Posts

Dogwood Tree Diseases Dogwood trees suffer from a variety of diseases and conditions, most of which result in only cosmetic damage. Some are caused by improper care, such as water stress, resulting from inadequate irrigation during dry periods. Other avoidable diseases include leafspot and sun scorch, which occur when this understory tree is planted in full sun. However, two dogwood tree diseases are potentially lethal to the trees. Both are canker diseases....

Flower Drying Methods Always collect flowers that are in peak condition – almost completely open and free from insect damage or breakage. Use pruning shears or scissors to cut the stems when plants are dry to avoid mold. Remove leaves from the stem, as they don’t dry well. If planning to wire the stems, do so before drying. The most popular flower-drying methods are air drying, chemical drying, and pressing. It is also possible to preserve stems and leaves with a glycerin soak....

Tips on Woad Control We all seem to have a different notion of what is a weed. Personally, I feel a plant is a weed if it is invasive, choking out other plants or in the wrong location. Other gardeners may feel differently. For instance, a plant may be a weed if it is ugly, too big, or even has a bad odor. Woad grows wild in roadsides, ditches, pastures, fields, forest edges, and almost any other open space....

Growing English Ivy Plants Plant English ivy in a shady area with an organically rich soil. If your soil lacks organic matter, amend it with compost before planting. Space the plants 18 to 24 inches (46-61 cm.) apart, or 1 foot (31 cm.) apart for quicker coverage. The vines grow 50 feet (15 m.) long or more, but don’t expect quick results in the beginning. The first year after planting the vines grow very slowly, and in the second year they begin to put on noticeable growth....

Feather Duster Tree Information The feather duster (Schizolobium parahyba), also known as Brazilian fern tree, is native to southern Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America, including Brazil, and is a member of the legume family of plants. Much larger than other legumes, this tree can grow up to 100 feet (30.5 m.) tall in its native range. Brazilian feather duster is so named for its large compound leaves. There can be as many as 2,000 leaflets per leaf....

Using Forsythia as a Hedge Planting forsythia hedges requires appropriate spacing of the plants and regular pruning. If you want a more natural look, space the plants several yards (3 m.) apart and allow them, over time, to partially fill in the spaces between. If you want a sheared, formal hedge, leave less space between the forsythia shrubs. When you are planning forsythia hedge spacing, take into account the mature height and spread of your species of forsythia....

How to Grow Rhynchostylis Foxtail Orchid Growing foxtail orchids isn’t difficult and is largely a matter of replicating the plant’s natural environment. Rhynchostylis orchids are epiphytic plants that grow on tree trunks in warm, tropical climates. Foxtail orchid plants don’t do well in direct sunlight, but they thrive in filtered or dappled light. However, they can tolerate brighter indoor light during the fall and winter. The plants do well in clay pots with side drainage, or in wooden baskets filled with plenty of chunky bark or lava rocks that won’t break down easily....

Most Fragrant Jasmine Plants

Keep reading for suitable choices and tips for successful gardening in Rockies and Plains areas. Conditions for West North Central Perennials The “Breadbasket of America” in the West North Central region of the country is known for its agriculture. Much of our corn, wheat, soybeans, oats, and barley are produced in the area. However, it is also known for blizzards, hot summers, and biting winds. These conditions can make perennial plants for northern regions hard to find....

Family-friendly garden design needn’t be expensive or complicated. Here are a few simple ideas to pique your creativity. Family-Friendly Garden Ideas Here are some great ideas to get everyone involved in the garden: Worm Farming Worm farming (vermicomposting) is easier than you may realize, and it’s a great way for the entire family to learn basic principles of composting. Start with a small closed bin, which is easier for kids to manage and won’t require a lot of space....

Gingko trees are deciduous, hardy shade trees with unique, fan-shaped leaves which are linked to a primitive family of trees commonly found 160 million years ago in China. Considered to be the world’s oldest living species of tree, geological evidence of ginkgos have been dated to the Mesozoic era, some 200 million years ago! Ginkgo trees are planted around temple sites in Japan and considered to be sacred. These trees produce an herbal product popular around the world, most specifically in Asian cultures....

If you’re wondering about choosing flowers that guys like, the following suggestions for “manly” types of flowers may help. Tips on Giving Flowers to Men Men enjoy receiving flowers, but stereotypical ideas about certain colors are still prevalent in today’s culture. Your guy friend may not be crazy about pastel shades such as pink, lavender, minty green, or pale yellow. As a general rule, it’s better to send “manly” types of flowers in purple, maroon, deep blue, or other rich, bold colors....

Is Goat Manure Good Fertilizer? One of the most common uses for goat manure is as a fertilizer. Goat manure fertilizer can help gardeners produce healthier plants and crop yields. Goats not only produce neater pelletized droppings, but their manure doesn’t typically attract insects or burn plants as does manure from cows or horses. Goat manure is virtually odorless and is beneficial for the soil. This manure contains adequate amounts of the nutrients that plants need for optimal growth, especially when the goats have bed in stalls....

Goosegrass Herb Information Goosegrass is native to regions of Africa, Asia, and Europe, and most likely to New Zealand, Australia, and Scandinavia. It’s unclear whether this annual herb has naturalized in North America or if it is native, but either way, it can now be found in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as South and Central America. At maturity, goosegrass is a good-sized plant that reaches a height of about 4 feet (1 m....

Problems with Mice in the Greenhouse For those who wonder what the problem with mice in the greenhouse is, let me clue you in. Greenhouse rodents can cause lots of damage. They eat seeds, germinating or otherwise, and nibble on tender young seedlings, not just the tender seedlings, but roots, bulbs, shoots, and leaves as well. They chew through wood, plastic pots, bags, and boxes and tunnel through the growing medium....

Adenophora Plant Information There are at least ten species of Adenophora ladybells. However, the most common include purple ladybells, which produce blue flowers and grows in USDA zones 7 to 9. Common ladybells, with droopy blue flowers, and lilyleaf ladybells, with blue or white hanging blooms, are both hardier plants suitable for zones 3 through 7. Lilyleaf ladybells and purple ladybells reach heights of 18 to 24 inches (46-61 cm.) at maturity, while common ladybells display sturdy spikes of 24 to 36 inches (61-91 cm....

What is a Madder Plant? Madder (Rubia tinctorum) is a plant native to the Mediterranean that has been used for centuries to make reliably vivid red dye. The plant is a perennial that is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, but in colder zones it can be grown in containers and overwintered indoors. Madder plant care is not difficult. It prefers sandy to loamy soil (the lighter the better) that drains well....

Choosing a Container for Miniature Roses I have used a couple old coal buckets to grow miniature rose bushes in successfully, but you can use anything that will hold soil. For miniature rose bushes, I highly recommend something about the same size as an old coal bucket and at least as deep (around 10-12 inches or 25-30 cm.). I do recommend not planting any miniature rose bush in a clear container as the sun’s rays can damage the root system, causing root burn....

Before Growing Saffron Crocus Saffron comes from the saffron crocus bulb (Crocus sativus), which is an autumn blooming crocus. The spice is actually the red stigmas of this crocus flower. Each flower will only produce three stigmas and each saffron crocus bulb will only produce one flower. When growing saffron, first find a place to purchase the saffron crocus bulbs. Most people turn to a reputable online nursery to purchase them, though you may find them for sale at a small local nursery or catalog....

Why is a Watermelon Grown Square? So where did the idea come from and why on earth would anyone think of a watermelon grown square? The idea of growing square watermelons began in Japan. Japanese farmers needed to find a way to work out the issue of traditionally round watermelons being too awkward by rolling around or taking up too much space in the refrigerator. After playing around with different ideas, they finally came up with one that worked—a watermelon grown square!...