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About Spike Moss Plants Spike moss has a similar structure to ferns. The relationship might lead one to call the plant spike moss fern, although that is technically not correct either. These common plants are part of many native flora situations and are nursery plants for some varieties of wild seed, which grow up through them. Selaginella spike mosses are spore-producing plants, just like ferns, and can produce large mats of deep, feathery green foliage....

About Miniature Irises It’s still an iris, only smaller. In fact, most dwarf irises only reach about 6 to 8 inches (14-20 cm.) tall, making them ideal for borders or even edging. These tiny wildflower wonders spread through underground rhizomatous stems, filling the garden with their lovely spring blooms. While there are many types of dwarf iris, it’s the dwarf crested iris (Iris cristata) that steals my heart. Dwarf crested iris will blanket the site with flowers that are rich in various shades of purple or bluish colors having white and yellow crested markings....

Choosing Mulch for Windy Areas Mulch comes in many different varieties. The basic division is between organic and inorganic mulches. Organic mulch, like compost, decomposes into and improves the soil. Inorganic mulch, like pebbles or rock, doesn’t ever decompose. Ideally, a mulch has many good qualities. It’s great to use a mulch that won’t compact easily, allows water and air to enter the soil, won’t catch on fire, and decomposes slowly....

Ferns Turning Brown at Tips Most ferns have three basic needs: shade, water, and humidity. You need all three of these conditions to grow a healthy fern, and you can’t make up for one by giving more of another. For instance, extra water won’t compensate for too much sun or not enough humidity. The plant tag will tell you to plant the fern in a shady location, but it may not stay in the shade....

Reasons Grass is Disappearing The most common reason that lawns deteriorate and patchy areas of poor or no growth develop is the lack of sunlight. Grass thrives on full sun, so if you have shady areas, a fence that has just gone up, or a new tree blocking sunlight, you may start to lose patches of green. There are, of course, other potential issues if you know your lawn is getting enough sunlight:...

No Flowers on Candy Corn Plant Manettia inflata is known as the candy corn plant, cigar flower, or firecracker vine. Each epithet aptly describes attributes of this beautiful Central and South American species. When a Manettia won’t bloom, it could be due to temperature changes, lighting, nutrients, inappropriate pruning, or possibly other cultural care, such as watering. Humidity As a tropical plant, candy corn vines need plenty of sun, moderately moist soil, and humidity....

Pine Trees in the Northeast First, let’s clear something up. What’s the difference between a pine tree and a conifer? When we use the term “pine tree” or “evergreen,” we’re usually loosely talking about trees with needles that stay green all year — the traditional Christmas tree-style tree. These species also tend to produce pine cones, hence the name: coniferous. That being said, some of these trees actually are pine trees — those belong to the genus Pinus....

Take a look at the following for basic information on growing fruit trees in microclimates. Orchard Microclimate Conditions A microclimate is an area where the climate is different than the surrounding area. Orchard microclimate conditions may encompass a pocket of a few square feet or the entire orchard may be different than nearby properties. For instance, regions known for early frosts may have spots, or microclimates, where plants miraculously seem to survive longer then the same types of plants in the same general region or growing zone....

Can You Overwinter Parsnips? Absolutely! Overwintering parsnips is a great idea. Just be sure when overwintering parsnips, that you mulch them heavily. When I say heavily, provide them with 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) of straw or compost mulch. Once they are mulched as such, there is no further parsnip winter care required. The roots will store beautifully until you are ready to use them. If you live in an area that has mild or particularly rainy winters, it is better to dig up the roots in late fall and store them in a cellar or like area, preferably one with 98 to 100% humidity and between 32 and 34 degrees F....

Why are My Pepper Plants Wilting? Sometimes, peppers wilt because they’re baking in the hot, hot sun, but if you’re watering your plants adequately or even amply, the cause is likely fungal wilt. Pepper wilt on plants is caused by either fusarium or verticillium wilt, but the two cause such similar symptoms that distinguishing between them often requires a laboratory evaluation. While you’re wondering what causes wilting peppers, take a careful look at the environment....

Simple Potting Bench Ideas If you are curious about how to make a potting bench, first take some time to discover what your specific requirements might be. What is a potting bench supposed to look like? The simplest potting table info describes a table at least waist high. You can then add a shelf, hooks, cubbies, and even a watering station of some sort. The point is to make the process of tending your plants easier and less back breaking....

Keeping Birds Away from Tomatoes It’s not always easy to keep birds, especially mockingbirds, from eating your ripening tomatoes. When you understand that birds occasionally eat these juicy fruits simply because they are thirsty, controlling this problem becomes a little easier. Placing a bird bath in the garden may be effective for keeping birds away from tomatoes. You can also go a step further and create an alternate garden specifically for the birds with bird baths, bird feeders, and plants (viburnum, serviceberry, coneflower) that birds can freely feed upon....

Looking for an ornamental grass that offers unique interest? Why not consider growing rattlesnake grass, also known as quaking grass. Read on to learn how to grow rattlesnake grass and take advantage of this fun plant. Quaking Grass Information What is rattlesnake grass? Native to the Mediterranean, this ornamental quaking grass (Briza maxima) consists of neat clumps that reach mature heights of 12 to 18 inches (31-46 cm.). Tiny blooms shaped like rattlesnake rattles dangle from slender, graceful stems rising above the grass, providing color and movement as they shimmer and rattle in the breeze– and gives rise to its common names....

Red Anjou Pear Information Red Anjou is a sport, which means it developed as a natural mutation on a Green Anjou tree. One branch with red pears was discovered on a tree in Medford, Oregon. These first examples of the variety were then used to create Red Anjou pear trees. The flavor of this pear is sweet with just a taste of citrus. The flesh is cream to blush pink in color, dense, and firm....

What to do in western gardens in fall? Read on for a regional to do list. November Gardening Tasks While many gardens across the country are getting covered with snow in November, gardening on the West Coast just keeps going strong. The regional to do list includes the usual late-autumn clean-up items, but also lots of planting. Let’s start with the clean-up. If you still have a green grass lawn, you’ll need to rake up and move or dispose of the autumn leaves that are lying on it....

Palm Weevil Damage Weevils on sago palms can kill the plants. The eggs don’t damage the plants, nor do the weevil adults. It is when the weevils are in the larva stage that palm weevil damage occurs. The life cycle of the palm weevil begins when the adult female weevils lay eggs on or near the sago palm trees. The larva hatches out of the eggs in a few days and bore into the living tissues of the tree....

What is a Scent Garden? The best garden hits all the senses, and the idea of a scent garden is just as it sounds: choosing and arranging plants to maximize pleasing fragrances. When you walk into a scent garden, you should know immediately, even with eyes closed. How to Grow a Scent Garden There really are no rules when it comes to planting a fragrant garden, but some ideas help. A scent garden can be a free for all; simply choose the plants that smell best to you and use them....

About Sedum ‘Angelina’ Plants Sedum ‘Angelina’ cultivars are scientifically known as Sedum reflexum or Sedum rupestre. They are native to rocky, mountainous slopes in Europe and Asia, and are hardy in U.S. hardiness zones 3-11. Also commonly called Angelina stonecrop or Angelina stone orpine, Angelina sedum plants are low-growing, spreading plants that only get about 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm.) tall, but can spread up to 2-3 feet (61-91.5 cm.) wide. They have small, shallow roots, and as they spread, they produce small roots from lateral stems that penetrate the small crevices in the rocky terrain, anchoring the plant....

About Citrella Leaf Miners Citrus leaf miners, also called citrella leaf miners, are not destructive in their adult stage. They are very small moths, so minute that they are rarely even noticed. They have silvery white scales on their wings and a black spot on each wingtip. The female leaf miner moths lay their eggs one by one on the underside of citrus leaves. Grapefruit, lemon and lime trees are the most frequent hosts, but all citrus plants can be infested....

Soda Pop as Fertilizer Sugary soda pops are not the most ideal choices for use as fertilizer. Just like salt, sugar prevents plants from absorbing the water — not what we’re looking for. However, plain carbonated water introduced for a short period of time does encourage plant growth over the use of tap water. Club soda or carbonated water contain the macronutrients carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, phosphorous, potassium sulfur, and sodium that are essential for healthy plant growth....