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Working with Structural Plants Start with relatively mature plants, if your budget allows. Although they may be more expensive, mature plants provide instant form and style. Consider the eventual size of the plant, and allow space accordingly; otherwise, you may have to remove the plant at some point in the future. Avoid overcrowding, especially if your garden is small. Leave enough space for your architecture to show at its full potential....

Growing Herbs in Zone 6 Many herbs, by nature, are naturally hardy, especially the perennial varieties that reliably return year after year. Others are far more tender and can’t really be attempted unless you’re living in zone 8 or above – or you grow them indoors. If you love a certain herb that you want to cultivate but it isn’t suited to your zone 6 climate, you can grow the herb in a pot and then bring it indoors for the winter....

Seeds of Trumpet Vines Those interesting looking pods on your Campsis vine have ornamental appeal and are full of seed to save and plant if you choose. Deciding what to do with trumpet vine pods depends upon your patience and adventurous levels. Leaving them on the plant for a fun visual effect is one option, but so is harvesting the seed and propagating more of the rampant vine. Be wary, the plant is considered too aggressive for some regions and may pose a problem if cultivation escapes into native flora areas....

They’re not only easy to grow but are also quite hardy and resistant to most pests and diseases, making it even easier to care for hydrangeas. With numerous varieties to choose from, you’re certain to find one that’s right for you. Growing Hydrangeas Although there are many types of hydrangeas, most can be grown in full sun or partial shade. Keep in mind, however, that many hydrangeas do not like extremely hot conditions, so try to locate them in an area where they can enjoy some afternoon shade....

Cold Hardy Hydrangeas Growing hydrangeas in zone 4 was once a no-no due to their frost and snow tenderness. Today, we are fortunate enough to have plant enthusiasts that are constantly developing new species and cultivars with the ability to withstand extreme temperatures. There are now numerous cold hardy hydrangeas from which to choose, with the leading hardy cultivars stemming from H. paniculata and H. arborescens. The former is a panicle forming bush while the latter is in the smooth leaf category....

What is a scale leaf evergreen? Scale leaf evergreen varieties are those with flat, scaly leaf structures. If you’d like to get an overview of evergreens with scale leaves, read on. We’ll also give you tips for identifying scale leaf evergreens. What is a Scale Leaf Evergreen? Identifying scale leaf evergreens versus conifer evergreens is not difficult. If you are wondering whether a particular needled evergreen is a scale leaf, the answer lies in the foliage....

Types of Japanese Gardens Japanese garden design appears most prominently as the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden. This garden style is more relaxed, especially when compared to European gardens. The Asian plants are laid out in distinct areas of smaller flowering trees and shrubs in the foreground, with hills, a small pond, and forest trees in the background. The plants in the foreground are pruned into rounded shapes, to be reminiscent of hills and clouds....

Knowing when to harvest kiwis can be a bit tricky. Commercial kiwi growers use a tool called a refractometer, which measures the amount of sugar in the fruit to determine the time of a kiwi fruit harvest. The refractometer is a bit pricey (about $150) for most casual kiwi home growers, so another method to determine when to harvest kiwis is in order. When and How to Pick a Kiwi So what, as the home gardener, do we need to know in how to pick a kiwi when it is ready?...

Philodendron selloum – Lacy Tree Philodendron Philodendron plants come in a staggering variety of sizes, leaf shape, color, and variegation. This lacy leaf philodendron has several common names: hope selloum, horsehead philodendron, lacy tree philodendron, and tree philodendron. As a tropical plant, this is most appropriate as a houseplant unless you live somewhere very warm. It grows up to 10 feet (3 m.) tall and 8 feet (2 m.) wide, so it’s a small tree and a good size for a large houseplant....

Creating an Attractive Landscape Boundary Fencing: A solid fence can block an unsightly view and offer complete privacy. A more open fence, like chain link, clearly defines the borders of your yard but allows you to see out. The downside is that a good fence will be expensive. Before you invest any money, be sure the fence is legal in your area, and that you have any required building permits. Trees and shrubs: These can serve many purposes when it comes to creating neighborly borders....

About Tangelo Trees Additional tangelo tree information tells us that technically, or rather botanically, tangelos are a hybrid of Citrus paradisi and Citrus reticulata and named this by W.T. Swingle and H. J. Webber. Further information about tangelo trees indicates that the fruit is a cross between the Duncan grapefruit and the Dancy tangerine of the family Rutaceae. An evergreen with fragrant white flowers, the tangelo tree produces fruit looking much like an orange but with a bulbous stem end, smooth to slightly bumpy rind, and an easily removable peel....

About Melaleuca Tea Trees Tea trees are native to the warmer regions of Australia where they grow wild in tropical and subtropical swampy areas. You’ll find many different types of tea trees, each with its own dramatic variations in needle and blossom shades. Melaleuca tea trees attract attention in your garden. Tea tree information suggests that one of the most attractive features is the trunk, with its gorgeous, papery bark. If you are thinking of growing a tea tree, note that the tree can get 20 feet (6 m....

Blooming Succulent Plant Care When your bloom stalk or flower begins to develop, keep an eye out for aphids buzzing around it. They are particularly attracted to this type of new growth. Spray them with a 50% to 70% alcohol product or a horticulture soap. Some succulent growers remove the stalk at this time for this reason. If your intriguing bloom leads you to provide extra care, follow some or all of these tips: Succulent and cacti flowers love sunlight, so the more you can gradually provide will make the flower bloom more quickly....

Why Am I Getting No Fruit From My Cherry Tree? Cherry trees will fruit when they become old enough to blossom freely. Sour cherry trees mature at around the three to five year mark and sweet cherry trees at four to seven years. The overall health of the tree, which is influenced by a variety of factors, is the key to success when growing cherry trees. Most cherry tree problems result from environmental conditions (climate and weather) of the cherry tree or orchard; cultural practices such as watering, fertilizing, and pruning; pollination and fruiting habit....

What is Onion Mushy Rot? Onions are a prevalent ingredient in many recipes. Whether you sauté them, roast, boil, sear, grill or eat them raw, onions add zest and aromatic delight to any dish. Growing onions is pretty easy in well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Harvesting and storing onions properly will help keep the veggies for months. Mushy rot in onions is the Achilles’ heel of stored Allium. It will not only rot an infected bulb, but the disease spreads readily in storage situations....

Types of Pests on Orchids Orchid flower pests are a collector’s nightmare. There is any number of nasty insects that can wreck the appearance and health of your plant. Recognizing which insect is attacking your orchid is key to managing orchid pests. Once you know which insect is causing the damage, you can successfully fight back. Pests on orchid flowers fall into two categories: sap sucking and chewing. Sap sucking insects remove plant sap which is necessary for the plant to fuel itself causing general malaise and leaf, stem, and flower problems....

Organic Soil Amendments Adding organic matter to the soil for organic gardens is crucial to the health of your plants. Here are some common organic soil amendments for creating healthy garden soil. Compost It doesn’t matter which article you read or which organic gardener you talk to, they will all tell you the same thing; an organic garden begins with compost. Compost is simply deteriorated, rotten organic matter. It can be made with household cooking scraps, leaves, grass clippings, etc....

Planting a Friendly Neighbor Perennial Garden Another way to rejuvenate the looks of your city block or suburban housing development involves landscaping with neighbors. With this type of project, you can plant perennials in the neighborhood to not only add sparkle but also create a sense of unity. In a day and age when neighbors rarely know each other, this type of project can bring neighbors together. Engaging in a community-wide “perennial garden for neighbors” project, can also improve property values and attract homebuyers to the area....

Pollinator Friendly Garden Plants The key to a pollinator friendly garden is to plant a variety of blooming plants — those that rotate bloom times from February through October providing constant nourishment. Include larval host plants for caterpillars as well as pollen and nectar plants. And include native plants. Provide a shallow water source such as a birdbath. Provide shelters, such as bee blocks, and bare soil areas for ground nesting bees....

Silver Maple Tree Information Silver maples (Acer saccharinum) prefer to grow in moist, slightly acidic soil. They are moderately drought tolerant, but are more recognized for their ability to survive in standing water for long periods of time. Because of this water tolerance, silver maples were often planted along river banks or edges of other waterways for erosion control. They can tolerate high water levels in spring and receding water levels in midsummer....