Swamp Milkweed Info What is swamp milkweed? Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is a member of the milkweed family. It is thought to have earned its name from the pink flowers it produces (“Incarnata” means “flushed with pink.”) It produces these flowers in midsummer, followed by narrow seed pods that open to reveal flat brown seeds attached to the classic white tufts associated with milkweed plants. The flowers are very showy and good for attracting butterflies....

What Kind of Okra is Red? Native to Ethiopia, okra is the only member of the mallow family (which includes cotton, hibiscus, and hollyhock) to bear edible fruit. Generally speaking, okra pods are green and a staple of many a southern diet. A relative newcomer, Red Burgundy okra was bred by Leon Robbins at Clemson University and introduced in 1983, becoming the All-America Selections winner in 1988. There are also other red varieties of okra that include ‘Red Velvet’ and the dwarf red okra “Little Lucy....

Winterberry Holly Information Winterberry holly is a medium sized bush, growing no taller than 15 feet (4.5 m.). The bark is smooth and attractive, gray to black, while the crown is upright and spreading. The branches are slender and grow quite thick in a zigzag pattern. When you read up on winterberry holly information, you learn that the shrubs are deciduous, with leaves up to 4 inches (10 cm.) long. The leaves are dark green in the summer, turning yellow in autumn, and falling off entirely by October....

Can You Plant Wisteria Suckers? Plants propagate in different ways. Some, like the wisteria vines, send up offshoots called “suckers” from their underground roots. If you allow these suckers to grow, they form a close-knit hedgerow. Can you plant wisteria offshoots? Yes, you can. In addition to propagating wisteria seeds or cuttings, you can dig up suckers and use them as young wisteria plants ready for a new home. Moving wisteria shoots is not difficult if you know how and when to do it....

Xeriscape Landscaping for Clay Soil Amend the soil– No matter what you intend to do with your clay heavy garden, you should always work towards amending the soils by adding organic matter. When coming up with xeriscape landscape design ideas, this is even more important as this will make it easier to manage your drought tolerant landscape as the years progress. Plant clay and drought tolerant perennials– Planting drought tolerant perennials that are also happy growing in clay soil will guarantee a beautiful drought tolerant landscape....

What is Annatto? Before you start growing achiote trees, you’ll want to learn a little bit about the fascinating annatto plant. So exactly what is annatto? The tree is native to South America. The scientific name of this small tree is Bixa orellana, while the common name is lipstick plant. Both annatto and achiote are terms used in the Caribbean to refer to the tree’s unusual seeds or the plant itself....

Identifying Seaside Arrowgrass: Arrowgrass Plant Information Seaside arrowgrass is found in wet, alkaline soil including sandy beaches, tidal marshes, swamps, and bogs. It is also found in damp grasslands or irrigated pastures where grass is typically cut for hay. Unfortunately, seaside arrowgrass can be toxic to livestock. A grassy plant with wand like blades, seaside arrowgrass emerges in early spring. At maturity the plant is generally between 8 and 30 inches (20-76 cm....

About Avalanche Pea Plants Crisp and sweet, snow peas make a delightful addition to salads and stir-fries. If you’re a fan, consider planting your own crop of Avalanche snow peas. When you plant the pea ‘Avalanche’ in your garden, these plants shoot up much quicker than you might anticipate. Avalanche peas go from seed to harvest in some two months. When the crop comes in, it might justly be called an avalanche....

What is Ballade Lettuce? Iceberg lettuce was introduced in 1945 and developed for its resistance to wilting. First referred to as “crisphead” lettuce due to its texture and shape, the common name “iceberg” arose from how it was transported, across the country in trucks filled with ice to preserve the lettuce. Ballade lettuce (Lactuca sativa ‘Ballade’) is an iceberg type of lettuce that is notable for its heat tolerance. This particular hybrid was developed in Thailand specifically for its ability to thrive in hot temperatures....

Basket-of-gold plant care is easy in areas with mild summers, but in hot, humid climates they tend to die back in midsummer. If shearing doesn’t revive them, try growing them as annuals. Sow seeds in summer or set out bedding plants in early fall. Pull up the plants after they flower the following year. Grow basket-of-gold flowers as perennials in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 7. How to Grow Basket-of-Gold Plant basket-of-gold in a sunny location with average, well-draining soil....

What is a Bulb Jar? Basically, bulb glass vases are simply that – glass containers for forcing bulbs. The size and shape of bulb-forcing jars depend primarily on the type of bulb you are attempting to force. Hyacinth – Glass containers for forcing hyacinth bulbs can be simple, but they are often attractive containers that accentuate the beauty of the hyacinth blooms. Some hyacinth containers are collector’s items. Jars manufactured specifically for forcing hyacinth bulbs usually have a round, squatty bottom, a narrow midsection, and a rounded top that nestles the hyacinth bulb just above the water....

What is Tomato Bunchy Top? Bunchy top virus of tomato, also known as potato spindle tuber viroid when infecting potatoes, is a serious problem in the garden. The tomato bunchy top viroid causes new leaves emerging from the top of the vine to crowd closely together, curl, and pucker. This mess isn’t just unattractive, it also reduces the number of viable flowers to near zero. If a gardener is lucky enough to get fruits from a plant affected by bunchy top, they’ll likely be tiny and very hard....

How to Care for Hydrangea in Pots Store bought potted hydrangeas usually languish because a small container on the kitchen table is less than ideal. Hydrangeas like lots of sun and water. Indoors, the sun can be gotten from placing it in a south-facing window, but the water is best achieved by transplanting it to a larger container that doesn’t dry out as quickly. Hydrangeas in the garden like full sun, but this dries out the soil in containers much too quickly....

Is Creeping Charlie Edible? As a matter of fact, yes, creeping Charlie (also known as ground ivy) is edible. A prime and often cursed at weed of turfgrass and other landscape areas, creeping Charlie is native to Europe and southern Asia but was brought into North America for use medicinally. It rapidly naturalized and is now found everywhere in North America with the exception of the desert southwest and the coldest provinces of Canada....

Can You Grow Cyclamen from Seed? Can you grow cyclamen from seed? Yes, you can, but it takes some special treatment. For one thing, cyclamen seeds have a period of “ripeness,” basically the month of July, when it’s best to plant them. You can harvest them yourself or buy ripe seeds from the store. You can also buy dried seeds, but their germination rate won’t be as good. You can get around this somewhat by soaking your dried seeds in water with a tiny splash of dish soap for 24 hours before planting....

Can You Grow Daylilies in Containers? Will daylilies grow in pots? Absolutely. Daylilies are well suited to container life, as long as they have enough room to grow. The smaller the variety (and there are some small ones out there), the better they will be able to grow in a pot. As a rule, you shouldn’t plant full sized daylilies in anything smaller than a gallon container. Caring for Daylilies in Containers Container grown daylilies need lots of water....

Can You Grow Ginger Indoors? Ginger as a houseplant is not typical, but it is very much possible. Outdoors, the ginger plant is not terribly hardy. If you live north of zone 9, frost and freezes could compromise any ginger plants in your garden. If you want to grow and enjoy your own ginger root though, you can grow it indoors in a container with very little effort. How to Grow Ginger Indoors To start ginger houseplant growing, all you need is a root, and you can find those at your local grocery store....

Rotting Candelabra Cactus The damage is particularly prevalent in plants grown in a greenhouse. Stem rot on a candelabra cactus (Euphorbia lactea), in particular, is often mistaken for corking or sunburn, but it is generally rot. If the brown place is soft, consider it rotten. Remove it from the area of healthy plants and seclude the diseased plant until you can work with it. The entire stem will normally die. You may be able to cut out around the brown area, but you must make sure to get it all....

USDA Colorado Hardiness Zone Map For Trees And Plants Above is the map of the USDA Colorado hardiness zones. The USDA created plant hardiness zones to act as a guide for gardeners and farmers. By understanding your planting zone for Colorado, you will be more successful in your efforts to create a wonderful garden. To find your Colorado hardiness zone, locate the place on the map where you live. The color of that area can be matched to the legend at the right....

Controlling Dayflowers in the Landscape Control of Asiatic dayflower is tricky for a number of reasons. For starters, these common dayflower weeds are resistant to many weed killers and can regrow easily from broken stems. It can also sneak up on you, looking like wide leafed grass when it first sprouts. The seeds can remain viable for up to four and a half years, meaning even if you think you’ve eradicated a patch, the seeds can be stirred up and sprout years later....