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Types of White Aster If you want white aster flowers to accent other specimens in the garden or simply like asters that are white, then there are plenty to choose from. Callistephus chinensis ‘Dwarf Milady White’ is a white aster variety that, although it is a dwarf variety, doesn’t skimp on bloom size. This variety of aster is heat resistant and disease and pest free. It will bloom profusely from summer until the first hard frost....

Problems with Catnip Here are some of more common catnip problems and how to solve them: Cats – Most cats love catnip and they are frequently to blame for catnip plants not thriving. If this is the case, you can cat-proof the plant by surrounding it with wire fencing. Be sure the holes are small enough that kitty can’t reach through and grab the leaves. An old birdcage makes a decorative enclosure for a catnip plant....

Pests of Naranjilla The naranjilla plant is a spreading, herbaceous shrub that grows to 8 feet (2.5 m.) high. It is native to South America and is cultivated throughout Latin America for its small orange fruit with a thick, leathery peel. The naranjilla fruit are smaller than oranges, usually only 2 ½ inches (6.25 cm.) across, but they are filled with yellow-green, juicy pulp. It is delicious, tasting like a pleasant mixture of pineapple and citrus....

Controlling Zoysia Grass Zoysia grass spreads through underground rhizomatous runners. One of the best ways to keep zoysia out of neighboring lawns or garden beds is to establish good borders. You can accomplish this by installing lawn edging that zoysia is unable to get through, such as plastic or aluminum. Place the edging in the ground at least 6 inches (15 cm.) deep with another 2 or 3 inches (5-8 cm....

Information on Planting Crepe Myrtle Planting crepe myrtle is similar to planting other shrubs and trees. Crepe myrtle trees should be planted in a sunny location. Soil need not be rich or amended; crepe myrtle trees are adaptable to most soils except those that are soggy. Sunlight and well-draining soil afford a wealth of summer blooms and help keep pests away. Newly planted crepe myrtles should be well-watered until roots are established and are then mostly drought tolerant....

Regaining popularity in the landscape, crinum is usually started from large bulbs, although growing plants can be found in nurseries as well. The crinum plant can also be grown from the large seeds it produces or by offsets called pups. The crinum plant reaches 3 to 5 feet (1-1.5 m.) at maturity and the same around. Foliage is spirally arranged, coarse, and open. It is often used for a short, growing hedge where blooms and fragrance can be enjoyed....

Deciduous Shrub Growing in Upper Midwest The states of the eastern and central Midwest include USDA zones that range from 2 in northern Minnesota to 6 in southeast Michigan. Summers are hot everywhere in this region and winters are very cold. Most parts of these states are wet, but summers can get dry. East North Central shrubs need to be able to withstand these climatic conditions but can also benefit from some very rich soils....

Deer Resistant Edibles The sad fact is that there are actually no completely deer proof plants. When herd populations are large and food and water are scarce, deer will graze on whatever they can. Deer get about a third of the water they need from eating plants, so in times of drought they may eat unusual plants just to avoid dehydration. The silver lining is that usually a desperate deer will find wild plants or ornamentals before raiding your vegetable garden....

Tips on Using Bird Netting Bird netting may simply be draped over trees, canes, or other plants. But getting it off the branches to harvest fruit is tricky. A better way is to erect supports around the plant and drape the netting over it. Secure it to the ground with soil staples. Alternatively, the gardener can make a structure out of PVC, wood, or other materials, which will hold the netting up above the plant....

Dimorphotheca Plant Info What is Dimorphotheca? Simply, Dimorphotheca is the name of a flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. Native to South Africa, it is commonly referred to by growers as cape daisy or cape marigold. However, these common names can lead to a little bit of confusion among gardeners. Another very similar plant, Osteospermum, often goes by the same name. When buying seeds or ordering online, always make certain to carefully read listings to ensure the purchase of the correct plant....

Whether garden décor is new, upcycled, or made from natural materials, there is no denying that it can add a sense of charm to these spaces. Driftwood, for example, has gained popularity in recent years just for this reason. How to Use Driftwood in the Garden Driftwood is an excellent material to use as garden décor for a wide variety of reasons. While the things to do with driftwood are limitless, using driftwood in the garden also allows for an organic and natural approach to decorating both large and small corners of the landscape....

What is a Bird’s Nest Spruce? The small depression in the center of the shrub is the genesis of the name, bird’s nest spruce. It is a Norwegian shrub that gets only 2 feet (0.5 m.) tall and about 4 feet (1 m.) wide. The evergreen needles are short and grayish-green except when young. The new growth is a brilliant greenish-yellow and suspended in clusters at the tips of the stems, adding interest to the plant....

Tips on the Drought Tolerant Garden Installing a pollinator garden helps feed and house important insects. Pollinator friendly plants have color or scent that is attractive to beneficial animals and insects. Several of our most important pollinating species are disappearing due to habitat loss, disease, pesticides, and other issues. Providing flowers for these organisms is part of the equation but they also need water, too. In a drought tolerant garden, plan for dish-like rocks, a water feature, or other ways to supply water....

Escallonia Shrub Info Escallonia shrubs grow relatively fast and have both attractive foliage and lovely flowers. The blossoms are tube-shaped, generally white, pink or red, and appear on leafy panicles in summer. Plants can grow to 15 feet (4.5 m.) in either direction, depending on the cultivar. Since escallonia is tolerant of salt spray, you can start growing an escallonia hedge even if you live in coastal areas. Escallonia also makes an attractive garden specimen when planted with plenty of elbow room....

How to Take Care of Lawns in Fall Fall lawn care is critical to a maintaining a beautiful front yard. You’ll need to change the cultural care you offered your grass in summer to fit the new season and the lawn’s needs. Here are some lawn care tips for the fall: Watering – When you are caring for autumn lawns, watch your irrigation. With the dry, hot summer behind you, your lawn needs less to drink....

Floratourism Information What is floratourism? In very basic terms, it’s the phenomenon of traveling to nature-themed destinations, and it’s a hot new trend that’s being spearheaded by younger generations. Whether it’s national parks, botanical gardens, historical estates with vast landscapes, or just overgrown walks and trails, in the past few years the green places of the world have seen visitors in record breaking numbers, and they only seem to be getting more popular....

Fast Flowers for Gardens Flowers that bloom quickly are the fastest way to put a smile on a gardener’s face. If you have a new garden bed, waiting for everything to arise in spring can be a clock watching game. Instead, plant quick growing flowers that give you beauty and fragrance with little waiting. Flowers that grow fast bring their color and form to decorate any part of the garden. The fastest flowers come from seed and are easy to plant and grow....

What is Fruiting Maturity? Fruit development and maturation does not necessarily go hand in hand with ripening. Ripening may be part of the fruit maturation process, but not always. Take those bananas, for instance. The growers pick the bananas when they are mature and ship them when they are unripe. The bananas continue to ripen off the tree, growing softer and sweeter. This is due to a plant hormone called ethylene....

Gardening and the Internet I am, unfortunately, old enough to remember the days when you went to the library sorted through book after book and jotted down notes in a notebook when you were researching a gardening project or plant. These days, however, with the popularity of social media, you don’t even need to go seeking for answers or new ideas; instead, our phones, tablets, or computers notify us all day of new garden or plant related material....

Here at Gardening Know How, we try to provide gardeners with as much information about plants as we can, so that you can decide if a plant is right for you or not. In this article, we will answer the question: “what is a Ghost Cherry tomato” and include tips on how to grow a Ghost Cherry tomato in your garden. Ghost Cherry Information Cherry tomatoes are excellent for salads or snacking....