At this size, dahoon holly trees are big enough to provide an attractive amount of shade, but not so big they take over the yard or totally hide the front of the house. Additionally, when grown in pairs (one male and one female), dahoon hollies produce an abundance of red berries that adorn the branches in fall and winter. These berries provide food for wildlife and will attract various bird species and squirrels....

Gardening Truths vs. Fiction Debunking common garden myths and focusing on the real facts about your garden is just one waygardeners can feel more confident in their ability to maintain a healthy and productive green space. I know it helps me, so I’m sharing some surprising gardening facts that you may not know (but should). Do-it-Yourself Pesticides and Herbicides Did you know that one of the most commonly found posts online is about homemade solutions for managing weeds and insects in the garden?...

Common Hosta Diseases Diseases of hosta plants generally include both fungal and viral issues, as well as problems caused by nematodes in the soil. Fungal Diseases Anthracnose – This disease plagues not only hostas but many other types of plants, including trees and tomatoes. Although it usually isn’t fatal, the large, pale brown spots, small black splotches, and tattered appearance can definitely detract from the appearance of the plant. A fungicide may help prevent the disease....

Do Garlic Plants Bloom? Garlic plant flowering takes place near the latter part of the plant’s life cycle. Planting garlic for its flowers is as simple as allowing the plants to develop longer than you normally would for bulb harvest. I’m always thrilled to see my garlic is flowering, as it increases the interest in the herb garden and I can still harvest the garlic bulbs, although the inflorescence will redirect energy from the bulb....

When to Fertilize Kiwi Kiwi fruit is borne on fast-growing vines. Hardy kiwis are especially tolerant of almost any soil pH and any well-drained soil but benefit from the addition of large amounts of organic material. Training, pruning, mulching, and watering are key components of the vine’s care but feeding kiwi fruit vines will encourage better yield and bigger fruit. Knowing when to fertilize kiwi will assure big healthy plants with prolific flowers....

How to Set Up a Scavenger Hunt for Flowers First, determine how old the children who will be participating in the flower scavenger hunt will be. If they are children who are not yet reading easily, you may want to give them a list with pictures so that they can match the picture to the flower. Elementary age children can simply be given a list of the common flower names for this flower game....

How to Create Fountains in the Garden For basic water fountain design and construction, creating garden fountains begins with an underground unit to catch the falling water and circulate it back to the top. The easiest way to do this is to sink a large plastic bucket or tub into the ground so that the lip of the tub is even with the soil line. Place the pump inside the bucket and make a notch in the lip of the tub for the electrical cord....

What are Garden Gnomes? Garden gnomes are one of the perennial delights common to home landscapes. These small statuettes have been around for centuries and have a rich heritage in European gardens. What are garden gnomes? Garden gnomes are effigies of small, squat, little men with snowy beards and red pointed caps. They are endlessly charming and serve as garden mascots. The early history of uses for garden gnomes is rooted in legendary tales of living gnomes....

Uses for Cold Frames There are a number of ways to build a cold frame. They may be made out of plywood, concrete, or hay bales and covered with old windows, Plexiglas, or plastic sheeting. Whatever materials you choose, all cold frames are simple structures used to capture solar energy and create an insulated microclimate. Gardening with cold frames allows the gardener to lengthen the garden season, harden off seedlings, start seedlings earlier, and overwinter tender, dormant plants....

Why Do Potato Skins Turn Green? Why do potato skins turn green? Green skin on potatoes is caused by exposure to light. Green potato skin may be caused when a potato is stored on the kitchen counter or window sill, or even when the potato is grown too close to the soil surface, hence the recommendation to grow potatoes in a mound and store harvested potatoes in a completely cool, dark area....

How to Use a Greenhouse Building a greenhouse does not need to be difficult or even particularly expensive. The premise of how to use a greenhouse is also quite straightforward. A greenhouse’s purpose is to grow or start plants during seasons or in climates that are otherwise inhospitable for germination and growth. The focus of this article is on greenhouse gardening made easy. A greenhouse is a structure, either permanent or temporary, that is covered by a translucent material which allows sunlight to enter and heat the greenhouse....

How to Grow Brussels Sprouts in Winter Brussels sprouts thrive in cooler temps, so sowing and planting them at the appropriate time is imperative. Brussels sprouts are planted later than warm-season crops, such as peppers and squash, from late fall into winter harvest. Depending upon the variety, Brussels sprouts take from 3-6 months to mature from seed. Start seed indoors about 16-20 weeks prior to the last frost in your area....

Keep reading to learn about growing small, fruit-bearing shrubs and dwarf fruit bush care. About Small Fruit Bearing Shrubs The newer miniature fruit bushes are available not only as blueberries but – surprise – as blackberries and raspberries as well. Another great thing about blackberry or raspberry mini fruiting bushes is that they have an actual bush habit that is thornless! No more scratched arms and hands. And because they have a mounding habit, these mini fruiting bushes are perfect for patios or other small spaces grown as potted plants....

If you want to plant trees to help save the planet, there are ways to get started, working alone or with others. Read on for our best ideas on ways to plant more trees. Trees for the Environment If you are wondering about how trees can help the planet, there is a lot to be said on that topic. If you’ve ever heard trees referred to as the Earth’s lungs, that’s because they remove pollutants and contaminants from the air and significantly improve air quality....

In fact, the name itself derives from the fact that nearly all parts of the plant come in threes– three leaves, three flower petals, three blooming characteristics (upright, nodding, or drooping), and three-sectioned seedpods. Another interesting name for this plant includes wake robin, which is said to be for the timing of its flowering, which usually appears with the arrival of spring robins. Types of Wildflower Trillium With well over 40 trillium species, flower color varies anywhere from white, yellow, and pink to red, maroon, and nearly purple....

What to Do With Bark from Guava Herbal remedies are making a comeback as the pharmaceutical industry increases prices and side effects from approved drugs become known. Many natural remedies have the ability to replace harsh pharmaceutical drugs, often without excessive dependency and alternate effects. However, it is always best to talk to a knowledgeable professional prior to self-dosing with any product. Guava bark remedies may contain such side effects as constipation and other adverse reactions in combination with diabetes and antidiarrheal medicines....

Where Do Hanging Ferns Grow Best? Growing conditions may vary somewhat depending on the type of fern; however, most ferns don’t appreciate intense sunlight. Outdoors, a fern in a hanging container will generally do well with morning sunlight but needs afternoon shade. Indoor ferns in hanging baskets usually do best in bright, indirect light such as a spot a few feet (1 m.) from a sunny window. Ideal temperatures are between 60 and 70 degrees F....

About Evergreen Groundcovers for Zone 7 Picking perennial plants for the landscape is an important choice, as you will be living with those selections for years to come. When deciding upon an evergreen groundcover in zone 7, the hardiness of the plant is only one of the considerations. You must also opt for plants that are suited to the site conditions such as sun exposure, soil type, ease of care, and water accommodations....

Take a look at these ideas for planning an exotic garden in cold weather. Creating an Exotic Cool Climate Garden Foliage is all important in a tropical garden. Look for hardy “exotic” plants with bold foliage in a variety of colors, textures, and sizes. Include a variety of annuals in your display of hardy tropical looking plants. Add a water feature too. It doesn’t have to be big and “splashy,” but some type of water feature, even a bubbling bird bath, will provide authentic sounds of a tropical garden....

What are Highbush Blueberries? Highbush blueberries are the ones you usually find in grocery stores. They are members of the Vaccinium genus, along with lowbush blueberries, cranberries, huckleberries, and lingonberries. The highbush blueberry is native to eastern coastal regions of North America. Along with azaleas, mountain laurels, and rhododendrons, Vaccinium species belong to the Ericaceae or heather family. Like other heather family plants, highbush blueberries are acid-loving plants that are adapted to living in low-fertility habitats such as bogs and heaths....