About Northern Bayberry Trees Some gardeners growing northern bayberry refer to the plants as trees. However, the plant matures to only 10 feet tall by 10 feet wide (3 m. by 3 m.) and definitely falls firmly within the “shrub” category. Northern bayberry, or simply bayberry, plants are loved by gardeners for their ornamental value in the garden. They light up the backyard in winter with lovely silver berries. As these shrubs mature, they tend to spread by suckers....

Is a Firebush Frost Hardy? Firebush (Hamelia patens) is native to southern Florida, Central America, and the tropics of South America. In other words, it really likes the heat. Firebush cold tolerance is pretty much nil aboveground – when temperatures approach 40 degrees F. (4 C.), the leaves will start to turn color. Any closer to freezing, and the foliage will die. The plant can really only survive winter where temperatures remain well above freezing....

Japanese Cedar Tree Facts Japanese cedar trees have many ornamental features. Their short, shiny needles are an eye-catching shade of blue-green, arranged in spirals pointing toward the tip of the stems, like foxtails. The foliage bronzes in winter. The wood is fragrant, waterproof, light, and resilient. They can live over 600 years. Japanese cedar facts include information about the mahogany-colored bark. It peels off in long strips, making the tree ornamental all year long....

Jasmine Vines for Zone 7 True jasmine (Jasminum officinale) is also known as hardy jasmine. It is hardy to USDA zone 7 and can sometimes survive in zone 6. It is a deciduous vine and a popular species. If it gets a sufficient chilling period in the winter, the vine fills with small white flowers in spring through autumn. The flowers then fill your backyard with a delicious fragrance. Hardy jasmine for zone 7 is a vine, but it needs a strong structure to climb....

Keep in mind, however, that while the cactus looks harmless from a distance, the spines are formidable. In fact, its other common name “jumping cholla” is well deserved, as the spines seem to “jump” and grab unsuspecting passers-by. Read on for more jumping cholla info. Jumping Cholla Information Native to the deserts of Northwest Mexico and the southwestern United State, jumping cholla (Opuntia bigelovii syn. Cylindropuntia bigelovii) is a shrubby, tree-like cactus that can reach heights of 5 to 9 feet (1....

How Long Does a Lemon Take to Ripen? Healthy lemon trees produce an abundance of fruit, so be sure that you are taking good care of your tree at all times. From the time a small, green lemon appears on your tree, it will generally take several months to ripen depending on the variety. When to Harvest a Lemon Lemons are ready to pick as soon as they are yellow or yellow-green in appearance and firm....

What is a Mexican Hat Plant? Also called the prairie coneflower and thimble-flower, the Mexican hat plant is native to the prairies of the American Midwest, but it has spread throughout and can be grown in most of North America. Its characteristic shape is made up of a tall, leafless stalk that can reach 1.5 to 3 feet (46-91 cm.) in height, ending in a single flower head of a reddish brown to black spiky cone rising above three to seven drooping red, yellow, or red and yellow petals....

Five Spot Plant Info Five spot wildflowers are named for their distinct flowers: 1 inch wide (2.5 cm) light blue or white blossoms of five petals, each of which is tipped with a vivid, deep purple spot. They are reasonably compact – they grow to no more than 12 inches (30.5 cm) high and 8 inches (20.5 cm) wide and do not spread over the course of the summer. They prefer cool climates, germinating best in soil temperatures of 55-65 F....

October in the Northern Rockies Continue to water evergreen trees and shrubs until the ground freezes. Damp soil retains heat and protects roots better than dry soil. Continue to hoe, pull, or mow weeds and don’t allow them to go to seed. Rake up weeds and remove dead or diseased plants, as pests and disease can overwinter in garden debris. Harvest squash, pumpkins, sweet potatoes and any other frost sensitive veggies remaining in your garden....

Ornamental Grass for Clay Soil The use of ornamental grasses in the landscape has gained quite a bit of popularity among homeowners in recent years. Though the plants do not generally produce the bright and colorful flowers so commonly associated with flower beds, ornamental varieties of grass have much to offer. Ornamental grass in clay soil also provides a great source of year-round interest in the landscape due its wide array of unique textures....

Overwintering Trumpet Vines Trumpet vines are hardy in a wide range, growing happily in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 10, so they do not need winter protection in most regions. Trumpet vine care in winter is minimal. As cold weather arrives, they will wilt and die; in spring they start again from zero to reach the same, startling heights. For that reason, trumpet vine winter care is very easy....

About Pampas Grass Plants Pampas grass plants, native to Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, are perennial grasses that grow immensely large with saw-toothed leaves and large pink or white, showy plumes. Although many home gardeners plant pampas grass for its elegant appearance and hardy nature, it can become a problem in some areas. The grass is not picky about soil or sunlight but does best in some sun and loamy soil. Pampas grass seeds freely and can eventually crowd out native plants....

Pie Cherries vs. Regular Cherries The main difference when it comes to pie cherries vs. regular cherries is the amount of sugar you’ll have to use. Pie cherries, or sour cherries, are not nearly as sweet as the cherries you buy to eat, and have to be sweetened with a lot of extra sugar. If you’re following a recipe, see if it specifies whether you need sweet or sour cherries. Often your recipe will have sour cherries in mind....

Harvesting Seeds from Boston Ivy Pick Boston ivy berries when they are ripe, squishy, and ready to drop naturally from the plant. Some people have good luck planting the fresh seeds directly in cultivated soil in autumn. If you would rather save the seeds and plant them in spring, the following steps will tell you how: Place the berries in a sieve and push the pulp through the sieve. Take your time and press gently so you don’t crush the seeds....

Weeping Conifer Pruning If you are wondering how to prune weeping conifers, start with the most important cuts. Like with all trees, weeping pines pruning includes removing their dead, diseased, and broken branches. This type of pruning should be done as soon as the problem presents itself. It can be done at any time of the year. Another important aspect of weeping pine tree prune procedure involves cutting back branches that touch the soil....

Reasons for Beans with Blossoms and No Pods Normal early season drop – Most bean plants will naturally drop some blossoms early in the season. This will pass rather quickly and soon the bean plant will produce pods. Lack of pollinators – While many bean varieties are self fertile, some are not. And even the plants that are self fertile will produce better if they have some help from pollinators. Too much fertilizer – While piling on the fertilizer may seem like a great idea, oftentimes this can cause problems, especially with beans....

Why Do You Fold the Tops of Onions? If you plan to use the onions right away, folding onion tops isn’t really necessary. However, if your goal is to store the onions for the winter, rolling down onion tops encourages the onion to turn brown and stop taking up water, thus boosting the final process of ripening. When sap no longer flows through the onion plant, growth stops and the onion will soon be ready to harvest and cure for storage....

A root beer plant, also known as Hoja Santa, holy leaf or Mexican pepperleaf, growing in the garden provides the aroma of root beer, and large, furry leaves in which to wrap foods and give them a hint of root beer flavor. An evergreen shrub or small tree in USDA zones 10 and 11, root beer plants are herbaceous perennials in USDA zones 8 and 9. Flowers of the root beer plant are not showy and sometimes not even noticeable....

Can You Root a Pussy Willow Branch? Growing cuttings from pussy willow trees is actually one of the easiest propagation methods out there. Willow trees, pussy willows included, contain a natural rooting hormone. In the past they were frequently steeped in water to make a “pussy willow tea” that was then used to encourage other cuttings to develop roots. This method is seeing a real comeback lately as a natural alternative to commercial rooting hormones....

Sago Palm Leaf Problems Sagos are slow-growing trees, so don’t expect them to grow fronds quickly. However, if the months come and go and your sago palm isn’t growing leaves, the plant may have a problem. When it comes to sago palm leaf problems, the first thing to do is review your cultural practices. It’s entirely possible that the reason your sago palm has no new leaves is that it isn’t planted in the right location or isn’t getting the cultural care it needs....