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Potted pansy care includes fertilizing your plants on a regular basis. Find out about potted pansy care with help from a certified horticulturist in this free video clip.
Whether you grow houseplants, vegetables or trees, many factors can affect the appearance of your plants. For example, leaves depend on water to keep their shape and color. To keep your plants healthy, inspect their appearance and investigate causes of discolored, distorted or curled leaves. The location, timing and color of curled leaves can help you determine the underlying cause.
Unlike most garden vegetables which grow as annuals, asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a perennial plant found in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. Older gardening guides often complicate asparagus gardening, making it seem more complicated than it really is. Planted in light, well-draining soil, in full sun, asparagus will thrive for ten years or more, making it one of the best investments you can make in the vegetable garden. Harvest begins a year or two after planting and continues each spring for several weeks.
Planting hydrangeas requires you to remember that location is absolutely key. Get instructions for how to plant hydrangeas with help from an experienced gardening expert in this free video clip.
Taking care of the gardenia plant is something that you should do by keeping those plants a little on the moist side. Get tips for taking care of the gardenia plant with help from an experienced gardening expert in this free video clip.
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra) is a bright, versatile plant that adds a punch of tropical flavor. While it thrives year-round in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, it can also live in cooler zones if moved indoors during winter. Bougainvillea is a relatively easy plant to grow, but pruning and proper feeding are a must.
Golden currants (Ribes aureum) produce golden-yellow spring flowers with a clove-like aroma, which cover stems reaching 6 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. This North American native grows best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 7. Golden currants are dioecious bushes, which mean that there are separate male and female plants. Fruit is not produced unless there is a male growing among the female plants. This thornless deciduous bush produces food for songbirds, chipmunks and squirrels. Most of the care for this productive plant takes place during the growing season.
Dill (Anethum graveolens) is an airy, ferny plant whose bluish-green leaves and yellowish seeds provide the flavor used in many pickled foods, as well as breads, fish and vegetable dishes. A tender annual, the plant thrives during the spring and summer and can be killed off by the first hard freeze.
Different blues, purples and yellows often adorn landscapes, and it's not always the flowers that are making the bold color statements. Some leaves happen to appear in a color much different than green, and those leaves are often prized as focal points within a landscape. These leaves still contain chlorophyll, the pigment molecule that makes humans see green on most plants, but they have higher concentrations of different molecules in addition.
For a cactus that's colorful out-of-bloom as well as in-bloom, grow rainbow cactus (Echinocereus rigidissimus, Echinocereus pectinatus var. rubrispinus). The short, cylindrical stem is densely covered with comb-shaped spines in alternating bands of red, pink, white and gray. In spring, bright magenta flowers at least 2 inches wide appear. Slow-growing plants rarely branch, so rainbow cactus is grown from seed. It is suited for container growing because of its need for excellent drainage.
Trimming primrose is something you may need to do if your plants start to look a little ruffled or bent over. Trim primrose with help from a garden professional in this free video clip.
While the bright colors of summer flowers grace the sunny gardens in the landscape, there is a dark corner of the yard that produces a graceful bouquet of calming, scented blooms of its own. These quiet plants are content to live in the shadows, along the woodland edges or under the broad limbs of tall trees.
The colorful blooms and various textures of the foliage make hanging plants a desired addition to patios and porches everywhere. As the season progresses, those hanging plants may outgrow their pots. A plant that outgrows its container is susceptible to pests and diseases, because there is not enough air circulation through the foliage. Oversized plants often are root bound, which causes parts of the plant to suffer from a lack of water and nutrition. Several possible options are available when hanging plants get too big.
Also known as baby's tears, tiny tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) is a lush, mat-forming groundcover that reaches mature heights of only 2 to 4 inches but spreads as much as 3 to 5 feet. This disease-resistant, nearly maintenance-free plant creates a vibrant green mat with tiny white or pink star-shaped blooms that appear in summer. Baby's tears is especially attractive planted in the filtered light under shrubs or tall trees because the plant doesn't tolerate bright, direct light. Tiny tears is appropriate for planting in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. The plant is also suitable for…
Viburnum dentatum, commonly known as southern arrowwood, is a dense, multistemmed shrub growing 3 to 9 feet tall and sometimes spreading to 8 feet wide. In spring, it blooms with clusters of tiny white flowers which lead to an abundance of the dark bluish, almost black, clusters of fruit in the right conditions. The fruit attracts birds and other wildlife.
Are you tired of staring at a bare rock wall? Plant some of these vigorous climbers and watch them go. Many types of vines have small, green leaves in summer and turn a brilliant red in the autumn. Some have berries that can also attract birds to your yard. But keep an eye on these creepers, because they can be invasive and destructive if not kept in check.
Small, potted African violet plants always need to be cared for in a very particular way for the best possible results. Care for small, potted African violet plants with help from a resident expert in anything botanical in this free video clip.
Caring for the Sansavaria plant always requires you to make a few very special considerations. Care for the Sansavaria plant with help from an experienced professional gardener in this free video clip.
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.
