Mary Ellen Ellis
Mary Ellen Ellis is an amateur gardener and freelance writer who lives in the Detroit area. She has degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry and is a former high school science teacher. She has been gardening for more than 20 years and writing professionally for 15. Mary Ellen is the proud owner of only a few houseplants because she has cats who cannot stop chewing on them. Because of this she has developed a hobby growing terrarium plants that cats can’t reach.
Latest articles by Mary Ellen Ellis
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Ultimate Raised Beds For Small Gardens: Try These 5 Raised Options For Compact Corners
The perfect raised beds for small gardens squeeze every bit of useful space out of the most productive corners. Here are some practical space-saving ideas you can try
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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8 Longest-Flowering Houseplants For Spectacular Blooms All Year
Enjoy vibrant, long-lasting blooms indoors with these stunning houseplants that, grown together, will add color to your space throughout every month.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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Are Snake Plants Toxic To Cats? Here’s How To Protect Your Felines And Avoid Trouble
Are snake plants toxic to cats? A good rule of thumb is to simply keep the plant where kitty can’t get to it.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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How To Create Bright Indirect Light For Houseplants
Creating a space with bright indirect light is a way to mimic the native habitat of many houseplants. Make indoor plants comfy with the right kind of light.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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How Deep To Plant Seeds? Get It Right Every Time With This Simple Trick
Take the guesswork out of seed planting with this foolproof trick to get the right sowing depth – for strong, healthy starts every time.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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7 Best Vegetables To Plant In February – And Start Harvesting From Early Spring
Get a head start on your garden with these delicious veggies. Plant now and you can begin enjoying home-grown harvests sooner than you think.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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Best Mulch For Roses: An Expert Guide To Choosing & Applying The Right Type
Give your roses the perfect foundation by choosing the best mulch to boost nutrients, retain moisture, and protect plants from weeds and frost.
By Stan V. Griep
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8 Flowering Shrubs You Must Prune Before Winter Ends For Maximum Blooms This Summer
Many summer-flowering shrubs should be trimmed before winter ends, so don’t wait. Get out there on a sunny day and prune your shrubs for more flowers and healthy growth in spring and summer.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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8 DIY Mini Greenhouse Ideas To Extend Your Growing Season On A Budget
There's no need to invest in an expensive greenhouse with these clever small-scale growing solutions you can build yourself.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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8 Enchanting Terrarium Plants That Flourish All Year Long
Have fun creating a unique terrarium – these show-stopping plants will thrive year-round and are well suited to growing under glass.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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Get Savvy About Spider Breeds: 8 Green, Variegated And Curly Types Of Spider Plants
You may think you know what a spider plant looks like – but there’s a lot more variety than you think! We present some spectacular and striking types of spider plants
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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Hardscaping Ideas To Make A Garden Look Old: 5 Ways To Make Your Yard Look Centuries Older
There are a few ways to make a garden look lived in, but some planting ideas can take time – here, we round up key hardscaping ideas to make a garden look old
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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Shade Tolerant Wildflowers – Growing Wildflowers In Shade
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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Starting Seeds Indoors Made Easy: Plant Now For More Flowers And Better Crops
Begin your gardening journey for the season ahead by starting flower and vegetable seeds indoors. Plant early for the longest possible growing window.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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Want Amaryllis But Not Red? Try These 8 White Amaryllis Varieties For The Ultimate Elegance
You’re probably familiar with the crisp red blooms of the traditional amaryllis – but if you feel like something more unusual and elegant, why not try white amaryllis?
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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How To Protect Wood Floors From Potted Plants: Keep Floors And Other Wooden Surfaces Safe
We love having plants around us, but it’s important to take care of wooden surfaces. Here’s how to how to protect wood floors from potted plants, as well as tables and other surfaces
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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How And When To Transplant Lilies, According To Experts
Lilies tend to naturalize in the garden and unlike some other bulb plants, they don't go dormant. Learn how to transplant and divide them.
By Bonnie L. Grant
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Keep Grocery Store Herbs Thriving Indoors For Months With These 3 Simple Tips
Enjoy fresh, aromatic harvests year-round by turning store-bought herbs into long-lasting indoor plants.
By Mary Ellen Ellis