Gardening Basics

Hibiscus plants are popular in gardens across the country. This bush produces showy flowers in colors ranging from yellow to red in the springtime, and can be easily maintained with little pruning...

Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) is not a true willow. This is a hardwood tree native to southeastern United States, Gulf Coast and western United States. Native Americans use the wood for a...

Old Bradford pear trees are popularly known for their oval shape and the beautiful and juicy pear fruits they produce. They are considered old or mature trees when they reach a height of 30 to 50...

Evergreens provide color, windbreak and privacy to the landscape year-round. They are a food source and habitat for wildlife as well. Sometimes in the dead of winter, however, a little greenery...

If you live near a busy street, you probably hear traffic noise. If you have children who like soccer, the sides of your house might be a little dented. Garden hedges can reduce the traffic noise...

Some plants, vegetative and flowering, will grow weary over the course of several years, or even just a summer. Any bush, tree or plant is at risk for growing limp and lifeless--with brown spots,...

Flowering plum trees feature beautiful green leaves, a rounded shape, light pink flowers and decadently sweet fruits. They generally reach 20 or 30 feet in height, with trunks that are 6 to...

The pecan is a nut tree native to North America and grown predominantly in the southern United States. Pecan pies are a holiday classic, but the nut makes a great addition to salads, desserts,...

The goal of trimming almond trees, as with any tree that produces fruit or nuts, is to maximize production. A secondary goal is to maintain the shape and overall visual appeal of the tree and to...

Spreading junipers are evergreens that require little maintenance and thrive even in poor soil. However, it's important to prune them every year in the early spring so that they will keep an...

When designing ground cover for your yard or business, the Blue Rug Juniper is a good choice. This low-lying evergreen makes a gorgeous landscape accent that is tolerant of cold and drought. In...

The Coppertina shrub is a plant with orange-copper foliage in the spring. As the foliage becomes mature, it will turn red. It blooms in the summer with pinkish-white flowers. Fully grown, it...

Dogwood shrubs live a long lifespan. Many varieties are available but the most common are red twig, blood twig, gray dogwoods and tatarian. Dogwoods make stunning informal hedges or barrier plants...

The Cotinus shrub, also known as smoke bush, provides a colorful addition to any landscape. The flowers--which range in color from blue to smoky yellow and orange--bloom in the spring, but the...

A weeping cherry tree is an example of a grafted tree that must be pruned in a special way in order to maintain the intended effect of downward arching branches emanating from a central stem or...

The snowdrift crab offers clustered, five-petaled blossoms that bloom as pink or red buds, then open to a paler shade. Popular in the North or Midwest regions of the United States, it is tolerant...

The flowering quince or japonica is a round-topped shrub that grows 6 feet tall and 10 feet across. Full bloom occurs in early March with single, pinkish-orange blossoms. It also forms a tart...

Forsythia bushes have beautiful yellow spring foliage. They are easy to grow individually or as hedges. They thrive even under the harshest conditions and will reward you each year with plentiful...

The American holly bush has distinctively shaped, shiny leaves in differing shades of green, although some have cream-and-green-colored leaves. The berries also vary from deep red to a creamy,...

Gentle yearly pruning of flowering bushes improves the look and form of the branches and allows gardeners to shape the plant as space allows. As with any kind of flowering plant, gardeners have to...

Espalier gardening occurs when a plant is trained to grow in a pattern against a flat surface. It is striking when flowering plants are trained and even more spectacular when fruit trees are...

Jatropha is an evergreen shrub with scarlet or yellow star-shaped flowers. When grown in tropical and subtropical regions, Jatropha has been known to bloom all year round. Its flowers attract...

The Olive tree originated from Africa and holds a special place in human history for over 8000 years in its native region of the Mediterranean Basin. The Olive tree survives and thrives where...

Learn how to trim pecan trees for the purpose of safety, to increase the yield of the nuts and for visual appeal. Use the appropriate tools when trimming a pecan tree. Take precautions for...

Holly bushes add abundant green foliage to your yard. With bright red berries that provide beauty year-round, holly bushes are great not only for landscaping but can also be used to add decoration...

Blueberry bushes do well in poor, acidic soils, do not take up a lot of space and yield berries three to six years after planting. For the healthiest bushes and the best blueberries, you can do a...

Junipers are evergreen members of the cypress family. They're easy-to-care for bushes whose berries are used in cooking, to flavor gin and for medicinal purposes. Junipers grow year-round, are...

Chances are you didn't plant the junipers on your property, and you may have toiled for the longest time over figuring out how to make them look good. A simple way to make these plants attractive...

Most people trim their bushes from the outside, like giving them haircuts. They cut all the branches back make the shape they desire for the bush. In the worst cases, a hedge trimmer is used to...

To grow properly and stay healthy, peach trees need frequent pruning. If trees are pruned and trained at an early age, they'll grow with an "open center" shape that allows them to produce the...

The horticultural art of bonsai growing was refined by the Japanese, who were influenced by Chinese growers. The art of finely manicuring trees and training them to maintain a miniature appearance...

You bought a citrus tree, and are looking forward to eating the delicious fruit. Something went awry though and now your tree is dying. Branches are turning brown, and leaves are falling off. How...

Pruning your garden can be an overwhelming task if you don't know where to begin. These tips will enable you to prune your garden with ease while ensuring that your plants remain healthy and...

You may need to prune your sycamore tree for a number of reasons. It might have some dead or dying branches that you are afraid are becoming dangerous. The branches may be starting to hang too low...

Scuppernong grapes are native to the Scuppernong River in North Carolina and have been cultivated for at least 400 years. Scuppernong juice is sweet and refreshing. The grapes are made into wine...

Pruning shrubs and bushes helps them grow back healthier and stronger the next growing season. Proper pruning will give your garden a cleaner more polished look. Under-pruning or using the wrong...

All plants are living things and that means that they will grow and change shape as time goes on. So, if you want your bushes to look good, you will occasionally have to intervene and clip them...

The Bromeliad family is comprised of a large group of plants best known for the edible pineapple (Ananas). Many of them produce outrageously flamboyant flower spikes that almost look as if they...

Composting has numerous benefits for your garden as well as for the environment. Adding compost to your garden can protect plants from pests and disease. In addition, along with enriching the...

It is generally not recommended to replant shrubs (and other plants) in summer. There is a considerable chance that the shrub will dry out. However, sometimes you cannot wait until next spring or...

When trimming roses, only trim back about one third of the plant by cutting it back to the branches. Trim roses with tips from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

Angel Trumpets, or Daytura are beautiful hardy trees which produce incredible flowers. The trumpet shaped flowers and heady aroma are sure to make a welcome addition to any garden. Do be wary...

Pruning is an essential task in the gardening world. This technique is used when a tree has become overgrown or damaged. Keep on reading to find out how to prune trees and save money at the same time.

If you have ever thought about having a natural canopy in your yard, here is an easy way to accomplish it. You won't need hammers, saws, or nails. What you will need is trees.

Pruning your fruit tree is essential for prime growth. If you want your trees branches to grow correctly and bear the weight of fruit there are some simple steps you need to follow. These trees...

Even if there's still snow on the ground—the calendar is moving along in February and March—and if you’re a gardener, you’ve probably started thinking about what you need to do to get your garden...

The last roses of summer bloom at different times depending on where they grow and their pedigrees. Most roses that grow in the northern parts of the United States benefit from some winter...

To trim a bonsai tree, always trim back branches in groups of three, trim back the foliage in the spring, and use copper wire to train new growth to grow in various directions. Trim the wood of a...

Trimming fruit trees requires thinning out the topmost branches to create a bowl or vase-shaped tree, which allows the sun to hit the innermost branches for more fruit production. Trim fruit trees...

When pruning shrubs, avoid pruning when the flowers are in bloom, cut the branches down to the leaf line, and get rid of any dead or scraggly branches. Avoid pruning down shrubs more than one...