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Passion Flower Training Passion vines belong to the genus Passiflora, a genus including some 400 woody vines native to the tropics of North and South America. The vines produce gorgeous and unusual flowers and, in appropriate climates, passion fruit. The vines of the Passiflora plants are extremely vigorous and excellent climbers. Passion vine training involves maneuvering the vine’s growth into the direction you believe best for your garden. Trained passion vines add vertical interest and vibrant colors to your backyard....

How Should Garden Rows be Oriented? Generally speaking, in the north tall plants such as beans, peas, and corn do best on the north side of the garden. Medium size crops such as tomatoes, cabbage, squash, pumpkins, and broccoli in the center of the garden. Short-growing plants such as lettuce, radishes, beets, and onions will do best in the southernmost part of the garden. Most experts believe that the best way to orient garden rows in the Northern hemisphere is north to south....

Once you’ve determined your growing conditions, you can get busy planning your apartment balcony garden. Read on for a few vertical balcony garden ideas to get you started and remember, you’re limited only by your imagination! Vertical Balcony Garden Ideas A stepladder is ideal for a small apartment balcony garden. Hang small plants from the rungs or attach narrow planters to the steps. You can also build your own ladder or “staircase” from redwood or cedar, then arrange rectangular planters on the steps....

Viper’s Bugloss Cultivation Growing viper’s bugloss is easy. Just plant the seeds directly in the garden after all frost danger has passed in spring and you’ll have blooms in a few short months. Plant a few seeds every couple of weeks if you want blooms all summer long. You can also plant seeds in autumn for spring blooms. Viper’s bugloss thrives in full sun and nearly any dry, well-drained soil. Plant the seeds in a permanent location because viper’s bugloss has a long taproot that makes it extremely uncooperative when it comes to transplanting....

Water Snowflake Information Despite its name and the obvious resemblance, the snowflake water lily isn’t actually related to the water lily. Its growth habits are similar, however, and the snowflake water lily, like the water lily, floats on the surface of the water with its roots connected to the soil below. Snowflake water plants are hardy growers, sending out runners that quickly spread over the water’s surface. The plants can be extremely helpful if you fight recurring algae in your pond, as snowflake water lily provides shade that minimizes algae growth....

What is a Water Sprite Plant? The water sprite is an aquatic fern found growing in shallow waters and muddy areas, often in rice paddies. In some Asian countries, the plant is harvested for use as a vegetable. Plants grow 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) in height and 4 to 8 inches (10-20 cm.) across. Naturally growing water sprite is an annual but cultivated water sprite in aquariums can live for several years....

Bud Blast of Peonies Peonies with bud blast start off with normal flower development. However, it doesn’t last very long, and the buds don’t develop into flowers. When the buds are still small, they turn brown or black and wither. Experts used to say that this condition, termed bud blast of peonies, was caused by botrytis blight, a fungal disease. Now it is recognized that these problems with peonies are often caused by improper cultural care....

If you’re wondering how to keep plants disease-free, starting out with disease-resistant plants is even more important than you may realize. Read on to learn more about buying disease-free plants. What Does Certified Disease Free Mean? Most countries have certification programs in place, and regulations vary. In general, to earn the label of certified disease-free, plants must be propagated following a strict set of procedures and inspections that minimize the risk of infection and spread of disease....

What is a Marmalade Bush? If you are interested in growing marmalade bushes, you probably are attracted by the brilliant profusion of clusters. The inch-long, trumpet-shaped flowers are a riot of red, bright orange and yellow. This ornamental shrub can grow up to 15 feet (4.5 m.) if given a strong trellis. According to marmalade bush information, it can spread to some 6 feet (1.8 m.) across if left unpruned. Marmalade bush (Streptosolen jamesonii) is native to Colombia and Ecuador, and grows in the U....

How to Grow Flowering Spurge Flowering spurge grows best in poor, dry, well-drained soil. Full sun is ideal, but a little light shade is okay, too. Purchase flowering spurge plants at a nursery that specializes in native plants. If you can’t find any, you may need to order seeds or save your own by gathering a few seed pods in late summer or early fall before the pods burst. Spread the pods on a pan or tray to dry, then separate the seeds from the dry husks....

What is Siam Queen Basil? The Siam Queen basil is such a lovely plant that it doubles as an ornamental. In fact, some gardeners start growing Siam Queen basil in flower beds for the large emerald leaves and brilliant purple flowers. According to Siam Queen basil information, this plant grows leaves that are 4 inches (10 cm.) long and 2 inches (5 cm.) wide. It also produces intensely colored deep purple flowers....

How Astronauts Grow Plants in Space Horticulture in space is not a new concept. In fact, early space horticulture experiments date back to the 1970’s when rice was planted in the Skylab space station. As technology progressed, so too did the need for further experimentation with astrobotany. Initially starting with fast growing crops like mizuna, plantings maintained in specialized growing chambers have been studied for their viability, as well as for their safety....

Knopper Gall Information If you, too, have ever asked, “what’s wrong with my acorns,” then this is the most likely culprit. Knopper galls are caused by a Cynipid gall wasp, which is actually rarely seen. The wasp (Andricus quercuscalicis) lays eggs within the tree buds. Found on the pedunculate or common oak tree, these galls may be found on the foliage, twigs, and acorns. The name ‘knopper galls’ is thought to come from the old English word ‘knop,’ meaning a small, rounded protuberance, stud, button, tassel, or the like, and the German word ‘knoppe,’ which refers to a kind of felt cap worn during the 17th century....

Health Benefits of Indoor Plants There is no doubt the industrial revolution led to widespread urbanization. Workers moving from farms to cities were met with buildings and paved roads in place of nature. In modern times, large urban areas contain more concrete than trees and grass. In fact, other than water, we use more concrete than any other substance. Does living in an urbanized concrete world affect our mental health? The answer is yes....

About Red Leaf Plants The color of red foliage plants is due to the pigment anthocyanin. Anthocyanin absorbs green and yellow light which makes them appear red (or purple) to the human eye. Red foliage plants still photosynthesize, and thus contain chlorophyll which is responsible for the green coloration of most foliage, but the anthocyanin masks the green hues. Red Foliage Perennials Varieties Additional Red Foliage Plant Options

Bee Balm Control Bee balm propagates by rhizomes, or runners, that spread under the ground to produce new shoots. As these shoots multiply, the mother plant in the center will eventually die off over the course of a couple years. This means your bee balm will eventually be far from where you planted it. So, if you are asking the question, “is bee balm invasive,” the answer would be yes, under suitable conditions....

About Plum Belle de Louvain Although some plum trees are purely ornamental, most gardeners select plum trees with a plum harvest in mind. The plum ‘Belle de Louvain’ is especially attractive to those who cook and bake with plums. In fact, the plums are primarily known as cooking plums. Their flavor is sweet-sharp and perfect for pies, cakes or jams. In addition, the flesh of the plum Belle de Louvain is fairly dry, which means that it won’t soak a pastry with liquid....

Butterfly Vine Information Butterfly vines add interest to the landscape, even when it isn’t blooming. How? Because the orchid-like blooms are soon followed by lime-green seed pods that eventually turn a soft shade of tan or brown. The papery pods resemble green and brown butterflies, which are responsible for the vine’s descriptive name. The foliage remains green and glossy year-round, although the plant may be deciduous in cooler climates. Yellow orchid vines are suitable for growing in USDA growing zones 8 through 10....

Can Plants Grow in Compost Only? Can plants grow in compost only? Not nearly as well as you’d think. Compost is an irreplaceable soil amendment, but that’s just what it is – an amendment. Some of the essentials in compost are only good in small amounts. Too much of a good thing can lead to problems, such as ammonia toxicity and excessive salinity. And while compost is rich in some nutrients and minerals, it’s surprisingly lacking in others....

Plants for Full Sun in Zone 9 Here are some good sun-loving zone 9 plants: Bluebeard – Bluebeard blooms with striking blue flowers in late summer and early fall. Attracts butterflies. Butterfly Bush – Butterfly bush produces fragrant clusters of flowers in red, blue, white, and every shade in between. English Lavender – English lavender is extremely fragrant and drought tolerant. Produces delicate purple flowers. Hummingbird Mint – Hummingbird mint is fragrant and puts up prolific, very bright spikes of flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies....