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Planting tulips always requires you to keep a few very important things in mind. Get tulip planting instructions with help from a professional gardener in this free video clip.
Cleaning your plant might not seem like a necessary housekeeping project, but daily doses of dust and dirt can quickly build up on the leaves. Outdoor plants easily accumulate layers of dirt, animal waste and pests, while inside potted versions often need an extra bit of help to keep free from warmth-seeking insects, dander and general household dust. Although simply dusting provides a basic measure of cleanliness, a rinse with a gentle dishwashing liquid is a simple way to clean your plant's leaves and offers the added benefit of insect or pest removal.
Seedless Lakemont is a variety of grape used to produce raisins and wine, or simply enjoy as a sweet summer treat. The plant yields yellow-green seedless fruits that are considered “table grapes” and grow in tight clusters that require the proper amounts of light, water and fertilizer to thrive. Turn your backyard into the ideal environment for these grapes that feature a mild taste, according to Grower’s Magazine.
Scarlet hedgenettle (Stachys coccinea), also known as Texas betony, is a spreading herbaceous perennial. It does best as a tall creeping cover in moist desert canyons, uplands and mountains. Scarlet hedgenettle attracts hummingbirds and repels deer, so it is commonly used in ornamental gardens. In this setting, it can quickly grow out of control because of its spreading nature. Pruning scarlet hedgenettle is an extremely simple process since this aggressive perennial is practically bomb proof.
The lush spring and summer flowering of carnations, or dianthus, makes them a suitable choice for containers and flower beds. The plants grow readily from seed started indoors, but young plants may develop weak, leggy growth if they don't receive enough sunlight. Outdoor plants may also become overgrown with weak top growth as the summer season progresses. Leggy growth results in poor blooming on these weaker stems. Light pruning helps the carnations regain a fuller form and encourages further flowering.
Spatulate-leaved sundew (Drosera intermedia), also known as spoon-leaved sundew, is a carnivorous plant. It traps insects with its sticky hairs and digests them for nutrients. Varieties of spatulate-leaved sundew are native to the eastern half of the United States, from Texas to Florida, all the way to Canada. Provided you have the right growing conditions and select a spatulate-leaved sundew variety native to your area, it is an easy-to-grow plant that will care for itself with little maintenance. Plant spatulate-leaved sundews in the spring when the weather is mild and rain is usually more plentiful.
The mallow-leaf ninebark shrub thrives in mountainous areas throughout the western U.S. and Canada. Seeds spill from the ninebark's small, egg-shaped fruits in the early fall to propagate a new generation of plants that will grow in the spring.
Strawberries grow in three different forms: June-bearing, everbearing and day-neutral. Considered herbaceous perennials, strawberry plants live for up to five years and adapt to many different climates. While some cultivars work well as ornamental and groundcover plants for the landscape, most varieties are grown to eat. According to Purdue University Cooperative Extension, 25 plants can produce between 25 and 50 quarts of berries during the season. Careful attention to soil condition, feeding, pruning and winter protection contributes to a highly productive strawberry crop.
The acacia bush is identified by its gnarled branches, jagged thorns and brilliant blooms. A member of the legume, or pod-bearing, plant family, nearly every part of this large bush or small tree is edible to assorted animal species. In addition to its role in nature, the plant has several commercial uses, including as flooring material.
Sweet william is the common name for Dianthus barbatus, a biennial species of flowering plant commonly grown in gardens. While most gardeners rely on seeds to grow sweet william, it also grows well from divisions. The time of year the separation is done can affect the results of the propagation, though this method is usually successful.
Native to the northern Mediterranean coast, Italian stone pines (Pinus pinea), also known as umbrella pines, are widely grown in the United States throughout the southern states. Instead of the typical conical shape of most pines, stone pines have bare trunks topped with broad, spreading crowns. They're interesting and valuable landscape specimens, but they are also highly prized for their edible seeds, called pine nuts in English and pinoli, pignoli or pinochi in Italian. Italian stone pines are easy to grow and are hardy throughout USDA plant zones 7 to 11.
Starting pepper plants indoors provides a head start for the outdoor growing season in areas where winter is too cold for outdoor growing. You can start hot peppers, bell peppers and ornamental pepper varieties indoors with sufficient natural light. It's also possible to start peppers indoors using full spectrum lights, but putting your pepper seedlings in a window with several hours of direct sun typically provides enough light. When planting multiple varieties of peppers, label each planting container to avoid confusing your plants.
Pitaya is a cactus that is better known as "dragon fruit." The Pitaya fruit and flowers are edible. It blooms only at night. Closely related to the prickly pear, the Pitaya fruit is a large berry that may be covered with green “flaps” or prickly spines, depending its genus. The plant grows quickly and is a perennial indigenous to tropical climates. Grafting is uncommon, but it can serve means such as when the main trunk of a vine is damaged or when you're encouraging cross-pollination.
Homeowners decorate porches, patios, sitting rooms or bedrooms with papasan chairs, also referred to as bowl chairs. Traditionally, crafted of rattan with hallmark large, round seats that are supported by a center frame, papasan chairs offer casual comfort. Decorators add cushions to create a comfortable place to sit. Rattan chairs do not stand up well to aggressive cleaning methods. Proper cleaning and care helps to extend the life of the chair.
Rosy periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), is a prolific bloomer that adds mounds of bright rosy purple, pink or white flowers from spring to autumn. Also known as Madagascar periwinkle or Vinca rosea, rosy periwinkle is perennial only in the very warm climates of U.S Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 and above. In other climates, periwinkle is planted as an annual but often reseeds itself to make a repeat appearance the following spring.
Thrift is a dainty-looking little plant with a rugged nature. Its grass-like, clumping foliage is evergreen in all but the most extreme climates, and it tolerates drought and salt spray. Common thrift (Armeria maritime), sometimes called sea pink or sea thrift, grows up to a foot tall with small pink, white or red flowers rising above the foliage on bare stems in late spring and early summer. Plantain thrift (A. pseudoarmeria) has low-growing foliage like sea pink, but the flower stems are up to 18 inches tall. Other thrift species are rare in cultivation. Although not particularly showy in appearance,…
If you want your boiler to be free of problems during the years you use it, the key is continual maintenance to ensure that all systems are operating correctly. By keeping an eye on the symptoms of pressure problems and keeping the boiler clean inside and out, you can prevent boiler accidents and keep small issues from growing into major problems. Certain types of boiler maintenance will depend on the type of boiler you have.
Persimmons grow wild across much of the southern United States, but the small wild fruit bear little resemblance to the lush, sweet flavor of the Japanese Fuyu persimmon. Most persimmons are mouth-puckeringly astringent until very soft and ripe, but Fuyus are different. They can be eaten right from the tree, as soon as they're visibly ripe. The fruit are plump and round -- similar to a beefsteak tomato in shape but golden in color. The trees are shapely and make an attractive landscaping element, with vivid fall foliage. They are easily cared for, if you live in a suitable climate.
Just like humans and other animals, plants require certain nutrients in order to thrive. Unlike humans, however, plants require only 16 to 18 essential nutrients, also known as elements. Some of these nutrients – non-minerals – come from carbon dioxide in air and water, and plants absorb the other nutrients – known as mineral elements – through the soil. The elements can be further defined as macronutrients, secondary nutrients and micronutrients, depending on the amount of each plants require. Each plant type has different specific nutritional requirements and requires sunlight, heat and air in order to process nutrients effectively.
Heliconias are tropical plants that are cultivated in greenhouses and warm climates throughout North America. Because of their low cold tolerance, they can grow in outdoor gardens only in the warmest parts of the United States, such as Hawaii and southern Florida. A suitable growing environment and hygienic cultivation techniques are important to keep the plants healthy. Poor soil, excessive sunlight and various diseases are a few of the many problems that can damage heliconias.
Forget-me-nots (Myosotis sylvatica) produce small, delicate blooms that liven up the landscape during the spring and summer. Resistant to deer and pollution, the low-maintenance plants thrive naturally in woodlands and stream banks. Clusters of daisy-like blooms in shades of blue, yellow, pink and white only bloom for one season and die out when the summer ends, but they self-sow in the same spot to produce new plants the following year. Care for the cheerful plants so they thrive in your garden.
A potted mangrove adds a touch of the tropics to your home. In the wild, mangroves are typically found near the ocean's coast in tropical or subtropical swamps and similar wetlands. Standing atop a mass of exposed, tangled roots, these hardy, saltwater-tolerant trees and shrubs appear to perch above the water. Mangroves are not fussy or demanding plants to grow in a pot.
Agapanthus, also known as African lily, is one of the few true blue flowering bulbs. Its unique flowers form umbels, adding to the plant's mystique. Agapanthus is easy to care for up to USDA Hardiness Zone 8 but can be containerized and brought indoors where winters are colder. It reproduces abundantly and requires division every five to seven years.
Ripple peperomia is a common houseplant that is in the pepper family. It has waxy, heart-shaped leaves that pucker and ripple. Some have a metallic sheen to them. Stems are a pale red with cone-shaped creamy flowers that grow on erect spikes. The whole plant only grows up to 6 inches tall, making it suitable to grow indoors in pots or in a terrarium.
Oleander shrubs are tough evergreen plants capable of growing up to 12 feet tall and 12 feet wide. They are adorned by colorful blooms and tolerate both extreme heat and drought conditions. Unfortunately, they are also incredibly poisonous. For this reason, many parents and pet owners aren't comfortable having oleander shrubs in the landscape. Getting rid of the plants isn't as simple as digging them up because they often continue to re-emerge from roots left in the ground. Total elimination of oleanders requires both physical and chemical means. More than one attempt may be necessary for complete success.
Instead of trashing plastic bottles and old cookware, recycle the items into hanging pot plants. Hang pot plants outside on your porch or from trees to give some added decoration and color to your landscape. All you need are a few ideas, some creativity and recyclable items from home to create hanging pot plants your friends and family will love.
Tulips are a common sign of spring; their colorful blossoms herald the end of winter. Like many flowers that grow from bulbs, potted tulips require little in the way of specialized care. However, taking a few steps to keep them healthy and strong ensures their bulbs remain fertile and able to provide future generations of flowers. They are able to regenerate one new bulb every year.
Called lady's eardrops because of their dangling flowers, most common types of fuchsias are either trailing hybrids (Fuchsia x hybrida) or upright shrubs (F. magellanica). The showy hybrids make striking hanging baskets for shady porches and the upright forms are well suited to large containers and mixed flower beds. Fuchsias are not difficult to grow but do need careful attention. Fuchsia hardiness depends on the cultivar, but most types are winter-hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant zones 8 to 10. Fuchsias are grown as annuals in colder parts of the country, but they are easy to overwinter in a…
Stromanthe sanguinea, or prayer plant, charms many people with its striking, multicolored foliage. The thick, fleshy leaves come in several color variations, but the most common variety features burgundy, cream and green variegation from stem to tip. Certain light and moisture conditions must be met in order to maintain the dramatic coloring and vigorous growth Stromanthe sanguinea is prized for, but they are otherwise easy to care for and will thrive for many years under the right conditions.
The snake plant is also called Sansevieria and “mother-in-law’s tongue,” for its sharp, upright leaves, which are mottled green and yellow and resemble a snake. Up to 140 species and varieties of this plant exist, but only 15 of them are available as potted plants at nurseries. Related to cactus, these succulent plants require little care and only occasional water. If you give your snake plant the conditions it needs, it will remain healthy and the leaves won’t droop. However, if the leaves begin to lose their upright form and droop, it’s time to take action to save your plant.
Native to the northwest tier of states and parts of Canada, cous biscuitroot (Lomatium cous) is a spring-blooming member of the parsley family. The thick taproot is edible both raw and cooked, and it was a staple food for Native American tribes as well as an important food source for the Lewis and Clark expedition. Cous biscuitroot has a basal rosette of finely divided leaves, and it puts up clusters of white or yellow flowers in late spring or early summer. Because cous biscuitroot needs cool temperatures, high altitudes and dry, rocky soil, it's a challenging plant for home gardeners.
The rutabaga was produced by crossing a turnip with a wild cabbage. In agricultural settings, rutabagas are used as grazing crops for livestock. In the kitchen, they are added to soups and salads. Growing wild in Siberia, Russia and Scandinavia, rutabagas thrive in cool climates with particular soil and sunlight conditions.
The successful care of bare-root, dormant rootstock helps ensure the plant survives and thrives when planted. The rootstock must be kept from indirect sunlight and stored in an area, which does not have extreme temperature fluctuations. During storage, the rootstock needs to be kept constantly moist. If it dries out, the rootstock may perish before it ever has a chance to be planted. Trees and shrubs such as roses are usually shipped as dormant bare rootstock in February or March. Some plant rootstocks are shipped and planted during the fall months. The rootstock must be planted promptly after arrival to…
Insidious snout-nosed creatures wreak havoc on roses. The Marin Rose Society calls weevils "...the real bad guys of the rose garden." Their attacks leave tattered evidence of their feeding frenzies by turning flowers into bullet-riddled targets. Monitoring roses for early-season damage is the first step in controlling rose weevils. At the first sign of these pests, an integrated pest management routine eradicates them.
When you want to improve the overall look of the landscape, flagstone edging around walkways, driveways or garden areas adds a rustic, finished style to the exterior of the home. Flagstone is an ideal material to use for edging, as the various color options complement much of the greenery in the landscape, and the stone holds up under various weather conditions, including heat, extreme cold and rain. With preparation, flagstone installation around edges of the yard only takes a few hours.
Sempervivum is a genus of succulent sometimes referred to as hens and chicks or house leeks. The perennial plant grows in rosettes and flowers in full sun. Common species include S. arachnoideum, S. tectorum and S. montanum. Like other succulents, such as cacti, sempervivum require dry conditions, well-drained soil and very little maintenance. They can be grown in containers or soil. In fact, they are so easy to grow that their Latin name translates to "live forever."
Thrips are miniscule winged insects that are no more than one-twentieth of an inch long. Their coloring varies, but may include white, yellow or black. The insects feed on developing plant foliage, draining the moisture from the leaves and causing them to become misshapen or to develop discolored lesions. They attack a variety of flowers, shrubs and food crops, and they may spread harmful viruses among the plants they feed on. Healthy trees and shrubs often survive a thrip infestation, while weak or immature plants are likely to die if control measures aren't taken.
Levi Strauss' clothing idea created a market for sturdy denim work pants in 1873, and the company today continues the tradition of making the popular denim pants, as well as dress and casual lines of clothing. Now known simply as "Levis," the blue jeans come in a variety of styles and cuts for various body types and footwear, but the key draw for the pants is the blue-dyed denim fabric. Care for new Levis involves special instructions for washing and drying.
Totem pole cactus (Lophocereus schottii f. monstrosus) is not a pretty plant. Its lumpy, bumpy and sometimes twisted branches make it look like something out of a horror movie. This spineless cactus can grow to 10 feet high and 10 feet wide. Its pink flowers produce red, edible, seedless fruits. Native to Baja California in Mexico, it is not tolerant of cold weather and should not be planted outdoors in any area where temperatures regularly drop below freezing. It grows well in containers, given the right conditions.
Rhododendron has long been a popular shrub in the home landscape. Because of its longevity, this can be a good thing if the plants have been properly maintained or a nightmare if they have not been. An overgrown rhododendron is often best pruned back into shape by cutting up the lower branches and creating a more tree-like form. While this may sound daunting, the procedure is simple. It will require a careful hand so as not to cut too much material from the shrub.
Drought tolerance is a plant's ability to survive with only a minimal amount of water. Some plants need water only once or twice a week. Gardens with drought tolerant plants reduce the costs of irrigation. Also, many drought tolerant plants grow in partial shade and produce beautiful flowers with little maintenance.
Chanterelle mushrooms grow in the wild all over the world and generally goes by the name “golden chanterelle” in North America. The chanterelle is popularly used by chefs because of its taste and aroma and is one of the few mushrooms that is uniform in color. If you wish to grow chanterelles from spores, you must attempt this in the wild because there are no successful ways to domestically cultivate the mushroom as of 2011. When you try to grow chanterelles in the wild, the conditions must be just right in order to see a successful crop.
Like the Venus flytrap, the butterwort is a carnivorous plant -- it preys on small insects for nutrients. While they do always feed year-round, they must be able to procure food for themselves. This, combined with their special needs regarding soil, sunlight and water, places a burden of responsibility on you to take proper care of your butterworts. If you don't, they may be subject to rot, wilting and death.
Malva plants, commonly referred to as mallow, are hardy perennials commonly grown in mild, temperate zones. Closely related to hollyhocks, malva thrive in rich soil, producing large, edible blooms throughout the summer and early fall. Malva bushes often grow wild in pastures and fields, attracting bees and butterflies with their colorful, fragrant blooms. With proper care, your malva plants will grow strong and hearty for many seasons.
Pomegranates grow in shrub or tree form, reaching 12 to 20 feet tall and wide. Dwarf cultivars remain under 6 feet tall and are often the more cold hardy option. They generally take two to three years to begin fruiting, and their cultivars vary in the amount and flavor of fruit they bear and in their flower, fruit and juice colors. They flower all summer and are relatively easy to plant, but are particular about the conditions in which they grow.
Grapevines are vigorous growers that produce plentiful fruits for fresh eating as well as jam, jelly or wine making. The vines have specific requirements and may suffer damage if treated incorrectly, even before planting. Protecting the plants from harsh elements and keeping their roots from drying out increases their chance of survival. There are also certain steps to take before planting that help to jump start growth and ensure the development of healthy foliage and fruit.
Many flowers, such as the stately hollyhocks and foxglove, appear to be perennials as they return in the same location every year and may produce new blooms for many years without any assistance from you. In reality, these plants are biennials, which means the plant takes two years to complete its life cycle and then dies.
Whether you're cutting fern fronds for a bouquet of flowers or a corsage, or pruning an older fern that has dying outer fronds, they are easy to cut with scissors, a pruning tool or a sharp knife. You may even be able to revive a dying fern, by cutting it back completely and soaking it in water. Ferns can live for many years in the ground or in pots, and regular trimming helps keep them looking fresh.
Peppers grow in a wide range of cultivars, with sweet to hot and spicy fruit. All peppers, though, need the right conditions to grow and bear their fruit. The wrong seasons, soil, sun or moisture level leads to wilting and death. Amend pepper planting sites and conditions to keep them healthy and growing.
Cats can be quite destructive if left to their own devices. If you have plants around the house, it is likely your cat will be attracted to them. Owners should keep their cats away from their plants not just to protect their plants, but also to protect their cats. Many plants are poisonous to cats and you may not be aware which of your plants will harm your cat.
