Pruning Witch Hazel If you are looking for a plant to jazz up your garden in winter, witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is one to consider. This shrub offers red or yellow blossoms that are both fragrant and abundant all winter long. Winter? Yes, you read that right. Witch hazel flowers when little else blossoms. Talk about easy maintenance! The shrub thrives in ordinary soil without fertilizer. You do, however, have to think about witch hazel pruning....

What is Xylella Fastidiosa? Xylella fastidiosa is a bacterium that infects and causes diseases in plants. It is mostly an issue in the southeastern U.S. but can infect plants in other areas too, including the Midwest and Ontario. As the name Xylella suggests, this is a bacterium that sets up shop in the xylem of plants, the vascular tissue that moves water and nutrients up from the roots. The bacteria are transferred and spread to new hosts by leafhoppers because they feed on xylem tissue....

The 10 Most Interesting Pumpkin Varieties Black Futsu – Like a color-changing chameleon, this rare Japanese variety is one of the most unique pumpkins you can grow. Starting out as a greenish-black wart covered fruit, ‘Black Futsu’ turns chestnut color when mature, but not before transitioning through a grayish-green, moldy-looking stage. Unparalleled for its spookiness, the flesh of this variety has a sweet, buttery flavor. Cushaw Pumpkin – The green and white striped skin, coupled with a crook-necked shape, makes ‘Cushaw’ a variety of unique pumpkins to grow at home....

That’s where “garden to table” comes in. The very purpose of vegetable gardening is to provide organic, healthy, delicious fare for the table. So here are a few garden-to-table tips that can help keep us all on track. Garden to Table Meaning Think of “garden to table” as your own, very personal version of the social movement called “farm to table,” that has been shaking up restaurants around the country for the last decade....

Creating Wildflower Gardens In contrast to the formal English garden or even a traditional vegetable garden, a wildflower garden is truly inexpensive, easy to plant, and simple to maintain. You don’t have to spend endless hours weeding your wildflower garden because wildflower gardens are meant to be…well…wild! You also don’t need to spend hours watering or fertilizing your wildflower garden because the plants you will choose for your garden will be native species to your particular region of the world....

Information on Soybeans Soybean plants have been harvested for more than 5,000 years, but only in the last 250 years or so have Westerners become aware of their enormous nutritional benefits. Wild soybean plants can still be found in China and are beginning to find a place in gardens throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Soja max, the Latin nomenclature comes from the Chinese word ‘sou,’ which is derived from the word ‘soi‘ or soy....

What is Adenanthos? Adenanthos is an evergreen shrub native to the southern coastal region of western Australia. Since it naturally grows along the coast, it is tolerant of wind and salt, making it a great choice for coastal gardens in the U.S. and other areas. When growing adenanthos plants, expect their growth to top about 6 to 10 feet (2-3 m.) tall and about 6 feet (2 m.) wide. The evergreen needles are grayish green and so fine that the shrub is soft to the touch....

Lipstick Plant Care You do not have to know a lot about how to care for a lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) before you take on the task. Soil and nutrients, water, light, and temperature all affect your growing success. If you stick to these guidelines, you can be growing lipstick plants before you know it. Soil and Nutrients Lipstick plant care begins with airy soil and proper fertilization. A 3-2-1 NPK ratio liquid fertilizer gives a good result as long as you keep the soil moist....

What is Agave Crown Rot? Agave, or century plant, is native to the deserts of Mexico and hardy in zones 8 to 10. In landscaping, they can be a stunning addition to rock gardens and other xeriscaping projects. The best way to prevent root and crown rot of agave plants is to situate them in a location with excellent drainage, infrequent irrigation, and full sun. Agave plants should also never be watered overhead, a slow trickle of water right at the root zone can prevent the splashing and spread of fungal spores, as well as prevent the crown rot that can happen if water pools up in the crown of agave plants....

Although most varieties are relatively well-behaved, Ajuga reptans is a rambunctious cultivar that spreads by long runners. It tends to escape its boundaries and invades flower beds and lawns if it isn’t carefully contained. Ajuga weed control is tricky, and tackling ajuga plants in lawns is especially challenging. Read on for more information about getting rid of bugleweed. How to Control Ajuga Below are the most effective methods for treating bugleweeds that have become invasive....

What are Akane Apples? Akane apples originate from Japan, where they were developed by the Morika Experimental Station sometime in the first half of the 20th century, as a cross between Jonathan and Worcester Pearmain. They were introduced to the United States in 1937. The height of Akane trees tends to vary, though they are often grown on dwarf rootstocks that reach a height of 8 to 16 feet (2.5 to 5 m....

If you worry about the planting date on your seed packet, you may not need to be too concerned. Scientists have unearthed seeds that are thousands of years old, and in their curiosity, managed to germinate and plant some of them. Of special intrigue are ancient date seeds that are around 2,000 years old. There are also several other examples of ancient seeds germinating and being studied. Ancient Heirloom Seeds The first successful planting of an unearthed seed was in 2005....

What are Heirloom Flower Bulbs? Heirloom flower bulbs come from open-pollinated varieties that have survived for generations. They are in a sense the originals to those grown today – most of which are hybridized. While opinions may vary, antique garden plants are generally considered heirlooms if dated prior to the 1950s and earlier. Heirloom bulbs offer special qualities that differ from those sold today, like stronger fragrances. They are also genetically diverse and unique....

Distressing as it is, when block rot attacks your apple trees, it’s not the end of the world. You can get your apples back and have healthy harvests if you understand how to destroy the disease. What is Black Rot? Black rot is a disease of apples that infects fruit, leaves, and bark caused by the fungus Botryosphaeria obtusa. It can also jump to healthy tissue on pear or quince trees but is typically a secondary fungus of weak or dead tissues in other plants....

What Causes Apricot Brown Rot? Apricot brown rot is caused by the fungus Monilinia fructicola, a fungus that affects most stone fruits. Apricot brown rot symptoms start appearing in the spring, soon after blossoms open. The blossoms turn brown and die, sap exudes from the flower bases, and brown cankers may form on the adjacent twigs. Fruit set will be much lower than normal. Young apricots are usually unaffected, but as the fruits mature, they become more susceptible....

Do Wasps Pollinate? Are wasps pollinators? Wasps are sort of omnivorous in that they eat nectar, but they also eat insects and their larvae. Some wasps, like fig wasps, are the sole pollinator for a certain fruit. In spite of their potential to sting, we should think of pollinating wasps as a necessary organism for garden health. Wasps are closely related to bees and are useful pollinators. It may be difficult to distinguish the difference between a wasp and a bee, but most wasps are fairly hairless, while bees sport plenty of fuzz....

Artillery Plant Info Related to the aluminum plant and the friendship plant of the genus Pilea, artillery plant info indicates this plant got its name from its dispersal of pollen. The tiny, green, male flowers burst the pollen into the air in an explosive-like manner. Where to Grow Artillery Plants Winter hardy to USDA Zone 11-12, growing artillery plants in these zones may remain evergreen or die back in winter. However, growing artillery plants is not limited to those zones alone, as this specimen can be overwintered inside as a houseplant....

Astrophytum Star Cactus Characteristics The common names for plants are often the most descriptive and a fun way to learn about the plant. Star cactus plants (Astrophytum asteria) are also known as sea urchin cactus, sand dollar cactus or star peyote — which refers to the flower. They are also very similar in nature to Peyote cactus plants. The round body may grow 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm....

What is an Athena Melon? Athena melon plants are hybrid cantaloupes grown in the Eastern United States. True cantaloupes are rather warty fruit that is mostly grown in Europe. The cantaloupe we grow in the United States is a rather generic name for all netted, musky melons – aka muskmelons. Athena melons are part of the Reticulatus group of melons known for their netted skin. They are alternately referred to as cantaloupe or muskmelon depending upon region....

Austrian Winter Pea Information Today, Austrian winter peas are often planted agriculturally as a cover crop, or by home gardeners or backyard chicken farmers. Game hunters find that growing winter Austrian winter peas is an effective means of attracting wildlife such as deer, quail, doves, and wild turkeys. Austrian winter peas have ornamental value, and the peas are tasty in salads or stir fries. Many gardeners like to plant a few seeds in a patio container outside the kitchen door....