What is Muhly Grass? Muhly grass grows in clumps that are 3 to 4 feet (.9 to1.2 m.) tall. It is native to Florida and the eastern half of the United States. The grass is known for its pink to purple inflorescences which float above the body of the plant in an airy display worthy of a fairy princess. The show of color gives it the name pink muhly grass. There is also a white flowering variety....
Oleander Caterpillar Life Cycle In the adult stage, oleander plant caterpillars are impossible to miss, with iridescent, bluish green body and wings with bright reddish orange at the tip of the abdomen. The wings, body, antennae, and legs are marked with small, white dots. The adult oleander wasp moth is also known as the polka-dot wasp because of its marking and wasp-like shape. The female oleander caterpillar moth lives only about five days, which is plenty of time to lay clusters of creamy white or yellow eggs on the undersides of tender leaves....
What is Potato Scurf? Potato scurf is an infection of the skin of developing tubers caused by the fungus Helminthosporium solani. Although this disease wasn’t widely recognized until the 1990s, it has quickly become a problem for potato producers everywhere. Even though the fungus is usually confined to the epidermal layer of the potato tuber, it can damage the internal tissue that’s in direct contact with infected skins. Infected potato tubers develop well-defined, tan to silver lesions that may join as they spread across the potato’s surface....
Potted Japanese Laurel Plants If you’re interested in growing Japanese aucuba in containers, then you’ll have to become familiar with the plant and its needs. Japanese laurel is a relatively slow-growing plant that eventually reaches heights of 6 to 10 feet (2-3 m.), although it can grow as tall as 15 feet (4.5 m.) when conditions are just right. If you’re concerned about the size, consider a dwarf plant, which generally tops out at about 3 feet (1 m....
Recognizing Peony Leaf Blotch Peony leaf blotch is also commonly known as peony red spot or peony measles. It is a fungal disease caused by Cladosporium paeoniae. Symptoms on peonies with measles include red to purple spots on the upper sides of peony foliage, brown spots on the undersides of leaves, and red to purple streaks on stems. These spots usually appear during the bloom period and will progress for the rest of the growing season....
Bent Flower Stems It’s not always the children who damage plants. A dog’s romp through the garden can end badly for your plants – with bent flower stems. And even you, exercising utmost caution, place a foot in the wrong spot on occasion. Strong winds can bend over plant stems too. The key to helping these plants is to know how to repair crushed or bent stems and to have on hand the tools you need....
What is Lyreleaf Sage? Lyreleaf sage (Salvia lyrata) is a perennial herb that grows wild across much of the Eastern United States, extending into parts of the Midwest. It grows in a variety of soil types and is often found in woodlands, meadows, fields, and along roadsides. It is suitable for growing in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 10. Note: Although lyreleaf sage plants are attractive in the home landscape, this salvia plant is considered an invasive plant in certain areas due to its tendency to crowd out other native vegetation....
Shantung Maple Facts Almost any garden is big enough for one or two Shantung maple trees. The slender trees generally don’t get taller than 25 feet (7.5 meters) in the sun, or even less in the shade. Those growing Shantung maples appreciate their interesting trunks and the bright yellow flowers the tree produces every spring. New leaves grow in a bronze-purple shade but mature to a lively green. These small trees are among the first to show fall color....
Showy Rattlebox Information Showy crotalaria, also known as showy rattlebox, rattleweed, and cat’s bell, is a plant native to Asia. It is an annual that sets seeds in pods that make a rattling noise when they are dried, hence its common names. Showy crotalaria is a member of the legume family; therefore, it fixes nitrogen in the soil just as other legumes do. It was for this purpose that showy rattlebox was introduced to the U....
Skeleton Flower Info The flora of Asia provides a distinctive flavor to the home landscape. Planting skeleton flowers brings in the ambiance of Japan, China, Honshu, Hokkaido and the Yunnan province. These regions provide the mountainous wood habitat necessary for skeleton flower growing conditions. These plants have a secret. When mountain rains arrive, the lovely blooms turn clear, glowing with pearly iridescence. Diphylleia grayi is a deciduous perennial which dies back in winter....
Facts about Slugs What do slugs eat – A better question than what do slugs eat would be what DON’T slugs eat. Slugs will eat any kind of vegetation but prefer tender leaves. This means that particularly tender-leaved plants or seedlings are very vulnerable to slug damage. Slugs will also eat vegetables and fruits, causing unsightly damage to crops. Where do slugs live – Slugs thrive in a high moisture environment....
Help, Something is Eating my Radishes! No one knows exactly where radishes originate from, but they can be found growing from the Mediterranean to the Caspian Sea. They thrive in cool, moist climates with the optimal temperature between 60 and 65 degrees F. (15-18 C.). They do well in almost any soil type but prefer light, sandy loam with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. They are easy to propagate from seed sown directly into a prepared bed in full sun to part shade....
What is Pit Split in Stone Fruit? About 40 days after the tree blooms, the pit inside the fruit begins to harden. At this point the flesh adheres to the pit tightly. Anything that causes rapid swelling and growth of the flesh exerts pressure on the pit. If the fruit swells before the bond between the pit and the flesh weakens, the pit may be pulled apart. If the fracture occurs along the suture line that runs down the side of the pit, the result is pit split....
String of Bananas Info Native to Africa, string of bananas is a fast-growing plant with vines that ultimately reach lengths of at least 36 inches (90 cm.). The leaves are somewhat transparent, which allows light to shine through. The small flowers have a pleasant, cinnamon-like scent. String of bananas is suitable for growing outdoors in the warm climates of USDA plant hardiness zones 10 through 12. If you live in a cooler climate, however, you can grow string of bananas indoors....
Sundew Plant Information There are over 90 species of sundew. The majority are found in Australia and South Africa, but they also grow in hot, humid areas of Georgia, Florida, and other similar climates. The plants prefer acidic soils and are usually where there is a bog or marsh and often grow on top of sphagnum moss. Sundews are in the genera Drosera and common varieties are often seen in houseplant stores....
When gardeners give thanks from the garden, they may be grateful for food to put on the table or they may be thankful for the sun shining on their face. What are some other ways you can give thanks from the garden? Gratitude and Thankfulness in the Garden Feeling gratitude and thankfulness in the garden transcends religious affiliation or lack of. It all comes down to appreciating the moment or recognizing the power in the ritual of digging a hole and planting a seed or plant, an almost sacred ritual that has been practiced for thousands of years....
Using Potted Shrubs Pots allow the opportunity to grow a variety of shrubs in a wide range of conditions and locations. Potted shrubs can be moved around easily, especially in cold or nasty weather. Potted shrubs provide a nice frame for entrances or patio settings. They can also provide lovely focal points. Potted shrubs work well as a backdrop for flowers and can even be grown in the same pot, provided it’s large enough....
What is the Wishbone Flower? If you’ve never grown this plant, you may wonder, “What is the wishbone flower?” A bushy annual, the Torenia wishbone flower is a great choice for borders, with wishbone-shaped stamens and flowers in multiple, bi-color shades. Blooms begin in late spring to early summer and continue until frost. Reaching 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) in height, pinching back new growth on top encourages the small, shrub-like appearance of the plant....
Alternative Mother’s Day Flower Ideas Flowers are nice, but perhaps predictable. Why not try a different type of plant or something more permanent than a cut bouquet? Gift her a perennial she can put in her garden and enjoy year after year. For an even more lasting gift, plant a tree in Mom’s honor. A spring-flowering tree like redbud or crabapple will remind her of your special gift each year. For many mothers, the gift of time is truly precious....
Why Choose Alternatives to Grass in Upper Midwest States? Turf grass looks nice and feels good on bare feet. It’s ideal for sports and other games, but there are drawbacks as well. Turf lawns require a lot of maintenance to look good and be healthy. It drains resources, especially water, and is not ideal for native wildlife. Some great reasons to consider alternatives to grass for your upper Midwest lawn include:...
