See your Garden as a Work of Art The fundamentals or building blocks of art easily pertain to landscaping. These are color, composition, form and perspective. Design elements of color, line, shape and texture are easily translated to the fundamentals of art. In the case of a window garden view, again using the window as a frame, the goal is to integrate a focal point and then frame it using ornamental trees, arbors or trellises....
Conifers of the Western States Conifers in California and other western states make up a large percentage of the forests, particularly in the higher elevations and across the Sierra Nevada mountains. Many conifers can be found near the coast as well. The largest conifer family is the pine (Pinus) family including pine, spruce, and fir. Many species of pine are found among western region conifers. These trees have foliage that looks like needles and develop seed cones looking like scales whorled about a central axis....
What are Herbicides? Herbicides are chemicals that kill plants or prevent them from growing. Their method of killing plants is as varied as the plants they kill. The first step in understanding herbicides is to read the label. Labels tell you how to use herbicides safely and effectively. It is illegal to use herbicides for any purpose or by any method other than as indicated on the label. Here are some tips to help you use herbicides safely and effectively:...
What are Planthoppers? There are more than 12,000 species of planthoppers that vary in characteristics such as color, markings, geographic location and plant preferences. You might also know some of them as leafhoppers, treehoppers and torpedo bugs. Some do very little damage while others are quite destructive. The good news is that as bugs go, planthoppers are among the easiest to control. Planthoppers in the garden feed by piercing plant cells and sucking out the contents....
What are Tree Cankers? Cankers on trees appear as isolated dead areas on the bark, stems, branches or twigs. Cankers may appear as discolored areas or depressed places on the bark. A fungus that enters the tree and grows between the bark and the wood killing the bark generally causes cankers. However, cankers can also be caused by damage from weed eaters, lawnmowers, chemicals, insects or environmental conditions. The canker itself makes the tree highly vulnerable to bacteria, fungus and insects....
What are Xerophytes? Plant classifications such as mesophyte, hydrophyte or xerophytes hint at the species ability to adapt and survive. What are xerophytes? These are a group of plants that are uniquely suited to areas with limited rainfall. Adaptations of xerophyte garden plants vary but may include lack of leaves, waxy skin, storage organs or stems, shallow spreading roots or even spines. Cacti are great models of the xerophytic class. Other types of xerophytic plants include succulents like aloe, euphorbia, some grasses and even some perennial bulbs....
Bilberry Plant Information Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is also called whortleberry, European blueberry, and huckleberry. It’s a small shrub. Bilberry grows wild in the arctic and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The bilberry shrub produces round, blue berries also known as bilberries. If you are wondering about the difference between blueberry and bilberry, you aren’t alone. Bilberry plant information tells us that both are berry shrubs in the Vaccinium genus. The fruit of the two species look alike and both taste good....
What is a Bunya Tree? Forests of trees in the Araucariaceae family used to grow all over the planet during the days of the dinosaurs. They died out in the Northern Hemisphere, and the remaining species are found only in the Southern Hemisphere. Bunya pine information makes clear how extraordinary these trees are. Mature bunya pine trees grow to 150 feet (45 m.) tall with straight, thick trunks and distinctive, symmetrical, dome-shaped crowns....
What is a Gorse Bush? If you ever tumble into a gorse bush, you will never forget it. What is a gorse bush? Gorse is a spiny, evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean. Gorse was brought into the United States as an ornamental in the 19th Century. Gorse Bush Facts Gorse bush facts suggest that the shrub is a legume, a member of the pea family. Flowering gorse shrubs can grow tall and wide....
What is a Pohutukawa? According to pohutukawa information, these striking trees grow to 30 to 35 feet (9-11 m.) tall and wide in mild climates. Native to New Zealand, they thrive in this country in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. These are handsome, showy trees that grow fast – up to 24 inches (61 cm.) a year. The New Zealand Christmas tree/pohutukawa is an attractive hedge or specimen tree for mild climates, with its glossy, leathery leaves, crimson blossoms, and interesting aerial roots used to build in extra support as they drop from the branches to the ground and take root....
Ponds or other small bodies of water can create a beautiful focal point that is sure to be the envy of the neighborhood. However, these ponds will require proper care and maintenance in order to truly look their best. This includes the introduction of ornamental plant life to prevent algae growth and aid in water filtration. One plant, the water poppy (Hydrocleys nymphoides), can be a lovely addition to the backyard waterscape – but what is a water poppy?...
It is important to know how to control locoweed in ranching areas. The first steps start with identifying locoweed and recognizing its poisoning symptoms in animals. What is Locoweed? Locoweed is also known as milk vetch. There are over 300 species but not all are toxic. Cattle that graze on the plant may stumble, have glazed dull eyes, run in circles, stagger, or drool. Over time they lose weight, spontaneously abort calves, and have low fertility rates in both males and females....
What is Phenomenal Lavender? Plant breeders have really hit a home run with (Lavandula x intermedia ‘Phenomenal’) plants. Not only are they adaptable to very cold and hot temperatures, but the plants tolerate a variety of soil conditions provided it is well draining. The biggest tip when growing Phenomenal lavender is sun. In full sun, this plant will provide no fuss beauty and scent in your garden. Phenomenal is a French lavender hybrid especially developed for winter hardiness combined with heat and humidity tolerance....
Poison Sumac Information Poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) is a large shrub or small tree that reaches mature heights of up to 20 feet (6 m.), but usually tops out at 5 or 6 feet (1.5-2 m.). The stems are red and the leaves are arranged in 7 to 13 pairs of glossy green leaflets, often with pale green undersides. Poison sumac trees grow in wet, swampy, or boggy areas or along shorelines....
What is Purple Sprouting Broccoli? Purple broccoli plants are extremely cold hardy withstanding temps below 10 degrees F. (-12 C.). This unique attribute is critical to success in growing the plant, as Purple Sprouting broccoli growing will require at least 180 days to mature. Unlike other broccoli plants, which produce a single large head, Purple Sprouting broccoli plants produce smaller heads with multitudes of tender side shoots. These shoots often taste especially sweet and delectable due to their exposure to cooler temperatures....
Why is My Quince Losing Flowers? A quince tree (Cydonia oblongata) covered with white and pink flowers in springtime is a lovely sight. When these flowers fall off before producing fruit (known as blossom drop), it’s certainly disappointing. Quince blossom drop may be due to several factors. Some amount of flower drop in quince is normal. The flowers near the tips of branches are the most likely to set fruit. Flowers located along the branches frequently fall off, but you may still get a good harvest....
How to Attract Squirrels to Your Garden If they live in your area, attracting squirrels should not be a problem. Squirrels love to eat and putting out the right food is a surefire route to squirrels in the garden. If you have a bird feeder, you may already have done this without meaning to. Put out separate squirrel feeders, away from your bird feeders, so they and the birds can both eat in peace....
The winter solstice is also the origin of many Christmas traditions, including the plants we associate with the holidays, like mistletoe or the Christmas tree. That means that there is a special meaning to winter solstice for gardeners. If you are hoping to celebrate the winter solstice in the garden and are looking for ideas, read on. Winter Solstice in the Garden Winter solstice has been celebrated for thousands of years as both the longest night of the year and the moment of the year when the days start getting longer....
Preventing Worms from Escaping If your worms are trying to escape, the first order of business is to check for certain environmental problems that are common problems in worm bins. It’s possible that the worms aren’t comfortable in their new digs. For example, it may seem like a good idea to shred computer paper and recycle it in the bin, but white paper is bleached and may be scratchy enough to cause the worms to flee....
Yucca Plant Pod Info Yuccas produce a lovely white to cream flower stalk, decorated with dangling blooms. These panicles will last for several weeks, then the petals will drop off and the ovary will start to develop. Soon seed pods will form. You can allow these to mature on the plant until dry and then harvest them. Alternately, you can cut off the seed pods on yucca to avoid the plant self-seeding....
