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Soapberry Tree Info Soapberry (Sapindus) is a moderate-sized ornamental tree that reaches heights of 30 to 40 feet (9 to 12 m.). Soapberry trees produce small, greenish-white flowers from fall through spring. It’s the orange or yellow soapnuts that follow the blooms, however, which are responsible for the tree’s name. Types of Soapberry Trees Western soapberry grows in Mexico and the southern United States Florida soapberry is found in the region extending from South Carolina to Florida Hawaii soapberry is native to the Hawaiian Islands....

Will Frost Hurt Spring Bulbs? Bulbs that normally bloom through snow, like muscari, snowdrops and crocus, don’t need spring bulb frost protection. Frost protection for bulbs that like warmer temperatures may be prudent, though. While the actual bulb that is buried underground is usually not damaged, emerging foliage, buds and blooms can be nipped, and browning and wilting of flowers often results. You can sometimes avoid this by providing frost protection for bulbs....

Their blooms look very similar to African violets with their purple, pink, and white hues, but cape primroses also possess red varieties in brilliant colors. The leaves are wrinkled and thick with a fuzzy texture and make an attractive houseplant all by themselves. Streptocarpus information is readily available, making these plants a good choice for novice growers. Streptocarpus Care Indoors Learning how to care for Streptocarpus is a matter of matching the plant to the environment....

Swiss Chard Plant Family The “Swiss” descriptor was added to the chard name to differentiate it from French chardon. Chard has a milder flavor than spinach and very similar green leaves. The leaves are born on top of long stems that may range in color from white to bright red and many hues in between. Varieties of chard are all rich in Vitamin C and carry 100 percent of your Vitamin K needs....

What is Symbiosis? Plant-animal symbiosis — as well as plant-plant and fungi-plant symbiosis — is a mutually beneficial relationship between organisms of different species. These relationships occur naturally but gardeners can also harness them for greater success growing plants. How Gardeners Use Mutualism in Plants and Animals There are many ways you can use these natural symbiotic relationships in plants, animals and even fungi to create a better garden: Companion Planting One of the most common ways gardeners use symbiosis is by companion planting....

Why Do Pots Need Drain Holes? With the exception of a few aquatic plants, plant roots don’t like to sit in water. They need to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with the air, and excess water closes off the air pockets in soil. Plants in pots without drainage holes are prone to becoming overwatered. Even if the soil surface appears dry, the soil at the bottom of the pot may be sopping wet....

What are Thinning Cuts? Pruning is generally the cutting away of malicious wood to increase airflow and bud formation. It is also used to remove dead wood and remove problem stems and branches. But what are thinning cuts? This is the selective removal of certain branches back to the branch collar to open the canopy but preserve the appearance of the tree. It doesn’t change the overall shape of the tree, but thinning tree branches does increase air circulation and light....

About Thuja Evergreens Trees and shrubs in the Thuja genus are fast-growing evergreens. They are more commonly known as arborvitae and feature dark green foliage. Some species develop bronze streaks in winter. While arborvitaes have lost some of their popularity with gardeners in recent years, the cultivar ‘Green Giant’ is an exceptional plant. A vigorous and beautiful evergreen, Green Giant (Thuja x ‘Green Giant’) grows rapidly into a pleasing pyramidal shape....

Tomato Plant Leaf Curl Virus Curling tomato leaves may be a sign of a viral infection. Normally this virus is transmitted through whiteflies or through infected transplants. Though it can take up to three weeks before any symptoms develop, the most common indicator of the disease is the yellowing and upward curling of the leaves, which may also appear crumple-like. Plant growth soon becomes stunted and may even take on a bush-like growth habit....

Lily of the valley toxicity makes it unsafe to have around children and pets. The plant is so dangerous that ingestion could result in a trip to the emergency room, or in rare cases, death. Is Lily of the Valley Safe for Gardens? Sometimes the smallest organisms pack the biggest wallop. This is the case with lily of the valley. Is lily of the valley poisonous? All parts of the plant are considered potentially toxic....

Sources of Tree Herbicide Injury While the target of herbicides, the weeds, is often taken care of, there is may often be accidental herbicide injury done to trees and other plants too. Tree herbicide injury is difficult to diagnose since it mimics damage done by disease and insects. Tree damage from herbicides may be from incorrect or inappropriate application of from drift of dry or liquid chemicals applied to trees nearby....

What is Permethrin? Permethrin is a synthetic broad-spectrum insecticide classified as one of the oldest organic insecticides. While it is manmade, it resembles naturally occurring chemicals called pyrethroids that are naturally found in chrysanthemums, which have insecticidal properties. Permethrin kills many different types of insects by paralyzing the nervous system. It works when ingested or through direct contact and kills adults, eggs, and larvae. It lasts up to 12 weeks post application....

What is a Viroid? Viroids are very similar to the viruses you might have studied in biology class. They are incredibly simple organisms that barely meet the criteria for life, but manage somehow to reproduce and cause problems everywhere they go. Unlike viruses, viroids consist of a single strand RNA molecule and lack a protective protein coat. They were discovered in the late 1960s, and since then we’ve been trying to determine just how viroids differ from viruses....

So what do weeds tell you about your soil? Read on to learn about weed soil indicators and soil conditions for weeds. Soil Conditions for Weeds Growing in Your Garden Several weeds like different growing conditions and are not strictly limited to one certain soil type. Here are the most common soil conditions for weeds: Alkaline soil – Soil with a pH higher than 7.0 is considered to be alkaline, also known as “sweet” soil....

Chigger Bugs in the Garden There’s nothing that can ruin a hike, picnic, or day in the garden as fast as the irritating, itchy bite of the chigger. Like hungry, invisible ninjas, these tiny critters climb up socks and pant legs, looking for a place to feed. What are chiggers though and how do you prevent chigger outbreaks? Chiggers are a pest that is surrounded in mystery. These larval mites are so small they’re difficult or impossible to see with the naked eye, but their bites are unmistakable....

One of the more common methods to divert and move water is to build a French drain. Read on to learn what a French drain is and how to build one. What Are French Drains Used For? French drain systems can be installed to help divert excess water away from homes or low areas in the landscape. These underground “ditches” contain perforated pipe and gravel that gently slope and allow water to freely drain away to ditches, retention ponds, storm drains or rain gardens....

What is a Cordyline Plant? Cordyline is a genus of plants native to Pacific islands and parts of Southeast Asia. There are around 15 species of this evergreen and woody perennial. While in the U.S. it will only be hardy through zone 9 outdoors, cordyline plant varieties are easy to grow as houseplants. They just need warmth, bright, and indirect sunlight, rich soil, and regular watering. Is Cordyline a Dracaena? Identifying a cordyline and distinguishing it from similar plants, like dracaena, can be challenging....

What is a Strawberry Bush? Strawberry bush euonymus is a deciduous plant with a thicket-like habit of around 6 feet (2 m.) tall by 3 to 4 feet (1 m.) wide. Found in forested or woodland areas as an understory plant and often in swampy areas, strawberry bush has inconspicuous cream-hued blooms with 4 inch (10 cm.) serrated leaves on green stems. The plant’s autumn fruit (September through October) is the real show stopper, with warty scarlet capsules that burst open to reveal orange berries while the foliage morphs into a yellowish green shade....

What is Bush Morning Glory? The bush morning glory plant (Convolvulus cneorum) is a beautiful, silvery foliaged shrub that comes from the Mediterranean region of Europe. It has a neat, dense round shape and grows 2 to 4 foot tall by 2 to 4 foot wide (61 cm. to 1 m.). This evergreen plant is also quite hardy, but it can be damaged by temperatures below 15 degrees F. (-9 C....

Elm Yellows Disease in Plants The hosts of elm yellows phytoplasma in the United States are limited to elm trees (Ulmus spp.) and the insects that transport the bacteria. White-banded elm leafhoppers transport the disease, but other insects that feed on the inner elm bark – called phloem – may also play a similar role. Native elms in this country have not developed a resistance to the elm yellows phytoplasma. It threatens elm species in the eastern half of the United States, often killing trees within two years after the initial symptoms appear....