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What is Herbal Wintercress? Wintercress is a perennial herb native to North America. It was used extensively by indigenous groups, both as a food and as a medication. It is a low growing, 1 to 2 inch (2.5-5 cm.) tall plant that can be found in meadows and roadsides, particularly where soil is moist. The leaves are divided with oval larger upper leaves flanked by smaller bract-like leaflets in green or bronze, depending upon the time of year....

What are Parsley Worms? Striking caterpillars, parsley worms turn into even more striking black swallowtail butterflies. They are easily identifiable as green worms with a brilliant, yellow dotted black band across each body segment. When the caterpillar is disturbed, it protrudes a pair of fleshy “horns,” the better to scare predators away. This larval stage of the gorgeous black swallowtail can grow up to 2 inches (5 cm.) long. Parsley Worm Life Cycle Female black swallowtail butterflies are slightly larger than males and, as is usual in nature, a bit duller in color than their male counterparts....

About Herbs that Grow in Zone 3 The key to growing herbs in zone 3 is in the selection; choose appropriate zone 3 herb plants and plan to grow tender herbs, such as tarragon, as an annual or grow them in pots that can be moved indoors during the winter. Start perennial plants from seedlings in the early summer. Start annuals from seed in the early summer or sow them in a cold frame in the fall....

Growing Bushes in Zone 8 Zone 8 designates a climate that has mild winters with temperatures no lower than 10 to 20 degrees F. (-6 to 10 C.) and hot summers days with cooler nights. It’s a pleasant climate and one in which many plants thrive. Due to a longer growing season, there is a greater opportunity to enjoy flowering shrubs and to have color for a longer period of time....

Only the long, thin beaks of hummingbirds and the proboscis of certain butterflies and moths can reach the nectar in certain flowers with deep, narrow tubes. As they sip this hard-to-reach nectar, they also collect pollen that they take with them to the next flower. Attracting hummingbirds to the garden ensures that narrow tubed flowers can be pollinated. Continue reading to learn how to attract hummingbirds in zone 9....

Why is My Tree Leaking Sap? The bacterial infection called slime flux results when bacteria grows inside a wounded tree. Several types of bacteria are implicated, although botanists have not identified a main culprit. These bacteria generally attack an ill tree or one that is stressed from too little water. Usually, they enter through a wound in the bark. Inside the tree, fermentation occurs from the bacteria and carbon dioxide gas is released....

The U.S. Product Safety Commission warns that over 80,000 gardeners are treated for mower induced injuries annually. This is an alarming number and reflects the great respect we should have for lawn cutting machines. Knowing how to mow grass on a hill can help prevent the operator from slipping, or the machine from tipping. Always follow the manufacturers’ instructions and remove obstructions before beginning mowing. Tips on Cutting Grass on Steep Slopes In hilly areas, avoid mowing when the grass is wet....

A type of indeterminate tomato, growing Black Krim tomatoes requires about 70 days from transplant to harvest. If you are interested in growing Black Krim tomatoes in your garden this year or next season, read on to learn how. Black Krim Tomato Facts Also known as Black Crimea, Black Krim tomato plants are native to Russia. These tomato plants are considered heirlooms, meaning the seeds have been passed down from generation to generation....

Is Common Plantain Edible? Eating plantain weeds out of your yard is not as crazy as it sounds, at least as long as you haven’t first covered them in pesticides or herbicides. Clean plantain from the garden is not only edible but also nutritious. Once you know how to identify plantain, you won’t be able to un-see it. It’s everywhere but especially rampant in disturbed areas. The leaves of plantain are oval, slightly egg-shaped....

Growing Lychee in a Container Lychee is a flowering and fruiting tree that can grow as tall as 30 to 40 feet (9-12 m.). It is native to southern China and needs a warm climate to grow; the lychee is only hardy to zones 10 and 11. The fruit, which is really a drupe, grows in clusters. Each one is a pink, bumpy shell encasing the edible part. The white, almost transparent interior is juicy and delicious....

How and When to Plant Peas First, make sure you have the best spot for growing peas. These plants need full sun and soil that drains well. They need less fertilizing than many other vegetables, so adding a little compost to the soil before planting is usually adequate. For vining peas, choose a location where they can grow up a trellis or other structure. Peas are cool weather plants. If you sow them too late in the spring, they may struggle in the hotter months....

Zone 7 Shade Plants for Foliage Interest American alumroot (Heuchera americana), also known as coral bells, is a lovely woodland plant native to North America. It is mostly grown for its attractive foliage, but it does produce small flowers. The plant is popular for use as a groundcover or in borders. Numerous varieties are available, including several with unusual foliage colors or with silver, blue, purple, or red markings on the leaves....

Common Types of Oregano True oregano plant varieties are members of the Origanum genus within the mint family. There are several other plants known as “oregano” that are used in international cooking but are not members of this genus. Since oregano can be grown indoors, outdoors in containers, or in the ground and since different kinds of oregano are suited for different climates, you can enjoy homegrown oregano no matter where you live....

Concolor White Fir Facts Concolor white fir is native to the western United States, but it grows well across the country, in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. In other words, it tolerates very cold temperatures but doesn’t do well in hot southern climates. It isn’t a city tree and doesn’t tolerate pollution and other urban conditions. Concolor fir is beautiful in open areas where the graceful, drooping lower branches have space to touch the ground....

How to Get Rid of Sooty Mold on Rhododendrons Sooty mold on rhododendron foliage is easily rubbed off with your fingers. You may be able to remove part of it with a strong spray of water from a hose. These measures are only temporary, however, and the only way to keep the mold from returning is to treat the cause of the problem. Small, sucking insects such as scale, whiteflies, and aphids secrete a sweet sticky substance called honeydew as they feed....

Winter Grass Management The grass is distinctive in appearance, with a coarser texture and lighter green color than turfgrass. The seedheads are also noticeable, and not very pretty. Winter grass management generally requires careful planning and a number of approaches, including both cultural and chemical methods. Be vigilant because not all seeds germinate at the same time. Control usually requires careful attention for at least two or three years. Winter grass seeds germinate when temperatures are cool in fall, often out competing other, more well-behaved grasses....

When to Harvest Dandelions Harvesting dandelion plants throughout the growing season provides tea, salad greens, wine, and much more. These “weeds” are packed with vitamins C, A, and K, plus potassium and powerful antioxidants. Make sure your dandelion harvest is free of herbicides and pesticides and always wash all parts of the plant completely. Want to know when to harvest dandelion plants? The flowers should be taken when they are newly opened, and all the petals are still retained....

Ornamental Plume Grass Ornamental plume grass is a clumping plant that can grow 8 to 12 feet (2-3.5 m.) high with whip-like blades that are slightly serrated and sharp on the edges. The plant produces a feathery inflorescence from September to October which will persist often well into winter. The 9 to 14 foot (2.5-4.5 m.) tall flower can also be harvested for indoor arrangements. The decorative plume grass may spread to 5 feet (1....

Planting Guide for Fruit Trees in Containers Growing dwarf fruit trees in containers makes them easier to prune and harvest. Younger trees bear fruit faster. You can find dwarf varieties of almost any common fruit tree, but citrus trees are the most commonly grown. Containers for growing dwarf fruit trees may include those made from plastic, metal, clay, ceramic, or wood, as long as there is adequate drainage provided. A general rule of thumb, however, is to start with a container approximately 6 inches (15 cm....

Why a Plant May Suddenly Die There are a number of factors that can lead to the sudden dying of plants. Below are the most common. Improper Watering Improper watering is often the reason for sudden dying of plants. If you forgot to water for a few days, it’s possible that the roots dried up. However, the opposite is more likely, as too much water is often to blame for dying container plants....