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Biting Midge Info No-see-ums are so small that they can pass through the average door screen. These itty-bitty flies are found almost everywhere. The tiny terrors inflict a shockingly painful bite, especially for their size. They go by various names. In the northeast they are called “punkies,” in the southeast “50’s,” referring to their habit of showing up in the evening, and in the southwest they are called “pinyon gnats.” Up in Canada they appear as “moose gnats....

Perilla mint plants are often found growing along fences, roadsides, in hay fields or pastures and are, hence, more often termed a weed in other countries. These mint plants are also quite toxic to cattle and other livestock, so it’s no wonder why shiso is considered more of a noxious, undesirable weed in some areas of the world. Uses for Perilla Mint Plants Prized in Asian countries not only for its culinary uses, the oil extracted from these mint plants is also utilized as a valuable fuel source, while the leaves themselves are used medicinally and as a food coloring....

Texas Sage Info Texas sage is a classic in the American southwest. What is a Texas sage shrub? As a native plant, it provides cover for wild animals and birds and helps stabilize loose desert soils. This adaptable plant is drought tolerant and useful in areas with high heat and cold desert temperatures. It is also a landscape surprise that produces profuse lavender flowers. The plant additionally has deer resistance and thrives in poor soil....

What is Peat Moss? Peat moss is dead fibrous material that forms when mosses and other living material decompose in peat bogs. The difference between peat moss and the compost gardeners make in their backyard is that peat moss is composed mostly of moss, and the decomposition happens without the presence of air, slowing the rate of decomposition. It takes several millennia for peat moss to form, and peat bogs gain less than a millimeter in depth every year....

For those of you who wonder about the procedure for pruning a tree, read on. We’ll give you the pruning basics you need to get the job done for just about any landscape plant. What Is Pruning? Let’s start with the basic question: What is pruning? Pruning is simply cutting off parts of a plant. Responsible pruning is always done for a specific reason, like keeping a plant the optimal size for the landscape rather than allowing it to overgrow its space....

What is Purple Needlegrass? Scientifically known as Nassella pulchra, purple needlegrass is native to the coastal hills of California, ranging from the Oregon border south to Baja, California. It is believed that before European settlement, purple needlegrass was the dominant bunch grass species in the state. However, it reached near extinction until recent conservation and restoration projects shed light on this almost forgotten plant. Historically, purple needlegrass was used as a food source and basket weaving material by Native Americans....

Though these plants are generally trouble-free, there are some issues which may cause plant vigor to suffer when growing mountain laurel. What’s wrong with my mountain laurel, you ask? Find out about common problems with mountain laurels here and how to fix them. About Mountain Laurel Problems Issues with mountain laurel plants may occur for a wide variety of reasons. Whether injury has been caused due to weather, fungal infections, or bacterial issues, it is important to be able to quickly identify the problem and determine the best course of treatment for plants....

“The only wildlife in this garden will be rats and mice,” I thought. Like so many, this homeowner had gone too far. I’ve learned a lot about wildlife gardening since then, making my own mistakes, and I’m proud to say that today I have a wide variety of wildlife in the garden. A garden for wildlife doesn’t have to be a jungle of unkempt plant life and rodent attracting eyesores....

1. Bougainvillea This tough, drought-resistant plant will light up your backyard with brilliant, dramatically pink flowers. You can find bougainvillea plants that are shrubs and others that are vines, so pick whichever works for your yard. Native to Mexico and other points south, bougainvillea thrives in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11. It can be grown both as a vine and as a shrub. 2. Daphne Do you want an evergreen shrub with pink flowers that will fill your yard with fragrance?...

Controlling Peacocks in the Garden Nearly anyone can agree that peacocks are magnificent birds. However, they have a tendency to become nuisance animals in domestic situations. Tales abound of birds digging up garden beds and making dust hollows in them, ripping screen doors with their talons and pecking at their own image when seen on expensive shiny cars. Often simply getting after them with a good blast of the garden hose will get rid of peacocks....

What to Feed Bird of Paradise Plants Any bird of paradise plant, when planted in your garden, will benefit from a 2 to 3 inch deep (5 to 8 cm.) layer of mulch. Use organic materials such as wood chips, bark, leaves, and pine needles. Just make sure to keep a mulch-free zone of around 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm.) from your plants. Adding a bit of sand or gravel to the mulch will also help with drainage....

What is Apple Bitter Pit Disease? Apple bitter pit disease should more properly be referred to as a disorder rather than a disease. There is no fungus, bacteria, or virus associated with bitter pit in apples. As mentioned, it is a physiological disorder. This disorder is the result of a lack of calcium in the fruit. Calcium may be plentiful in the soil and in the leaves or bark of the apple tree but lacking in the fruit....

What is a Bog Garden? Creating a bog garden in your landscape is an enjoyable project that allows you to experiment with different plant species. So exactly what is a bog garden anyway? Bog gardens exist in nature in low-lying areas or around ponds, lakes, and streams. Bog garden plants love overly moist soil, which is waterlogged, but not standing. These marshy gardens make a lovely attraction in any landscape and can quickly turn an unused, water-logged spot in the yard into a wonderful scenic attraction....

Buckwheat Growing Buckwheat is one of the earliest crops cultivated in Asia, most likely in China 5,000 to 6,000 years ago. It spread throughout Asia to Europe and was then brought to the American colonies in the 1600’s. Common on farms in the northeast and north central United States at that time, buckwheat was used as a livestock feed and as a milling flour. Buckwheat is a broadleaf, herbaceous plant that flowers abundantly over the course of several weeks....

Can Goji Berries Grow in Containers? If you like the idea of growing this flavorful little berry but you’re lacking garden space, growing goji berries in containers is a viable alternative. In fact, potted goji berries are surprisingly easy to grow and maintain. Although goji berries are suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 3-10, growing goji berries in containers allows you to bring the plant inside when the temperatures drop in autumn....

What are Patented Plants? A patent is a legal document that gives you the right to stop other people from making, using, or selling your invention without your consent. Everyone knows that computer designers and automobile manufacturers get patents on their inventions. Plant breeders can get these patents too. What are patented plants? They are unique plants developed by breeders. The plant breeders applied for and were given patent protection. In this country, plant patents last for 20 years....

Chinese Garden Design Three major elements of a Chinese garden traditionally include: Water – representing living, constantly changing nature Stones – indicating stability and strength Plants – which provide beauty, texture, and meaning Architecture such as pavilions and teahouses provide a place for reflection, conversation, and refreshments. Chinese Garden Plants Chinese gardens contain a variety of plants chosen to provide beauty for each season. Chinese garden plants may include trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and aquatic plants....

Freezing Temperatures and Cool-Weather Crops Although gardeners often use the terms “frost” and “freeze” interchangeably, there is a difference. Frost occurs when moisture in the air creates ice crystals on the surface of the plant. A freeze happens when ice forms in and around the cells of the plant. Freeze damage occurs when the water inside the plant expands as it turns to ice. This causes the plant’s cells to burst, resulting in irreversible damage to plant tissues....

What Is A Conservatory Perhaps you’re wondering, “What is a conservatory?” In the simplest terms, a conservatory is basically greenhouse living space. While both are often glass buildings with glass roofs, a greenhouse tends to look and feel more utilitarian. It’s a place to start seedlings and grow plants. It’s also a place where people primarily visit to look at or work with plants. On the other hand, a conservatory is a room also designed for human use....

Growing Forest Grass in Containers Using ornamental grasses in pots allows the gardener to control where they grow and to preserve them if they are tender or half hardy. Pots can always be buried or brought indoors to help save the root system when temperatures get cold, but during the spring and summer the plants can be honored guests on the patio, lanai or other shady nook. Container grown forest grass is an excellent example of an ornamental plant that thrives in a pot....