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Spring Plant Trends Last year, with public gardens closed to visitors and even backyard beds off limits to admiring neighbors, comfort was the name of the game, with most gardeners retiring their plants’ work clothes in favor of softer, more flexible fabrics. We saw even the most elegant of rose bushes embracing the joy of a good pair of yoga pants. But this year, with things opening up again, plants are taking full advantage of the chance to show off....

Dense plantings of tulips also signal a flair for Dutch garden style. Ready to take on a new design style for your garden? Follow these tips to reimagine your space and add linear lines and rectangular layouts. Gardens in The Netherlands: Learn About Dutch Garden Design One of the most famous examples of Dutch design is the Keukenhof (means “kitchen garden” in English) in the town of Lisse in the Netherlands....

About Ginkgo Cultivars A ginkgo tree can grow up to 80 feet (24 m.) high and 40 feet (12 m.) wide, but there are also smaller varieties. All have the special, fan-shaped leaves. Ginkgo leaves turn vibrant yellow early in the fall, and they do well in urban environments. They require minimal care once mature. One important consideration when choosing a ginkgo tree of any variety is the fact that mature female trees produce fruit....

Regardless of the growing region, these types of plants grow well when requirements for light and water are met indoors. Adding houseplants to your space not only adds color but enhances the overall décor of the home. A rather diminutive cactus, Golden Star plant (Parodia nivosa), is an especially good candidate for small pots and containers. What is Golden Star Parodia? Also known as Golden Star Parodia, this small cactus is native to the highlands of South America....

What is a Brassavola Orchid? Though some orchids are known for their large, showy flowers; Brassavola orchid hybrids actually produce blooms that are much more understated. Pollinated by moths in nature, the pristine white flowers are prized for their strong fragrance, which only occurs at night. Immensely scented citrus-like flower blooms are also praised for their longevity, sometimes lasting up to 30 days. Brassavola orchid hybrids are much smaller than some other species of orchid, reaching only about 10 inches (25 cm) in height at maturity....

How to Grow Pitcher Plants from Seed If you are growing pitcher plants from seeds, you have to provide them with a lot of humidity to get them to germinate. Experts recommend that pitcher plant growing take place in transparent pots that have lids to keep in the moisture. It is also possible to use regular pots with glass or plastic domes over them to serve the same purpose. Most growers recommend that you use pure peat moss as a growing medium for pitcher plant seeds to be sure that it is sterile and won’t mold....

Growing Star Jasmine Vine Gardeners in warm climates (USDA Zones 8-10) can grow star jasmine as ground cover, where it will overwinter. This is ideal, as star jasmine can be slow to grow at first and may take some time to get established. Once mature, it will reach a height and spread of 3 to 6 feet (1-2 m.). Prune any upward reaching shoots to maintain an even height. In addition to ground cover, star jasmine plants climb well and can be trained to grow on trellises, doorways, and posts to make for beautiful, fragrant decorations....

When to Sow Swiss Chard Seeds Swiss chard seeds are special in that they can germinate in relatively cold soil, as low as 50 F. (10 C.). Swiss chard plants are somewhat frost-hardy, so the seeds can be sown outside directly in the soil about two weeks before the average last frost date of spring. If you want to get a head start, however, you can start them indoors three to four weeks before the last frost date in your area....

My Hellebore is Browning – Why? First, it helps to understand your hellebore plants. These are evergreen to semi-evergreen perennials. Whether the greenery lasts all winter or you get hellebore turning brown depends on your climate zone. Generally, hellebore is evergreen in zones 6 through 9. In colder climates, these plants may be semi-evergreen. Hellebore is hardy to zone 4, but in zones 4 and 5, it will not fully behave as an evergreen perennial....

Henna Tree Information Where does henna come from? Henna, the staining paste that has been used for centuries, comes from the henna tree (Lasonia intermis). So what is a henna tree? It was used by the Ancient Egyptians in the mummification process, it has been used as a skin dye in India since antiquity, and it is mentioned by name in the Bible. Since its ties with human history are so ancient, it’s unclear where exactly it comes from originally....

Honey Mesquite Information Honey mesquite trees can add summer shade and winter drama to your landscape. With twisted trunks, formidable thorns, and yellow spring flowers, honey mesquites are unique and interesting. These trees grow relatively quick to about 30 feet (9 m.) tall and 40 feet (12 m.) wide. The roots delve down even deeper – sometimes to 150 feet (46 m.) – which is what helps to make them so drought resistant....

Feeding a Canna Lily Plant These beautiful flowering perennials are a staple in warm-climate gardens because they provide color, flowers, height, and pretty, striking leaves. They also pack a lot of punch for little effort. The flowers are fairly low maintenance, but they do require a good supply of nutrients to thrive. Since they love rich, nutrient-dense soil, it’s best to start with a good layer of organic matter. Use 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm....

Preserving Vegetables by Canning Canning is a very old method of food preservation that was extremely useful in the days before refrigeration. Basically, a jar is filled with food, fitted with a lid, and boiled in water for a period of time. The boiling should both kill any harmful organisms in the food and force air out of the jar, sealing the lid to the top with a vacuum. The great fear when it comes to canned garden vegetables is botulism, a potentially deadly bacterium that thrives in wet, low-oxygen, low-acid environments....

Can You Grow China Doll Plants Outside? Growing china doll plants in gardens is feasible only in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. However, china doll has become a popular houseplant, valued for its glossy, divided leaves. How to Grow China Doll Plants in Gardens China doll plants in the garden generally prefer full sun but benefit from partial shade in hot, sunny climates. The best location is one with moist, rich, well-drained soil, often near a wall or fence where the plant is protected from strong winds....

Moonseed Vine Information and Facts Common moonseed vine (Menispermum canadense) grows from an underground root system and travels quickly by suckers. In the wild, it is commonly found in moist, deciduous woods and sunny fence rows, riparian areas, and rocky hillsides. Moonseed vine grows in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8. Flowers are replaced by clusters of deep purple berries, which somewhat resemble grapes. However, the fruit is mildly toxic and should not be eaten....

Whether English ivy is grown indoors or out, this fast-growing plant benefits from an occasional trim to stimulate new growth, improve air circulation, and keep the vine within boundaries and looking its best. Trimming also creates a full, healthy-looking plant. Read on to learn more about pruning English ivy. When to Trim Ivy Plants Outdoors If you’re growing English ivy as a ground cover, ivy plant trimming is best done before new growth appears in spring....

Japanese Elm Tree Facts Japanese elm tree includes not one, but six genera with 35 species of elm native to Japan. All are deciduous trees or shrubs that are native to Japan and northeastern Asia. Japanese elms are resistant to Dutch Elm disease, a disease fatal to the American elm. One type of Japanese elm, Ulmus davidiana var. japonica, is so highly resistant that it has been used to develop resistant cultivars....

When and How to Prune a Lime Tree Although pruning lime trees isn’t generally required for proper care of lime trees, there are several good reasons to do so. Pruning lime trees helps improve airflow, reduce disease, strengthen limbs and makes it easier to harvest fruits. The best time to prune lime trees is early spring or late summer or anytime prior to blooming. Prune lime trees every year or two, which will help keep them from becoming too large....

Why Look for Left-Handed Garden Tools? If you are a leftie gardener living in a right-handed world, you have probably adapted well. Not just gardening, but all kinds of everyday items are generally designed from the perspective of someone who is right-handed. You may not even notice that there is a greater challenge for you when using certain garden tools. When you get a good left-handed tool though, you’ll feel and see the difference....

What is Devil’s Tongue Red Lettuce? Originally bred by Frank and Karen Morton at Wild Garden Seed, the lettuce variety known as “Devil’s Tongue” is actually made up of multiple lines of visually similar but genetically diverse lettuces, resulting in a variety that’s strong against disease and other problems. Mature varieties are all but identical, the only distinguishing factor is seed color, with some coming in white and some in black....