About Full Sun Rockery Plants A rockery is a great feature that adds dimension to the garden. It is also a space for low moisture plants and can be a bouquet of color and texture. In full sun situations, you need to select plants that are tolerant of drought and high heat. A rock garden with full sun needs species that are tolerant of such punishing conditions. One great way to ensure your plant selections have the necessary toughness is to use native plants....

Shooting Star Water Needs This herbaceous perennial with showy, uplifted blooms grows in the woodlands. It is native to Missouri, but spreads throughout much of the forest of the Central and North Eastern states. This plant grows as far west as Arizona, south to Mexico, and north to Alaska. The shooting star plant also grows in the Pacific Northwest. As it is accustomed to growing in the shade on the forest floor, it is watered by rain....

They are common in warm, moist locations but the actual appearance will vary from zone to zone. Slime molds will not hurt the environment or your plants, so there is no real slime mold control. While ugly, the organism may actually be helping your plants by consuming pathogens and bacteria that could harm them. What is Slime Mold? The slime mold organism reproduces and survives much like a fungus. It is also capable of moving itself to some degree....

Common Snapdragon Problems Although beautiful and intricate, snapdragons can be afflicted with a number of problems. From fungus to mildew, viruses to pest bugs, snapdragon problems can be plentiful. This is why it’s so important to know what to watch for, in case your plants were to take a turn. Early warning signs can help you diagnose an issue before it becomes a serious problem. These are just a few of the most common offenders when it comes to snapdragon pests and diseases: Viruses....

The best offering is one of diversity, say the experts. A Southeast pollinator garden can include flowers of different colors and sizes, with varying shapes such as tubular and flat, as well as a variety of annuals, perennials, herbs, shrubs, and trees. Include native as well as non-native plants in the Southern pollinator garden. Listed here are some of the best pollinator-attracting plants, and tips to create a welcome habitat in a Southern pollinator garden....

What is Spanish Moss? What is Spanish moss anyway? Spanish moss is an epiphytic plant that makes its own food from nutrients and moisture that it captures from the air and absorbs from surface cracks and crevices on the host plant. It clings to the supporting tree by wrapping itself around the branches. So will Spanish moss kill a tree? Spanish moss is sometimes blamed for problems it didn’t cause. Spanish moss takes no nourishment or moisture from trees, and only uses them for protection and support....

Dutchman’s Pipe Seeds You’ll find various types of Dutchman’s pipe vine available in commerce, including vigorous Gaping Dutchman’s pipe. Its flowers are fragrant and spectacular, a creamy yellow with purple and red patterns. These vines grow up to 15 feet (5 m.) and even taller. All species produce the “pipe” flowers that give the vine its common name. Dutchman’s pipe flowers do a great job of cross pollination. They trap insect pollinators inside their flowers....

Strawberries are prone to attack by a number of pests, so it makes perfect sense to plant them alongside neighbors that help keep invaders at bay. Other strawberry companions provide shade that keep strawberries cool when afternoon sunlight is a little too strong. Strawberries repay the favor by serving as a beneficial living mulch, keeping weeds in check and the soil cool and moist. Wondering what to plant with strawberries?...

What is Succession Bulb Planting? Planting bulbs in layers at the appropriate depths, and with an eye towards finished heights, will result in non-stop glory in even the smallest of garden beds. Bulb layering ideas should be planned out in advance. You can’t just pop in bulbs in a willy-nilly manner, but should instead plot out the effect. Once it is done correctly, your garden will be the envy of everyone on the block....

Why are There Spots on My Peppers? As mentioned, if there are spots on just the fruit, the cause is probably environmental. Blossom end rot is a possible culprit. This starts as a small brown to tan spot at the bottom end of the pepper that feels soft or leathery to the touch. It is usually caused by inconsistent watering. Be sure that the soil stays moist an inch (2.5 cm....

About African Violet Ring Spot Of all the African violet diseases, African violet ring spot is about the least serious that you can encounter. In fact, it’s really not even a disease, though it presents just like one. When leaves on African violets are spotty and you’ve ruled out fungal and viral pathogens, there’s only one answer that makes sense: African violet ring spot. Hobbyists are far too familiar with this problem, but it’s an easy one to manage....

Container Culture for Chinese Hibiscus Tropical hibiscus thrives in warm, humid climates. The plant performs best when it receives at least six to eight hours of sunlight per day, however, afternoon shade is beneficial in hot climates. Move tropical hibiscus to a sheltered location or bring it indoors during the winter if you live in a climate with chilly winters. The shrub doesn’t tolerate temperatures below 45 degrees F. (7 C....

Varieties of Tulip Below are the most common types of tulip flowers grown in gardens: Standard – Traditional, old-fashioned tulips available in many forms and shades, either single or bi-colors. Standard tulips are easy to find and relatively inexpensive. Parrot – Impressive, long-stemmed parrot tulips distinctive for fringed, feathery, ruffled, twisted, or curled petals in a variety of vibrant colors. Fringed – As the name suggests, fringed tulips display a fine fringe that gives the blooms a soft, frilly appearance....

Hay vs. Straw Mulch The first thing you need to know is that there is a difference between hay and straw. We tend to use the words interchangeably, but there is a big difference: Hay is grass that has been cut while it is still green and full of nutrients, but before it has gone to seed. The highest quality hay will have few to no seeds, but some are inevitable....

If two-tone conifers appeal to you, keep reading. We’ll tell you about some of the coolest variegated conifer varieties, trees that will draw all eyes to the landscape. Variegation in Conifers Many conifers have needles that darken as they age or needles that are darker green on top and lighter green underneath. These are not the two-tone conifers we have in mind, however. True variegation in conifers means that the needles on the trees are actually two distinct hues....

Shrubs for Rockies and Plains Planning landscaping is fun and exciting but with the price of plants, it pays to do some research and select specimens that are suited not only for the zone but also the site exposure and soil type. West North Central gardens run a wide range of zones, but the region is known for its fertile soil and hot summers. Take advantage of the native weather and soil and choose shrubs that are versatile and adaptable....

What are Celery Worms? Larvae of the eastern black swallowtail (Papillo polyxenes asterius) are sometimes seen in the vegetable garden where they munch celery, parsnips, and carrots. You might also see them in the herb garden where they eat dill, parsley, and fennel. Their appearance changes depending on their life stage. Young celery worms might resemble bird droppings. As they age, they develop dark and light stripes punctuated by bright yellow spots....

As with adding any other new crop to the vegetable patch, it is important that growers first familiarize themselves with any possible or preventable issues that may be common. This is especially true in the case of grain crops, as their susceptibility to hessian fly infestations can lead to drastic decreases in yields. Read on for more information on hessian fly management. What is a Hessian Fly? Hessian fly pests attack many members of the grain family, with specific interest in wheat crops....

What is an Alpine Slide? What is an alpine slide? Imagine a rock garden but with artfully chosen plants that will cavort in and around the different sizes of stone. Once mature, the effect should be of a seamless union between the living and the inorganic. Learn some tips on how to make an alpine slide and develop this unique feature into your landscape. Envision yourself on a mountain hike in the Alps during spring....

What is Birdsfoot Trefoil? Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) is a plant with several agricultural uses. At least 25 varieties are available. Buying seeds from a local supplier ensures that you get a good variety for your area. For farmers, birdsfoot trefoil uses include: crop for cutting as hay livestock forage crop cover crop plant Home gardeners grow birdsfoot trefoil as a cover crop. There are some advantages to growing this uncommon plant instead of traditional cover crops such as alfalfa and clovers....