What is a Shield Fern? Growing Southern Shield ferns favor shaded to partially shaded areas of dripping limestone, canyons, low woods, stream banks, and swamps. Shield fern plants (Thelypteris kunthii) are known by several common names including river fern, Southern Maiden fern, wood fern, and Widespread Maiden fern. West of east Texas it is referred to as river fern as it is only found growing along or near water while east of central Texas, the fern is only found in moist wooded environments and is thus referred to as wood fern....

Mushroom Herb Info An attractive plant with shiny, deep green leaves and blue-violet flowers in springtime, mushroom herb plants usually top out at about 24 inches (61 cm.) at maturity. However, regular pinching and frequent harvesting prevents legginess and keeps the plant bushy and compact. Mushroom plant thrives in rich soil, so dig 2 or 3 inches (5-8 cm.) of compost into the soil at planting time. Find a location where the plant is in partial shade or light sunlight, as mushroom herb plants tend to be smaller when exposed to a lot of direct sunlight or intense heat....

What is Sophora Japonica? If you have not read much pagoda tree info, it is natural to ask, “What is Sophora japonica?” Japanese pagoda tree is a deciduous species that grows quickly into a 75 foot (23 m.) tree with a broad, rounded crown. A delightful shade tree, it doubles as an ornamental in the garden. The tree is also used as a street tree since it tolerates urban pollution. In this type of location with compacted soil, the tree rarely rises above 40 feet (12 m....

How Do I Dispose of Sod? Don’t dispose of it; put it to use instead. The easiest thing to do with freshly dug sod is to reuse it. If it’s in good condition and you have another area that’s in need of grass, you can just relocate it. It’s important to move quickly, though, preferably within 36 hours, and keep the sod moist and in the shade while it’s out of the ground....

When Should Plants Be Cut Back? There is some wiggle room in when you trim certain plants in your garden, depending on your climate, the species, and how you like your garden to look. A general pruning calendar should serve as a guideline though: Early spring – Trim back semi-woody perennials, like Russian sage and butterfly bush.Early summer – After spring-blooming plants have flowered, you can trim them back. For spring bulbs, wait until the foliage yellows....

White Hydrangea Bushes White hydrangea flowers are an extremely popular option due to their versatility. Easily blending into already established landscapes, planting white hydrangea is an excellent way to add dimension and interest to flower beds and borders. To select and begin growing white hydrangeas, gardeners will need to determine which cultivars are ideal for the planting site. This includes consideration of the plant’s size and its needs related to light, irrigation, and soil conditions....

A Caution on Edible Weeds Before you start eating the weeds from your garden, make sure you know what you are eating. Not all weeds are edible and some weeds (flowers and plants as well, for that matter) are highly toxic. Never eat any plant from your garden without first knowing that it is edible and whether it is toxic or not. Also note that, just like fruit and vegetable plants, not all parts of edible weeds are edible....

Selecting a Container for Potted Wildflower Plants Any container that will hold soil will do fine for wildflowers. Make sure that the container is clean and dry before you begin. If there are no drainage holes in the bottom of the container, make several holes to allow the water to drain. Good choices for containers include half whiskey barrels, plastic pots, or wooden window boxes. Even something like an old tire or old wheelbarrow make neat places to plant wildflowers....

African Marigold Information Also called American marigolds or Aztec marigolds, African marigolds are annuals that bloom from early summer until frost. African marigolds are taller and more tolerant of hot, dry conditions than French marigolds. They also have larger flowers that can be up to 6 inches (15 cm.) in diameter. If deadheaded regularly, African marigold plants will usually produce many large blooms. They grow best in full sun and actually seem to prefer poor soil....

This showy evergreen ground cover is native to the Pacific northwest and is particularly at home in moist soil and in shaded locations. If you live in USDA plant hardiness zones 2 through 7, you can enjoy the attractive bunchberry ground cover as it draws birds, deer, and other wildlife to the area. Some people even eat the berries, which are said to taste a bit like apples. How to Grow Bunchberry Although bunchberry prefers shade, it will tolerate some light morning sun....

How to Grow a Carolina Silverbell Tree Growing Halesia silverbells is not overly difficult as long as you provide the right soil conditions. Moist and acidic soil that drains well is best. If your soil is not acidic, try adding iron sulfate, aluminum sulfate, sulfur or sphagnum peat moss. Amounts will vary depending on your location and how acidic your soil already is. Be sure to take a soil sample before amending....

Growing Wave Petunias Wave petunia plants have a spreading growth habit, with the ability to fill flower beds with their blooms that sprout all along their stems, which can reach up to 4 feet (1 m.). Wave petunia plants are so versatile they can accent almost any part of your landscaping design. Create a dense hedge covered in blooms by planting a row of these plants along the base of a 3 foot (91 cm....

Golden Chinquapin Information Golden chinquapin trees have a very broad height range. Some are as small as 10 feet (3 m.) high and are really considered to be shrubs. Others, however, can grow to as tall as 150 feet. (45.5 m.). This huge variance has to do with elevation and exposure, with the shrubbier specimens usually found at high elevations in harsh, windswept conditions. The bark is brown and very deeply furrowed, with ridges that are 1 to 2 inches (2....

Pink Hydrangea Bushes Though blue is the most common color, pink and white hydrangea varieties can also be purchased at garden centers and nurseries. When shopping for hydrangea bushes, its important to identify which type to plant. Hydrangea macrophylla plants can produce stunning pink flowers. However, this will only occur under ideal conditions. Macrophylla flowers are known to change color depending upon soil pH and the availability of aluminum. To produce pink flowers, garden soil must be alkaline....

Cold Hardy Perennials Deer Don’t Like The following plants are generally deemed deer resistant perennials for zone 5 gardens: Bee balm – Also called bergamot and Oswego tea, bee balm produces vibrant, spiky flowers that attract bees and butterflies. It can also be steeped into a pleasant tea. Bluebell – Bluebell is a beautiful spring bloomer that that produces striking trumpet or bell-shaped blue flowers. Brunnera – Brunnera is a leafy shade plant that produces tiny, delicate, powder blue flowers....

What are Conifers? Conifers are trees with sharp, needle-like foliage that remains on the branches year-round with only a few exceptions. Bald cypresses and larches are notable exceptions that drop their needles in winter. Conifers get their name from the cones which serve as reproductive structures. A few species have berry-like structures instead of cones. The female cones have ovaries on the individual scales which are pollinated by the windblown pollen from the male cone....

Container Grown Passion Flowers Passion fruit vines need very large containers. If you’re transplanting, choose a container that’s two to three times the size of your current one. Fill your container with well-draining, nutrient-rich potting material. Passion fruit vines are fantastic growers and climbers, often gaining 15 to 20 feet (4.5-6 m.) of length in a single year. This means it’s essential to give the vine some kind of growing structure, like a trellis or a chain-link fence....

Crepe Myrtle Information Crepe myrtle is a versatile plant with many ornamental features. The perennial tree flowers all summer long, producing showy flowers in white, pink, red, or lavender. Its exfoliating bark is also lovely, peeling back to expose the inner trunk. It is especially ornamental in winter when the leaves have fallen. Crepe myrtle leaves change color in autumn. White-blossomed trees often have leaves that turn yellow in fall, while those with pink/red/lavender blossoms have leaves that turn yellow, orange, and red....

Varieties of Agapanthus Here are the most common types of agapanthus plants: Agapanthus orientalis (syn. Agapanthus praecox) is the most common type of agapanthus. This evergreen plant produces wide, arching leaves and stems that reach heights of 4 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 m.). Varieties include white flowering types such as ‘Albus,’ blue varieties like ‘Blue Ice,’ and double forms such as ‘Flore Pleno.’ Agapanthus campanulatus is a deciduous plant that produces strappy leaves and drooping flowers in shades of dark blue....

Different Types of Hostas Different varieties of hosta can be split into some basic categories. Some are bred not just for their foliage and shade tolerance, but also for their fragrance. Hostas produce stalks of delicate, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of white and purple, and certain varieties of hosta are known especially for their scent. Types of hosta noted for their excellent, fragrant blossoms include: “Sugar and Spice” “Cathedral Windows” Hosta plantaginea...