most often in spring and summer, as well as occasionally throughout the year. Rosemary is popular in cooking and baking, but also happens to have a scent that naturally deters pests like flies and gnats. Name: Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-10 Light: Full sun Soil: Well-drained, sandy, loamy 08 of 10 Sage (Salvia officinalis) Popular kitchen herbs are a theme among plants that repel flies and other garden pests. That's because oftentimes the lovely flavors and aromas of these plants, which we value highly for cooking, baking, and essential oils, are repellant to flies. Sage is another great option—this easy-to-grow semi-shrubby perennial herb grows moderately quickly and does well both in the ground and in containers. Name: Sage (Salvia officinalis) USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-10 Light: Full sun Soil: Well-drained, sandy, loamy 09 of 10 Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) Bay laurel, also known by names like bay leaf, sweet bay, or laurel tree, is a Mediterranean shrub or tree known for its leaves, which are commonly used in cooking. But this lovely plant's aroma also helps deter a host of frustrating garden pests, like flies. It's especially helpful if you plant a larger bay laurel tree, or a series of them next to each other, which will create almost a wall that pushes flies away. Name: Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-10 Light: Full or partial sun Soil: Well-drained, moist 10 of 10 Mint (Mentha spp.) Popular and often included in home and kitchen gardens, mint is available in a wide range of varieties with different flavors and specific uses, and grows rapidly if given the right conditions. You may have heard mint described as growing like a weed, taking over any garden bed it's given access to. For this reason, many gardeners keep it in containers, preferring to be able to manage its size and grab leaves as needed in cooking, mixology, and aromatherapy. While we may love the bright, refreshing scent of mint plants, many pesky insects like flies will steer clear of it, so it's another great aromatic to help you keep your outdoor zones fly-free. Name: Mint (Mentha spp.) USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-11 Light: Full or partial sun Soil: Well-drained, moist, loamy Why Deter Flies? In their larvae state, many fly species will be a menace to your garden plants—prone to developing into a soil infestation and eating plants until they can no longer thrive. For both of these reasons, most gardeners and outdoors lovers are keen to keep the common pests at bay. Thankfully, doing so can be as easy as being strategic about what you plant in your own garden. Here are the 10 best plant varieties to grow for natural fly repellent. Additional Tips to Repel Flies Not only is it important to include the right plants in your garden, but Noyes also suggests these tips: Plant in strategic spots, like near your seating areas, around doorways or windows of your home, and around outdoor tables—anywhere you want flies to stay clear from Remember that effectiveness will depend on many factors, including the health of your plants, your climate, and the seriousness of a fly infestation. These plants will all help deter sporadic flies, but won't be able to eradicate a complete existing infestation. You'll need additional fly traps or exterminators for that. Including several plants from this list is more likely to be effective; the more the better!