Posts

What is a Trailing Verbena? Several types of verbena flower exist, all of which vary greatly in terms of adaptability to climate and weather conditions. Trailing verbena flowers are a popular bedding annual that thrives in regions where temperatures remain relatively mild. Though the plant may not be able to be grown throughout the entirety of summer in some regions, those who experience hotter temperatures can enjoy the plant from late winter and into spring....

What is a Whipcord Cedar? Barbara Hupp, co-owner of Drake Cross Nursery in Silverton Oregon, is credited with the discovery of the Whipcord cultivar in 1986. Unlike other arborvitae, Whipcord western red cedars grow as a compact, rounded shrub. It’s very slow growing and will eventually reach 4 to 5 feet tall (1-1.5 m.). This is dwarf-like in comparison to the 50 to 70 foot (15-21 m.) mature height of the giant arborvitae....

What is Laurel Sumac? Native to North America, laurel sumac (Malosma laurina) is an evergreen shrub found in the coastal sage and chaparral along the coasts of Southern California and the Baja California Peninsula. The plant was named for its resemblance to bay laurel, but the two trees are unrelated. Laurel sumac reaches heights of 15 feet (5 m.). Clusters of tiny white flowers, similar to lilacs, bloom in late spring and summer....

What is Rice Kernel Smut? Perhaps, you’re asking what is rice kernel smut? The short answer is it’s a fungus carried by Chlamydospores that may linger and overwinter, waiting for spring rains to move it to a new home. That new home often includes panicles of long-grain rice growing in the field where the fungus exists. Chlamydospores are the cause of rice with kernel smut. These settle into rice kernels as they reach maturity....

Why is My Okra Dropping Flowers? Okra losing flowers can be scary, but it is not necessarily a bad thing. The edible part of the okra plant is the seed pod that develops after the flower is pollinated. The flower itself is very showy but also short lived. Okra flowers usually bloom for less than a day before dropping off the plant, leaving behind a small green nub that will form into the okra pod and be ready to harvest in just a few days....

X Disease in Cherry Trees X disease symptoms are the easiest to spot when the tree is fruiting. The fruit will be small, leathery, pale, and flat and pointed, instead of round. It’s likely that only parts of an infected tree will show symptoms – possibly as little as a single branch of fruit. The leaves of some branches may also become mottled, then redden, and fall off before they normally would....

One technique uses yogurt as a catalyst for encouraging the spread of moss. But does moss grow on yogurt and is this just another falsehood? Let’s learn more. Does Moss Grow on Yogurt? While many growers have tried to grow moss using yogurt, the results are often inconsistent. The question of ‘Is yogurt good for moss?’ is one with many answers. While most believe the yogurt helps establish the growth of moss, there has been no definitive evidence that growing moss with yogurt will achieve the desired results....

Can You Grow Berries in Zone 8? While some berries are more suited to cooler climates, the plants are very widespread and as a rule very forgiving of broad temperature ranges. If you want to grow a berry, chances are good that there are at least some varieties that will work for you. Many berry plants are more than cold-hardy enough for zone 8 winters. The problem with zone 8 berries tends to be, in fact, a lack of cold....

What is Applegate Garlic? Applegate garlic plants are of the softneck variety of garlic, specifically artichoke. They feature multiple layers of even sized cloves, about 12-18 per large bulb. Each clove is individually covered with a light yellow to white paper splashed with purple. The cloves are off-white with a mild, creamy flavor perfect for use in recipes that require fresh garlic without giving that pungent, ‘knock your socks off’ finish of most other garlic varieties....

What are Beet Greens? Beet greens are the leafy foliage that grows just above the beet root. Some beet varieties, such as Green Top Bunching beets, were developed just for growing greens. You can also harvest leafy beet tops from standard varieties of beets, such as Early Wonder and Crosby Egyptian. When growing beets just for the greens, sow the seeds 1/2 inch (1 cm.) apart and don’t thin them....

Best Garden Tools for Arthritis When it comes to the selection of gardening tools and arthritis, it’s best to begin planning before the growing season actually arrives. During this time, you should make a list of possible adaptations that will make working outdoors a safer and more enjoyable experience. Consulting a qualified physician at this time may also be necessary in order to determine how you can safely be able to continue gardening, and what specific precautions you should take....

What Causes Azalea Leaf Gall? Unlike many galls that appear on woody plants and trees, leaf gall on azaleas is caused by the fungus Exobasidium vaccinii, a wind-borne fungus that can overwinter on bark and within buds; other fungi in this genus affect camellias, blueberry, and rhododendron. You’ll most often see azalea leaf gall appear during wet springs or on azaleas that are planted in corners or massed in tight groupings....

Succulent Growing Info Succulent plants are also perfectly suited to life indoors in containers, which means you don’t even need a garden to get the full succulent growing experience. In other words, if you’re looking to dip your toe into plants, succulents are the way to go. Interested in growing cactus plants? We’ve got that covered too. In this Beginner’s Guide to Succulents, you’ll find information on basic succulent plant care and tips for keeping these plants healthy and happy....

How to Grow Winter Onions Winter onions can actually be planted in spring or fall. However, onions planted in fall generally produce larger yields. Many gardeners like to plant onions in fall, then save a few small onions in a dry location for planting in spring. Winter onions can be planted any time the ground can be worked – usually between October and December in most climates – or two to three weeks before the first hard freeze....

Appearance of Calotropis Procera Calotropis procera is a woody perennial that carries white or lavender flowers. The branches are twisting and cork-like in texture. The plant has ash-colored bark covered with white fuzz. The plant has silver-green large leaves that grow opposite on the stems. The flowers grow at the tops of apical stems and produce fruits. The fruit of Calotropis procera is oval and curved at the ends of the pods....

Can You Split a Sago Palm? Can you split a sago palm? The answer to that question depends on what you mean by “split.” If your sago palm stalk has split, forming two heads, don’t think about dividing them. If you split the tree trunk down the middle or even chop off one of the heads, the tree will never heal from the wounds. In time, it will die. The only way to split sago palms is by separating sago palm pups from the parent plant....

About Growing Broccoletto in Pots Can you grow potted broccoletto? The short answer is– yes, as long as you treat it right. Broccoli rabe is fast growing and relatively compact. Unlike broccoli, it is eaten very young, usually ready for harvest about 45 days after planting. This means container grown broccoli rabe doesn’t need a lot of space to spread out. It can be harvested even younger and grown as a cut-and-come-again salad green....

How to Plant Daffodil Bulbs If you live in USDA zones 4 to 6, the best time to plant daffodils is as soon as they are available in early autumn. When growing daffodils, you should plant them in groups of ten or more. All you do is make a loose circle with about seven bulbs and put three in the middle. For aesthetic reasons, you don’t want to mix different cultivars within each planting group....

If you’d like more Stella cherry information about this great fruit tree, read on. We’ll also provide tips on how to grow Stella cherries. Stella Cherry Information If you like cherries, you’ll love Stella sweet cherry fruit. The cherries are exceptionally firm and sweet. They taste wonderful infused with summer sun from your backyard. They are also large and bright red, just like cherries in your dreams. And Stella cherry trees also offer some extra advantages over other popular fruit trees....

Cold Tolerant Annuals It’s important to understand the difference between cold-tolerant annuals and perennials. Annuals get their name because their natural life cycle lasts for just one growing season. They won’t live through winter like cold hardy perennials will. That being said, they will last much longer into the cold season than tender annuals, and may actually thrive in cool weather. If you’re growing cold hardy annual flowers, you can’t go wrong with these annuals that tolerate the cold:...