In Part 2 of our Priceless Garden Lessons series, we share more of the hard-earned wisdom that has shaped our gardens over the years. From finding a local gardening friend whose plants thrive in your climate to building your garden with pass-along favorites like dependable irises, we explore why local knowledge is often the best teacher. We also discuss the six-week pruning rule for timing blooms, choosing rose varieties for fragrance instead of frustration, and the beauty of plants that thrive on neglect—think lantana and bougainvillea. Plus, we dig into how time-release fertilizers work with mulch to keep your garden healthy with less effort. Practical, proven, and straight from the garden.