Posts

Madrone Tree Facts Pacific madrone is native to the coastal ranges of the Pacific Northwest, from northern California to British Columbia, where winters are wet and mild and summers are cool and dry. It tolerates occasionally chilly weather, but isn’t highly frost-resistant. Pacific madrone is a versatile, relatively slow-growing tree that reaches heights of 50 to 100 feet (15-20 m.) or more in the wild, but usually tops out at only 20 to 50 feet (6-15 m....

Math in the Garden Some of the most basic everyday concepts start with mathematical knowledge. Gardening affords a way to instruct in these basic ideas with an inviting and entertaining environment. The simple ability to count as children decide how many rows to plant, or how many seeds to sow in each area, are life-long lessons they will carry into adulthood. Math garden activities, such as measuring the area for a plot or collecting data regarding the growth of vegetables, will become day to day needs as they mature....

Miscanthus maiden grass is easy to care for and hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9. There are numerous maiden grass varieties with different sizes and foliage colors. Bring one of these elegant grasses into your home landscape for powerful dimension, color, and movement. Miscanthus Maiden Grass Maiden grass thrives in full sun and may get 6 feet (2 m.) wide with a 10 foot (3 m.) spread. The grass requires well-drained soil, but is tolerant of excess moisture, dry conditions, acidic soils, and even hard clay sites....

Is There an Ornamental Grass That Resists Drought? The gentle sway and seductive whisper of sound that ornamental grasses afford the landscape are balms to the soul. Heat-loving ornamental grasses have particular value in hot climates. These water-saving plants are easy to maintain and generally tolerant of dry soils. Choosing the right ornamental grass for arid conditions is important. Nothing is more fruitless than purchasing an elegant grass for its drought tolerance only to find it failing when the moisture levels aren’t right....

Osiria Rose Information So, what is an Osiria rose anyway? The Osiria rose is indeed a beautiful rose in her own right– a very pretty hybrid tea rose with a strong fragrance, and the true bloom coloration is more cherry or fire engine red with a nice white reverse on the petals. Some of the photo enhanced pictures of this rose, however, are a deep satiny to velvety red with very pronounced white reverse to the petals....

Growing Espalier Pear Trees You can espalier a pear tree along a wall or fence, or else along a walkway. In either case, you’ll need to first plant the tree. Pick among pear trees suitable for espalier. One of the popular pear trees suitable for espalier is the Kieffer pear (Pyrus ‘Kieffer’). This cultivar grows fast and vigorously and doesn’t require pollinators. It generally starts producing fruit at two years old....

When to Apply Pesticides Responsible pesticide use in gardens is important, regardless of whether you use a chemical form or a natural homemade combatant. The very fact that it is used to kill something means it requires respectful and smart handling. You should always dress protectively and follow the manufacturer’s instruction regarding mixing, application rates, and timing. Pesticide application timing for a direct strike relies upon the product catching the insect at the correct stage....

Prairie Garden Design The first step to this low-maintenance plot is to come up with a prairie garden plan. Prairie garden design requires you to choose the plants that you want in the space. Make your own prairie garden plan and select seeds that are beneficial to wildlife and will not become nuisance plants. Give some consideration regarding invasive species, as many plants included in prairie garden mixes may spread and take over the space....

Winterize Home Herb Gardens Below are some general steps you can take in preparing herbs for winter. Fertilizer – Never fertilize your herb garden after August. Fertilizing herbs late in the season will encourage tender new growth that may not survive the winter. Watering – Water plants throughout late summer and autumn, as drought-stressed plants are more susceptible to cold weather damage. If the winter is dry, the plants benefit from an occasional irrigation (when the ground isn’t frozen)....

Preserving Cut Roses It is nice to cut several blooms from the rose bushes and bring them inside to enjoy. They make a great centerpiece for those special dinners or luncheons with family or friends. The fine bouquets of roses are also a wonderful way to enjoy and share their beauty and fragrance with our significant other. That said, keeping them fresh once they have been cut is the battle. While pretty much any rose works well for cutting, some types work better than others....

Problems Growing Orchids Even with the best of care troubles can occur. Common orchid problems include environmental issues, a few pests, and diseases. Environmental Problems Environmental issues with orchid plants are the most common complaint of first-time growers. People try to treat these plants like other houseplants, resulting in chaos. Most orchids are epiphytes, plants that grow in the branches of trees in very little soil using their roots both to cling to trees and respirate; many even have photosynthetic organs located in their prop roots....

Pothos Leaf Growth The Pothos plant is a notoriously hardy specimen that can thrive even when neglected. Like all plants, however, it requires regular water, sun or artificial light, proper nutrition, and air circulation. Stunted Pothos plants can be suffering from a host of issues, both cultural or pest derived. The most common causes are fairly easy to fix and even a novice gardener can save the plant. Pothos plants have heart-shaped, glossy green or variegated, waxy leaves....

Is Winter Care for Artemisia Necessary? Most Artemisia plants are hardy to United States Department of Agriculture zones 5 to 10 and occasionally down to 4 with protection. These tough, little plants are primarily herbaceous and many have medicinal and culinary properties. Most Artemisia in winter does quite well, shedding some leaves but, otherwise, the root zone stays safely underground. Plants that are growing in extremely northern climates, however, can have severe issues and the roots can be killed by a deep frost, so some steps need to be taken to protect the plant....

Red Tipped Photinia and Disease Symptoms The main culprit among photinia bush diseases is Entomosporium mespili, the fungus that causes photinia leaf spot. Like most plant fungi, this one thrives in the cool, moist environment of the fall and spring and attacks the most vulnerable new growth that gives the shrub its name, red-tipped photinia, and the disease spreads from there. The photinia fungus won’t kill the plant immediately or even during the first season but will return year after year until the constant leaf drop and the depletion of nourishment that results weakens the plant to the point of death....

Shade Garden Decorations The list of shade garden decoration possibilities is limited only by your imagination and some of the more common options you might consider when accessorizing your shade garden may include: GazebosGatesLighting featuresStonesDriftwoodSculpturesBirdbathsFountainsPlaquesPlanters‘WreathsTrellisesDecorative wallsChimesWindsocksSerenity (gazing) ballsOutdoor dining setsSteppingstones Incorporating appropriate decorations into your garden design will add personality, beauty, and in some cases, functionality, to your garden retreat. By rotating your garden accessories each season, you also can dramatically change the look and feel of your shade garden with minimal effort....

Why are My Seed Pods Mushy? There may be several reasons for soggy seed pods, such as a sudden shower or freeze. Seeds can deteriorate very fast in such wet and damp conditions. Insect infestations may also result in soggy seed pods that either rot or sprout prematurely. Can I Still Use Seeds from Wet Pods? In spite of the wetness, the seeds in the pods may be intact. If they are mature, you have a very good chance of saving them....

Why an Orange is Too Sour Later I learned that the varieties of oranges I had become used to, and which sell best in the supermarkets, is the orange variety known as “sweet orange.” There are also sour orange varieties which are cultivated for their peels and used in culinary arts. It is believed that sweet oranges originated in India, spread throughout Europe, and later were brought to the Americas by the Spanish explorers....

What Does Spinach Bolting Mean? Spinach is filled with anti-oxidant properties. It is also high in Vitamins A and C, fiber, protein, and a host of other beneficial nutrients. As an overall vegetable, this plant gets high marks as a versatile addition to recipes. Enjoying fresh spinach from the garden is an early season joy, but over time, bolting of spinach will occur. In fact, spinach prefers the cooler season and will respond to heat by forming flowers and seeds....

Weed control for star of Bethlehem is only necessary if the plant is rampant and uncontrollable in unwanted spaces. This is especially true when you find star of Bethlehem in lawns. About Star of Bethlehem Weeds While star of Bethlehem produces very pretty flowers, all parts of the plant are poisonous. It is an escaped foreigner and spreads prolifically. This makes control of this flower important, especially in counties where the plant has become a nuisance....

Help, My Succulent is too Tall! Most succulents are low growing beauties that fit easily into nooks and crannies in rockeries, flower beds, containers and among paving stones. Succulent pruning is not usually necessary but in the case of plants that become elongated and lose the compact nature for which they are often prized, the practice is a simple one. Knowing how to prune a leggy succulent can restore the desired size of the plant and also provide you with material with which to start another of these hardy and easy plants....