Posts By

Liessa Bowen

Liessa started learning everything she could about plants, animals, and ecosystems at a young age. Since then, she's earned a Master’s degree in wildlife biology (Iowa State University) and a PhD in forestry (North Carolina State University), both with an emphasis on conservation biology and birds. She has worked as a greenhouse technician, wildlife biologist, educational consultant, and writer.

Perennial Blooming After Frost with Deep Purple Bloom

Plants

25 Frost Proof Perennials That Can Survive Winter Outdoors

Are you looking to add some frost-friendly perennial plants to your garden this season? Believe it or not, there are plenty of cold hardy perennials that can survive in areas that get a bit more cold weather. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen walks through her favorite frost proof perennials to add to your garden this season.

chrysanthemum varieties

Flowers

14 Different Types of Chrysanthemum Varieties For Your Garden

Thinking of adding some mums to your garden this season but aren't quite sure which type to grow? There are many different types of mums that you can grow, depending on your hardiness zone. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen looks at the most popular mums most gardeners choose to plant, with names and pictures of each.

chrysanthemum water

Flowers

How Much and How Often Should You Water Mums?

Are you confused about how much water your chrysanthemums actually need? These hardy plants do require regular moisture, but how much and how frequently will depend on your climate. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen walks through how much water your chrysanthemums need, and how often you should be watering them.

Chrysanthemums Finished Blooming in Pot

Information

What Should I Do With My Potted Mums After They Bloom?

Did you purchase a bunch of annual mums this season, and they are slowly losing their blooms? What should you do with them when they've started to look rugged? In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen provides five different options you can pursue with your chrysanthemums once their blooms expire.

evergreen clematis

Vines

11 Spring Blooming Evergreen Clematis Varieties For Your Garden

Are you looking for some spring-blooming clematis varieties to add to your garden? There are many different types of evergreen clematis that will fit this criterion. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen examines her favorite evergreen clematis varieties that will bloom in the spring.

A flowering clematis vine in the snow. Purple blooms are starting to wilt as snow is packed on the top of the plants.

Vines

7 Care Tips For Overwintering Your Clematis This Season

Are you preparing your flowering clematis plant for winter this season, but aren't sure where to start? These perennial vines are a garden mainstay, but can be susceptible to frost. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares her top tips for overwintering your clematis this season.

fall mums alive

Flowers

10 Tips For Keeping Your Fall Mums Alive This Season

Do you struggle to keep your fall chrysanthemums alive during the blooming season? Fall mums are picky plants, and it's not uncommon to see them die quickly if not properly cared for. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen shares her top tips to keep your mums alive this fall.

Blueberry Seasonality

Fruit

When Are Blueberries in Season? A Guide By Hardiness Zone

Not sure when blueberries are in season based on where you live? Blueberries season a bit differently depending on your hardiness zone. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen walks through everything you need to know about blueberry seasonality across all USDA hardiness zones!

A close up image of blueberries growing in direct sunlight. The fruits are blue, with some that are unripe and are green. Some are slightly pink as well and not ready to be picked.

Fruit

Do Blueberry Shrubs Need Full Sun, Partial Shade or Full Shade?

Confused on how much sunlight your blueberry shrubs need to grow properly? Getting an adequate amount of sunlight is essential for the growth of any plant. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen examines how much sunlight blueberry shrubs need. You'll find out if they perform better in full sun, partial shade, or fully shaded garden areas.

A close up image of blueberry shrubs growing in the garden. The fruit are blue and ripe, and you can see some unripened fruits on the branches as well which are green. They are surrounded by green foliage.

Fruit

Are Blueberry Shrubs Considered Annual, Biennial, or Perennial Plants?

Are you thinking of adding some blueberry shrubs to your garden, but want to make sure they'll come back each year before you start planting? Blueberry shrubs can be a great addition to any garden, so it's only natural to do your research. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen examines if these popular shrubs are considered annual, biennial, or perennial plants.

african violet wilting

Problems

7 Reasons Your African Violets Are Wilting and Dying

Are your African Violets wilting and dying unexpectedly? There are a number of different reasons that this can happen with these popular flowering houseplants. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen looks at the different reasons your African Violets may be wilting, and dying early.

A close up image of fruiting blueberries. The fruits are dark blue in color, and they appear next to some un-ripened fruits which are green in color.

Fruit

How Long Does it Take For Blueberry Shrubs to Produce Fruit?

Blueberry bushes are well known for producing delicious berries during their fruiting season, but how long after planting should you see them start to produce fruit? In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen examines how long it takes for blueberry bushes to become fruit productive, and what you can expect.

A large blueberry bush grows in the garden. It is full sized, around 2 feet in total height. The image is focused on the plant, the fruits, and the green foliage grown by the shrub.

Fruit

How Big Do Blueberry Bushes Actually Get?

Looking to find out how big blueberry bushes get before you add them to your garden this season? While they can range in size depending on the plant, there are some size consistencies you can rely on. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen looks at how big blueberry shrubs can get to help you properly plan for the space you'll need.

landscaping blueberry plant

Fruit

11 Reasons You Should Be Landscaping With Blueberry Shrubs

Are you thinking of adding some blueberry shrubs to your home or garden landscape, but aren't quite sure where to start? "Foodscaping" is quite popular, especially for gardeners that are looking to conserve a little space. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen walks through how to successfully add blueberries to your home or garden landscape with style.

water african violets

Houseplants

How Much and How Often Should You Water Your African Violets?

Are you unsure how much water your African violets need, and how often they should be watered? These beloved flowering houseplants have different watering needs compared to other houseplants, especially if you expect them to bloom. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen provides watering advice for your indoor African violets.

african violet size indoors

Houseplants

How Big Do African Violets Get When Grown Indoors?

Are you growing African Violets indoors this season, but want to know just how big they will get? While this may vary depending on a few different factors, they will generally only get to a certain size when indoors. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen walks through how big you can expect your African Violets to get when grown indoors.

plants that attract dragonflies

Plants

15 Plants That Will Attract Dragonflies to Your Garden

Are you looking to add some plants that will attract dragonflies to your garden this season? There are plenty of beautiful options that will have dragonflies paying you a visit all season. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen walks through her favorite plants for bringing dragonflies to your garden this season.