Two-Color Gardens Take a good look at a color wheel, and then plan (and plant) accordingly. There are many ways to use the color wheel for creating two color gardens. For example: Analogous colors – This bicolor scheme involves harmonious colors that are side by side on the color wheel. Two color gardens based on analogous colors may feature shades of red and orange, orange and yellow, blue and violet or violet and red....

Bigleaf Lupine Information What is a bigleaf lupine plant? Bigleaf lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus) is a member of the Lupinus genus. It sometimes also goes by the name garden lupin, Russell lupin, and marsh lupine. It is native to North America, although its exact origins are unclear. Today, it ranges across the continent in USDA zones 4 through 8. The bigleaf lupine plant tends to reach a mature height of 3 to 4 feet (1 m....

Are you interested in container-grown Thunbergia? Growing black eyed susan vine in a pot couldn’t be easier. Read on to learn how. How to Grow Black Eyes Susan Vine in in a Pot Plant black eyed susan vine in a large, sturdy container, as the vine develops a hefty root system. Fill the container with any good quality commercial potting mix. Container-grown Thunbergia thrives in full sun. Although potted black eyed susan vines are heat tolerant, a little afternoon shade is a good idea in hot, dry climates....

What are Brambles? Bramble is not a scientific term, but it is commonly used to describe certain members of the rose family of plants. It includes the shrub-like Rubus genus of plants that have thorns and produce edible fruit. The most well-known brambles are raspberries and blackberries, but there are numerous varieties of these as well as other types of brambles. Many bramble bushes often grow wild in certain areas but are also cultivated for the berries....

Spider Plant Groundcover Spider plants, with their long, slender, trailing leaves, look a bit like green spiders. These are great plants for beginning gardeners since they are surprisingly easy going and very tolerant of less-than-perfect cultural care. Many people have a few spider plants indoors as potted or hanging-basket plants. Those who live in warmer climates though, like USDA plant hardiness zones 9b to 11, can grow these lush beauties in outdoor garden beds or as spider plant groundcover....

What Causes a Thick Rind in Citrus Fruit? Very simply, a thick peel on any kind of citrus fruit is caused by a nutrient imbalance. The thick rind is caused by either too much nitrogen or too little phosphorus. Technically, these two issues are one and the same, as too much nitrogen will affect how much phosphorus a plant will take up, thus causing a phosphorus deficiency. Nitrogen and phosphorus are a citrus grower’s best friend....

China Aster Flowers China aster flowers come in reds, pinks, purples, blues, and whites, with big, puffy blossoms measuring 3-5 inches across. The heavily-clustered petals are thin and pointed, which often gets the flowers confused with mums or regular asters. China aster flowers are especially popular in India because of their bright colors, and are often used in bouquets and flower arrangements. What Are Growing Conditions For China Aster Plants? Growing conditions for China aster are easy and very forgiving....

Parsley Companion Planting Companion planting is the age-old trick of knowing which plants grow better next to other plants. Some plants encourage certain others to grow, while others inhibit them. Plants that are mutually beneficial are called companions. Parsley is a great companion crop, encouraging the growth of plenty of plants around it. Of all the vegetables, asparagus benefits the most from having parsley nearby. Other plants that grow well with parsley include:...

Autumn Color Changing in Conifer Plants Do coniferous plants change color? Quite a few do. Even though evergreen trees don’t lose all their needles in the fall, they don’t have the same needles for their whole lives. In autumn, most coniferous trees will shed their oldest needles, usually the ones closest to the trunk. Before dropping, these needles change color, sometimes impressively. The old needles of red pines, for instance, will turn a deep copper color before falling, while white pines and pitch pines take on a lighter, golden color....

About Cranberry Plant Types The cranberry plant type native to North America is called Vaccinium macrocarpon. A different type of cranberry, Vaccinium oxycoccus, is native to countries in Europe. V. oxycoccus is a smaller speckled fruit, a tetraploid type of cranberry – which means that this kind of cranberry has twice as many chromosome sets as other kinds of cranberry, resulting in larger plants and flowers. C. oxycoccus will not hybridize with the diploid V....

Dahlia Mosaic Symptoms Mosaic virus in dahlias cause large scale disfigurement of the plant. It is found worldwide and is spread by inoculation of the sap, either through human intervention or by the 13 species of aphids that serve as its natural vectors. Dahlias with mosaic virus can exhibit a multitude of symptoms. The severity and type of dahlia mosaic symptoms can depend upon the particular variety or cultivar: Chlorophyll loss resulting in light-colored, pale green to yellow streaks along the branch veins and midveins of the leaves....

How to Make Mason Jar Snow Globes Making snow globes from jars is a fun, simple craft. You’ll need just a few materials, which you can find at any craft store: Mason jars (or similar – baby food jars work great for mini snow globes)Glitter or fake snowWaterproof glueGlycerinDecorative elements Glue your decorative elements to the underside of the jar’s lid. Fill the jar with water and a few drops of glycerin....

What is Epazote? Epazote (Dysphania ambrosioides, formerly Chenopodium ambrosioides), is an herb in the Chenopodium family, along with lambsquarters and pigweeds. Although often thought of as a weed, epazote plants actually have a long history of both culinary and medicinal use. This adaptable plant is native to tropical Americas and is commonly found throughout Texas and the southwestern United States. Common names include paico macho, hierba homigero, and yerba de Santa Maria....

Spotting Flyspeck on Citrus Citrus flyspeck is a disease that may affect any type of citrus tree, but it is confined to the fruit. Look for small black dots, or specks the size of a small fly, on the rind of citrus fruits. The specks are typically seen near the oil glands, and they prevent that part of the fruit from turning color. The area of the rind with the specks generally stays green or sometimes yellow, depending on the type of fruit....

About Foamflowers Foamflower plants do not get the recognition they deserve, but this may be changing. New cultivars, resulting from crosses between the Eastern and Western native foamflower plants have been marketed in recent years and gardeners are learning some of the benefits of foamflower in the garden, especially the woodland garden. Foamflower Care Growing foamflowers have a relatively lengthy bloom, often lasting as long as six weeks when properly located....

How to Grow Rhynchostylis Foxtail Orchid Growing foxtail orchids isn’t difficult and is largely a matter of replicating the plant’s natural environment. Rhynchostylis orchids are epiphytic plants that grow on tree trunks in warm, tropical climates. Foxtail orchid plants don’t do well in direct sunlight, but they thrive in filtered or dappled light. However, they can tolerate brighter indoor light during the fall and winter. The plants do well in clay pots with side drainage, or in wooden baskets filled with plenty of chunky bark or lava rocks that won’t break down easily....

Plants for an Indoor Atrium Garden A number of plants are suitable for indoor atriums and include those for both low light and sunny locations. Low or Moderate Light Plants for Atriums Most indoor plants require sunlight, and low light doesn’t mean no light. However, some plants perform best a few feet (1 m.) away from direct light– usually in locations bright enough to read a book during the middle of the day....

Bay Tree Propagation Bay tree, also called bay laurel or California laurel, can grow to 75 feet (22 m.) tall. The branches are laden with fragrant, shiny leaves that are used in cooking. These trees thrive in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 10. If you already have a bay tree in your backyard, you know that your climate is appropriate for bay trees and can proceed with bay tree propagation....

How to Grow Oregano Plant Growing oregano is easy. Oregano can be grown from seeds, cuttings, or purchased container plants. Seeds should be started indoors prior to your region’s last expected frost. There’s no need to cover oregano herb seeds with soil. Simply mist them with water and cover the seed tray or container with plastic. Place this in a sunny location such as a window to germinate. Oregano seeds usually germinate within about a week or so....

Scotch Bonnet Facts Scotch Bonnet chili peppers (Capsicum chinense) are a hot pepper variety that hails from tropical Latin America and the Caribbean. A perennial, these pepper plants produce small, glossy fruit that ranges in color from red orange to yellow when mature. The fruit is prized for the smoky, fruity notes it imparts along with its heat. The peppers look much similar to tiny Chinese lanterns, although their name is more likely derived from the resemblance to a Scotsman’s bonnet which is traditionally termed a Tam o’Shanter....