Plants, Flowers & Herbs

Skyrocket juniper trees are rapidly gaining attention in the horticultural community for their durable, streamlined growth patterns and versatility. Gardeners in nearly every growing zone are able...

For centuries, aquatic plants have been perceived as nuisances rather than resources. They block canals, hinder boat traffic and increase waterborne diseases. Recently, however, aquatic plants are...

Described by early explorers of the American West as "the most beautiful species of conifer," blue spruce is sought after for its elegant shape, pungent smell and blue-green color. Under the right...

According to the Texas Almanac, West Texas is a combination of high, rolling plains and arid desert, with temperatures ranging from below zero in winter to well over 100 degrees in the summer....

Mullein has long been a part of the herbal apothecary and is widely used in the treatment of respiratory disorders including tuberculosis and asthma. It is also commonly used as a topical ointment...

Winter can take its toll on trees because of dry soil, high winds, snow or ice, and colder temperatures. Protecting your trees from harsh winter weather is a matter of early preparation. Late...

The staghorn fern is an exotic plant that can be planted in several different ways because of its epiphytic nature. An epiphytic plant is one that does not require soil to absorb nutrients, but...

The aloe vera is a short-stemmed succulent perennial plant that is native to hot, dry climates. It is also a popular houseplant all over the world, as many people grow it for alternative medicinal...

Aloe vera is a succulent plant prized around the world for its medicinal qualities. You can apply it to burns of all types, insect bites and skin irritations. In addition some have found it useful...

Summer squash is delicious. If you can supply lots of love, apply simple know-how's and follow easy instructions, the squash garden of your dreams is well on its way. Summer squash needs a lot of...

Simple, ordinary aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is turning out to be a true miracle pill. It has a long list of remedies for your health, and aspirin has also shown to be beneficial for your...

Gerbera daisies are a simple yet very striking flower. They bloom in many different colors and grow very tall. While these plants are hardy enough to be grown by beginners, gerbera daisies do not...

Beach grass can be used to add different textures and colors to back yards. When used in windy areas, the grass produces a rippling movement that contributes an exciting natural element. Sandy...

The towering beech tree can reach heights of 120 feet in the wild and is ideal for providing shade for outdoor gathering areas. It can also be a pretty tree, with its bronze-colored leaves in the...

Eastern redbud trees are small deciduous plants that bestow gardens each spring with purple blossoms and heart shaped leaves. Though these trees require little care beyond watering and pruning,...

Cultivating a blackberry patch can provide your family with fresh berries every summer and once a trailing blackberry is established on a trellis system, your patch will not require a lot of work...

Vinca, also known as periwinkle, is a versatile and hardy plant that makes an attractive addition to any garden. This flower begins to bloom in late spring and will continue to put on a show until...

As the cost of buying groceries continues to increase, interest in gardening has returned. The USDA declared the third week of August as National Community Gardening Week, and numerous websites...

Before you can adequately determine how to help your dogwood tree, you must figure out what is causing the problem. There are a variety of diseases that affect dogwood trees, most of which can be...

Peacock jasmine, also known as the "Pikake" plant, is known primarily for the flowers it produces. These flowers are the traditional blooms that make up authentic Hawaiian leis, and gardeners...

Milkweed (Asclepias), also known as the butterfly bush, is the host plant of Monarch butterflies. It is also a source of nectar for many other butterfly species and may attract hummingbird and...

Container gardening adds depth and interest to any garden, patio, deck or porch. Perennials grown in pots can be overwintered and are easily maintained, since weeds are rarely found in them....

Creeping vitex is a sun-loving, woody ornamental shrub that thrives in sandy soils. Also known by its botanical name, Vitex rotundifolia and its island name, Kolokolo kahakai, the plant is a...

Apple trees bear fruit in one of three locations. Tip bearing apple trees produce fruit on the ends of new branches, which it grew the previous year. Spur bearing apple trees produce apples on...

Fenugreek is an herb that has been used since ancient times. It is known for its effects on digestive system maladies, such as upset stomach, constipation and diarrhea. Unlike most other herbs,...

Tropical plants are some of the flashiest, most exciting plants in the world. If you're lucky enough to have a garden in a hot, tropical climate, grow a wide variety of brilliantly colored flowers...

Honeydews are the sweetest melons. They are a warm-weather crop that takes up to 100 days to develop from a seed to a vine that produces a melon mature enough to harvest. Due to how long it takes...

Coconut plants take a long time to grow. The coconut will send roots down into the soil and then the top of the coconut will split and fronds will emerge. It takes three to nine months for the...

The Braeburn apple is a crisp-fleshed fruit with reddish-yellow skin and a clean, sweet flavor. If you plan to have only one type of apple tree in your yard, the Braeburn is a wise choice, since...

Growing house plants in pottery and keeping them lush and beautiful requires the right container for your plant, and repotting when necessary. Most of the plants you purchase from nurseries and...

The best way to care for your oak tree is to make sure it is planted in good soil. This will contribute to the nutrients and water that the tree receives and how efficiently is uses those...

Flowers offer one of the easiest ways to identify plants. Determining the number of flower parts is the first step toward positive identification. Many flowers with seven or more petals are part...

Waterlogged soil can drown and kill your plants. When water fills the air spaces in the soil, this keeps oxygen from getting to the plant roots, produces stagnant soil and stunts root growth. If...

Deer love to eat tomato plants, and it takes some guile and ingenuity to keep those big, beautiful animals out of your garden. And don't think your garden is safe just because you live in a...

The classic evergreen foliage of ivy (Hedera helix) is popular for use as a houseplant. The low height but sprawling, dangling stems add grace to home decor, but over time they eventually reach...

Hydrangeas are large, easy-to-care-for flowering perennial shrubs. They produce huge blossoms ranging from purple, white, green, and red and pink. Their ease of care and waves of long lasting,...

Wild mushrooms are one of nature's gifts and quite delicious. The problem is that most people recognize the edible ones only if they find the mushrooms wrapped in cellophane and stacked in the...

Growing fresh tomatoes at home is a cost-effective way to provide your family with a healthy food choice. Home-grown tomatoes can be all-organic and vine fresh, making them great for use in...

Wheatgrass juice is sold in health food stores and juice bars as a powerful detoxifier. The fresher the wheatgrass juice, the more nutrients it will retain. For example, if you grow your own...

Being able to tell which species of roses is in your garden can help you maintain the bush for years to come. Feeding and sunlight are different for each individual species, as are pruning methods...

Squash plants are monecious, meaning they have both the male and female flowers on the plant. Bees are generally required to help the male flowers pollinate the female flowers so that the plant...

Sunflowers are hardy and easy to grow. Their cheerful blooms light up the garden in the summer, and potted sunflowers indoors can brighten a gloomy winter day. True to their name, sunflowers need...

Mint is a prolific grower that must be tended to prevent it from encroaching on neighboring plantings. In most turf wars between mint and other plants, mint wins. Recognizing this, many...

Fresh flowers can brighten up any room. Having them last as long as possible often makes you feel like you are enjoying nature's beauty year-round. Knowing the proper technique to preserve freshly...

Roma tomatoes are ideal to use in sauces and salsas since they have dense flesh and less moisture content than other tomatoes. They are medium-sized and oval in shape. The Roma tomato is easy to...

Bonsai literally means "tray planting," and is the art of dwarfing plants and training them to take pleasing shapes. There are some guides to bonsai design, rather than rigid rules. First, imagine...

The date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera) is an easy to care for, fast growing, elegant and attractive ornamental tree, ideally suited for home gardens and urban landscapes in United States'...

Orchids are a beautiful and popular house flower. There are 28,000 species of orchids, and the plant is still evolving. These plants can be highly adaptable, which makes them ideal as houseplants....

The blue daisy, categorized as a perennial, is a beautiful flower that can be planted in any type of garden and still coordinate with the plants around it. Blue daisies should be spread out among...

The Alameda plant, or Arctostaphylos pallida, is a perennial shrub that is on the threatened list in the United States, and on the endangered list in California, according to the United States...