What is a Fringed Tulip? To many gardeners, tulips are the sign that spring is right around the bend. The bright-blossomed flowers are the most popular bulb plants, and some 3,000 varieties are available. Fringed tulip flowers are relatively new to the scene, and fringed tulip varieties have quickly gained a following. What is a fringed tulip? It is a type of tulip with finely incised fringe on the edges of the petals....

What is New Zealand Spinach? Spinach has a host of uses, whether fresh or cooked. Its high concentration of Vitamins A and C and low calories make it a perfect stand alone or complement to recipes. In many regions, growing New Zealand spinach is a warm-season alternative. What is New Zealand spinach? This plant is also packed with nutrients and a perfect stand-in for regular spinach. Like regular spinach, New Zealand is a leafy green, however, its leaves are much thicker and succulent, lending it the alternate name of ice plant....

How to Grow Rhoeo Plants In most areas, Rhoeo is considered an annual, though in fact, it is a tender perennial. Rhoeo is hardy only in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 to 11. This means that it can only tolerate temperatures down to about 20 degrees F. (-6 C.) before they are killed off. Keep in mind that this is the temperature that will kill them. Temperatures 10 to 15 degrees F....

In spite of its downfalls, growing a curly willow tree is a worthy endeavor, and with proper care, you’ll enjoy this fascinating tree for several years. Keep reading and learn more about how to grow corkscrew willow trees. Curly Willow Growing Conditions Before growing this tree, you should know where to plant curly willow. Corkscrew willow is suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. The tree develops a short root system that remains near the surface of the soil, so it should be planted a safe distance from buildings, driveways, sidewalks, and sewer lines....

Reasons Why a Wisteria Won’t Bloom The most likely reason your wisteria won’t bloom is due to too much nitrogen. When a wisteria plant has too much nitrogen, it will have plenty of foliage growth, but very little and maybe no blooms. Another reason for wisteria blooming problems is the environment they’re growing in. Wisteria vines that lack full sun or proper drainage may be stressed, and while they will grow leaves, they will not bloom....

Yellowing Passion Vines If you see your passion flower leaves turning yellow, it may be time to check the nutrients in your soil. Too much or too little of particular nutrients can cause yellow passion vine leaves. For example, if your soil contains too much boron, the leaf tips might yellow. Too little iron, magnesium, molybdenum, zinc, or manganese can also cause yellowing passion vines. In those instances, the yellow coloring will show up particularly between the leaf veins....

Growing Amsonia from seed isn’t difficult, but it requires patience because germination is unpredictable and can be frustratingly slow. If you’re willing to give it a try, read on to learn about Amsonia seed propagation. When to Sow Amsonia Seeds Start early because growing Amsonia blue star from seed to transplant size can require 16 to 20 weeks and sometimes much longer if germination is slow. Many gardeners prefer to start Amsonia seed propagation in late winter for summer planting....

Either way, taking care of April gardening tasks will make your life easier as summer progresses and temperatures rise. Take a look at our Southwest garden guide for April, then check tasks off your gardening to-do list. April Gardening Tasks in The Southwest Prune trees and shrubs to remove broken or damaged limbs. Also, remove limbs crossing or rubbing other limbs. At low elevations it’s safe to plant tender annuals....

What is Asparagus Rust? Asparagus rust is a fungal disease that attacks the bushy green tops of asparagus plants. If the disease is allowed to continue, the roots and crown of the plant are affected and the plant is severely weakened. As a result, asparagus spears are smaller and fewer in number. Plants that are severely affected may die during hot and dry summer weather. Additionally, asparagus rust disease stresses plants, making them more susceptible to other plant diseases such as fusarium rot....

Astragalus Benefits Also called Huang Qi, Bei Qi, Ogi, Hwanggi, and milk vetch, Astragalus root has been used for a number of illnesses including: AnorexiaBlood sugar controlCancer therapyDiarrheaFatigueFibromyalgiaHeart DiseaseHepatitisUpper respiratory infections Also believed to stimulate the immune system, improve kidney function, and prevent senility Astragalus root is one of the 50 fundamental Chinese herbs. Clearly more studies are needed to prove the usefulness of this herb in Western medicine. NOTE: Before using Astragalus herb plants or commercially prepared Astragalus supplements, it’s advisable to consult healthcare providers....

Australian Tea Tree Information Australian tea tree plants are suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. Although mature height depends on the species, Australian tea tree plants in the garden generally reach heights of 10 to 25 feet (3-8 m.). Australian tea tree displays small, leathery, bluish gray leaves and gray bark that adds to its textural appearance. Lovely apple blossom-like flowers bloom in early spring. Australian tea tree plants are drought tolerant once established, withstanding wind and poor, sandy soil....

Baneberry Identification Two species of baneberry bushes are commonly found in North America – red baneberry plants (Actaea rubra) and white baneberry plants (Actaea pachypoda). A third species, Actaea arguta, is thought by many biologists to be a variant of red baneberry plants. All are bushy plants largely identified by long roots and large, feathery saw-toothed leaves with fuzzy undersides. Racemes of small, fragrant, white flowers that appear in May and June are replaced by clusters of berries in late summer....

Growing Evergreen Trees in Zone 8 Zone 8 is temperate with hot summers, warm weather in the fall and spring, and mild winters. It is spotty in the west and stretches through parts of the southwest, Texas, and into the southeast up to North Carolina. Growing evergreen trees in zone 8 is very much doable and you actually have a lot of options if you want year-round green. Once established in the right location, your evergreen tree care should be easy, not requiring much maintenance....

Buttercup Squash Facts Heirloom plants are all the rage today. They allow gardeners to explore food varieties that our grandparents grew and that have time-tested reliability. Buttercup squash facts indicate that the heirloom variety often develops turban-shaped fruit, an eye-appealing oddity. The fruit is an excellent source of carotenoids, an important antioxidant, and Vitamin C. The plant needs 105 days from seed to harvest. It is a sprawling, vine-like plant that requires plenty of room to grow....

Camellia cold tolerance is fairly high, especially if the plants are sheltered from cold winds. Hopefully, the weather will provide a few chilly spells to toughen up the plant before the weather does its worst. Winter Protection for Camellias Water camellias thoroughly before the first hard freeze. Be sure to saturate the root zone because moist soil will protect the roots. Otherwise, water evaporates through the leaves throughout the winter and the lost moisture isn’t replaced when the ground is frozen....

Can You Dehydrate Cucumbers? It seems you can dry almost any food, but can you eat dehydrated cucumbers? Cucumbers are easily preserved, much like plums or nectarines. As such, it would be logical that eating dried cucumbers would be just as tasty. You can put whatever flavor spin you want on the fruit too. Go savory or sweet, either works beautifully on cucumber. Using up a bumper crop of cucumbers can be burdensome....

What is Gooseneck Loosestrife? Loosestrife is in the family Lythrum. Loosestrife comes in pink, yellow, white, and purple. The purple loosestrife varieties are considered slightly invasive in some zones and gooseneck loosestrife can also be very aggressive in certain regions. It is wise to check with your extension service to see if your variety is appropriate for your area. There are several loosestrife gooseneck varieties, but the garden loosestrife variety is the most recommended for growing....

Growing a rabbit’s foot fern houseplant in a hanging basket shows off the furry rhizomes to their best advantage. The rhizomes can grow quite long and over time they take on a spider-like appearance. Never bury the rhizomes under the soil, however, as this encourages rot. Rabbit’s Foot Fern Care As with any houseplant, care of rabbit’s foot fern includes providing adequate light, proper moisture and temperature, and regular fertilization....

What is a Chamiskuri Garlic? Garlic lovers have many different varieties from which to choose. A quick glance at Chamiskuri garlic info indicates it was collected in 1983 and is classed as an “artichoke” variety. It produces shoots earlier than many other softneck cultivars and has a nice mild flavor. This is an easy variety to grow provided you have the right soil, site, and planting time. Artichoke varieties of garlic often develop purplish streaks on the bulb skins....

How to Make Christmas Cactus Bloom When you want to force a Christmas cactus to bloom, you need to understand the Christmas cactus bloom cycle: little water, dormancy, light, and temperature. Begin by limiting the amount of water the plant receives. This generally takes place sometime during fall, usually around October or the first part of November (in most places). Cut down on watering just enough to allow the soil to remain slightly moist....