Here, lovely pink and purple anemone are a fun contrast to golden-yellow California poppy. Shown here are pink foxgloves, blue delphiniums, a pink hydrangea, and red snapdragon.

¼ of a split vanilla bean or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 2 tablespoon butter, softened 1 cup powdered sugar 2 teaspoon milk *Tip: If you prefer, use 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in place of the vanilla bean.

Colorful Combinations With their colorful, blooming spikes, veronica can brighten any full-sun garden and add interesting texture. Many of the spring-blooming types form mats of low-growing flowers. Some grow silver foliage that contrasts with the rich blue flowers. Summer-blooming types may soar to higher heights and are more generous rebloomers. These taller species feature a broad spectrum of colors, including pinks, purples, blues, and white. Veronica Care Must-Knows These versatile plants tolerate a variety of conditions....

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Want a picture perfect garden? Find tips for plant combinations here. Water Hyacinth Care A frost-tender aquatic perennial, water hyacinth is grown as an annual in Zones 8 and below. It is easy to grow in still water and full sun. Plant it in spring by scattering small bunches of plants on the water surface after the last frost date. Be mindful because they spread quickly in warm water via stems from the main plant, producing numerous new plants....

Unlike traditional hardwood flooring, which consists of solid wood planks, engineered wood planks consist of a thin top layer of hardwood glued to an engineered base. The word “engineered” is a technical term for wood boards that have been formed using wood pieces and adhesives. While there are many types of engineered woods, the most common is plywood. We’ve broken down the pros and cons of engineered wood flooring so you can see how it stacks up against traditional hardwood....

How to Make Pavlova If you’ve ever made a meringue-topped pie from scratch, making pavlova is going to be a breeze. Most pavlova recipes will have a similar meringue base. You can use our strawberry-mango pavlova recipe (pictured above) as a guide, but feel free to change up the fruit to whatever’s in season or in your kitchen. Step 1: Prepare Egg Whites and Pavlova Template Step 2: Beat Egg Whites Step 3: Bake Meringue for Pavlova Spread meringue mixture over the circle on parchment, building up edges slightly to form a sort of bowl-like space for the cream and fruit....

If your cake didn’t rise or had a dense texture instead of the light and fluffy one you wanted, there are factors to keep in mind during your cake-baking adventures. Successful baking requires attention to every detail, and following these guidelines will help your cakes rise with a tender and airy crumb. Every time. What Makes a Cake Rise It’s essential to learn what makes a cake rise to prevent it from sinking (or rising and then deflating after cooling)....

Modern cabinets mix with classic elements to fashion this hip kitchen. The homeowners saved on cabinetry by purchasing IKEA components that they built and installed themselves, saving the budget about $15,000. With the savings, the couple could afford to splurge on a 48-inch professional-style range. Browse more beautiful white kitchens in our Decorating Gallery. Grays can go cold and flat if you’re not careful, so choose soft, warm tones like this gray quartz-surfacing used on the countertops and island top and sides for a neutral kitchen you can live with for years to come....

According to data from Yardzen, a virtual landscape design service, requests for functional front yard designs have increased by 150%. “People are more willing to embrace alternatives to the traditional lawn, definitely. Now, I think that that willingness differs from one neighborhood to the next—it’s not universal,” says Kevin Lenhart, landscape architect with Yardzen. “And many people have deep personal memories attached to a lawn.” But the data shows that many are also looking for new ways to maximize their properties....