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Are Sphagnum Moss and Peat Moss the Same? The products known as sphagnum moss and sphagnum peat moss come from the same plant, which is also known as sphagnum moss. There are over 350 species of sphagnum moss, but most of the varieties harvested for sphagnum moss products grow in wetlands of the northern hemisphere – mainly Canada, Michigan, Ireland, and Scotland. Commercial sphagnum peat moss is also harvested in New Zealand and Peru....

Italian Cypress in Containers In the landscape, Italian cypress (Cypressus sempervirens) grow into soaring columns of evergreen foliage. They can shoot up to 60 feet (18 meters) tall with a spread of 3 to 6 feet (1-2 meters) and make impressive foundation plantings or windscreens. Italian cypress really does “shoot up,” since they can add up to 3 feet (1 meter) a year of fragrant foliage. And these trees are a long-term investment since they can live for 150 years....

Oriental Bittersweet Information Oriental bittersweet plants are vines that grow up to 60 feet long and can get four inches (10 cm.) in diameter. They are fast-growing and attractive, with light green, finely toothed leaves. The round yellow fruits split to reveal red berries that birds happily devour all winter long. Unfortunately, oriental bittersweet plants have many very effective methods of propagation. The bittersweet plants spread within colonies by seeds and root sprouting....

Leaf Drop in Pepper Plants When you see pepper leaves falling off young plants, you have to figure out what is causing the problem. Generally, it is either the result of incorrect cultural practices or else pest or disease issues. Location To thrive, pepper plants need a very sunny planting location and moist soil with good drainage. If they lack either of these elements, you may see leaves dropping from pepper plants....

Learn How Long to Water Plants with Drip Irrigation Once your system is set up, you can use these general guidelines to water your new and established plantings. Always check the soil to see if you are watering enough or too much. The question, “how often should I run drip irrigation,” is often asked. Newcomers to drip irrigation often overwater. Typically drip irrigation systems are set up to run one hour per week....

Live Oak Tree Facts If you are thinking of a live oak tree growing in your garden, consider the size, shape and other live oak tree facts before you jump in. With its deep, inviting shade, the live oak looks like it belongs in the Old South. It is, in fact, the state tree of Georgia. This mighty tree’s crown is symmetrical, rounded and dense. The leaves grow in thickly and hang on the tree until spring, when they yellow and fall....

Is Chocolate Vine Invasive? Only gardeners new to chocolate vine need to ask, “Is chocolate vine invasive?”. Once you’ve grown it, you know the answer. Chocolate vine (Akebia quinata) is a tough, woody plant that presents a serious ecological threat to native plants. This vigorous vine will climb trees or shrubs by twining, but with absent supports, it will grow as a dense groundcover. It quickly becomes a thick, tangled mass that overwhelms and chokes out neighboring plants....

Maple Decline Information Adverse conditions can cause a maple tree so much stress that it no longer thrives. City maples become the victims of air and water pollution, road salts, and construction and landscaping injuries. In the country, trees can be completely defoliated by insects, and putting on a new flush of leaves uses up valuable energy resources. Without energy reserves, trees become vulnerable to decline. A maple tree depletes its energy reserves when it has to fight off environmental stress, and physical injuries leave trees open to secondary infections....

How to Grow Mexican Sunflower Reaching no more than 6 feet (2 m.) and often remaining at just 3 to 4 feet (1 m.) tall, growing Mexican sunflowers can fill your wish for sunflowers in the garden. Consider planting Mexican sunflower as a colorful addition to the water-wise garden area. Let your kids help with the planting too, as seeds of the Tithonia Mexican sunflower plants are large and easy to handle....

What Causes Mushrooms to Grow on a Lawn? The first thing to understand is what causes mushrooms to grow on a lawn. Lawn mushrooms are a fungus, and this fungus has the job of helping to breakdown decaying organic material. Unfortunately, in the average yard, there are plenty of sources of decaying organic material. Animal waste, old mulch and grass clippings can all spread and feed lawn mushrooms. Why are Mushrooms Growing on My Lawn?...

About Closed Magnolia Buds When you see abundant magnolia buds on your tree’s branches, you’ll be hoping for a canopy full of flowers in spring. When those magnolia buds won’t open, the first things to look at are cultural practices, including the amount of sun and irrigation the tree is receiving in its current location. Magnolia trees need lots of direct sun in order to produce flowers. The more shade your tree gets, the fewer flowers you will see....

How to Winter Fuchsia Plants The goal of overwintering fuchsias is to keep them alive, not to keep them blooming. A fuchsia will not keep blooming through the winter. They need sunlight that is really only available outside in the summer. It is very difficult to imitate these conditions in your house. The best thing you can do to over winter fuchsias is to put them into dormancy, which is kind of a rest for plants....

Those tiny black or red specks are a sucking insect that can do a lot of damage to the health of trees, edibles, ornamentals, and even some herbs. There are many types of mites, each of which has preferred plant hosts. Learn the signs of plant mites and how to deal with them. Types of Mites Mites may be found on landscape, ornamental, or houseplants. These versatile little insects not only reduce plant vigor but can also transmit some dangerous viruses and diseases....

If you (or your children) have a pet turtle that you somehow acquired, you’ll want to keep it healthy and happy. According to most resources, there is a specific diet for the turtle. The good news is you can grow some of the food. Get the kids involved and learn more about properly feeding your pet turtle. Growing Plants for Turtles If you have a turtle as a pet, you might’ve noticed that he/she always seems hungry....

Tuberose Plant Info Polianthes tuberosa was discovered by explorers in Mexico as early as the 1500’s and was one of the first flowers to be returned to Europe, where it gained popularity in Spain. The showy blooms are commonly found in the United States in the Texas and Florida gulf areas and are grown commercially in San Antonio. Learning how to grow tuberose in the home garden is simple, however, care of tuberose flowers after bloom requires effort, proper timing, and storage of the tuberose bulbs (actually rhizomes), which must be dug up before winter in some areas....

Types of Zinnia Flowers Direct sown after all chance of frost has passed in the spring, zinnias thrive with little attention or care. Gardens which receive ample sunlight and warmth throughout the growing season will enjoy a colorful display of bright, vibrant blooms. With the introduction of new hybrids and specifically bred, open pollinated varieties of zinnias, these plants offer an option for nearly any landscape application. Here are some popular zinnia flower varieties for the garden: Dwarf Zinnias– Dwarf zinnias are most commonly planted in flower borders and reach around 10 inches (25 cm....

Elephant Bush Succulents Elephant bush plant may get 6 to 20 feet (2-6 m.) tall in habitat where it is a favorite food of elephants. In the home interior, it is much more likely to remain just a few feet (around 1 m.) tall. The bush has thick succulent brown stems with small tender green leaves that resemble a diminutive jade plant. The home interior is an excellent place to grow elephant bush houseplants....

What are Primitive Plants? Many plants are available for use in prehistoric gardens. Prehistoric garden designs simply use plants that have existed for millions of years. These plants have adapted to a range of climates and conditions and remain viable today, often reproducing from spores, such as with ferns. Creating a prehistoric garden in the shade is a great way to use this variety of plants. Among the oldest plants found in fossil records, ferns have adapted to climate changes and sprung up in new locations across the planet....

Identifying Root Maggots Root maggots get their name from the fact that they attack the roots of root vegetables such as: turnips rutabagas onions carrots radish They also like cole crops such as: cabbage cauliflower collards kale kohlrabi mustard broccoli The root maggots are the larva of several species of root maggot flies. Despite the fact that they are of different species, however, the root maggots look the same and are treated and controlled the same....

Root Rot in Iris Root root in iris is also known as soft rot, and if your irises have ever had it, you know why. The leaves become soft, and the rhizome root grows mushy. Iris root rot is a caused by Erwinia carotovora, a bacterial phytopathogen. It usually gets inside the rhizome through an opening created by some kind of injury. Any pest could provide this entry, including borers, slugs, snails, beetle larvae or even rough use of tools....