Lilac Bush Varieties Lilac shrub or bush varieties can be split into two categories: large upright and densely branched. In the first category is the common lilac, a hugely diverse plant that comes in a wide range of colors and fragrances. This large upright shrub lilac usually grows to 8 feet (2.4 m.) in height, but some varieties can be as short as 4 feet (1.2 m.). Densely branched shrub and bush lilacs are specific types bred for lots of flowers in small space....

Are There Really Male or Female Asparagus? So, are there male and female asparagus plants? There isn’t an obvious asparagus sex determination is there? Yes, there are male and female asparagus plants and actually, there are some signs as to which sex the asparagus might be. Asparagus Sex Determination Asparagus is dioecious, which means there are both male and female plants. Female asparagus produces seeds that look like little red berries....

Using the USDA planting zone map for Louisiana is very easy. Just look at the map and locate where you live in Louisiana. Match the color of the place where you live to the legend at the right. This will tell you what the USDA planting zone for Louisiana your garden is in. In 2012, the USDA reevaluated the planting zones on the map. Historically warmer temperatures have shifted the previous zones....

Melrose Apple Information According to Melrose apple information, Melrose apples were developed as part of Ohio’s apple breeding program. They are a delicious cross between Jonathan and Red Delicious. If you want to start growing Melrose apples, don’t hesitate. Sweet and sugary in taste, these apples are also visually attractive, medium-sized, round, and robust in appearance. The base skin color is red, but it is over-blushed with ruby red. Best of all is the rich taste of the juicy flesh....

What are Growing Pot Kits? A quick search online or a trip to your local garden center will turn up these mini gift pots. They come with everything needed to grow a flower or houseplant, a small pot full of soil with seeds, and instructions. Flowerpots as gifts with plants already growing are great, but it’s a fun project to start something indoors, especially in winter. People love these gifts, and they work well for advanced gardeners and beginners....

Why Isn’t My Garlic Ready? The simplest solution to a problem with bulb or clove formation is that your garlic plants simply aren’t ready. It takes at least 30 nights with temperatures lower than 50 degrees F. (10 C.) for good development of cloves. If you pull up a garlic plant and see a small bulb or a bulb with no apparent cloves, it may just not be ready yet. Leave the rest of the plants alone and give them some more time....

Homemade Natural Dog Repellent Chili Pepper – This is one of the most common and most effective dog repellents. It is what you will commonly find in commercial organic dog repellents. The capsicum in the peppers will irritate the skin of the dog, particularly the sensitive area in and around the nose. The irritation will deter the dog from returning to the area. Common chili pepper powder sprinkled around the area will help repel all dogs....

How to Prune Pampas Grass Pampas grass needs annual pruning to get rid of the old foliage and make room for new growth. The foliage is tough and razor sharp. You’ll need to wear leather gloves, long pants and a long sleeve shirt to avoid getting cut. Pampas grass pruning is much easier when you have proper tools for the job. Hedge pruners and electric shears aren’t up to the task....

Parlor Palm Seed Collection You may be able to purchase parlor palm seeds online or from a reputable growers, but if you have a blooming parlor palm, seed collection is easy. Simply gather parlor palm seeds when the fruit is completely ripe, or when it naturally falls from the plant. Collect several seeds because parlor palm seed germination is notoriously unreliable. Growing a Parlor Palm from Seed A few tips for the seed propagation of parlor palms will have you well on your way to starting a new generation of these beautiful plants....

Pomegranate Tree Transplant Pomegranate trees are not stately by any means. Many grow as bushy shrubs. They are resistant to pests and diseases though and are easy to transplant from a container into your backyard These trees thrive in USDA plant hardiness zones 7b through 12. When is the best time to do a pomegranate tree transplant? If you buy a bare root plant, you’ll want to do it in the spring, right after you buy it....

How to Grow Anise in a Container Can you grow anise in a pot? Yes, you can! Anise (Pimpinella anisum) is very well suited to container life, as long as it has the space to grow. The plant has a long taproot, so it needs to be planted in a deep pot, at least 10 inches (24 cm.) in depth. The pot should be at least 10 inches in diameter to provide room for one or possibly two plants....

Nandina Plant Pruning Despite the common name, nandina plants are not bamboo at all, but they resemble it. These tall shrubs are both stiffly upright and very graceful. Adding them to your garden adds texture and an oriental touch. Although you probably need to prune heavenly bamboo to keep it looking its best, the shrub offers so much in return. It is evergreen and provides ornamental features in every season. In spring and summer, it offers frothy white flowers that turn to bright berries in autumn and winter....

Indian Hawthorn Pruning When an Indian hawthorn branch is broken, it’s best to take care of the problem right away by cutting off the stem below the break. A clean cut heals quickly and is less likely to develop disease problems than a ragged break. If you are cutting near the branch tip, any stub of stem between the cut and the nearest bud will eventually die, so make the cut about one-quarter of an inch (6 mm....

Kiwi Plant Trimming The only way to keep a kiwi vine vigorous and productive is to adhere to a regular pruning schedule. Pruning helps to establish a strong framework for the vine, balance growth with fruit production, and develop the type of open canopy that uses light efficiently. Do most of the kiwi plant trimming in the cool season while the plant is dormant. However, you’ll also need to prune the vine back several times during the summer to keep it under control....

One way to get around this problem is to select plants that grow well with rose of Sharon, and there are many from which to choose. Read on for a few great rose of Sharon companion planting ideas. Rose of Sharon Companion Plants Consider planting rose of Sharon in a hedge or border with evergreen or flowering shrubs that bloom at various times. That way, you’ll have glorious color all season....

Growing Royal Raindrops Crabapples Crabapple ‘Royal Raindrops’ (Malus transitoria ‘JFS-KW5’ or Malus JFS-KW5 ‘Royal Raindrops’) is a newer crabapple variety valued for its tolerance to heat and drought and excellent disease resistance. Royal Raindrops flowering crabapple is suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. Mature trees reach a height of up to 20 feet. (6 m.). Plant this flowering crabapple tree anytime between the last frost in spring and about three weeks before the first hard frost in fall....

Pear Rust Mite Damage Pear rust mite damage consists of bronzing or darkening of pear leaves and fruit. This discoloration, called russetting, begins on the underside near the vein that runs down the center of the leaf and gradually spreads outward. The tops of the leaves may remain green and look healthy. Heavily damaged leaves can cause young trees to become stunted. Once the pears form, the mites move from the foliage to the fruit....

Do I Need to Cut Back Baby’s Breath? You don’t technically need to trim or prune your baby’s breath plants, but it is recommended for a few reasons. One is that, by deadheading, you will keep your plants looking neat and tidy. This can be done for both perennials and annuals. Another good reason to cut back baby’s breath is to encourage another round of flowers. Heavier cut backs after the growing season will keep plants trimmed and neat and will encourage new growth later in perennial varieties....

Uses for Silver Mound Artemisia This attractive plant is useful as a spreading border for the flower bed, when used as edging in the perennial garden and growing along paths and walkways. The delicate foliage retains its shape and color during the hottest months of summer. Of the Asteraceae family, the silver mound Artemisia is the only member with a prostrate, spreading habit. Unlike others of the species, the silver mound plant is not invasive....

Cited benefits of special needs gardening include improved motor skills, enhanced creativity, increased social skills and improved self-confidence. Gardening also reduces stress and helps children cope with anxiety and frustration. Let’s learn more about gardening with special needs children. Creating a Special Needs Garden Creating a special needs garden does require some planning and attention to details. The plantings and hardscape garden elements should be well suited for the population that the garden will serve....