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By late summer, it begins to bear panicles of its namesake oat-like, green flower heads, which are its chief ornamental feature. Not only are these flower heads visually appealing with their jagged edges, but they also flutter in the wind, creating a rustling sound that adds interest to the landscape. But while the plant does afford summer interest, northern sea oats comes into its own in fall. This is when the flower heads begin to ripen into seed heads and change to a bronze color....

The leaves of this evergreen shrub are oval, shiny, and a deep green extending from interesting, gnarled branches. At maturity, which can take three to four years, the shrub can grow to eight to 12 feet tall and wide, with a round growth habit. Orange jasmine is best planted in the spring. Clusters of small, highly fragrant flowers first appear in the spring, followed by bright reddish-orange berries in summer that are sought after by birds....

Officially, ornamental cabbage and kale are cool-season biennials. This means they grow their vegetative leaves the first year and then send up flowers the second year, producing seeds before the plant dies. However, these fast-growing plants are usually grown as annuals for their showy foliage, planted from nursery starts in the fall or early spring, then removed from the garden after the seasonal display is concluded. Light These plants prefer to grow in full sun....

Light Peperomia Hope thrives in bright, indirect light. While it can tolerate low light conditions, it may experience stunted growth, curling leaves, and faded colors. This plant also does well under artificial light, so grow lights are a great option. Avoid direct sun which will burn the fleshy leaves. Soil Peperomia Hope enjoys an airy, well-draining mix with a soil pH of 6 to 6.5. A combination of one part potting soil, one part perlite, and one part orchid bark is perfect....

All pileas tend toward legginess and have fairly brittle stems. To encourage a compact, bushy plant, you can pinch off the tips of new growth on branching forms of pilea. But keep in mind that even dedicated attention can’t stop the plant from eventually looking a little bedraggled and unattractive because its lower leaves naturally drop with age. When this happens, you can start a new plant from cuttings if you wish....

To plant it outdoors, wait until all danger of spring frost has passed. The popcorn plant’s vibrant color makes it a dramatic sight in the summertime garden landscape. It is a heat-tolerant species, well suited to hot and humid regions. Light The popcorn plant likes heat and light, so it’s best to place your plants in direct sun. If the plant is getting too hot and dry, its leaves may close up during the day....

Treat this vine as a tender perennial and keep it on display during the growing season of March through October. Find an out-of-the-way spot to allow the plant its dormancy when it will look a bit too ratty for a sunny living room window. If you grow bleeding heart vine outdoors, consider planting it in the ground or in a container at the base of something it can cling to, like your mailbox, or give the vine a trellis to cling to....

Ornamental peppers produce fruits and foliage in a rainbow of colors and a diversity of elongated and round shapes. These fast-growing summer peppers are planted in the spring once the soil has warmed to at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The leaves of ornamental pepper plants are toxic to humans and animals. Not only should the chance of all frost be passed, but nights should be warm too, with air temperatures at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit and preferably higher....

This deciduous perennial woody vine is remarkably easy to grow, but you will probably need to periodically prune it to keep it in check. Though not as problematic as English ivy, Boston ivy can damage wood siding, gutters, and even roofing if it is left unsupervised. In scattered parts of North America, this native of China and Japan is regarded as an invasive plant, and growing it is discouraged. But where suitable, Boston ivy is always a better choice than English ivy....

The Party Kit Prior to the party, the host purchases a murder mystery party kit. The kit includes a story about a murder, which usually occurs either during the course of the dinner or before the party begins. The guests are cast as characters and together (or separately) solve the mystery. There are a specific number of characters in the story to match the size of your group, with background information, costume instructions, and a package of clues for each one....

The most common rabbit found in yards and gardens throughout the U.S. is the eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus). In fact, its primary habitat is landscaped and planted areas rather than wilderness. It has large, tapered ears and mottled brown, black, and white fur. It grows 15 to 19 inches long and weighs two to four pounds. The eastern cottontail nests below hedgerows and other plantings, beneath undergrowth, and inside burrows abandoned by other animals....