Prostrate Holly Info Low growing holly is known as prostrate holly, Ilex rugosa, and tsuru holly. The plant is native to Japan and eastern Russia, and has adapted to growing in harsh winter conditions. In its native ecosystem, prostrate holly grows on mountain slopes. The higher up it is, the lower to the ground its growth will be. The leaves of prostrate holly are narrower than other types of holly. They are oval and oblong in shape and are bright green in color....

Pseudobulb in Orchids Orchids with pseudobulbs, which are a good number of the most common orchids grown in homes, may include: Cattleya Dendrobium Epidendrum Laelia Oncidium Pseudobulb in orchids grow from a horizontal stem that grows underneath the planting medium. These stems travel underground and the pseudobulbs pop up along the length. Each pseudobulb has the potential to eventually sprout into a new plant, so the potential for successful propagation is very high....

Scarlet sage plants, Salvia coccinea or Salvia splendens, are also known as scarlet salvia. One of the easiest salvias to find, plant the spiky specimen spring through summer, or even as late as fall in warmer areas. Scarlet sage herb is a perennial, but is grown as an annual plant in areas with cold winters. In cold winter areas, plant scarlet sage in spring for long-lasting enjoyment. Growing Scarlet Sage Start scarlet sage from seed or small bedding plants from the local nursery....

Low Growing Palm Trees Small palm trees that grow up from a single trunk are excellent for front yard garden beds because they have such small root balls. You can plant small palm trees close to your house and avoid the damage to your foundation another tree’s roots might cause, while adding an interesting extra level of height to your landscape. So what are some short height palm trees? The following palms all reach heights under 12 feet (3....

When to Divide Herbs Herbaceous plants should be lifted and divided between the early autumn and midspring, depending on weather conditions. This means that in areas where the weather is mild in the fall, divide the herbs. In colder regions, herb plant division should occur in the spring when the roots are still slumbering. To keep herbs at their peak, they should be divided every two to four years. How to Divide Perennial Herbs Herbs that do well propagated via root division include:...

Thorny olive control can be difficult because of the long, sharp thorns that sprout from its branches, and because of the spread of seeds from its fruit. Keep reading to learn more facts on Elaeagnus pungens and how to control thorny olive plants. Is Thorny Olive Invasive? Where is thorny olive invasive? In Tennessee and Virginia it is, but it’s a nuisance in many other states as well. It’s hardy in USDA zones 6 through 10 and is easily spread through the droppings of birds that have eaten its fruit....

When to Pick Lavender If you are just starting out growing lavender, keep in mind that it takes about three years for the plants to reach their peak maturity and to give you the greatest harvest. You can pick some in the first year or two, although leaving the plants alone allows them to grow and develop more. The best lavender harvest time is early in the morning if you are picking them for aromatic uses....

Symptoms of Sweet Potato Root Knot Nematodes Root knot nematodes of sweet potatoes are white to yellow and live amongst the storage roots. Although tiny, these nematodes can be seen without a magnifying glass. They overwinter as eggs in the soil and complete their life cycle in about 30 days. Since a single female can lay up to 3,000 eggs, a severe infestation of root knot nematodes in sweet potatoes can seriously damage a crop....

What is Watermelon Cercospora Leaf Spot? Cercospora leaf spot is a disease caused by the fungus Cercospora citrullina. It can affect all cucurbit crops (like cucumber and squash) but it is especially common on watermelons. The fungus usually only affects the leaves of the plant, though it can occasionally spread to the petioles and stems. Symptoms of cercospora on watermelon leaves begin as small, dark brown spots near the crown of the plant....

What is Portuguese Cabbage? Portuguese cabbage is a leafy green vegetable in the brassica family. Unlike most cabbages, this vegetable doesn’t form heads and grows in leaves like kale. That resulted in the alternate common name of Portuguese kale plants. However, unlike kale, the leaves of this green vegetable, as well as the mid rib and stalk, are fleshy and succulent. Kale ribs and stalks are often too woody to eat....

What is Oleander Knot Disease? Oleander knot is the result of a type of bacteria (Pseudomonas syringae pv. Savastanoi) that enters the oleander plant through wounds and injured or scarred areas. The bacterium is systemic, resulting in the development of knots or bacterial gall on oleander flowers, leaves and stems; and stunted, deformed seed pods. The disease is widespread in Arizona and other areas where oleander plants are popular. Oleander knot disease is most common after cool, damp springs....

Texas Gardening Information – Do You Know Your Zone? The coolest zone indicated by the Texas USDA planting map is 6b, located in the northern part of the state. The rest of Texas enjoys a very warm climate year round, including the winter months. The remaining Texas zones include 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b and 9a. Winter lows may drop down to -5 degrees F. or be as warm as 20 degrees F....

Planting Bunching Onions Plant Welsh onion seeds indoors in March, using a regular commercial potting soil. Keep the soil lightly moist until the seeds germinate, which generally takes seven to 10 days. Plant the seedlings in your garden after about a month, when all danger of frost has passed. Full sun is best, but Welsh onion plants tolerate a bit of light shade. Allow about 8 inches between each seedling. If you have access to established plants, you can easily propagate new plants by division....

Troublesome pests like pin nematodes may be difficult to detect without prior suspicion of their presence. Awareness of pin nematode symptoms may help in determining whether or not this may be an issue in the home garden. What are Pin Nematodes? Pin nematodes are the smallest of all nematode types. Though it is believed that there are several species of pin nematode, they are collectively labeled as Paratylenchus spp. Miniscule in size, these plant-parasitic nematodes can exist in large numbers throughout garden soil....

What is a Jubileum Plum? Jubliee plums, also known as Jubileum plums, are better known in Britain than in this country. So exactly what is a Jubileum plum? It’s an improved version of the extremely popular Victoria plum. Those growing Jubileum plums report that the fruit looks a lot like the Victoria plum, with mottled red skin. The fruit is long, oval, and uniform, somewhat larger than the Victoria plum. When you open these plums, the fruit is deep yellow....

Growing ground orchids is not much more difficult than growing other bedding plants, and you’ll be rewarded with 2-foot (61 cm.) spikes of brightly colored flowers that bloom almost continually throughout the growing season. What is a Spathoglottis Orchid? What is a Spathoglottis orchid and how is it different from other potted orchids you may want to grow? These stunning plants do well in the ground, so they’re well-suited as a bedding plant in very warm environments....

What is Oregon Grape? Cascade Oregon grape plant (Mahonia nervosa) goes by several names: longleaf mahonia, cascade mahonia, dwarf Oregon grape, cascade barberry, and dull Oregon grape. Most commonly the plant is simply referred to as the Oregon grape. Oregon grape is an evergreen shrub/ground cover that is slow growing and only reaches about 2 feet (61 cm.) in height. It has long, jagged glossy green leaves that take on a purple tint during the winter months....

Growing Denniston’s Superb Plums Denniston’s Superb plum care is easy when your provide the tree with adequate growing conditions. Denniston’s Superb Plum trees are self-fertile, but you’ll enjoy a larger harvest if a pollinator is located nearby. Good pollinators include Avalon, Golden Sphere, Farleigh, Jubilee, Gypsy and many others. Be sure your plum tree receives at least six to eight hours of sunlight per day. These plum trees are adaptable to nearly any well-drained soil....

Wild Tassel Hyacinth Info Tassel grape hyacinth (Leopoldia comosa or Leopoldia muscari), also known as tassel hyacinth, fringe hyacinth, or musk hyacinth, is a wildflower native to Turkey, Iraq, and southeastern Europe. Tassel grape hyacinths are similar to the familiar garden-variety grape hyacinths, but the brownish green flowers are topped by tufts of violet-blue, fringe-like blooms. The lower part of the flowers are fertile, but the tassels are sterile. Tassel hyacinth bulbs are hardy to USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 8....

William’s Pride apples are resistant to a number of diseases that commonly afflict apple trees, including scab, cedar apple rust, and fire blight. The trees are suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. Sound good? Read on and learn how to grow William’s Pride apples trees. Growing William’s Pride Apples William’s Pride apple trees require moderately rich, well-drained soil and six to eight hours of sunlight per day....