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Rosary Vine String of Hearts Ceropegia woodii is the scientific designation for the wiry stemmed plant. Rosary vine houseplants have pairs of heart-shaped leaves about every 3 inches (7.5 cm.) along the slender stem. The sparse foliage adds to the unique look of the plant. The leaves are etched lightly on the top surface with white and on the underside with purple. The stems drape over a pot or container and hang down to 3 feet (1 m....

How Can I Root Schefflera Cuttings? How can I root schefflera cuttings? Rooting a schefflera cutting is pretty easy. Clean a sharp knife with an alcohol pad to prevent any possible spread of bacteria to your plants. Clip off a stem near the base of the plant and wrap the cut end in a damp paper towel. Cut each leaf in half horizontally to reduce the amount of moisture it loses during the rooting process....

What is a Smart Hose? The timers we’ve used in the past have seen improvements that led to the name of smart hose. They may also be called smart faucet timers, as the intelligence is in the timer. Smart garden hose uses can feature about a dozen various ways to manage your gardens. These are often used in pool upkeep as well. The app for the smart hose is downloaded to your phone, working from your home W-Fi....

Staghorn Fern Information There are 17 different species of staghorn fern (Platycerium alcicorne) – which in addition to common staghorn fern, go by a number of other common names that include elkhorn fern and antelope ears. Each one has antler-like foliage as well as a flat, basal leaf. The flat leaves are infertile and turn brown and papery with age. They overlap onto a mounting surface and provide stability for the fern....

Growing Greenhouse Succulents Professional growers and hobbyists are adding substantial greenhouse succulent plants to their inventory in many areas. In places where succulents and cacti only grow outside for part of the year, greenhouse growing allows for bigger plants earlier in the year. However, they are facing a few pitfalls, especially with first-time growers. Growing succulents in a greenhouse is different from growing other plants in this environment. If you have a greenhouse and keep your succulents there, maybe you will benefit from these tips....

Why is My Swiss Chard Wilting? Of all the greens you can grow in your garden, Swiss chard is always the most fun. The deep green leaves of this beet cousin create a dramatic backdrop for the bright, cheery stalks that provide a riot of color for at least one little corner of your garden. When those happy lights suddenly start to look sad and limp, it’s hard to not take it personally....

Controlling Asparagus Beetles There are two main types of asparagus beetle: the common asparagus beetle and the spotted asparagus beetle. Both are primarily orange, but the common asparagus beetle has black wings dotted with white, while the spotted asparagus beetle is entirely orange dotted with black. Controlling asparagus beetles is the same, however, regardless of species. Asparagus beetles are (not surprisingly) most common and damaging on asparagus plants. Both adults and larvae feed on the spears and tips, scarring them....

But being economical isn’t the only reason to think about planting a burlap tree. Read on for information about the advantages of ball/burlap tree planting and the best practices for planting these trees. About Trees Wrapped in Burlap Trees sold in garden stores are either container plants, bare root trees, or trees wrapped in burlap. That is, the root ball is dug out of the ground then wrapped in burlap to keep it together until it is replanted....

About Calla Lilies Plants Calla lilies are not true lilies; they belong to the Arum family of plants and the genus Zantedeschia. There are six different species of this flower, which hail from South Africa and that have become popular for growing in the garden and for cut flowers around the world. Both in beds and in containers, all types of calla lily make for an elegant addition. In general, calla lilies prefer full sun or partial shade and rich, moist, well-drained soil....

Types of Indian Eggplants Gardeners can choose from several kinds of Indian eggplants. Here are a few of the most popular Indian eggplant cultivars: Black Chu Chu hybrid, which produces small rounded fruits, is one of the newer Indian eggplant varieties. Red Chu Chu hybrid is an egg-shaped, bright reddish-purple eggplant. Calliope is an attractive oval eggplant with purple and white streaks. Apsara is one of the newest kinds of Indian eggplants....

What are Desert Gems Cacti? Most cacti are green with maybe a bit of blue or gray mixed in. Desert Gems cactus plants are natural plants that turn the color scheme on its head. While they have been artificially colored, they are still natural cacti and grow just like any plant. They stay relatively small and work nicely in a combined dish garden or as stand-alone specimens that bring a pop of color to your interior....

What is Nectar? Nectar is a sweet liquid produced by plants. It is especially produced by flowers on flowering plants. Nectar is very sweet, and this is why butterflies, hummingbirds, bats, and other animals slurp it up. It gives them a good source of energy and calories. Bees collect nectar to turn into honey. Nectar is more than just sweet, though. It is also rich in vitamins, salts, oils, and other nutrients....

What is a Bashful Graptoveria? Some of the cutest succulents are the Echeveria. Their offspring, Graptoveria, is a cross between Echeveria and Graptopetalum, two outstanding succulents. Graptoveria ‘Bashful’ is just as delightful with its blushing appeal. Try growing Bashful Graptoveria in combination with other succulents for a vacation-friendly blend of interesting houseplants. Succulents are the darlings of lazy houseplant gardeners. They need minimum care and suffer slight neglect with patience and grace....

What is a Nadia Eggplant? Nadia is an Italian eggplant that looks like a smaller type of the large, purple American eggplant. Italian eggplant, such as Nadia, have finer flesh and thinner skin, that may be cooked along with the meat of the fruit. In some markets, the size of the eggplant determines what it is called, but there are different types with real, though, sometimes slight differences. Growing Nadia Eggplants Growing Nadia eggplants is a great choice for those who have lots of recipes to try or wish to freeze the fruit....

What is a Purple Leaf Plum? Purple leaf plum trees (Prunus cerasifera) are small deciduous trees. Their habit is either erect or spreading. The slender branches fill with fragrant, showy flowers in springtime. The pale pink flowers develop into purple drupes in summer. These fruits are appreciated by wild birds and are also edible for humans. The bark is quite ornamental as well. It is dark brown and fissured. How to Grow Purple Leaf Plum Trees Purple leaf plums fit nicely into many backyards....

Fairy Foxglove Information Erinus alpinus is a low growing plant that spreads slowly, making a carpet of delicate little flowers and long, narrow leaves. It is also known as starflower or alpine balsam. Fairy foxglove experts state that it is a short lived perennial, but it can reseed itself or be propagated by rooting the rosettes. Try growing fairy foxglove plants in your alpine garden and enjoy their pleasant ease-of-care nature and cheery blooms....

What is Herb Robert? Invasive weeds form a common battlefield for the gardener. Herb Robert is in the geranium family and produces the characteristic crane-shaped seed pod that all members of the family bear. The seeds eject forcefully from the pod and can travel up to 20 feet (6 m.) away from the plant, making it a virtual nuisance. The seeds are not the only problem because Herb Robert growing conditions are flexible such that the weed is adaptable to most soil and site conditions....

Screening Zone 9 Trees You can make your residence more private by planting trees to block the view into your yard from curious neighbors or passersby. Generally, you’ll want evergreen trees for this purpose in order to create a year-round privacy screen. You’ll have to select trees that grow in your USDA hardiness zone. If you live in zone 9, your climate is quite warm and the upper limit of where some evergreen trees can thrive....

Shade Loving Vines for Zone 9 Zone 9 residents are blessed with the climate that supports a variety of great plants, but it can get hot too. A shade vine, growing over a trellis or balcony, can be a great way to create a cooler oasis in your hot garden. There are a lot of vines to choose from, but here are some of the more common zone 9 shade vines:...

Anthracnose Symptoms in Avocado Unlike many avocado diseases that are basically cosmetic, anthracnose is often difficult to see and can selectively ruin fruits, leaving all other plant parts untouched. You might notice some leaf spots, but it’s far more likely your first brush with this fungal pathogen will occur while your fruits are ripening. Avocados will suddenly sport small dark spots that expand rapidly, within just one or two days, as the fruit ripen....