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What is Miner’s Lettuce? Miner’s lettuce is found from British Columbia south down to Guatemala and east into Alberta, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, and Arizona. Claytonia miner’s lettuce is also known as Claspleaf miner’s lettuce, Indian lettuce, and by its botanical name of Claytonia perfoliata. The generic name of Claytonia is in reference to a botanist of the 1600’s by the name of John Clayton, while its specific name, perfoliata is due to the perfoliate leaves which completely encircle the stem and are attached at the base of the plant....

Poet Thomas Moore described the intoxicating fragrance of night-blooming jasmine as a delicious secret because of its unusual bloom habits. What is night-blooming jasmine? Read more for that answer, as well as tips for growing night jasmine plants. Night Jasmine Information Commonly known as night-blooming jasmine, night-blooming jessamine, or lady-of-the-night (Cestrum nocturnum), it is not a true jasmine, at all, but is a jessamine plant of which are members of the nightshade (Solanaceae) family along with tomatoes and peppers....

What is Urn Gentian? It is common in botany for a plant to have several scientific and common names. This is due to new classification systems and streams of information, as well as regional preferences. Gentiana urnula has been referred to as starfish succulent plant, but this name actually seems to belong to a cactus, Stapelia grandiflora— otherwise known as starfish cactus. Urn shaped gentian may also be called star gentian, but that is up to some debate as well....

Is Covering Plants in Cold Weather Really Necessary? Frost covering for many plants is of limited use, and the best way to protect plants, according to horticulturalists at University of Georgia Extension, is to ensure your plants are properly watered, fed and protected from pests during the spring and summer. Healthy plants are hardier and can withstand cold weather better than weak, unhealthy plants. Most importantly, plan carefully and choose plants that can survive in your growing zone....

What are Woolly Adelgids? Only about a sixteenth of an inch (2 mm.) long, woolly adelgids (Adelges tsugae) have a huge impact on hemlock trees in the eastern part of North America. Their feeding practices cause needles and branches to brown and die, and if the infestation is left untreated, the tree starves to death. Here are some interesting facts about these tiny pests: All woolly adelgids are female. They reproduce asexually....

What is Zeolite? Zeolite is a crystalline mineral made up of silicon, aluminum, and oxygen. These components create cavities and channels inside the mineral that attract water and other small molecules. It is often referred to as a molecular sieve and is commonly used as a commercial absorbent and catalyst. How Does Zeolite Soil Conditioning Work? Because of all the channels inside the mineral, zeolite is capable of holding up to 60% of its weight in water....

Zone 5 Cactus Plants Here are some of the best cactus plants for zone 5 landscapes: Brittle Prickly Pear (Opuntia fragilis) provides creamy yellow blooms in summer. Strawberry Cup (Echinocereus triglochidiatus), also known as King’s Crown, Mohave Mound, or Claret Cup, has bright red blooms in late spring and early summer. Beehive (Escobaria vivipara), also known as Spiny Star or Foxtail, produces pink blooms in late spring. Tulip Prickly Pear (Opuntia macrorhiza), also known as Plains Prickly Pear or Bigroot Prickly Pear, also produces yellow blooms in summer....

About Artichoke Agave Parryi The succulent has glorious, serrated blue-green thick leaves, tipped with wicked barbs. The leaves form a tight rosette that will enlarge over time. How big do Artichoke Agave get? The rosette can span 3 to 4 feet (1 m.) and grow 2 to 3 feet (61-91.5 cm.) tall. Some gardeners say the plant will flower after 10 years while others claim it takes up to 25, but the bloom is worth the time....

What is Biointensive Gardening? At the heart of the biointensive garden approach is the desire to use resources efficiently by doing more with less. Biointensive farming uses 99% less energy (both human and mechanical), 66 to 88% less water, and 50 to 100% less fertilizer than traditional commercial growing techniques. In addition, biointensive gardening builds a healthy soil structure and yields two to six times more food than traditional growing methods....

Plants That Grow Well with Borage Using borage (Borago officinalis) as a companion plant is a good choice. Plants that grow well with borage include: Tomatoes Cabbage Squash Strawberries The borage companion plant is said to repel tomato worms and cabbage worms because borage attracts beneficial insects, such as bees and tiny wasps. As we know these are great plant pollinators, but they also repel garden pests. Additionally, borage works well in the garden alongside many types of herbs and flowers....

Lawn Care California Starts with Landscaping Water is an issue when it comes to lawns everywhere, but drought in California and other western states has moved irrigation to the top of the lawn maintenance list. Most gardeners are aware of this, but not everyone landscapes with water in mind. What does this mean? It means that the time to begin thinking of irrigation issues is when you are designing your backyard vegetation....

Chanicleer Pear Information Chanticleer (Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’) is a cultivar of the Callery ornamental pear, and it’s a beauty. Callery Chanticleer pears have a growth habit that is neat and tailored with a slender pyramid shape. But when the trees flower, they are dramatic and stunning. This variety is considered to be one of the best Callery cultivars available in commerce. Chanticleer pear trees are thornless and can get some 30 feet (9 m....

Zone 8 Blueberry Bushes The types of blueberries grown most extensively in the United States are highbush blueberries and rabbiteye blueberries. Highbush includes both northern highbush and its hybrid, southern highbush. Some of these varieties are more likely than others to thrive as zone 8 blueberries. You’ll want to choose the best types of blueberries for zone 8 as well as the best cultivars when you start growing blueberries in zone 8....

Lilacs for Zone 9 Common lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) are the old-fashioned type of lilac and offer the biggest flowers, the best fragrance, and the most enduring blooms. They typically require chilly periods in winter and only thrive in zones 5 through 7. They are not appropriate as lilacs for zone 9. Can lilacs grow in zone 9? Some can. With just a little effort you can find lilac shrubs that thrive in U....

Bay Laurel in a Container Bay leaf (Laurus nobilis), also called bay laurel or bay tree, is an evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean region. It is known to American cooks as a seasoning, but to gardeners, it is also a charming garden ornamental. Bay leaf has been grown for centuries. The famous celebratory “crown of laurels” was made from bay leaf. In addition, the leaves are used medicinally in Europe....

Available in a variety of hues from white or yellow to pink or purple depending on the species, these daisies are similar in appearance to the Shasta daisy. The various species and subspecies result from hybridization, and thus, may be imports from several spots around the globe. Two examples of this are the blue marguerite daisy, which hails from South Africa, and the white harvest snow daisy, which was brought from Germany....

Can I Grow Celery in a Pot? Turns out that yes, container grown celery plants are not only possible but circumvent the vagaries of the weather. Celery grown in pots allows you to move the plant around to keep it in an ideal temperature range. You can also start celery early in pots, well before the frost-free date in your area and then transplant to a larger container to move outside....

Why is Protective Garden Clothing Important? Gardening is a relaxing activity. It’s good exercise but also peaceful and meditative. It allows you to socialize or spend time alone, reflecting. It’s good for the body, mind, and spirit. Nothing ruins a Zen moment in the garden like a painful scratch from a rose thorn or an itchy bug bite. Protective clothing for gardeners is important because it prevents discomfort and keeps you safer outside....

About Hibiscus Plant Types There is a huge variety of hibiscus plants with a lot of differing qualities, but they all have certain characteristics in common. These plants produce pretty flowers and come in range of colors, either single or double in form. The flowers on hibiscus varieties only last about one day, but the entire plant blooms for a long season. Thanks to their flowers, all hibiscus plants draw in pollinators, including bees....

Coppertina Ninebark Information Ninebark shrubs (Physocarpus sp.) are native to North America. Their native range is the eastern half of North America, from Quebec down throughout Georgia, and from Minnesota to the East Coast. These native varieties mostly have green or yellow foliage and are hardy in zones 2-9. They will grow in full sun to part shade, are not particular about soil conditions, and grow approximately 5-10 feet (1.5-3 m....