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Language of Flowers: Gratitude Did you ever wonder which plant says “thank you?” What flower symbolizes gratitude? Flower and plant symbolism became fashionable during the Victorian era in England, when floral gifts were often used to express one’s feelings. If you wish to follow traditional plant and flower symbolism, gratitude is often expressed by one of these five species: Roses – Perhaps best known as the flower of love, red roses are the traditional Valentine’s Day gift....

Fragrant Herb Garden Most herbs will release their aromas better when they are brushed against or touched. A nice breeze will also carry the herb’s aromatic scent across the yard to you. Keep this in mind when you are deciding where to place your fragrant herb garden. Keeping it close by would definitely be a good idea. When it comes to scented herbs, you have a huge assortment from which to choose....

Creating a dwarf persimmon tree is also an interesting project and lots of fun. How do you keep a persimmon tree small? Read on for the juicy details. Small Persimmon Tree Although we usually recommend planting native trees, when it comes to a bonsai persimmon, we don’t recommend the American native, Diospyros virginiana. American persimmon trees can grow to well over 135 feet (45 m.) tall. If you start with a small persimmon tree, it will require less effort to create a bonsai persimmon....

Before Moving Cacti in the Landscape Mature cactus plants can get quite large and require professional assistance to minimize plant damage. If you are determined to take on the process yourself, consider site preparation, have several extra hands available and prepare the plant carefully to avoid harming pads, limbs, and causing yourself and your helpers any pain. Only transplant healthy specimens that will have the best chance of re-establishing. A word of caution: wild cactus cannot be harvested legally in most areas, so this information applies to cultivated cacti in the landscape only....

Transplanting roses really is not much different than planting a budded and blooming rose bush from your local greenhouse or garden center, except that the rose bush to be moved is still in its dormant state for the most part. Listed below are the instructions for how to transplant roses. Best Time to Transplant Rose Bush I prefer to start transplanting rose bushes in early spring, around the middle to the end of April if the weather is nice enough to be able to dig the soil....

What’s Wrong with My Chinese Pistache? No landscape tree is entirely problem free, and this includes Chinese pistache. This ornamental is prized for its brilliant fall color before leaf drop, but if your Chinese pistache leaf drop starts before summer’s end, you’ll need to evaluate the care the tree is getting and its state of health. Are you seeing problems with your tree and wondering: “what’s wrong with my Chinese pistache?...

Houseplants are great for cleaning interior air and adding a touch of nature to your home. There are numerous readily available houseplants that are easy to grow and thrive indoors. But finding that really special species is a coup to adventurous growers. Unusual houseplants are a challenge and a delight. Sometimes you have to source interesting houseplants through clubs, online chats, and collectors groups. Tips on Finding Rare Houseplants Often a local garden society is a good place to source interesting houseplants....

Tips for Ordering Plants First, you have to decide what is important to you as a gardener. Ask questions. Do you only want organic selections? Do you want seeds that are part of the national seedbank? Do you want a company that gives back to community and global concerns? Is price your main concern? Many questions go into the decision regarding what company to use as your seed and plant catalog connection....

What is Variegated String of Hearts Much like other types of String of Hearts, variegated cultivars have small, delicate leaves. These grow opposite each other on a trailing, purplish colored stem. The spacing between the sets of leaves is dependent upon the light, with brighter indirect light creating shorter internodes. C. woodii is a tender perennial which hails from southern Africa. It can be grown outdoors in USDA zones 9 through 11 and is most often cultivated as a houseplant elsewhere....

Common Veggie Problems Problems growing vegetables may run the gamut from the more obvious vegetable garden pests or plant diseases to issues related to the environment like weather conditions, nutrition, and even those caused by people or animals. Proper irrigation, fertilization, location, and when possible, the choice to plant disease-resistant varieties can aid in creating your own little Garden of Eden. Vegetable Plant Diseases There are a plethora of plant diseases that may afflict the veggie garden....

How to Weed the Garden Properly A large number of gardeners don’t weed their garden correctly. It’s a sad truth, because when they weed improperly, they are only making more work for themselves. Efficient vegetable garden weeding can almost be considered a learned skill. The number one mistake that many gardeners make when weeding the garden is that they don’t pull the weed out correctly. Many gardeners approach weeding with a grab and snatch technique that snaps the stems of the weeds and leaves the roots behind in the ground....

Veggies, Herbs, and Flowers The idea of mixing edible crops with ornamental plantings was once frowned upon. However, grouping veggies, herbs, and flowers together is a great way to add interesting textures and colors to the garden. Mixing vegetables and herbs with flowers creates year-round interest. Many gardeners also prefer to mix these plants to camouflage and repel pests. Choosing Edible Landscape Plants When adding edible landscape plants to flower gardens, consider the overall look of each plant and choose those that complement one another as well as those sharing the same growing requirements....

What are Glochids? Cactus glochids are not a feature with which to fool. Glochids in skin are irritating, difficult to remove, and stay in for a long time. What are glochids? They are fine, hairy spines tipped with barbs. That makes them hard to get out of skin and the irritation persists for days without treatment. It’s wise to wear gloves and long sleeves if you are handling any of the plants in the Opuntia family....

What are Wheat Curl Mites? Wheat curl mites (Aceria tulipae) are tiny, almost microscopic plant feeding mites. They have two pairs of legs near the head which is perched atop a cigar-shaped body. Their favorite food, as the name suggests, is wheat, but they also infiltrate fields of onions and garlic. Wheat curl mites on plants become active in the spring and their populations virtually explode as temps increase; 75 to 85 degrees F....

What is a Dog Rose? This rose is classified by some as a climber while others classify it as a weedy shrub rose, also known as briar rose or dog briar. Like most wild rosebushes, it has a growth habit that is considered aggressive and, thus, invasive in some areas, overcoming desired plants in the garden. The dog rose does have a rich history to share, as its medical uses date back to the time of Hippocrates....

What is a House Jungle? We are bombarded everyday by photos of lush gardens and interiors with a large amount of plants everywhere. For those of us that have limited space indoors, or even no outdoor space, it doesn’t mean that you are limited in what you can grow. With some creativity, you can create a lush feel in your own apartment with a variety of plants – your own little houseplant jungle....

What is Night Scented Stock? Annual flowers add a different dimension and style than perennials. Perennials are aggressively consistent while annuals need to be sown every year to grace the garden with their visage and scent. Night scented stock plant is one such gentle annual denizen. The flowers are a sweet wonder in faded tones that seem like they stepped out of another century. However, it is the aroma of these blooms that is the real attraction....

These are fruit fly larvae (offspring of flies). If you want to learn how to prevent fruit maggots, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading for fruit maggot info and learn how to prevent that “ugh” when you bite into fresh fruit. Where Do Fruit Maggots Come from? There are several species of fruit flies that lay their eggs in the fruit. The two most commonly found in home gardens are apple maggots and cherry fruit fly maggots....

Different Types of Watering Cans Nozzles and necks. Who knew these were important items in the watering world? The many different types of watering cans encompass unique body styles but also different diameter and length necks and a host of handy nozzle designs. Each is fashioned for different plant needs. The style you choose depends upon the size of the plants as well as the method needed to deliver water. Some tips on when to use a watering can with certain design features can help you decide which device to purchase....

Zygopetalum Orchid Care – How to Grow Zygopetalum Orchids A popular feature of many Zygopetalum orchids is its heady fragrance, which can fill a whole room. Zygopetalum variety orchids are typically green with brown stripes or spots and a white lip with velvety accents of indigo, fuchsia, purple, or maroon. You may be wondering how to grow Zygopetalum orchids, which originate in tropical South America. Zygopetalum orchid species and hybrids require specific care, but when those needs are met, growing these orchids can be achievable and rewarding....