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Transplanting a very young magnolia tree requires you to make some very special considerations that you wouldn't have to with an older variety. Transplant a very young magnolia tree with help from an experienced gardening expert in this free video clip.
Magnolia trees come in a wide variety of different types, like the evergreen magnolia. Learn about gardening magnolia trees with help from an experienced gardening expert in this free video clip.
Japanese eggplant (Solanum melangena) is just a miniature eggplant and requires the same basic care. If you can successfully grow tomatoes in your home environment, you won't have a problem growing eggplants, as they are similar solanaceous plants. Fruits of the Japanese eggplant are longer and thinner than traditional eggplants, yet have the same color, texture and taste.
Legend has it that Alexander the Great's doom was sealed when a weeping willow branch brushed his crown from his head as he crossed the Euphrates; the event signaled his rapid demise to ancient Babylonian soothsayers who associated the tree with death, sorrow and tears. Modern gardeners are more likely to think of romance and fleeting beauty when they admire the willow (Salix babylonica), since the tree loses its long, glorious tresses every autumn.
A Kentucky backyard is just the place to grow pecan trees and hope for a bountiful harvest. Northern pecans grow well across the state, and even in higher elevations, where the harvest may be negatively affected, the trees will grow to be shady and beautiful additions to any yard. The harvest won't be immediate, but with the proper soil conditions and irrigation strategy, you may be pleased to find a fruitful pecan harvest within five years of planting.
Under ideal conditions, the American chestnut (Castanea dentata) grows to 100 feet or more, which was common before chestnut blight claimed the lives of millions of trees. Although saplings are still found growing from what remains of the trunks of infected trees, they grow to only about 20 feet before succumbing to the disease. The fate of the American chestnut, the only species that is native to the United States, rests with hybridization that will hopefully make it more blight-resistant.
Nuts are an edible, protein-packed crop that many gardeners tend to overlook when planning their plantings. Many people opt out of growing their own nuts because most nuts grow on large trees. While trees such as chestnut and walnut provide shade and ornamental value, some landscapes lack the space to accommodate them. However, there are some nuts and nutlike seeds and legumes that do not grow on trees, and they require less growing space.
The Japanese myoga ginger (Zingiber mioga) makes a distinct and rare addition to gardens in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7a through 10b. In the summertime, this perennial tuber sports yellow flower buds which, along with the plant's edible roots, lend themselves to recipes as diverse as pickles, oils, tempura dishes and dressings. Like virtually all plants of the Zingiberaceae family, myoga ginger grows quickly and requires little care, making it a suitable choice for green thumbs of any skill level.
Modest in its dusty-gray foliage, the olive tree (Olea europaea) has been the stuff of myth and legend for centuries. Athena, daughter of Zeus, is said to have won the right to be the patroness of Athens by creating the first olive tree, and the olive twig has been associated with peace from biblical times. Closer to home, olive trees, depending on the variety, thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zones 7 though 11, where a backyard olive orchard allows gardeners to harvest their own fruits by hand. Although commercial producers experiment with mechanical harvesting to reduce…
All willows, including the graceful weeping willow (Salix spp.), are members of the Salicaceae family of plants. With over 90 different types of willows, this group of deciduous trees and shrubs grow to varying sizes and shapes, fulfilling an assortment of roles and functions in the landscape and environment. Although weeping willows grow well in many North American landscapes, this tree is not a native variety.
The hybrid poplar (Populus L.) was produced through crossbreeding between at least two other species of poplars. The result is a very vigorous tree that grows very quickly, adapts itself to many environmental conditions in which other types of trees would do poorly and is easily propagated by several different methods.
Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is a medium-sized, showy ornamental tree whose vibrant red spring and fall foliage distinguishes itself in the garden. This deciduous tree is well regarded for its architectural shape and attractive leaves. Most Japanese maples do well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8, although a few varieties, such as "Ever Red" will tolerate USDA zone 9. Japanese maple is a tree species that easily mutates, and hundreds of varieties are available, all with different growth habits and sizes. Mature height ranges from 6 to 50 feet, with most varieties in the 15-…
The gambel oak, also known as scrub oak, Rocky Mountain white oak and Utah white oak, is commonly used in mass plantings to act as a privacy screen or to enclose areas like parking lots. Although some gambel oaks are actually small shrubs, the average height for most plants is 20 to 30 feet, with a 15-foot spread, according to Utah State University Cooperative Extension. When grown in the right conditions, gambel oaks are easy to care for and tolerate a wide range of soil types. For best results, collect gambel oak acorns in the early fall when they are…
The dwarf orange tree is any orange tree that does not reach mature heights higher than 10 feet. Other than the size, there are few differences between the dwarf orange tree and any standard sized orange tree. The process of overwintering a dwarf orange tree is the same process as any standard size orange tree, though the dwarf tree often encounters additional overwintering options because of its smaller size. The dwarf orange tree’s variety will determine how much overwintering it requires to survive the dormancy period.
Forests and fields are lovely places to take long strolls. A keen-eyed observer finds many different kinds of trees, some with flowers or fruits. Occasionally, a tree that bears nuts covered in thorns appears in a clearing. It may seem unusual, if you've never seen one before. These trees, the chestnuts and buckeyes, with spike-covered nuts are surprisingly common in many parts of the United States.
Gardeners living in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 and 10 have the ideal environment for growing a European olive skylark tree. These dwarf olive trees need full sun exposure for the most energetic growth. In addition, skylark trees are drought tolerant and do not require exceedingly rich soil to thrive. Provide basic care for a skylark tree, and it may provide a modest olive harvest after it establishes fully in the soil.
Bonsai enthusiasts often use the Taiwan or ginger ficus tree in this ancient Japanese art of growing plants so they remain dwarfed. When you create a bonsai arrangement with living plants, you must prune them frequently to maintain the shape you desire, one that also is appropriate for the plant in question. The most common styles for bonsai are formal upright, informal upright, slanting, cascade and semi-cascade. The full cascade style forces your ficus to grow downward, making its top lower than the base of its pot.
When your maple tree suddenly develops small, bright orange spots along its branches and trunk, there is reason to worry. These little spores -- sometimes called "coral spots" or dieback -- are a sign that your tree is afflicted by Tubercularia canker, a disease that can ravage and ultimately kill a formerly healthy specimen.
Trees often stretch limbs and roots beyond property lines. Sometimes homeowners enjoy the shade, blossoms and rustling foliage of neighbors' trees. But often, they only see problems, such as extra cleanup, loss of garden sunlight and falling branches that cause damage. When tree trunks straddle property lines, disputes about ownership sometimes arise. Neighborliness can be maintained by negotiating courteously as well as knowing homeowner rights and responsibilities and ways to determine property lines.
Planting purple flowers that bloom only at night next to day-blooming flowers creates an attractive show 24 hours a day. When deciding which night-blooming purple flowers to choose, consider the location you will plant the flower and the care requirements for that species. Planting the flower in the wrong location may prove disastrous for the plant.
Ten species of magnolia are native to the U.S. and all of them are found in the Eastern part of the country. Commonly planted for their showy flowers, magnolias are a favorite of Southern gardeners. Native species can be found as far north as Canada, however, and are well-suited to many environments. Whether cutting down a magnolia is legal is a complex issue.
Aphids are small insects which subsist on the sap of plant shoots and leaves, and can seriously damage or weaken many plants. While many aphids are black or brown, several green and yellow species do exist and are known to infest large shade trees and hedges, as well as ornamental and garden plants. Luckily, aphid infestations can be easily controlled using a wide variety of simple and effective techniques.
Black walnut trees are valued as lumber and veneer and can be sold for a good price if the tree is large and in good condition. Such trees line the countryside in Kentucky, and homeowners with large black walnut trees on their property, or whose walnut tree has blown over in a storm, might consider selling the tree for some extra cash. In general, there needs to be at least 10 feet of trunk from the ground to the first major fork or branch for the tree to be marketable.
The Bonanza orange -- also called Skaggs Bonanza -- is a type of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis). First discovered as a sport, or genetic mutation, these oranges are cousins to Washington navel oranges, but ripen a bit earlier and have slightly thinner rinds. Dwarf Bonanza oranges, like all dwarf citrus trees, are not grown from seed but are grafted onto dwarf rootstock, making it difficult to determine the exact age of the tree. For this reason, the age is usually determined by the date of the graft, if known, or by when the tree starts producing flowers and fruit.
Many residents in California’s urban areas plant coast live oak trees for use as an ornamental species. Pruning the trees helps keep specimens the proper size for the back yard or garden. While they’re grown primarily for their beauty in residential areas, the native trees provide important habitat for wildlife, especially in the wild. Black-tailed deer, black bears, squirrels and game birds rely on the acorns as food while the trees themselves offer shelter and nesting sites.
Dwarf lemon trees have made growing lemons at home much easier as the smaller size allows gardeners to better protect the trees from cold temperatures. The University of Arizona says lemons generally need temperatures to stay above 25 degrees Fahrenheit, and frost damage is a common problem. The hardiness of dwarf lemon varieties can be affected by its dwarf status, but the variety of lemon plays just as much of a role, too.
A variety of trees produces purple seedpods at the end of their flowering season. These are usually more of a woody color tinged with a dark-red hue, giving them a purple shade. Trees with purple flowers are the most likely candidates for producing healthy, purple seedpods. The majority of these grow well in the warmer U.S. climates. The juniper is the exception to the rule with the ability of the Rocky Mountain juniper to survive the colder region of North Dakota.
The lavatera genus includes evergreen shrubs, trees and annual flowers, but it is perhaps most widely known for its showy flowers. Plants in the lavatera genus include the rose mallow and tree mallow. Lavatera belongs to the mallow family, which includes over 75 genera from Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas.
Cotton tree is one common name for Hibiscus tiliaceus, a species of large shrub or small tree native to the tropical islands of Southeast Asia, Australia and Polynesia. It is widely cultivated in gardens as an ornamental tree for its showy flowers, which feature yellowish or red petals surrounding a dark central eye. Cotton trees grow well from both seeds and cuttings, but cutting propagation yields the fastest and most reliable results. Once established, the young shrubs grow vigorously and eventually reach a mature height of 10 to 30 feet.
Yew trees appeal to many gardeners with their stately shape and ornamental, bright-red berries. Although yew trees require little maintenance once established, many specimens benefit from yearly pruning to remove any irregular branch extensions and improve their overall symmetry and shape. The branch extensions often end up in a green waste bin or as mulch, but they can also be trimmed down and used to grow new yew trees if each is treated with rooting hormone and kept under moist, bright conditions.
Magnolias are the classic iconography of the southern United States with their glossy green leaves and huge white flowers. What some people may not know is that magnolias can be grown in many parts of the United States outside of the South. Southern magnolias suffer from the cold, but many cultivars can tolerate snowy winters.
Fruit and nut trees bring beautiful foliage and blooms to home gardens and produce valuable crops in their seasons. All trees require certain considerations for growing and blooming, and demonstrate specific tolerances for cold and harsh weather. High terraces and altitudes offer some growing challenges, with more exposure to wind, weather and cold temperatures. Plant hardier trees in these areas and protect them as necessary for growing success.
Glossy privet is a broad-leafed evergreen used extensively for landscaping, especially in warmer parts of the United States. Available in both shrub and tree forms, glossy privet is fast-growing and disease-resistant, although problems can develop in some cases. Diseases can generally be avoided by growing glossy privet in ideal conditions, which include moist but well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
The nespoli, or nespole, tree is commonly called a loquat or Japanese plum. It is native to China and was introduced to the United States in the 1880s. It thrives in temperate through tropical climate zones, from USDA zone 7 through 11, but will survive winter lows of 12 degrees Fahrenheit. This evergreen tree can grow as tall as 35 feet and its small, round fruit is sweet but tart. It’s wise to purchase a grafted nespoli tree to ensure the best fruit quality and the shortest time from planting to fruit production.
There isn't anything more frustrating than spending years growing a large fruit tree just to find that the size has made it unmanageable or the top is so tall that only birds can reach the fruits. Gardeners are increasingly seeking solutions to these kinds of problems by selecting dwarfed trees or fruits that grow on bushes. Apples have long been the target of dwarfing experiments, but cherries have not experienced a lot of success. Since 2000, however, great strides have been made in developing root stock that allow for better dwarf cherry trees. Today's gardeners no long have to ask…
Live oaks dominate the landscape with their spreading branches and massive, sturdy trunk. Gardeners value live oaks for their beauty and the shade they offer in summer, but many are irked by the small forest of seedlings that the dropped acorns produce beneath the tree in spring. Digging up and transplanting the live oak seedlings is one option for dealing with them, but it is best to dig up the seedlings before they grow past 6 inches in height because larger live oaks will not survive transplanting.
Arborists and gardeners concur that pruning Japanese maple trees is an art. Nevertheless, an inexperienced gardener can enjoy beautiful and healthy trees by observing a few basic pruning principles. The Tree Care Industry Association reports that the chronic use of a pruning sealer - also called pruning paint or tree wound dressing – should be discouraged. The Association cites studies published by the United States Forest Service Northeastern Forest Experimentation Station which conclude thatdressing wounds with pruning sealants for long terms can impede the tree’s natural healing processes and even cause decay and infections. (Ref. 2) For short term cases,…
The alpine or subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) thrives in high elevation alpine areas. It's typically found as a native tree in the mountainous Western regions of the United States at elevations between 9,500 and 11,500 feet. Alpine firs make a suitable landscape tree in these areas since they naturally prefer to grow in such regions. These evergreens can provide year-round interest to your landscaping while requiring less maintenance and general care than a nonnative tree variety.
Atis tree and sugar apple are two common names for Annona squamosa, a species of small tree or shrub native to tropical areas of the Americas. They are sometimes cultivated for their scaly, brownish-green fruit, which is filled with sweet, creamy-white flesh and large black seeds. Seed germination is the primary means of growing new atis trees, but they will only germinate if sown in rich, moist soil and kept in a warm place. Although the trees are slow-growing when young, they will be ready to plant in the garden in six months and will bear fruit in three to…
There are a few strategies you can pursue when attempting to get the best deal on Thuja “Green Giant” trees or any other plant, for that matter. Some methods involve a little horticultural knowledge, some require understanding the seasonal nature of plants, and some necessitate knowing the economics of the plant industry. Although fast growing, certain methods will still require a time investment before the Thuja actually obtains a stature that could be called a tree.
The lovely ficus is a popular indoor tree that can adapt to low levels of light but thrives best in high light conditions. For this reason, some ficus owners move their trees onto a deck or patio to sunbathe on bright and sunny days. The ficus should fare well in temperatures above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, but sometimes the tree's owner forgets and accidentally leaves it outside overnight. Temperatures can plummet or an unexpected frost arrive, which could subject the ficus to cold-weather damage, including frostbite.
Ficus trees are not made to tolerate below-freezing temperatures without adequate protection. Unfortunately, sometimes circumstances prevent you from being able to adequately protect your ficus and it freezes. Chances are your ficus froze if it was outside and uncovered when the temperate dropped below the freezing point of 32 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you are unsure whether or not your preventative measures protected your tree from freezing, there are a number of ways you can tell if the tree did, in fact, freeze.
Aguacate, or avocado, trees are widely grown as an edible crop and ornamental plant for their large, leathery leaves. Most gardeners grow aguacate trees at home using the large pit or seed inside of a ripe fruit, which is among the simplest and most effective means of growing a new tree. After enjoying the tree as a houseplant for a few years, it's best to transplant it into the garden where it will reach a mature height of 70 feet and bear fruit in several years. However, aguacate trees will only grow outdoors within USDA hardiness zones 8 to 11.
Tree philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum) is one of over 200 philodendron varieties, according to Floridata. Also called split leaf philodendron, the plant does not have a climbing habit, as many species of philodendron have. Intolerant to frost, the shrub is hardy outdoors in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 11.
Manzanitas belong to the scientific genus Arctostaphylos. Small evergreen trees or shrubs, they range from ground-hugging to 20 feet in height. These plants are found naturally along the western coast of North America, from Washington through California and Arizona to New Mexico. As slow-growing plants, they're not commonly found in garden centers. Once established, however, they provide an interesting addition to any garden with the right conditions, offering flowers and fruits. Manzanita is a good choice for gardeners in arid environments, as they are very drought resistant.
When provided proper growing conditions, dwarf orange trees produce showy, bright orange fruit approximately 2 inches in diameter. Fertilization is recommended once a month during the summer growing season of the dwarf orange tree. Fertilization once every three months is generally sufficient the rest of the year. Be patient -- the typical tree requires approximately two years of proper growing conditions and consistent fertilization before it will generate its first crop.
Gardeners grow the many cultivars of Japanese maple (Acer Palmatum), introduced to the U.S. from the Far East, for its ornamental seven-tipped leaves. Foliage colors vary and include green, red and purple. Variegated cultivars are also available. Ask at your garden center which cultivars grow fastest in your area. Once you’ve picked the right Japanese maple for your region and conditions, it takes careful care to make the tree grow quickly. These trees can grow to 25 feet, although many types only attain 10 feet. Japanese maples also make good container specimens.
Olives grow on trees that are evergreen and are adored as much for their attractive foliage as their fruit. You might think olive trees are exotic, hard to grow and only thrive in Italy and Greece, but this is not true. You can grow your own black olive tree and have a delicious snack almost anytime you like. If your area reaches temperatures colder than 10 degrees Fahrenheit at any time of the year, you should grow your black olive tree in a greenhouse to keep it healthy.
Topping a tree can be detrimental to its health and appearance, as well as creating a maintenance headache. River birches are fast-growing and short-lived trees that can reach 80 feet tall. If you prune back these trees to stubs to curb their size, you may continue to have trouble keeping them at that height in the future. River birches should not be planted where their full height can cause trouble later, though alternative pruning methods can effectively control their growth.
Despite their delicate, lacy appearance, Japanese maples are fairly tough trees. Provided with a suitable situation, they can tolerate cold temperatures, summer heat and just about everything in between. Once trees are well established, they are also surprisingly drought tolerant. Japanese maples commonly produce multiple “volunteers” in spring and summer, or young trees that sprout from seed in the garden soil surrounding an established tree. Young Japanese maples are quite easy to dig up and move, and can be successfully transplanted into pots or moved to another garden location with minimal trouble if you pay attention to their needs.
