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Water lilies are excellent plants in ponds or other large outdoor water features. Because they are such beautiful plants, many people wonder whether they can be grown indoors to enjoy daily. While it is possible to grow water lilies as houseplants, it’s quite difficult. Ultimately, even if you provide the best growing conditions possible, you still may not get them to bloom. So if you do choose to try, be prepared for your efforts to fail at least as often as they succeed....

As with other flowering crabapples, the fruit of a weeping crabapple tree is largely ornamental—less than 1/2 inch in diameter and too sour to be edible except perhaps when used in jellies. Weeping crabs are usually planted as potted nursery specimens or ball-and-burlap plants in the fall. They are generally smaller and slower-growing than standard crabapples, growing only about 6 inches per year, and it may take several years before they reach flowering maturity....

Light Grow these bushes in full sun at the northern end of their hardiness zone (zone 3) and in partial sun at the southern end of their hardiness zone (zone 8). Soil Make sure that the soil drains well. If the soil is not well-drained, before planting amend the soil with compost to improve drainage. Water The shrub has average water needs, but you should irrigate it to keep the soil consistently moist....

Perennial flowers may not bloom their first year, but if you have the patience to wait, you can fill your garden for a fraction of the cost of buying mature plants. Annual flowers will bloom right on schedule, and many of them will even seed themselves, so you’ll only have to plant them once to receive years of beautiful blooms. If you’ve been dreaming of nonstop color, pick up some seed packets, and get started with the tips below....

What Does Creeping Bellflower Look Like Creeping bellflower has smooth to slightly hairy stems and rough, serrate leaves. Even though there are numerous bellflower species, the creeping variety is relatively easy to identify. The leaves found at the base of the plant are heart-shaped and become narrower and more lance-like as they move upwards. The drooping, bell-shaped purple flowers appear during the summer, growing only on one side of the stem....

Real cobblestone pavers, often called Belgian block, are made of granite and typically measure 4 to 5 inches thick, 7 to 9 inches wide, and 9 to 10 inches long. A paver edge looks best if it is installed along both sides of the driveway, but you can do just one side if that suits your needs. It’s usually best to set the pavers on-edge rather than flat. Supplies Needed Chalk lineHandheld cutoff sawBrick set chiselSmall sledgehammerGarden spadeBagged concrete mixConcrete mixing tubHoeCobblestone paversRubber malletMason’s trowelBroomPaver base or ground limestone...

Pleats, Ruffles, and Ruching on Clothes Pleats on clothes can be heat-set or stitched in place. Heat-set pleats hold their shape thanks to the type of fabric selected and a high heat process during manufacturing. Accordion pleats are most often heat-set and are a softer, less crisp pleat. Dry cleaning is best for most fabrics to preserve heat-set pleats. Stitched pleats are usually sharper and have less give because of the stitching....

The boxelder bug, Boisea trivittatus, is familiar to most people, though they may not be able to identify it by name. The adults are about a 1/2-inch long and have backs that are black with orange or red stripes beginning behind the head. The wings lay flat over the body in an overlapping manner that forms an X shape. The young bugs (nymphs) are less familiar; they are only about 1/16 inch long and are bright red when they hatch....

While mosquitoes do not damage homes, landscapes, or garden plants, high concentrations of these pests can be a major nuisance and, in some cases, potentially dangerous. You can keep mosquitoes out of your home with fully intact window and door screens—and more important, careful opening and closing of screen doors. Plus, you can always help prevent bites with mosquito repellant. Outdoors, the best solution for combatting these pests is to eliminate the source of all mosquito life: standing water....

To make life more bearable, Lela Casey, a writer for Aeris Health, shares her wisdom on how to keep the pollen out of your home this spring. 1. Check the Local Pollen Count During the pollen season, you will often hear “pollen counts” mentioned along with the forecast. This is the measurement of the number of grains of pollen in a cubic meter of air. “A high pollen count is considered 9....

If you’re just going through routine servicing, there’s no need to call a professional to complete the job for you. With a screwdriver and a bucket, a homeowner can usually complete servicing the water heater on their own. Before you start, turn off the power (for electric water heaters) or the gas supply (for gas heaters) for safety: Electric: Switch off the circuit breaker for the water heater in your home’s service panel (breaker box)....

If you can relate—and are feeling a bit stumped about how to disguise your workday essentials, like that bulky, ergonomic desk chair—we’re here to help. It turns out that there are plenty of ways to camouflage this essential office furniture piece when you’d rather tune it out. Below, designers offer a range of tips for ways to make a traditional desk chair look, well, actually somewhat chic. Make Use of a Lumbar Pillow Throw pillows: You can really never have too many, it seems!...

Because futon mattresses must be pliable and foldable, they’re relatively thin—typically between three and nine inches thick. They can be uncomfortable to sleep on for long periods, especially if they’re heavily used. But there are a few solutions to make your futon more comfortable so that you or your guests can get a good night’s sleep. Add a Plush Topper A mattress topper is a surefire way to make your futon mattress more comfortable....