Winterizing Astilbe Plants Astilbe plants like to be kept moist, so it’s important to keep watering yours until the ground freezes. After the first hard frost, put down about two inches (5 cm.) of mulch around the stem. This will help regulate the temperature of the soil and keep the roots moist throughout the winter. Be careful not to put the mulch down until the frost, though. While the roots like to be moist, mulch in warmer weather can trap too much water and cause the roots to rot....

Foliage of stromanthe houseplants is a reddish maroon and pink on the backside of the leaves, peeking through the green and white variegated tops. With the right stromanthe plant care, the ‘Triostar’ can reach 2 to 3 feet (up to 1 m.) in height and 1 to 2 feet (31-61 cm.) across. Growing Stromanthe Sanguine Learning how to grow a stromanthe is not complicated, but you must commit to providing regular humidity when growing the Stromanthe ‘Triostar’ plant....

What is Adenanthos? Adenanthos is an evergreen shrub native to the southern coastal region of western Australia. Since it naturally grows along the coast, it is tolerant of wind and salt, making it a great choice for coastal gardens in the U.S. and other areas. When growing adenanthos plants, expect their growth to top about 6 to 10 feet (2-3 m.) tall and about 6 feet (2 m.) wide. The evergreen needles are grayish green and so fine that the shrub is soft to the touch....

More Information About Alaska Climate Zones – USDA Alaska Planting Zone Map Above is the USDA Alaska planting zones map. This map has been created to help gardeners know what kind of plants will survive in Alaska climate zones. When you understand your Alaska USDA zones, you can plant trees, vegetables, flowers, and other plants that will flourish in your area. In order to figure out your specific Alaska USDA zone, match the color on the map in your area with the color on the legend....

Apple of Peru Plant Info Apple of Peru (shoofly plant to some) is a half hardy perennial that’s usually grown as an annual in USDA zones 3 through 8. It can reach 5 feet (1.5 m.) in height by the end of the summer, and blooms for two to three months during the summer. It produces light purple to blue flowers that grow in a bell shape. Even though it blooms constantly, the flowers only last for about a day, and the apple of Peru plant only ever has one or two flowers in bloom at a time....

What Does Apple Scab Look Like? Apple scab fungus infects developing apples early in the season but may not become visible on fruits until they’ve begun to expand. Instead, apple scab first appears on the undersides of the leaves of the blossom clusters. These fuzzy, roughly circular, brown to dark olive green lesions may cause leaves to distort or crinkle. Scabs can be small and few, or so numerous that leaf tissues are completely covered in a velvety mat....

Spraying Apricot Trees for Pests Do you need to spray apricot trees? Basically, yes. Pest infestations can devastate a tree or an entire orchard, and the best way to fight against it is to nip it in the bud. When do you spray apricot trees? A few times a year, starting in the winter. Before the buds on your tree have started to swell, spray it with dormant oil. This will kill off any overwintering eggs before they get a chance to hatch and wreak havoc....

What is Sambac Jasmine? From early spring throughout summer, jasmine plants will begin to produce a profusion of petite white blooms that open at sunset. Intensely aromatic, Arabian jasmine plants are ideal for use as potted plants and in borders near sidewalks and porches where passersby can stop to enjoy their scent. Also known as sambac jasmine, Arabian jasmine flowers are hardy to USDA zones 9-11. Since the plant’s size and shape can be easily manipulated, many gardeners ask, is Arabian jasmine a vine?...

Growing Conditions for Arroyo Lupine Growing Arroyo lupine plants tolerate light shade, but they bloom best in full sunlight. This popular wildflower adapts to nearly any soil type, including loam, gravel, sand, or clay. However, they often struggle and may not survive in highly alkaline conditions. Well-drained soil is essential, as arroyo doesn’t tolerate soggy, waterlogged soil. Be sure not to plant arroyo lupine where the soil remains wet during the winter....

Aspen Tree Information One problem that many people come up against when growing aspen trees is their short lifespan. It’s true – aspen trees in landscapes usually only live between 5 and 15 years. This is usually due to pests and diseases, which can be a real problem and sometimes have no treatment. If you notice your aspen becoming sick or infested, usually the best thing to do is to cut the offending tree down....

What are Daffodils Good for Medicinally? Daffodil flower uses are mostly limited to ornamentation. However, researchers are finding ways to extract compounds from daffodils with the potential of treating diseases. Some of the daffodil benefits to medicine may include treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and even cancer. Traditionally, daffodil flowers and bulbs have been used for inducing vomiting. It is very risky to try this, however, as there are reported cases of deaths related to using the bulbs....

How Much Light Does a Boston Fern Need? Boston fern light requirements vary depending on the time of year. The plant benefits from bright, indirect light during fall and winter. A location where the plant gets at least two hours of indirect sunlight per day, preferably in the morning or late afternoon, is ideal. Boston fern light conditions must change when sunlight is more intense in spring and summer. During the sunny time of year, the fern needs a semi-shady location, such as a window with a northern exposure....

Landscaping Around Utility Boxes If you have plans to live off the grid, they’re a fact of life, and they, unfortunately, aren’t usually designed with aesthetics in mind. The best you can do is try to live in harmony with them. The very first thing you need to do when landscaping around utility boxes is to call the company that installed them. These boxes are serious business, and there are often restrictions about what you can do near them, like bans on permanent structures and distances before you can plant anything....

What is a Cape Cod Weeder? I’m a gardener and come from a long line of gardeners, but I have to say I’ve never heard of a Cape Cod weeder tool. Of course, right away, the name gave me a clue. The story about the Cape Cod weeder is that many years ago a woman living on Cape Cod designed this weeding tool. It is a knife-like tool that is used to slice weeds and loosen difficult soils....

What are Caulotops Barberi Pests? In the landscape, agave plants can potentially grow to a height and spread of 20 feet (6 m.). However, these landscape grown agaves can be susceptible to the Caulotops barberi pest, resulting in stunted or irregular growth. If you notice stunted or distorted growth, speckled or spotted foliage, or what appears to be scabs or chew marks on your agave plants, you may wonder, “Are bugs on my agave?...

Chain Cholla Information Chain cholla cactus are most often seen growing in their native ranges in the Sonora Desert. The cactus grows to some 10 feet (3 m.) tall, with whorled stem segments. According to chain cholla information, the last segments on a branch break off pretty easily. Many cacti have spines and the chain cholla cactus is no exception. The spines on this cactus are each bundled in a sheath, the color of straw....

How to Grow a Christmas Cactus Outside If you live in a cool climate, plant Christmas cactus in a container or hanging basket so you can bring it indoors when temperatures fall below 50 F. (10 C.) Use a well-drained potting medium such as a mixture of potting soil, perlite and orchid bark. A location in light shade or early morning sun is best for growing Christmas cactus outdoors in warmer climates, although a sunnier location is suitable in fall and winter....

Companion Planting with Peas Companion planting is a form of polyculture and basically means planting different crops near each other for mutual benefit. The benefits of companion planting for peas or any other vegetable may be for pest control or aid in pollination. Companion planting may also be used to maximize garden space or to provide habit for beneficial insects. Also, in nature, there is generally a great deal of plant diversity in any one ecosystem....

Uses for Wild Radish What is wild radish? It’s similar to cultivated radish, and the two can cross pollinate when growing near each other. In appearance it looks very similar to wild mustard, a close relative. All parts of it are edible if you’re feeling brave. Boil the greens and eat the flowers and pods raw. The tough outer skin of the roots can be peeled away easily with your hands, revealing an inner core that is quite good and tender when boiled for 45 minutes....

Blue Porterweed Groundcover Facts Blue porterweed plants (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis) are native to south Florida, though they have since ranged throughout most of the state. Since they are only hardy to USDA zone 9b, they have not travelled farther north. Blue porterweed is often confused with Stachytarpheta urticifolia, a non-native cousin that grows more aggressively and should not be planted. It also grows taller, as high as 5 feet (1.5 m.), and woodier, which makes it less effective as a groundcover....