What are Bunch Peanuts? Peanuts can be split into two main growth pattern types: bunch and runner. Runner peanuts have long branches with nuts growing or ‘running’ all along their length. Bunch peanut plants, on the other hand, produce all their nuts at the end of these branches, in a bunch. It’s an easy distinction to remember. Bunch type peanuts do not yield as highly as runners, and because of this they are not grown as frequently, especially agriculturally....

What are Purple Pod Garden Beans? As the name would imply, purple pod garden beans are produced on compact bush plants. Reaching lengths of about 5 inches (13 cm.), royalty purple pod bush beans yield deeply colored pods. Though the pods do not retain their color after cooking, their beauty in the garden make them well worth planting. Growing Royalty Purple Pod Beans Growing royalty purple pod beans is very similar to growing other bush bean varieties....

Container Grown Shasta Plants Can shasta daisies grow in pots? They certainly can. They’re actually well adapted to container life, as long as you don’t let them get dry or root bound. When planting shasta daisies in containers, make sure your pot has adequate drainage, but avoid terra cotta. You don’t want your plant’s roots to sit in water, but you don’t want them to leach out too quickly, either. Choose a plastic or glazed ceramic container that’s at least 12 inches (30....

What is Cherry Rugose Mosaic Virus? Cherries with rugose mosaic virus are infected by strains of Prunus necrotic ringspot virus. Pollen and seeds of the cherry tree carry the virus and spread it from one tree to another throughout an orchard or home garden. Grafting with a diseased tree can also spread the virus. Thrips that feed on the trees may carry the virus from tree to tree, but that has not been confirmed....

If you are interested in Christmas indoor topiary, read on. We’ll give you great Christmas topiary ideas so you can start making a Christmas topiary yourself. Plants for Christmas Topiaries Tired of buying cut Christmas trees? You aren’t alone. Although these trees may have been raised just to serve as holiday décor, something seems off about killing a tree in order to celebrate Christmas. Still, fake trees don’t have that natural element and not everyone has a big enough backyard to plant potted spruce after Christmas is over....

Clump Maple Trees Maples are one of America’s favorite trees with lovely flowers in the spring, curious whirligig seedpods in the summer, and brilliant, fiery leaves in the fall. While most maples grow into tall shade trees on single trunks, a few varieties of maples grow in clumps. Most clumping maples can be found in commerce in a single trunk growth habit. Maple clumping varieties include the Amur maple, hedge maple, paperbark maple, and vine maple....

Preparation Tips for Composting During Winter It is best to empty compost bins of all usable compost prior to the onset of winter. Use the compost around your garden, in your raised beds, or transfer to a dry container with a lid for use in the spring. Harvesting the compost before starting your winter compost heap will free up space for the new compost. Keeping the bin warm is important if you live in an area that has harsh winter temperatures and strong winds....

Should I Water Dahlia Tubers? Unlike many other garden flowers, which are grown from seed or transplant, dahlias are most commonly grown from tubers. Similar to bulbs, tubers are planted into the ground after all chance of frost has passed in the spring. Though some growers choose to pre-sprout the tubers, others may plant the dormant tubers directly into the ground. When conditions are right, growth points (“eyes”) on the tubers signal the development of leaves and roots....

What is May Basket Day? May Day is May first, and its original importance is the pagan festival of Beltane, a day to welcome back spring and new life. Most of the traditions of this holiday faded as Christianity rose, but some persisted: dancing around the Maypole and May Day baskets. In the U.S. sending treats and flowers for May Day was popular in the 1800s and well into the 1900s....

Foliar Nematodes on Chrysanthemum What are foliar nematodes? They are tiny, unsegmented roundworms that swim in a film of water, according to pest information. Lesions appear and bottom leaves turn yellow and brownish, dropping when infected. Chrysanthemum foliar nematodes move up the stem, to higher leaves and the process continues. If you see this issue occurring on your mums, remove bottom leaves that are dying and avoid overhead watering. Treat healthy leaves that remain with a spray of insecticidal soap to decrease the nematode population....

Goldrush Apple Information Where do Goldrush apple trees come from? A Goldrush apple seedling was planted for the very first time in 1974 as a cross between Golden Delicious and Co-op 17 varieties. In 1994, the resulting apple was released by the Purdue, Rutgers, and Illinois (PRI) apple breeding program. The apples themselves are relatively large (6-7 cm. in diameter), firm, and crisp. The fruit is green to yellow with an occasional red blush at the time of picking, but it deepens to a pleasant gold in storage....

Low Growing Plants for Walkways In order for low garden plants to make good walkway plants, they need to have a few traits. First, they must be somewhat drought tolerant, as walkway stones may not allow much water to reach the roots. Second, they must be tolerant of both heat and cold, as the stones can hold onto both the heat of the sun in summer and the cold in the winter....

Ceranthus Jupiter’s Beard Plant The Jupiter’s beard plant reaches 3 feet (0.9 m.) in height, often the same in width, and displays profuse panicles of fragrant red flowers. Colors of white and pink are found in some cultivars of the wild red valerian plants. Native to the Mediterranean, the Jupiter’s beard has successfully transitioned to many areas of the United States and attracts butterflies and the all-important pollinators to the area in which it is planted....

Propagating Roses in Water Here are the simple steps for rooting rose cuttings in water: Early summer is prime time for rose water propagation. Be sure the parent plant is growing well and free of pests or disease. Use a clean knife or pruners to cut a rose stem measuring about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm.) long. Make the cut just below node, which is the point where a leaf attaches to the stem....

Solar Fire Information Solar Fire tomato plants have been developed by the University of Florida to take the heat. These hybridized, determinate plants yield medium sized fruit that is perfect for slicing into salads and on sandwiches. Sweet and full of flavor, they are an excellent tomato variety for the home grower who lives in hot, humid, and wet areas. Not only are Solar Fire tomato plants heat tolerant, but they are crack resistant and resistant to verticillium wilt and fusarium wilt race 1....

Spreading Cotoneaster Info Spreading cotoneaster plants (Cotoneaster divaricatus) are native to central and western China. They are very tolerant of the cold and are hardy down to USDA zone 4. They reach a mature height of 5 to 7 feet (1.5-2 m.), with a spread that is equal or slightly greater. The shrubs have a distinctive growing pattern that earns them their name, with branches that grow horizontally for several feet (1 to 2 m....

Hellebore Black Death Info Hellebore Black Death is a serious disease that was first observed by hellebore growers in the early 1990’s. Since this disease is relatively new and its symptoms are similar to other hellebore illnesses, plant pathologists are still studying its exact cause. However, it is believed by most to be caused by a Carlavirus — tentatively called Helleborus net necrosis virus or HeNNV. It is also believed that the virus is spread by aphids and/or whiteflies....

Katydid Facts Katydids are known for the sounds the males make to attract mates. By rubbing their wings together rapidly, they produce a noise that sounds like “katydid.” It can be, and often is, repeated over and over for hours, night after night. Although katydids can be found resting on herbaceous plants, they rarely damage them seriously. While some gardeners appreciate their “song,” others consider katydids garden pests and ask how to get rid of katydid bugs....

What is Lawn Algae? Various types of algae and moss are often found in areas of turf that is not healthy enough to support good turf growth. Algae are small, filamentous plants that create a scum over a moist soil surface. Algae thrive in areas where there is wet soil and full sunlight. Algae may also be present if the soil is densely compacted, when there are open spots in the turf or very high fertility present....

Propagating China Doll Plant China doll cuttings are not always easy to propagate, as this is a finicky plant. Nonetheless, China doll plant starting is possible given the right conditions. When propagating China doll plant, use only the green stem cuttings, not the woody ones. These cuttings can easily be taken from the ends of the plant’s stems while pruning. Avoid using any long cuttings, sticking to those that are 3 to 6 inches (8-15 cm....