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For more information about Fukien tea tree bonsais, including Fukien tea tree care, read on. We’ll also tell you how to grow a Fukien tea tree as a houseplant. What is a Fukien Tea Tree? This small evergreen comes from the Fukien province in the Chinese tropics. It is partial to warm winters, which means that it is happy as a houseplant in non-tropical areas. However, Fukien tea tree care is easy to get wrong, so this tree won’t do for those who tend to forget watering or plant care....

Nannyberry Plant Info Shrub or tree? You decide. Nannyberry plants mature to about 18 feet (5.5 m.) tall and 10 feet wide (3 m.), making them fit the definition of a small tree or a large shrub. It is a type of viburnum commonly grown for its ornamental appeal. Nannyberry shrubs are very ornamental with their shiny green leaves with serrated edges. Then there are the ivory flowers that appear in late spring, flat-topped inflorescences as wide as your palm....

What is Frost Heave? What is frost heave? Frost heave occurs after the soil has been exposed to freezing temperatures and plenty of moisture. The pressure that is created from alternating freezing and thawing conditions lifts the soil and plants up and out of the ground. As cold air sinks into the ground, it freezes water in the soil, turning it into small ice particles. These particles eventually come together to form a layer of ice....

Bold flavor profiles lend the plants’ use to imaginative and creative kitchen recipes, as well as in traditional favorites throughout the world. For this reason, basils such as the licorice basil plant are long-time favorites among traditional gardeners and herb aficionados alike. What is Licorice Basil? Licorice basil is a strong, flavorful variety of basil which grows into vibrant green plants with hints of purple on the foliage. A type of Thai basil, these plants are not only beautiful, but reward growers as an immensely fragrant addition to the home garden....

When Do Desert Roses Bloom? Desert roses typically bloom for several weeks throughout spring and summer. With proper care, some new and improved cultivars may bloom year round. Again, be patient. Desert rose plants may not produce blooms for several months, but if the plant is healthy and growing conditions are right, it will eventually produce blooms. Reasons for Desert Rose Plants Not Blooming Below you will find some of the most common reasons for non-flowering and tips for getting desert roses to bloom....

What is Rose Balling? Rose “balling” normally happens when a rosebud forms naturally and begins to open, but once the new swollen bud gets rained on, soaking the outer petals, and then subsequently dries too quickly in the sun’s heat, the petals fuse together. This fusion does not allow the petals to unfurl like they normally would, resulting in rosebuds dying before opening or failing to open at all. Eventually, the fused ball of petals dies and falls off of the rose bush....

Winter Blooming Plants In addition to bright blooms in winter or early spring, many evergreen shrubs have foliage that remains green and lovely year-round. So what plants bloom in winter? Here are some good choices for blooming winter plants to add in the landscape. Christmas rose (Helleborus) – Also known as winter rose, this low growing hellebore plant produces white, pink-tinted blooms from late December through early spring (USDA zones 4-8)....

How to Over Winter Strawberry Jars One of the most common questions pertaining to strawberry plants is, “Can you keep strawberries in a strawberry jar over winter?”. The answer is no, not unless you plan on keeping them indoors, well away from any freezing temperatures. For instance, you can move pots to an unheated garage for winterizing potted strawberry plants until the return of spring; however, more often than not they are put in the ground instead....

Reasons for No Kernels On Corn First of all, it’s helpful to know a little about how corn is formed. Potential kernels, or ovules, are seeds awaiting pollination; no pollination, no seed. In other words, each ovule must be fertilized in order to develop into a kernel. The biological process is very much like that of most animal species, including humans. Each tassel is the male part of the corn plant....

Alder Tree Identification The easiest way of recognizing an alder tree is by its distinctive little fruiting body, called a strobile. They appear in fall and look like 1 inch (2.5 cm.) long cones. Strobiles remain on the tree until the following spring, and the small, nutlike seeds they contain supply winter food for birds and small mammals. The female flowers on an alder tree stand upright at the ends of the twigs, while the male catkins are longer and hang down....

Alpine plant info says alpine plant adaptations make them the perfect specimen for areas where temperatures rapidly change from cold to sizzling hot, where strong winds disrupt other plant life, and where soil is poor and cannot easily be amended. Most alpine garden plants need moist soil to flourish but tolerate periods of drought once established. When established, these plants have a deep, supportive root system. Growing Alpine Plants Alpine plant adaptations allow gardeners with rocky soil to add color and form in the landscape....

Soil for Growing an Apple Tree One thing to remember about growing an apple tree is that the pH of the soil has to be just what the tree needs. You should have a soil test done if you are thinking about how to grow an apple orchard or your trees might not survive. Having a soil test done by the extension office is great because they provide the kit, do the test and then can give you a report of exactly what your soil needs in order to have the proper pH....

Symptoms of Bacterial Leaf Spot Bacterial leaf spot on plants may manifest in several different ways. Symptoms of bacterial leaf spot may include black edged lesions, brown spots with yellow halos, or just light and dark areas on the foliage. Spots are irregular and measure between 3/16 and ½ inch (5 mm. to 1 cm.) wide. They can occur on the top or bottom of a leaf and kill sections of the tissue when they cluster together....

Methods of Berm Weed Control Commonly used in landscapes, the creation of berms in yards and gardens can help separate different sections of the landscape, create visual barriers and help better manage growing areas. Killing weeds on berms can be just as important as weeding established vegetable patches. With planning, weed control for berms can be easily achieved. Effective weed control is achieved through consistency. While chemical controls can be used to eliminate unwanted plants, many growers choose to incorporate organic practices within their gardens....

Cold Hardy Herbs Below is a list of hardy herbs for zone 5 gardens. Agrimony Angelica Anise hyssop Hyssop Catnip Caraway Chives Clary sage Comfrey Costmary Echinacea Chamomile (depending on variety) Lavender (depending on variety) Feverfew Sorrel French tarragon Garlic chives Horseradish Lemon balm Lovage Marjoram Mint hybrids (chocolate mint, apple mint, orange mint, etc.) Parsley (depending on variety) Peppermint Rue Salad burnet Spearmint Sweet Cicely Oregano (depending on variety) Thyme (depending on variety) Savory – winter...

Brugmansia Diseases The most common Brugmansia diseases include: Fungal wilts Fungal issues affecting brugmansia include fusarium and verticillium wilt. Both diseases, which enter the plant through the roots and travel up the stem, block transmission of water and cause stunted growth and wilted foliage. Fusarium wilt is usually seen in warm weather, while verticillium is more common when the weather is cool. There are no practical chemical controls for fusarium and verticillium wilt, and the fungi can live in the soil for long periods....

There are several varieties available that offer a multitude of colors. Depending on the region and type grown, lantana plants can be treated as annuals or perennials. Grow lantana flowers in the garden or in containers. Trailing varieties can even be grown in hanging baskets. Lantanas also make a great choice for those wishing to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. How to Grow Lantana Flowers Growing lantana in the garden is a great way to add color and interest....

Christmas Cactus & Cat Safety When your cat eats a Christmas cactus, your first concern should be the health of the cat. Is Christmas cactus bad for cats? The answer depends on how you grow your plants. According to the ASPCA plant database, Christmas cactus is not toxic or poisonous to cats, but insecticides and other chemicals used on the plant may be toxic. In addition, a sensitive cat eating Christmas cactus may suffer an allergic reaction....

Mulch is any material put on top of the soil around plants to help keep in moisture and shade out weeds. You can make mulch from dead leaves, wood chips, and even shredded tires. On the other hand, compost is a mixture of decomposed organic ingredients. Once the ingredients in the compost mix break down, it becomes a universally prized substance gardeners know as “black gold.” If you have a large compost pile and have more than enough for your soil amendment, finding out how to use compost for mulch is the logical next step in your landscaping design....

Daffodil fertilizer can enhance the perfect trumpet-shaped forms and colors of these cheery flowers. Find out when to fertilize daffodils and what to feed daffodil bulbs for year after year of uplifting spring color. When to Fertilize Daffodils Timing is everything, and feeding bulbs is no exception. The bulbs mostly fend for themselves by storing energy gathered the previous season in the bulb. The foliage should remain after the blooms are gone so they can collect carbohydrates synthesized from solar rays in the photosynthetic process....