How to Grow Astilbe in Pots If you want to grow one plant, start with a container with a width of at least 16 inches and a depth of about 12 inches (30 cm.). If you want to grow more than one astilbe, look for a larger container. Fill the container with a good quality commercial potting mix, or create your own with a combination of organic material such as peat, compost, composted bark chips, perlite or sand....

What are Predatory Wasps? Although there are many different types of predatory wasps, most of them have a few things in common. They are generally 1/4-inch (0.5 cm.) or so in length and capable of delivering a painful sting. They vary in appearance, but most of them have bright yellow or orange bands of color. The flashy colors act as a warning to any animal that may want to eat them....

Cutting Back Norfolk Island Pines If you bought the tree for the holidays, you are not alone. Norfolk Island pines are often used as living Christmas trees. If you decide to keep the tree as a container tree, it will need some water, but not too much water. Norfolk Island pines need moist soil but will die in wet soil. Your Norfolk Island pine will also require as much light as you can offer....

Reine Claude Conducta Information The Reine Claude Conducta plum belongs to the group of plum cultivars known as Green gage. These are plum varieties that were introduced to France from Armenia about 500 years ago. They are known for unique flavors and very high-quality flesh. Many of the Green gage varieties are green to yellow in color, but Reine Claude Conducta plums have skin that is pink to purple in color....

Identifying Rose Canker Fungus Rose canker is what is known as pathogenic fungi, while it is not really all that complicated a fungus, it can still cause a lot of damage. Rose cankers will often show itself as black splotches on the canes of rose bushes. Many times after a recent pruning, rose stem cankers will show up, especially when the pruners have not been cleaned between the pruning of different rose bushes....

Symptoms of Powdery Mildew of Southern Peas Powdery mildew affects a litany of other crops. In the case of southern peas with powdery mildew, the fungus Erysiphe polygoni is the culprit. This fungus appears as a tell-tale light gray to almost white powdery growth on the surface of leaves, pods, and occasionally the stems of the plant. New plant growth becomes contorted, dwarfed, and may yellow and drop. Pods are twisted and stunted....

Spring Snow Crabapple Information Is a crabapple tree that doesn’t produce crabapples still a crabapple tree? It is, and anyone growing ‘Spring Snow’ crabapples appreciate the fruitless trees. Many gardeners do not grow crabapple trees for the fruit. Unlike crisp, delicious apple or pears, crabapples are not popular as off-the-tree snacks. The fruit is sometimes used for jams, but less these days than yesteryear. ‘Spring Snow’ crabapple trees offer the ornamental benefits of crabapples trees....

How to Treat a Staghorn Fern Over Winter As a rule, staghorn ferns are not at all tolerant of cold temperatures. There are a couple of exceptions, such as the bifurcatum variety that can survive temperatures as low as 30 F. (1 C.). Most staghorn ferns thrive in warm to hot temperatures and will start to fail at about 55 F. (13 C.). They will die at or above freezing temperatures if they don’t have adequate protection....

How to Water a Rosemary Plant in the Ground Rosemary is a plant that is easy to grow in the ground, mostly because it’s rather drought tolerant. A newly planted rosemary needs to be watered frequently for the first week or two to help it become established, but after it’s been established, it needs little in the way of watering other than rainfall. Rosemary is drought tolerant and can go quite some time without being watered when planted in the ground....

1. General Cleanup General fall cleanup is key. Pull spent annuals and vegetables and toss them in the compost. Cut back perennials with care, removing damaged branches, as well as plants prone to disease such as garden peonies, bee balm, and tall phlox. Drain hoses and sprinklers, and clean and sharpen tools. 2. Planting and Storing Bulbs Fall bulb planting and bulb storage are important. Plant spring-blooming bulbs, such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and alliums....

What Causes Sweet Orange Scab? Sweet orange scab is caused by the fungus Elsinoe australis. The fungus is spread by water, generally by splashing, wind-driven rain or overhead irrigation. Three to four hours of wet conditions can result in disease. The disease is also moved on transported fruit, often necessitating quarantines to contain spread. Sweet Orange Scab Symptoms Affected fruit displays raised, corky, wart-like pustules that emerge as pinkish-gray or tan, often turning yellowish-brown or dark gray....

Dracaena Fragrans Info Dracaena is a large genus with at least 110 species of shrubby plants and trees, including Dracaena fragrans, a slow-growing plant with glossy green, lance-shaped leaves. The leaves may be solid green or variegated, depending on the variety. The size of the plant also varies, ranging from mature heights of 15 to 50 feet (4.5 to 15 m.), with leaves measuring 7 to 59 inches (18 cm. to 1....

What is a Hand Rake? Hand rakes are small versions of other rakes you use in your yard and garden and are designed to work in tight spaces and close to the surface. They are ideal for smaller areas, garden borders, and places where a large rake won’t fit or will damage plantings. Hand Rakes and Uses Here are the most common types of hand rakes along with how and when they’re used in the garden....

Takanotsume Pepper Info When these chili peppers are young and green, they are often used for cooking. The ripe, red peppers are generally dried and used to spice up a variety of dishes. Hawk claw chili peppers grow on bushy plants that reach heights of about 24 inches (61 cm.). The plant is attractive and its compact growth is well suited for containers. How to Grow Hawk Claw Chili Peppers Plant seeds indoors in January or February, or start with small plants from a greenhouse or nursery....

Nubia Eggplant Information Nubia eggplants measure 7 to 8 inches (18-20.5 cm.) in length. They are attractive fruits with a mellow flavor that works well for frying or grilling. Growing Nubia Eggplants Nubia eggplants are warm-weather plants that need a long growing season. It’s possible to plant seeds directly in the garden, but if you have short summers, plant seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last expected frost date....

What is Apple Cotton Root Rot? What is apple cotton root rot? It’s a hot-weather fungal disease. Apple cotton root rot symptoms usually appear from late June through September with the high summer temperatures. Cotton root rot of apples is caused by a fungus that can attack some 2,000 species of plants, including apple, pear trees, and other fruit, as well as nut and shade trees. The disease is also called phymatotrichum root rot, Texas root rot, and ozonium root rot....

What is Death Camas? Death camas plants include several species of Zigadenus. At least 15 species are native to North America and grow in all kinds of habitats: moist mountain valleys, dry hills, forest, grassland, and even coastal and marsh areas. There may be some variation in toxicity level from one species to the next, but ALL should be considered dangerous. It is mostly livestock affected by death camas poisoning. When they graze, as little as a half a pound of leaves consumed can be deadly....

What is False Azalea? If you need a deciduous shrub for your shade garden, don’t be put off by the common names of Menziesia ferruginea. It can’t be blamed because of its resemblance to azalea or huckleberry plants. This shubby flowering plant thrives in moist shady areas, growing to 12 feet (4 m.) tall. The loosely grouped, spreading branching can make it a little straggly. The shrub produces oodles of small, upside-down, urn-shaped coral or yellow flowers in summer....

What is Palmer’s Grappling Hook? The arid inhospitable desert regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico are home to very adaptable plant and animal species. These organisms must be able to withstand searing heat, long drought periods, freezing night temperatures, and low nutrient food sources. Palmer’s grappling-hook is native to the desert and coastal sand areas of California and Arizona as well as Baja and Sonora in Mexico. Other members of its plant community are chaparral, mesquite, creosote bush, and coastal scrub....

When to Water Sago Palms How much water do sago palms need? During the growing season, they need moderate watering. If the weather is dry, the plants should be watered deeply every one to two weeks. Sago palm watering should be done thoroughly. About 12 inches (31 cm.) away from the trunk, build up a 2 to 4 inch (5-10 cm.) high berm (a mound of dirt) in a circle surrounding the plant....