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Hybridizing Snapdragons Plants For centuries, plant breeders have created new hybrids from cross pollination. Through this technique they are able to change a plant’s characteristics, such as bloom color, bloom size, bloom shape, plant size, and plant foliage. Due to these efforts, we now have many flowering plants that produce much wider varieties of bloom color. With a little knowledge of flower anatomy, a pair of tweezers, a camel hairbrush, and clear plastic bags, any home gardener can try their hand at hybridizing snapdragon plants or other flowers....

Growing Peace Lily As Houseplants Peace lilies make excellent houseplants for the home or office. These lovely plants not only brighten up a living space, but are also excellent at cleaning the air of the room they are in. Most commonly, these plants have dark green leaves and white “flowers.” What most people think of as the flower is actually a specialized leaf bract that grows hooded over the flowers. Like many popular indoor plants, peace lilies enjoy medium to low light....

How to Grow Saffron Indoors First, when growing saffron indoors, you’ll want to acquire the bulbs. Make sure you buy from a reputable seed house and that the bulbs are saffron crocus and not autumn meadow crocus — Crocus sativus, not Colchicum autumnale. Note: To figure out how many corms to order, the general rule of thumb is three threads per person times the number of people in the family times the number of saffron dishes made per year....

Growing Plants in Water Many plants grow easily in water, an often used method of propagation. Some folks choose to root houseplants in bottles or the like. An indoor water garden may often consist of clippings from existing houseplants in bottles covering every surface available, to a couple of growing plants in water perched on the kitchen windowsill. Growing plants in water allows for a greater flexibility in arrangement and can be accomplished in most any type of receptacle that will hold water....

Growing a heliotrope plant brings satisfaction to the gardener, not only in its dense cluster of delicate flowers but in its delicious aroma. Some people claim it’s the scent of vanilla, but my vote has always gone to its common namesake, cherry pie. Heliotrope Flowers These sweethearts are temperate perennials usually grown as annuals, and growing a heliotrope plant will be an additional pleasure for those who live in places with hot, dry summers....

What is Japanese Sedge? Japanese sedge plants are versatile, compact plants. The main requirement is consistent moisture, making them appropriate for pond margins or water gardens. Once established, the plant is also drought tolerant for brief periods. Another bonus is Japanese sedge care, as it is a low maintenance plant with deer resistance and few pest or disease issues. Japanese sedge plants grows 12 inches (31 cm.) tall or more (some forms can achieve 24 inches (61 cm....

Different Types of Kohlrabi Kohlrabi varieties are divided into different days to maturity and color. Most develop a round swollen stem, but some varieties of kohlrabi have a more flattened stem. You can find green, purple, white, and even blue fleshed kohlrabi. There are also kohlrabi plant varieties that are slow to bolt. There are types that are resistant to certain insects, such as cabbage worms. Whatever special requirements you need from your kohlrabi crop, there is probably a variety to suit your preferences....

What Will Grow Under a Lemon Tree? Lemon trees are very productive and their tart, tangy fruit is a natural source of Vitamin C. Lemon uses in cooking and making beverages abound and their flavor is found in many international cuisines. What will grow under a lemon tree that will enhance its growth and possibly pair nicely in the kitchen? There are many partner flavors in the herb family as well as several ornamental and edible trees and shrubs that can contribute to a Mediterranean feel in the landscape and make excellent lemon tree understory plants....

What is Magical Michael Basil? Originally developed for ornamental use, Magical Michael basil plants have a compact bush-like shape and reach a consistent size at maturity. The aromatic green leaves are edible, although not as flavorful as other types of basil. The leaves can be used in flower arrangements for their beauty and fragrance. Here’s additional Magical Michael basil info: Life Span: Annual Height: 15 to 16 inches (38 to 40....

About Common Mallow Weeds Common mallow (Malva neglecta) came from Europe to North America and is a member of the Malvaceae family, which also includes such desirable plants as hibiscus, okra, and cotton. Another species of common mallow mostly seen in Europe is M. sylvestris, which can be distinguished from the U.S. variety by its purplish pink color. M. neglecta typically has pale pink to white flowers. Depending on the climate it is in, common mallow weeds are annuals or biennials....

What is a Moon Garden? A moon garden is simply a garden that is meant to be enjoyed by the light of the moon, or at nighttime. Moon garden designs include white or lightly colored blooms that open at night, plants that release sweet fragrances at night, and/or plant foliage that adds a unique texture, color, or shape at night. Plants with light blooms that open at night will reflect the moonlight, making them pop out against the darkness....

Are Daylily Plants Invasive? Common orange daylilies (Hemerocallis fulva), also known as ditch lilies or tiger lilies, are extremely invasive and hard to kill once established, but unlike many garden favorites, these daylilies don’t need special care to get established, or possibly any care whatsoever. They may spread from a stand started long ago, or from tubers pulled out of other gardens and tossed on the ground in your garden. Many gardeners find their daylily is out of control and panic, but pulling them takes patience; these are not your typical landscape plants....

Why Esperanza Does Not Bloom Like most other members of the Bignoniaceae family, this popular landscape plant is loved for its floriferous nature. The flowers have a quaint fragrance too, but it is very mild. Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers too. Drought tolerance is another feature appreciated in these plants, which go by the scientific name Tecoma stans, but is more commonly called yellow bells. However, many gardeners who love these bunches of bright yellow, bell-shaped flowers are disappointed by their esperanza not blooming....

Grasses are alluring additives to the garden with their ornate foliage, majestic plumes, and graceful flower clusters. Indian grass, Sorghastum nutans, is an excellent choice to bring motion and dancing foliage to your home landscape. Indian grass care is minimal and a perfect choice for native gardens where light and wind create magical movement and dimension. Indian Grass (Sorghastrum Nutans) A native of North America, one of the most interesting of the grasses is the Indian grass....

Reasons Pepper Leaves are Turning Brown Browning pepper leaves may be the result of environmental conditions such as frost damage/chilling injury. Usually, this type of injury will encompass the entire plant. That is, not only the leaves, but the entire plant may become discolored and wilted. Also, the inside of any fruit will become brown as well. If leaves are turning brown on your pepper plants, it may also be because you forgot to water them....

If you’re lucky enough to be able to grow your own tomatoes, the question is when are tomatoes ready to harvest? Tomatoes are sneaky. We’re used to purchasing vibrant red tomatoes from the grocers, but the fact is that color is not a good indicator of when to pick tomatoes. Waiting for a time when the fruit is uniformly red may be a little late for picking the tomatoes....

Choosing Pink Petunia Flowers A mass of pink bubblegum flowers makes an outstanding and bright statement. Petunias that are pink provide several unique attributes that can enhance such a display. There are compact to mounding forms, tennis ball to dime sized blooms, plus many more variations such as striping and number of petals. If pink is your color, you’re in luck, as most of the available varieties come in this sought after hue....

Why Choose Drought Tolerant Landscaping? Drought-tolerant plants survive long periods of drought by storing water internally or by developing extensive root systems that sink deep into the soil. Many drought-tolerant plants have additional protection through a waxy coating that reduces evaporation or hairs on the leaf surface, which reflects some of the light thereby insulating the plant. Most plants that tolerate drought use several of these features to survive on low amounts of precipitation....

Container Grown Cosmos Cosmos flowers can be successfully grown in containers. Species plants can grow as much as 6 feet (2 m.) tall, so look for dwarf or compact cultivars for containers. Of the 20 species of annual and perennial cosmos flowers, cultivars of C. sulphureus and C. bipinnatus are best suited to containers. C. sulphureus comes in shades of yellow, orange, and red while C. bipinnatus blooms in pink and rose tones....

Feeding Fresh Cut Flowers One of the more common ways to extend the life of cut flowers is with aspirin. While these tablets may keep the doctor away, there is little evidence they will keep your flowers fresh for any length of time, so this method is likely no more than a myth. Flowers that have been cut still need water and some form of carbohydrate to fuel continued beauty. The flower food for cut flowers that comes with the bouquet will be comprised of sugars and nutrients that are designed to keep blooms healthy and fresh....