Evidence first
We compare guidance from botanical gardens, university extension services, public agencies and, where useful, peer-reviewed research. The sources used for a plant profile or article appear at the end of the page.
Garden advice often changes with climate, soil, cultivar and local regulation. When a recommendation cannot be universal, we state the conditions and limits instead of turning it into a blanket rule.
How recommendations are checked
We separate observation, diagnosis and action, then compare each recommendation with the species, region, season and conditions described by its sources. A general rule is narrowed when those limits would change what a gardener should do.
Conflicting guidance is resolved by matching each source to the situation it actually covers. Unresolved conflicts are stated as limits or left out, and safety-sensitive passages defer to product labels, local rules and qualified professional help where appropriate.
Clear limits and useful illustrations
Safety, toxicity, pesticide and disease guidance is written conservatively. Product labels and local rules take precedence, and serious exposure or structural risk belongs with an appropriate professional.
Illustrations clarify plant form, comparisons and sequences; they are not substitutes for diagnostic photographs. Use several visible signs together and follow the cited references when identification affects treatment.