Renowned author and plants expert Dan Hinkley has traveled the globe in search of beautiful and unique plants for his private garden, Windcliff, in Seattle.

Situated on a bluff overlooking Puget Sound, the diverse garden was first begun only six years ago but has grown quickly in the lush climate of the Pacific Northwest.

Highlights from the stunning landscape include tiered Asian dogwoods, colorful hydrangeas, and dramatic bamboo, as well as a vegetable garden and greenhouse where Dan grows lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and other crops.

When it is winter and most plants outside are dormant, Martha loves to spend time inside her two greenhouses, which are packed full of beautiful plants on her property in Katonah, New York.

The greenhouses hold her tropical plants (plants that live outdoors in the summer but need to come indoors during colder months), larger plants such as Australian Tree Ferns, citrus plants such as Kumquat trees, topiaries, cacti, succulents, and several types of vegetables and herbs.

The utility of the classic metal watering can goes beyond the sprinkling of H2O onto thirsty plants -- it also makes an attractive vessel for cut flowers.

For a spring arrangement, fill the container with peonies, white lilacs, ranunculus, tulips, stock, and/or narcissus.

The bouquet cleverly nods to the life-sustaining function of the watering can, and it makes a great gift for any gardener or flower fan.

Don't throw out the foam peanuts or bubble packing material the next time you get a box in the mail; put them to use. 

When filling outdoor planters, sub the packing material for up to half the soil. The plant won't know the difference, the container will be lighter, and you'll use less soil. Place the packing material in a plastic bag at the bottom of the pot, and cover with the soil.