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What is a Bashful Graptoveria? Some of the cutest succulents are the Echeveria. Their offspring, Graptoveria, is a cross between Echeveria and Graptopetalum, two outstanding succulents. Graptoveria ‘Bashful’ is just as delightful with its blushing appeal. Try growing Bashful Graptoveria in combination with other succulents for a vacation-friendly blend of interesting houseplants. Succulents are the darlings of lazy houseplant gardeners. They need minimum care and suffer slight neglect with patience and grace....

What is a Black Beauty Eggplant? As one of the most popular cultivars, Black Beauty eggplant info abounds. Dating back to the early 1900’s, this variety of open-pollinated and heirloom eggplant has been a favorite for vegetable gardeners throughout decades. When picked at peak maturity, these large glossy fruits offer impressive yields. Early to mature, Black Beauty eggplants are a well-suited option for those with shorter growing seasons. Additionally, compact and upright plants make them an ideal candidate for container culture....

What is a Cocoon Plant? The Senecio cocoon plant, botanically called Senecio haworthii, is a small shrub-like specimen, growing upright to 12 inches (30 cm.) in its native South African conditions. A perennial plant, this succulent has most appealing white foliage, making it a must-have in the serious collection. If you grow the woolly senecio in a container, keep in mind that potting up into larger containers allows it to get bigger over the years, although it is unlikely for the domesticated plant to reach the size of one growing in the wild....

Maybe you have no garden space or very little or maybe it’s the dead of winter, but either way, you’d love to grow your own greens and herbs. The solution could be right at your fingertips – a countertop kitchen garden. Interested in learning how to make a countertop garden? The following article contains some terrific countertop garden ideas or inspiration for an idea of your own. What is a Countertop Kitchen Garden?...

What is a Driveway Garden? A driveway garden simply means bringing plants/nature into an area previously used as a driveway or parking area only. These gardens can take several different forms. For example, a driveway garden could be a patio area installed in an unused driveway. Gardening along driveways, or even down the center of a driveway, qualifies as a driveway garden design. Why Plant a Driveway Garden? A driveway garden brings plants and natural beauty into an area that was previously made just of cement....

What is a Legacy Garden? Here’s one useful way to look at creating legacy gardens: A legacy garden involves learning about the past, growing for the future, and living in the present time. Legacy Garden Ideas When it comes to legacy garden ideas, the possibilities are nearly endless, and nearly any type of plant can become a legacy garden plant. For example: Legacy garden ideas for schools – Most American schools aren’t in session during the summer months, which makes gardening projects very challenging....

What is a Luscious Pear? Luscious pear is cross between South Dakota E31 and Ewart created in 1954. It is an early maturing pear that is easy to care for with disease resistance to fire blight. Once the tree has established, it only requires consistent watering and a soil test every few years to check on fertilizer needs. Unlike other fruiting trees, Luscious pear trees will continue to bear profusely with only infrequent pruning....

Marshmallow Plant Info What is a marshmallow plant? Native to western Europe and North Africa, the marshmallow plant (Althaea officinalis) has had an important place in human culture for millennia. The root was boiled and eaten as a vegetable by the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians. It is mentioned as being eaten in times of famine in the Bible. It has also been used medicinally for just as long. (The name “Althea,” in fact, comes from the Greek “althos,” which means “healer”)....

What is a Pickling Cucumber? Cucumbers for pickling refer to cucumbers that are used for processing or making pickles. This doesn’t mean they can’t be eaten fresh, but their thinner skins, crunchy texture, and smaller seeds make them ideal for pickling. That and their small size which means there is little prep work involved. Pickling cucumbers are short with graduating hues of dark green at the stem to light green at the blossom end....

About the Round Head Shovel Gardeners know that the right tool, used in the right way, can ensure success on every task. We treasure our tools like a chef treasures his/her knives. Round point shovel uses extend past digging to scooping and are useful in transplanting, trenching, moving compost or mulch, and many more applications. Taking care of the tool will extend its life when its edges are kept sharp and the shovel is clean and dry....

Asian First Pear Information Asian pears prefer temperate climates but can thrive in cooler regions. What is an Ichiban Nashi pear? Ichiban Nashi Asian pears are also known as first pears because of the early arrival of ripe fruit. They originated in Japan and can be grown in United States Department of Agriculture zones 5 to 9. It is said the fruit doesn’t keep much longer than two months in cold storage, so it is best to enjoy them fresh when they are in season....

What is Fetterbush? Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida) is a deciduous shrub native to the southeastern United States. Its aspect is open and arching, while leaves are thick and leathery, a lustrous dark green. If you start growing fetterbush, you’ll fall for the drooping, urn-shaped flowers that can last all spring long and into summer. They grow at the branch tips in clusters, in varying shades of pink. Some are almost white while others are a deep, rich shade....

What is Grapevine Leafroll? Leafroll of grapes is a viral disease that is complicated and difficult to identify. The symptoms are not always obvious until well into the growing season, but sometimes there are no visible symptoms that a grower can recognize. Other diseases cause symptoms that may be just like those of leafroll, complicating the situation even more. Symptoms are more prominent in red grapes. Many white grape varieties show no signs at all....

There are about ten known species of Wisteria, with numerous cultivars associated with each that are native to the eastern United States and eastern Asia. One of my personal favorites is Kentucky wisteria (Wisteria macrostachya), the type my grandmother grew. Read on to learn more about caring for Kentucky wisteria vines in the garden. What is Kentucky Wisteria? Kentucky wisteria is notable because it is the hardiest of wisteria, with some of its cultivars rated for zone 4....

What is Meadow Turf? Meadow or wildflower turf is a more natural alternative to turf grass. It consists of wildflowers and grasses, ideally that are native to your region. Technically speaking, a meadow is made up of more than 50 percent forb, non-grass flowering plants. This is as compared to grasslands, which are more than half grasses. Why Create a Meadow? Wildflower turf for wildlife is a great way to create a more natural environment for your yard....

What is Mountain Cedar? Juniperus ashei has many common names. It is called ashe juniper and mountain cedar, but also rock cedar, Mexican juniper, and Texas cedar. This native juniper tree is an evergreen and is not very tall. It can present as a large shrub or a small tree, rarely exceeding 25 feet (7.5 m.) tall. Its primary habitat is central Texas but it also grows in the wild in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and northern Mexico....

What is Ornamental Oregano? Many plants that are considered herbs have long-lasting greenery and bright jaunty flowers that are like a magnet to bees, moths, and other insects. Growing ornamental oregano provides a subtle oregano taste to food but is more often used for its unique appearance. Many of the forms are perfect for hanging baskets or as trailing accents in a rockery. They need little specialized care and are as hardy as their more common cousins....

What is Syrian Oregano? Syrian oregano is a perennial herb, but not a hardy one. It grows well in zones 9 and 10 and won’t tolerate winter temperatures that are too cold. In colder climates, you can grow it as an annual. Other names for this herb include Lebanese oregano and Bible hyssop. What is most distinctive about Syrian oregano plants in the garden is that they are giants. They can grow up to 4 feet (1 m....

Regional Gardening To-Do List Here are a few more region-specific gardening tips for August: Northeast Beat the heat and humidity this month in the Northeastern states by reserving the cooler morning and evening hours to tackle these garden chores on your August to-do list: Harvest and dry herbs for cooking, potpourri, and herbal teas. Continue hilling potatoes to increase yields. Make a note of perennials that need to be thinned or moved....

How Far to Plant from an AC Unit Did you know that properly implemented air-conditioner landscaping can make your condensing unit work more efficiently? When situated in direct sunlight, the condensing unit is less able to dissipate heat removed from the house. Thus, the air conditioner must work harder to keep the house cooler. Obstructing the air flow around the unit has a similar effect. Crowding plants too near the condenser can result in higher repair costs and reduce the life of the AC....