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Best Wisteria to Grow The name to look for on plant tags is Wisteria frutescens, commonly called American wisteria. This species is native to the southeastern U.S., and it’s hardy in Zones 5-9, meaning it’ll grow in most areas of the country. American wisteria vines can reach dazzling heights of up to 30 feet. They act like a combination of a shrub and a vine, growing thick, woody stems over time that can wind around fences and, if given a trellis, scramble up the sides of a house....

Helenium Care Must-Knows Plant helenium in full sun (at least six hours a day) to promote long-lasting displays of color. Although some varieties tolerate afternoon shade, this plant typically becomes floppy and leggy in part-shade conditions. Helenium also needs well-drained, slightly acidic soil and moderate moisture, which makes sense because its native setting tends to be low-lying meadows or the edges of damp woodlands. Water at least weekly, increasing frequency in times of extreme heat....

It’s a common scenario: You’re eager to make your favorite strawberry dessert, so you carefully select the most beautiful strawberries that you can find at the store, but when you actually bring them home and take a bite of them, you’re left wondering, “why aren’t strawberries sweet anymore?“We’ve all been there. Dr. Marvin P. Pritts, a horticulture professor at Cornell University explains why this is common. “When strawberries are shipped long distances, say from California to New York in March, they have to be harvested a little under-ripe so they will withstand the 3,000-mile trip....

Valentine Cookie Pizza: Prepare as directed except omit red and green chocolate pieces. Sprinkle 1-1/2 cups red and white candy-coated milk chocolate pieces over chocolate mixture. Nutrition analysis per serving: 416 calories, 6 g protein, 53 g carbohydrate, 22 g total fat (8 g sat. fat), 8 mg cholesterol, 2 g fiber, 38 g total sugar, 1% Vitamin A, 0% Vitamin C, 188 mg sodium, 3% calcium, 10% iron Easter Cookie Pizza Prepare as directed except omit chocolate pieces....

To Make Ahead: Prepare as directed through Step 2. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container; freeze up to 3 months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator; continue as directed in Step 3. Herbed Pasta: Prepare as directed, except stir 2 tablespoons snipped fresh basil, thyme, or sage or 1 teaspoon dried basil, thyme, or sage, crushed, into the flour mixture before adding egg mixture. Spinach Pasta: Prepare as directed, except increase flour to 2 3/4 cups, reduce water to 1/4 cup, and stir 1/4 cup cooked spinach, well drained and finely chopped, into egg mixture before adding to flour mixture....

A Boutique Tents cabana shades JANUS et Cie’s “Tosca” armchairs and “Mirthe” table. Tumblers from Devine are as colorful as Bloom & Plume flowers and Inner Gardens kumquat trees. The “Commodore” lantern and rug are from Harbinger. A runner in “Shiboni” fabric, placemats in “Splat,” and napkins in “Basket Case,” all from Perennials, dress the table set with metallic gold chargers and Wedgwood “Nantucket Basket” plates. Menu Peach Fizz CocktailChilled Cucumber-Cashew SoupGrilled Pasta PrimaveraGrilled Salmon with Thyme and LemonGrilled CiabattaGrilled Watermelon with Melon-Basil Granité...

Paint might appear dry on the surface and the top layer might even be dry to the touch, but that doesn’t necessarily mean walls are fully dry or ready for another coat. There are many things that affect how long it takes paint to dry, including the type of paint and tools used, as well as external factors such as the weather. Here is what you need to consider before you get started so you can paint your walls like a pro....

Sloppy Joes In general, we call for 1 pound of ground beef to make 6 sandwiches in our sloppy joes recipes. That works out to 3 ounces of ground beef per sandwich. Depending on the size of your bun and how meaty you like your sandwich, you can increase or decrease that amount an ounce or two either way. Based on the 3-ounce guideline, purchase this much ground beef to serve your crowd....

Because she purchased her condo on short sale and was now selling in a strong market, Missy went into the home buying process in a good position, offering a large cash down payment that would make her stand out against other buyers. After tackling some lending issues related to being a small business owner, she secured a broker and got a mortgage pre-approval amount, helping her establish a budget and a new-home wishlist....

Some people may not be bothered by the rattling sound a loose ceiling fan can make. Even if you’re one of them, you should still figure out why the fan isn’t working properly and try to repair it. If the issue is left unresolved, it can cause premature wear on the ceiling fan motor, tear out electrical connections, or loosen light fixtures and coverings to the point that they fall....

Where to Plant Viburnum Viburnum enliven gardens in central and eastern states, where they offer colorful fall foliage, spring blooms and winter interest in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 2–9. The shrubs are useful for privacy and controlling erosion on slopes. Viburnum Flowers and Foliage Viburnum bloom time can fall anywhere from early spring to late summer, depending on the species. Flower shapes and sizes also vary. Some varieties—like doublefile viburnum—have layered blooms....

How Often to Clean Glass Shower Doors Hard water spots form when drops of water dry on the glass, and mold and mildew can grow in damp environments. To keep glass shower doors clean and grime-free, prevention is key. “The best thing you can do is squeegee the door after each use,” Koenig says. Keep one hanging in your shower to make it easy, and remind family members to do it after each time they shower....

How to Clean a Humidifier Use our tested process and tips for cleaning and disinfecting a humidifier to keep your home healthy. What You Need White distilled vinegarSoft-bristled brush or toothbrushLiquid chlorine bleachWater Step 1: Disassemble Humidifier You’ll need to take apart your humidifier to make sure each piece gets a thorough cleaning. Unplug the machine, empty the water tank, and detach any removable parts. If your humidifier has an air filter, remove that as well....

A Halloween tree is exactly what you’d expect: A faux Christmas tree decorated in festive Halloween shades like orange and black rather than the traditional Christmas red and green. Instead of beads and ornaments, these trees are decorated with all kinds of ghosts, goblins, and ghouls. More than 54,000 posts on Instagram are tagged under #halloweentree, and the images are incredible. We’ve rounded up our favorite Halloween trees to inspire you with ideas for how to decorate a Halloween tree, whether with skeletons, jack-o-lanterns, or witches....

Which rooms should I disinfect first? A whole-house cleaning spree may not be necessary, according to Mary Gagliardi, also known as Dr. Laundry, a cleaning expert at The Clorox Company. “Most people who have the flu tend to lay low, so you can skip cleaning your home from top to bottom,” she says. “Instead, focus on the bathroom and the kitchen, and any shared surfaces in the bedroom.” Clean each space where the sick person has spent time and try to retrace his or her steps as you clean....

Inside corners are more difficult. They require taping and mudding. The hard part is smoothing the mud on one side of the corner without messing up the mud on the other side. Resist the temptation to try to get these inside joints perfect on the first, or even second, coat. Accept that there will be ridges you’ll need to sand or knock off in the first two coats. To avoid ridges on the third coat, think of it as a filler coat; press hard on the knife so you fill imperfections instead of leaving behind a thick layer of joint compound....