United then traveled to Hong Kong for another friendly.

And it will help with privacy as well.“If you’re squished up against your neighbor in an urban setting, strategically placed containers with vining plants can form a green privacy wall,” said House Beautiful editor Kate McGregor. “You could also try trellis panels or fencing, to ensure you don’t feel like you’re always on display when you’re outside.”

Vining plants with attractive flowers include black-eyed Susan vine, mandevilla, sweet pea, star jasmine and trumpet honeysuckle. If you’ve got actual ground to work with, on a small outdoor patio for instance, consider something heftier, like climbing hydrangea or shrub rose.Trellises, rail planters and vines create the illusion of a taller, larger space, as they draw your eye upward.herbs, flowers or a few veggies just about anywhere. Go minimalist with a couple of sleek planter boxes, or add visual interest with some artsy pots in different materials and sizes.

Layering plant heights —from low succulents to tall grasses or small trees — adds depth and makes the area feel lush and vibrant.Low-maintenance options like lavender, rosemary and ornamental grasses can add greenery with minimal upkeep. Grasses can look pretty in a breeze, and anything with a scent is worth planting.

Put a sturdy bin or basket near your patio or balcony entryway to stash

and small weights. You’ll have a handy 24-7 meditation or workout space, right outside the door.“The bigger story is the students around the country that aren’t a Harvard student, the students that scraped by to get into a state university and are thinking: ‘Are we next?’” he said. “The Harvard kids are going to be OK. It’s more about the damage to the American education brand. The view of the U.S. being a less welcoming place for international students.”

Binkley reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Annie Ma and Fu Ting in Washington, Jocelyn Gecker in San Francisco and Bianca Vázquez Toness in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and researcher Shihuan Chen in Beijing, also contributed to this report.The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s

for working with philanthropies, aof supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.