Assassin Bug Identification Assassin bugs are 1/2 to 2 inches (1.3 to 5 cm.) long and have a curved mouth part that looks like a scimitar. They may be brown, tan, red, blackish yellow and often bi-colored. The curved mouth part acts as a siphon. After the bug catches its prey in its spiny or sticky front legs, it will stick the mouth part into the insect and suck out its liquids....
What is Lettuce Mosaic? If your greens are afflicted with something and you suspect it might be viral, a couple of good questions to answer are: What is lettuce mosaic? What are the signs of lettuce mosaic? Lettuce mosaic virus is just that– a virus that is seed borne in all types of lettuce except endive. It is the result of infected seeds, although weed hosts are carriers, and the disease can be vectored by aphids, which spread the virus throughout the crop and into nearby flora....
About Manettia Candy Corn Plant Manettia luteorubra, known as candy corn plant or firecracker vine, is a beautiful and exotic vine that is native to South America. This vine is a member of the coffee family, although it bears no resemblance at all. It will grow in full to partial sun. It does well indoors and out and can grow to 15 feet (5 m.) as long as it is supported well....
Planting Grape Hyacinth Bulbs in Lawns In general, planting grape hyacinth bulbs in lawns is about the same as planting bulbs in the flower bed; the only difference is that you’re working around existing turf. There are a couple of ways to go about planting the bulbs. The easiest method is simply to peel back small areas of turf with a spade or other cutting tool. Flip the corner of the turf, plant the bulbs underneath, and then replace the turf and tamp it gently....
Night Phlox Information This South African native is an heirloom plant, botanically called Zaluzianskya capensis. If you have already grown a moon garden in your home landscape, this annual phlox is easy to include. If you’re thinking of starting an evening fragrance garden, night-blooming phlox can have its own spot or be paired with other fragrant plants. Night phlox bloom in shades of white, purple, and even maroon. Night-blooming phlox offers a honey-almond, vanilla fragrance that combines well with the sweet scents of angel’s trumpets, the rich clove smell of dianthus, and the perfume-like jasmine scent of four o’clock plants....
Science of Vegetable Growing Olericulture information says this is the area of horticulture that deals with growing vegetable plants for food. Food identified as vegetables are mostly annual, non-woody plants from which we harvest a crop. Classifications for the science of vegetable growing sometimes vary in this aspect of horticulture from what we’ve already learned. In this area of expertise, for instance, the tomato is labeled a vegetable instead of a fruit....
Plectranthus Spurflower Information Blue spurflowers are fast-growing, shrubby plants that reach mature heights of 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m.). The thick, velvety stems support plump, pale grey-green leaves with intense purple undersides. Showy, bluish-purple flowers bloom throughout much of the season, depending on climate. Plectranthus is a rambunctious plant that generates new plants from seed, or by resprouting stem fragments within the soil. Keep this in mind, as some types of Plectranthus can be invasive and harmful to native vegetation in certain areas....
It does require some warmth, though, so if your climate is too cold, Portuguese laurel is not the best option. About Portuguese Laurel Hedges Portuguese laurel can actually be considered a tree and a hedge, but botanically speaking is a tree. Native to Spain and Portugal, this is a broadleaf evergreen that thrives in warm climates. It is hardy only through zone 7 in the U.S., and can maybe stretch to zone 6 winters with protection....
Rain Garden Plants for Shade – Shrubs Start with a shrub—or a few depending on the size of the rain garden—to deflect and slow down the rain coming into the garden. A larger plant also anchors the garden and serves as a focal point. Try these shade-tolerant species: Chokecherry. Choose red or black chokecherry depending on the color of berry you prefer. Red chokecherry grows a little taller, up to about 13 feet (4 m)....
Pruning Privet Hedges Privet (Ligustrum spp.) is an excellent shrub for hedges. It has oval or lance-shaped leaves and grows dense, compact foliage. Privet is an evergreen bush in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. Privet works well for tall privacy screens. It is one of those shrubs that make good hedges 5 feet (1.5 m.) tall or taller. Privet gets leggy and uneven over time though. In order to keep these hedges looking neat and attractive, you’ll definitely need to start privet hedge pruning....
What is Devil’s Claw? The plant’s family is Proboscidea, likely because the pods may also resemble a large nose. Devil’s claw is a sprawling plant with slightly hairy leaves, much like a pumpkin. There are two main varieties. One is an annual with triangular leaves and white to pink blooms with mottled corollas. The yellow flowering type of devil’s claw is a perennial plant but has much the same characteristics. It also boasts hairy stems with a slightly sticky texture....
Choosing Good Canning Tomato Varieties Tomatoes that can well will have lots of meat, limited juice, and, of course, lasting flavor for the best results. Consider, do you want to make sauce or put up the tomatoes whole? Perhaps chopped or sliced will work better. This is good to decide before you choose which tomatoes to grow. Another question you will need to answer at some point is whether you use a pressure cooker or just a hot water bath....
Growing Plants for Zone 8 Shade While growing plants in the shade can be tricky, zone 8 is a temperate climate that gives you a lot of options. Stretching from parts of the Pacific Northwest, down to Texas and through the middle of the southeast up to North Carolina, this zone covers a large area of the U.S. Make sure you know the specific needs of each plant you choose and give them the appropriate soil and watering level to help them thrive, even in the shade....
Perennial vines return each year, scrambling upward to liven a blank wall, fence, or trellis. Plant perennial vines for shade in ground or in containers. Some multiply and can provide plants for other areas of your landscape after a few years. Climbing Perennials for Shady Areas Consider these blooming beauties for those blank areas. Add more than one type of shady perennial vine with blooms for a continuous burst of various shapes and colors....
Shrubs for Butterflies You don’t need to plant acres of terrain to create a butterfly habitat. Only a small amount of space is necessary to provide what they require: food, cover, water, and larval plants. Any and all nectar plants can offer butterfly food, but some are better than others. Before you head to the garden store, engage in some planning. Locate a corner of the garden that is protected from the wind yet gets at least six hours a day of sunshine....
What to Plant on the Summer Solstice Solstice signals the first day of summer planting. The varieties of plants you start this late in the growing season will usually be fall crops. Summer solstice gardening is a great way to extend the season well after your tomatoes and corn have all been consumed. You can look forward to a late season harvest if you plant on the first day of summer....
Floral Thanksgiving Arrangements Traditionally, gatherings (both large and small) center around the preparation of foods sourced from recent harvests and, of course, turkey. It is for this reason that many may also feel the need to decorate for the occasion. The creation of Thanksgiving flower arrangements or Thanksgiving flower centerpieces is just one way in which hosts are able to make a lasting impression on dinner guests. The creation of do-it-yourself Thanksgiving flower décor is an easy way to add appeal and flare to tablescapes....
How to Clean Lettuce Cleaning lettuce isn’t difficult. There are several ways to wash garden lettuce. Some people prefer to simply rinse lettuce under running water, plucking off each outer leaf layer and gently rubbing them clean with their hands. Others may find it easier to cut off the lettuce head and separate the leaves before swishing them in a bowl of cold water, where the dirt and sand eventually sink to the bottom....
The key to having happy, healthy trees in a hot, dry region is to select appropriate trees for a desert climate. If you are wondering about trees you can grow in the desert, read on. We’ll help you find desert garden trees perfectly suited to grow in your area. Types of Desert Trees Trees you can grow in the desert will be tough and drought-tolerant. This doesn’t mean that they can’t be beautiful as well though....
What are Hellebores? These perennial flowers are hardy to zone 4, so they can grow in many different gardens. They produce flowers early in spring and have evergreen foliage, so hellebore adds color and texture year-round. In milder climates, they may even produce flowers as early as January. Deer resistant and untroubled by many other pests, these flowers are also easy to grow. They prefer rich soil, partial shade, and only some watering during summer and dry conditions....
